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Dealing with Difficult People (I Samuel 26:17-25)
I Samuel 26:17-25, The saga of David and Saul continued. David was presented with an additional opportunity to slay Saul. However, once again he operated by principle and not revenge. Responding with restraint demonstrates faith that God will handle the injustice without our involvement. While checking his bags at the airport, a man became indignant with the employee who handled luggage. For several minutes he belittled the young man and criticized his every move. Surprisingly, the curbside porter didn't seem troubled by this man's verbal abuse. After the angry man entered the airport, a woman approached the luggage handler and asked, "How do you put up with such injustice?" The young man said, "It's easy. That guy's going to Indiana, but I'm sending his bags to India." People react differently to injustice as the story illustrates. While some may retaliate, others only seek peace as is seen in David's life. Yet again, Saul was in pursuit of David and had come close to capturing him several times, yet God always provided an escape for David. I Samuel 26 illustrates a second time that David had the opportunity to seek revenge on Saul, but again he refused to harm God's man, and instead, sought to reconcile his relationship with Saul. David could have easily retaliated or become angry. After all, Saul had asked David's forgiveness before and had even sought his blessing on Saul's family after David became king. Yet Saul was controlled by his anger and it led him to pursue David again. Would Saul never learn? David could have ended the battle once and for all, but sought reconciliation rather than retaliation. People usually deal with injustices in one of three ways. 1. Some people retreat. Have you ever met someone who was hurt by another person and withdrew from social interaction? Perhaps they sought to do right or be kind and were met with an attack. Such actions can easily cause a person to withdraw and refuse to show kindness to others. 2. Some people respond with retaliation. Human nature often urges us to seek revenge when wronged. Retaliating feels good to our flesh. We were wronged, so we rationalize it's only fair that the other people feel our pain as well. There's something almost soothing about inflicting pain on those who wrong us. Yet God directly commands us to reject the urge to retaliate and allow Him to handle wrongdoings. 3 Some respond with restraint. God's desire for our reaction to injustice is through restraint. Psalm 3:7 says, "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." If David was looking for an excuse to retaliate against Saul, he had one, yet he chose to leave Saul's punishment in God's hands. Reacting with restraint shows a level of faith that God will take care of the injustice without our involvement. God sees the injustices in your life, and even though you may not see retaliation immediately, God will have the final say in the matter. Trust Him to make right the wrongs and choose to respond in restraint. PRAYER: Lord, there have been times in life that I have been wronged. Through those times You’ve taught me that You will handle it better than I could. Help me to remember that when someone in my life is difficult to deal with, I need to turn them over 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
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The Finished Work (John 17:1-4)
This mornings devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study. You can view this current study in its entirety by visiting this sites Bible Study link. John 17:1-4, These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. A preacher closed a sermon with these words, "Virtue is so attractive that, if she were to become incarnate, and walk the world in human form, men would fall down and worship her." The pulpit of that church was occupied the same evening by another preacher, a humble evangelical man, who loved the gospel of a crucified Redeemer. He preached Christ crucified, and at the close of his sermon reminded the congregation of the statement made in the morning by the previous preacher, and then added, "I am sorry to say that Virtue did once walk the world in human form, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and men, instead of falling down and worshipping Him, crucified and nailed Him to a tree." John 17 is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible, and certainly one of the most treasured. Some have referred to it as the "Holy of Holies of Sacred Scripture." This is Christ’s final public prayer to the Father before He went to the cross. In this prayer, Christ gives an account of His performance. Despite the opposition on earth, Jesus’ will was to glorify God. Jesus set His glory aside when He came