Comfort of the Scriptures (Romans 15:4)
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 Old Testament Scriptures are of great importance to a Christian’s spiritual life. They are full of personal examples of men and women who lived sacrificially, to the glory of God. It is full of examples of the spiritual victories and failures that can help us as we strive to follow God and avoid evil. Noah, who preached for 120 years as he built the ark, had not one convert outside of his own family, yet he persevered in the face of ridicule and opposition to carry out the task that God had given him. Joseph suffered for righteousness sake. Moses denied himself the riches and glory of Egypt so that he could please God. David suffered at the hand of Saul and others. Daniel suffered for putting God first. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego denied themselves and suffered the vengeance of the king. The Christian life is one of self-denial and putting others first. Everything that I have read in the Bible and been taught by the Holy Spirit is wonderful. Every doctrinal truth and every principle of Holy Scripture is willfully accepted and submitted to by faith. Yet there are some truths which yield special comfort to my soul. These verses stress the importance of the Word of God in our lives. If we are going to stay revived and minister to others, the Bible must play an important part in our lives. We need to know the Word. Here are three soul-comforting truths of the Scriptures. 1.Patience. Patience is a virtue of great value and none of us have enough of it. But we can learn it from the Scriptures. The more we get into the Scriptures in earnest study, the better we will learn about patience. 2.Comfort. We live in a very discomforting world. It can get pretty rocky and bumpy at times, and often we hit these rough areas of life without any notice. But the Scriptures will give us the comfort we need for the rough places of life. 3.Hope. The world does not give us any hope. Rather, it gives us a lot of hopelessness. But the Bible gives a lot of hope. It will give us hope in the midst of the worst circumstances and trails. It will give us hope for the future. If you want hope in your life, go to the Bible. It gives the best hope. The Lord our God is absolutely sovereign. In creation, in providence and in salvation, God has His way and accomplishes His will. Nothing ever comes to pass in God’s creation except that which He has purposed. We can safely trust a sovereign God. The God of heaven is a God who does what He will, has mercy on whom He will and graciously accomplishes the eternal salvation of His covenant people by His own right arm. Redemption is accomplished by the finished work of Christ, the sinner's Substitute. When our Lord Jesus Christ cried, ‘It is finished!’ redemption’s work was done. Nothing is left to be completed by us. Peace, pardon, justification, reconciliation, the forgiveness of sin, acceptance with God were all perfectly accomplished for God’s people at Calvary. He did not leave so much as one thread for us to sew into the robe of righteousness, by which we are clothed. He did not leave so much as one ounce of suffering for us to pay to the offended justice of God. He did it all! Accomplished redemption is good news for hell-bound sinners! ‘Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' There are no exceptions, no qualifications, no limitations. The invitation is as free as the salvation it proclaims. Anyone in the whole wide world who will call upon Christ as Lord will be saved, even you, even me! God's Word tells us that He is holy. Because we are sinners, our sin separates us from Him. Our Heavenly Father loved us so much He sent His only begotten Son to die for us "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). After we have been restored to Him, He tells us how we should live. Through this knowledge of God's Word, we can have hope. Scripture tells us that we will spend eternity with God if we have accepted the free gift of salvation through His Son. His Word gives us promises that we can cling to. We can be confident that the things God has said will come to pass. If we go through this life waiting for God to do what He said He would do, we can be confident no matter what we face. We have the hope that we will be in Heaven with Him. We have the hope that all things work together for good to them that love God. We have the hope that He will never leave us nor forsake us. These truths from God's Word should be a comfort to us. No matter what we may face, God has promised His help and presence, His protection and guidance, and His love and mercy. We know this because He has given us His Word. Take some time today to thank God for the comfort of the Scriptures and the hope we have through them. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for faithfully guiding me through times of uncertainty. For giving me strength when I was weak. For giving me peace through the storms. For saving my soul and for never forsaking me. 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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Benefits of Waiting on God (Isaiah 40:31)
Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. A young boy went to the local store with his mother. The shop owner, a kindly man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself to a handful. Uncharacteristically, the boy held back. So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him. When outside, the boy's mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn't take a handful of suckers when offered. The boy replied, "Because his hand is much bigger than mine!" It's been said that waiting is not just the thing we have to do until we get what we hope for. Waiting is the process of becoming what we hope for." There are things to be learned while we wait on God that can't be learned at any other time. We need to learn to trust Him despite circumstances, or to be content with what we have or don't have in light of all that He promises. These lessons, when embraced, will work in us a deeper level of trust and a greater capacity for resting in God. So, while you wait for what you hope for, allow the Lord to accomplish the things for which He hopes for you. Quiet waiting before God would save from many a mistake and many a sorrow —J. Hudson Taylor. Isaiah 40:31 encourages you to wait on the Lord for strength in every stage of life. Young people need strength to soar up like an eagle. Middle-aged people need strength to run and not grow weary. In your golden years you need strength to walk and not faint. When we wait upon the Lord, we shall renew our strength. The word "renew" means "to change, to pass from one state to another, or to exchange." When we wait on God, we exchange our weakness for His strength. What we cannot do, He can. What we cannot see, He can. When we are weak, with His strength, we become strong. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. God never ceases from His care and concern for us. While He is aware of what is said by all, and misses absolutely nothing, He especially tunes in to His children. He has a heart for the cries of our hearts. He is the God Who hears and answers our prayers. May you sense His great love for, and pure interest in, you today. Even young men in the prime of life become tired, weary, and fall. As children of the Lord, if we will wait upon Him, He has promised to restore our strength. The word wait, carries the idea to ‘trust the Lord and then wait for Him to act.’ Implied is resting and relying upon Him. As we trust Him, rest upon Him, and then wait upon Him, He will renew our strength. That was true then. It is true to this day. We are to trust Him, rely upon Him, and then wait upon Him to act. As we do, He has promised to renew our strength. This promise, without doubt, applies to spiritual strength. But it also likely applies to emotional strength, mental strength, and even physical strength. Waiting upon Him is trusting Him, which is faith. Blessed are they that trust in Him! Simply wait on him. “So doing, we shall be directed, supplied, protected, corrected, and rewarded.” —Vance Havner. The most muscular and mighty men may faint under strain and utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall: 1. Renew their strength. 2. Mount up with wings as eagles. 3. Run and not be weary. 4. Walk and not faint. I don't know your hearts today. You may be weary. You may be tired. You may feel like you have had about all you can stand, and you may wonder if anything else could happen. You may have said, “I don't see how I can stand one thing more.” You are in the walking stage, and if you wait on the LORD you will not faint, for He is able to renew your strength, and He is able to give power to him who has no might. This is our God. Look at Him. Enjoy Him and recognize Him as your own. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to have the wisdom to learn to trust You and wait for Your timing. Give me peace during my season of affliction. Lord, I choose to trust You and wait for You to act. Please give me rest and peace, 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 Committed to Christ (Colossians 3:23-24)
Colossians 3:23-24, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Our society does not value work as it once did with a mass of government programs providing funding for those who are deliberately unwilling to work. This is different than providing help for those who cannot help themselves. This produces a negative incentive. When there is no relation between work and reward, it is not hard to understand why people regard work as something to be avoided if possible. Yet those who refuse to do what they can do cheat themselves of the satisfaction and accomplishment that comes from diligent labor. Dave Thomas was adopted by a loving family, but his mother died when he was only five. His father remarried three times, and the family moved more than a dozen times before Dave reached his mid-teens. It was his grandmother, who gave him security and taught him the pleasure of hard work. Dave remembers first learning about restaurants because his father took him out to eat quite often. Since he liked to eat, Dave thought that owning a restaurant would be a great career. He took a job at a Hobby House restaurant, and when his father moved again, Dave stayed behind. At age fifteen, he was on his own. During the Korean War, Dave joined the army and attended its Cook and Baker's School. After the war, he was given the opportunity to manage four Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants. Dave learned the business well and in 1968 sold his KFC stock to begin his own chain of restaurants named after his daughter Wendy. His concept was to create a better hamburger—made from fresh meat, made to order, and served in a relaxed, family atmosphere. Wendy's grew rapidly until Thomas stepped out of the leadership in 1982. After several years of falling sales and declining quality, Thomas returned to the company as its "spokesman, in-house cheerleader, and roaming quality-control man." Once back under the founder's watchful eye, Wendy's rebounded and once again began to prosper. "Don't just study people who succeed, study people who handle success well." —Dave Thomas Far too often we limit our potential by being unwilling to serve. We complain of unfair treatment because of a demanding superior. We give a half-hearted effort because we feel the boss doesn’t notice our efforts and doesn’t care. This attitude produces a negative response through everything we do, effectively asphyxiating any enthusiasm that might otherwise have been started by our service. Paul encourages us to consider all the efforts and labor as a service directly to the Lord. The effort and energy that the Christian puts into his job is important to the Lord. The Christian should always be the best at his job, going above and beyond the call of duty. We must work as though Christ were our employer, knowing that all work performed “as to the Lord” will someday be rewarded (Ephesians 6:6-8). The Christian workman is to work heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. The word heartily doesn’t mean frantically. The word "heartily" means out of the soul. The Christian’s labor is to arise out of his soul, from the innermost part of his being. It refers to an all-in attitude. It also anticipates the joy we