to earth as man (Philippians 2:7). On the cross, Jesus glorified God by revealing how much God loves us. Without the cross, we could never understand how much God loves us (John 3:16). The reason Jesus was now ready to be glorified is simply stated: He had finished the work God had given Him to do. In doing the work God had given Him to do, He had glorified God on earth. "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4). This is the prayer we all should want to be able to pray when it comes our time to die. Jesus prays to His Father that He has glorified Him during His earthly presence. His example remains for us today. He finished the work God gave Him to accomplish. He spoke to His disciples three years earlier, His very ‘meat’ was to do “the will of him that sent, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). He now had. Again, He has left an example for us. He finished His work. So should we. The only way a person can glorify God on earth is to do what God says. If a man is interested in glorifying God, he will obey God. Now the most important thing that you could do, that I could do, that anyone else could do would be to do what God wants us to do. Just as God had a purpose for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; He has a purpose for you as well. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, though I often struggle, help me to never lose sight of doing Your will. Your Son loved me us enough to die for me, the only reasonable thing that I can do is present myself a living sacrifice. Your will is good, perfect and acceptable. And Lord, we know through prayer, we'll find it. May You have Your own way. 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 Great Encourager (II Corinthians 1:2-5)
II Corinthians 1:2-5, Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. Because we are human, we all get discouraged at times. Encouragement is something we all need. Thank God it is something He has promised to every one of us. I want you to know the sweet encouragement that only our Saviour can bring. The word “comfort” means to stand beside a person, encouraging and helping him or her in a time of trouble. God fulfills this role on the highest level by sending the Holy Spirit to comfort His children (John 14:16). Paul learned in his many troubles that no suffering, no matter how severe, can separate those who follow Jesus from the care and compassion of their Heavenly Father (Romans 8:35-39). God occasionally permits troubles in our lives so that we may learn to depend on Him, and so that we may better understand how to comfort others in their troubles. Throughout this letter, Paul stresses that the Christian life includes both sufferings and the comfort of Christ often at the same time. Paul had been in a painful situation. He spoke of difficulty (I Corinthians 1:4, 6, 8), distress (I Corinthians 1:5-7), despair (I Corinthians 1:8), and death (I Corinthians 1:9-10). Jesus’ promise to His disciples in John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Suffering for the cause of Christ allows us to better relate to Him as a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3). But for every degree of suffering we face as we follow Christ, the greater the comfort He provides as we depend on Him. The Father Encourages Us. God provides comfort when we are in affliction (I Corinthians 1:3-4). God is a Father to the fatherless. He knows, understands, sees, cares, loves, and is present with His children. Hebrews perfectly expresses the way in which He gives encouragement through His Word (Hebrews 12:5). The Scripture are the means the Father uses to speak directly to us, as to His children. Our encouragement of sufferers, therefore, will simply be the means of bringing to them the encouraging Word of the Father, as we read with them. The Son Encourages Us. Jesus understands. He has experienced the loneliness, the sense of degradation, the pain, the fears, of suffering. That is not simply a thing of the past for Him. Hebrews 4:15-16, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The One who cried out on the Cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) understands the depths of discouragement. The Holy Spirit Encourages Us. He is the One called to our side to give us strength. When your sense of your value to God is destitute, the Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you are a child of God. When you’re discouraged, don’t cry, "O God!" rather cry, "Abba! Father!" In this way, in the midst of our suffering, we realize we are children. If we are children, we are heirs. If we are heirs, then glory awaits us (Romans 8:15-17). This is real encouragement! We should rejoice in our salvation, in the hope of God's glory, and—yes, even in our sufferings, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Romans 5:1-5). If anyone tries to convince you that you can avoid suffering, such as physical, mental, emotional, financial problems, provided that you have enough faith, they’re not telling you the truth. Paul was a faithful follower of Jesus and obedient in word and in his walk and he suffered greatly. Paul’s suffering and ours is directly related to God’s purpose of using us to minister to others. We must not be so overcome by our suffering that we miss the unlimited comfort that God makes available in every circumstance. God is sovereign over our suffering. When we are going through trials it is of great comfort to know that nothing comes into our lives without first passing through the hands of our heavenly Father. Don’t run from the Lord when tribulations come; run to Him and let Him work in you so that you may be comforted. Whatever happens, I can trust God, realizing He is using life's circumstances to conform me into Christlikeness (Romans 8:28-29). As children of God, we should encourage and comfort one another. I Thessalonians 5:11, Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. The Scriptures urge us to encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone (I Thessalonians 5:14). PRAYER: Father, I lift up those You have personally allowed me to encounter. Those who are suffering for Your cause, those who are struggling a besetting sin, and strengthen those who are utilizing all their efforts to make an impact for you. 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 Is God Able?...He is More Than Able! (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. When Robert Morrison was on his way to China, where he would serve as a missionary, the captain of the ship was skeptical of his calling and gave him a hard time. As Morrison was leaving the ship, the captain said to him, “I suppose you think you’re going to make an impression on China.” “No,” Robert Morrison replied simply, “I don’t think I will make an impression on China but I believe God will.” The three young men answered firmly: they refused to plead for their lives. Trusting and loving the Lord with all their hearts, they surrendered themselves into the hands of God. They informed the king that they did not need to defend themselves, that their first loyalty belonged to the Lord and Him alone. Moreover, they knew that their God was able to save them from the fiery furnace. In fact, they were casting themselves upon the Lord to actually rescue them. But even if the Lord chose not to deliver them, they still could not betray Him. No matter what the king did to them, they could not worship the gods of Babylon nor the gold image that represented the state. The strong, steadfast faith of these young men is a perfect picture of total surrender to the Lord. In times of trial or temptation, the one thing we need above all else is a strong, steadfast faith. The three young men could have easily compromised their faith. They could have done what we are so often tempted to do and take the easy way out. A solid, unwavering faith is needed to withstand the temptation to compromise. Throughout life, we will face critical decisions just as Daniel’s three friends did. If we choose to deny the Lord, we may escape the threats and the suffering for a brief time, but the day of departure from this world will still come. Therefore, the Lord encourages us to place our faith in Him and to grow a strong and steadfast faith. Ephesians 3:20, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Throughout the Bible there are examples of God demonstrating His ability. The whole point of prayer is to ask God to do what we cannot do in our own strength or ability. If we think that we can pull it off ourselves, then we don’t need to pray. God often puts His people in impossible situations to display His power and glory. God is not just able to do beyond what we ask, but abundantly beyond. But that’s not enough, He is able to do far more abundantly beyond what we ask. But, we still aren’t to the limit: The Lord our God is the God of omnipotent ability. The Omnipotent God operates in a realm that is far beyond our ability to even understand. His ability is absolute. What limitless power! His power is unlimited. He can do anything He wills. Omnipotence knows no obstacles. He is not hanging around and just sitting there—He is working within us. Whatever is required to accomplish the purposes and promises of God, “He is able” to perform. God is never defeated. Though He may be opposed, attacked, or resisted, still the ultimate outcome can never be in doubt. Do you serve a God that can? From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s mighty power at work. He is the God that walked with the 3 Hebrew children in the fiery furnace and rescued them out of Nebuchadnezzar’s evil hands. He is the God of Daniel who quieted the mouths of the Lions and was able to deliver him from their grasp. He is the God of Moses who parted the Red Sea and drowned the Egyptian army that pursued God’s people. He is the God of David that guided the single stone from David’s slingshot to Goliath’s head. He is the God that raised Jesus from the dead and defeated death, hell and the grave. He is the God that is greater than my understanding or ability to explain who He is. He is the Lord God almighty. How big is your God? Is He a God that can? PRAYER: Father, although I will never fully understand Your Almighty power, I do know that nothing is ever too hard or difficult for You. I know that Your plans for me are far larger than I can imagine. Help me to never limit or hinder Your work in and through my life. 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 Faithful Friends (Luke 5:17-26)
A young boy, came into a Christian bookshop. His head barely reached just above the counter. He asked the clerk, “Sir, How much are your Bibles?” The man pulled his cheapest Bible off the shelf, one with children’s pictures, and said $1.00. But the boy didn’t have enough money. The boy said. “Hang on, I’ve got more money in my sock,” He sat down on the floor, pulled off a shoe and a long sock. The clerk asked, “You don’t have a Bible Son?” The boy responded, “The Bible’s not for me; it’s for my friend. I want him to know Jesus like I do.” The clerk said “You can have the Bible.” As the boy walked out the door with the Bible, he stopped, turned and said with a big smile, “It’s a good book, ain’t it mister?” By seeking to bring his friend to Jesus, that boy was being the best kind of friend in this world. Their names are not given, their occupation is not mentioned, nor are their ages listed. The Scriptures only records one thing that they did. But the one thing which these men did is the most important work ever performed by men: these men brought a helpless man to the Lord. “It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands” Arthur H. Stainback. These men knew the Lord. They had true faith in Christ. They believed Him to be the Messiah. They recognized His power and authority as the sovereign Lord, the Son of God. They knew that He had power both to heal disease and to forgive sin. These men had a friend who desperately needed Christ. Their friend was a hopelessly, helplessly paralyzed man. They could not heal their friend or forgive his sin. Knowing Christ’s power and grace and knowing their friend’s desperate need, these men determined to bring their friend to Christ. It was not an easy thing to do. The room was packed with people, standing room only. In fact, there was no room through the front door. No one offered to assist them nor even to make room for them, but they were not deterred. They never gave up on their friend. They found a way to bring him in and to lay him before Jesus. At last they got their friend before the Lord. They said nothing; they simply laid the helpless man before Christ. And as a direct result of their labors and faith towards Christ, two marvelous things happened: a sinner was freely forgiven of all his sins and the Lord God was glorified. These men had been voluntary instruments in the hands of the Lord, and God used them to accomplish his eternal purpose! Early Christians "turned the world upside down" as they shared Jesus Christ with others. They were interested in the souls of men that needed to be saved. I want to be like these men, diligently laboring to bring sinners to Christ, faithfully giving myself to the great commission, allowing nothing to stand in my way. We cannot save men, but we can do our part and get others under the sound of the Gospel. It's far more important that I care about people, rather than plans. The cause of Christ ought to be at the top of our priority lists. We should always be mindful of how we can be used to lead others to Christ. You may be in a hurry as you're reading this today; but in your haste, don't neglect opportunities to let your light shine for Christ. Be available to lend an ear or a hand, and you'll be amazed at how God will use you. What happens concerning conviction and repentance is between the sinner and the Saviour. Our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ is to get them to the Saviour. The only way to heaven is by Christ. Gospel comes from God. It brings us to God. We find four men, co laborers, working together as a team effort to get this one man to Jesus. I Corinthians 3:6, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. It’s great when several people work together in bring someone to the Lord. That is often the case. It almost always takes more than one. We are not to get jealous over who gets the credit. The main thing is getting the person to Jesus. What a person chooses to do with their decision with Christ is their choice.
Points to Ponder: These men were willing to make sacrifices to help the paralyzed man. They were willing to get involved in his life to help him. Our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ is to get them to the Saviour. Questions to Consider: Is there an expectation in your life you want to see fulfilled? What are the obstacles we face today that hinder us from getting close to the Lord? What keeps us from seeing our expectations fulfilled? PRAYER: Lord, thank You for saving my soul and for Your gift of eternal life. You used a friend and a co-worker who lead me to You. Help kindle a fire within me and inspire me to zealously give myself to the business of bringing sinners to Christ. Help me to have that same passion for others 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 Prayer Prevails (I Chronicles 5:18-22)
I Chronicles 5:18-22, The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him. And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand. For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity. One of the great tragedies of modern-day Christianity is that we simply do not pray as we should. The Lord has placed all of the power and resources of Heaven at our disposal to do His work, yet we “have not, because [we] ask not”. The promise of the result of the request ought to make us stronger in prayer, more faithful in prayer, more confident in our prayers. The story is told of a man who got a permit to open the first tavern in a small town. The members of a local church were strongly opposed to the bar, so they began to pray that God would intervene. A few days before the tavern was scheduled to open, lightning hit the structure and it burned to the ground. The people of the church were surprised but pleased – until they received notice that the would-be tavern owner was suing them. He contended that their prayers were responsible for the burning of the building. They denied the charge. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the judge wryly remarked, “At this point I don’t know what my decision will be, but it seems that the tavern owner believes in the power of prayer and these church people don’t.” 1. Their Skill (I Chronicles 5:18) Sons of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh numbering 44,760 had ability in three particulars. They used shield and sword, shot with bows, and displayed skill in fighting. For any battle, the believer needs the Lord's power. We are not told that Jesus ever taught His disciples how to preach, but He taught them how to pray. He wanted them to have power with God; then He knew they would have power with man—Dwight L. Moody. 2. Their Success (I Chronicles 5:19-22) Victory is evident in that the Israelite soldiers were "helped" and the enemies "given into their hand." One might estimate the weight of the world, tell the size of the celestial city, count the stars of heaven, measure the speed of lightning, and tell the time of the rising and the setting of the sun—but you cannot estimate prayer-power. Prayer is as vast as God because He is behind it. Prayer is as mighty as God because He has committed Himself to answer it. Leonard Ravenhill 3. Their Secret (I Chronicles 5:20-22) The soldiers "cried out to God in the battle." Prayer was the weapon for success rather than all their ability with shield, sword and bow. God "was entreated for them," answering prayer. God answered with victory "because they trusted in Him." They did not trust within themselves but in the Person who had all power. He lifted them above an army more than twice their size (I Chronicles 5:21). When God answers trust, He is being true to His word of promise. He had pledged overwhelming victory when Israelites depended on Him. David would state the principle in (Psalm 20:7) some trust in horses, some in chariots, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. The believer's prayer secrets for battle today are spoken in (II Corinthians 6:7; 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-20; II Timothy 2:1-4). Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer. R. A. Torrey R. A. Torrey used to say that the chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer. If you can't pray like you want to, pray as you can. God knows what you mean. God gives us abilities today, but He wants us to remember always that success is not in the abilities on own right but in His power (Proverbs 3:5-6; II Corinthians 3:5). David frequently prayed (II Chronicles 14:10, 14) as we should be disciplined in praying without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer should always be with trust as God sets a high importance on faith (Hebrews 11:1-6). He also makes it clear that prayer is always to be with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7; I Thessalonians 5:18). No matter what odds are stacked against those who pray in faith, God is able to win. PRAYER: Father, I praise You that I can at anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstance come to You in prayer. My desire is to keep walking continually with You, so that my prayer may be the natural expression of my life with 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 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, 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 suggests 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 are 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 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 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 What the Lord Does with Our Sins (Hebrews 8:12)
Hebrews 8:12, For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). He cannot break His covenant (Psalm 55:20; 89:29-35; Jeremiah 33:20). He cannot forsake His people (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5; Psalm 23; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). He cannot be unjust (Hebrews 6:10). He cannot deny Himself (II Timothy 2:13). And God cannot remember the sins of His people. It is not so say that God is not aware of the fact that we have sinned, are sinning and will sin. He is. But in so far as the law and justice of God are concerned our sins do not exist. The blood of Christ has blotted them out, washed them away and removed them from us (Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20; I Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9:15-22). Psalm 103:12; As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Micah 7:18-19, Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Because God Himself has removed our sins, He cannot remember our sins. This is His promise to every believer. Isaiah 43:25, I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Jeremiah 31:34, And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Hebrews 8:12, For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:17, And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. God will not remember our sins when we stand before Him in the Day of Judgment. Jeremiah 50:20, In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. God will not remember our sins in the distribution of His heavenly gifts, crowns and rewards. All the limitless abundance of heaven’s eternal glory will be given to all of God’s servants, because all will be perfect, blameless, sinless and holy through the righteousness and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. God will remember our sins no more. Through faith in Jesus there is complete forgiveness of sins. I John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. The law could never forgive sin or make us whole. Romans 3:20, Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. That verse is one of the most blessed promises contained in all the Bible. God knows everything and He will never forget anything because He has a poor memory or have a mental lapse. When He buries our sin, He chooses not to dig it up and throw it in our face. When you forgive someone, you bury the sin and you relinquish your right to dig it up and remind the person about it. Many lives, homes and churches have been destroyed by a lack of forgiveness. It is important that we learn to forgive like Jesus and love others like He did. It can be done remember Stephen (Acts 7:60) followed the example of our Lord and offered forgiveness before it was asked for. Prayer: Father, thank You for forgiving me of my sins. Help me to love and live like Your Son Jesus. 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 mornings devotion is an excerpt from a Leadership Page. You can view this current study in its entirety by visiting this sites Leadership Page link. Leadership - Fellowship Baptist Church (fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com)
Spiritual Stability (Ephesians 4:3) Ephesians 4:3, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Napoleon's fleet was gathering off the coast of Spain. Britain immediately dispatched her best admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson, to command their fleet in battle. In a letter prior to arriving off of Trafalgar, Nelson wrote his friend Admiral Collingwood: "My dear Coll: I shall be with you in a very few days, and I hope you will remain as second-in-command. You will change the Dreadnought for the Royal Sovereign, which I hope you will like." Collingwood was unhappy with this change and argued openly with the captain of his flagship. Nelson implored them, "In the presence of the enemy all men should be brothers. We are one and I hope always will be." Prior to the battle, Nelson addressed his fleet: "In our several stations we must all put our shoulders to the wheel, and make the great machine of the fleet, entrusted to our charge, go on smoothly." On October 21, 1805, the British fleet scored a resounding victory at Trafalgar. Not all of those in Nelson's fleet agreed with each other, but they followed his encouragement to fight together against a greater enemy. Divisiveness and a disturbance of the peace and spirit of unity is catastrophic for the church. This is the reason for this charge. The word "endeavor" means being diligent, working to take care and to do one's very best, and to make haste to do it. The only way to walk worthy of God's great calling is to work at keeping the peace and unity which God has given us. Nothing cuts the heart of God like divisiveness between His people, divisiveness which tears apart His church. The very thing God is doing is creating a new body of people to live together in the love and unity of His Son. He expects us to live in the love and unity of His Spirit now. Paul commands them to “keep” this unity, not to “establish” it. This is God’s program. The church didn’t create the unity. God calls us to preserve what He’s already created (Ephesians 2:11-22). The purpose for walking worthy is the unity amongst believers. Believers are to work at keeping the peace so that they can stay bound together in the unity of God's Spirit. Jesus Christ has broken down all walls and barriers existing between men. There is a great spiritual bond of peace wrought by the Spirit of God between all believers. All divisiveness, differences, and prejudices are set aside; and a spirit of love, peace, and unity exist. Unfortunately, not every believer walks in the Spirit—not all the time. Too often, believers allow self and the old life to re-enter the picture. Such as pride, jealousy, quarrels, criticism, murmuring, etc. The Holy Spirit can override human differences and hold us together through the bond of peace. Unity, where once there was division, will act like a belt to hold us together. Question to Consider: How is your fellowship in the Spirit today affecting the way you see and relate to other believers? point to ponder: Ask the Lord for wisdom so you can find common ground to spread the good news about Jesus Christ. Prayer: Father in Heaven, I am so thankful that You desired to have a personal relationship with me. I know that it was only possible through the shed blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Reveal to me anything in me that disrupts or obstructs the unity that Your Spirit is purposing for in my church. I desire to have a deeper relationship with You. I understand that the closer I walk with You the stronger my relationship with You and with others will be, 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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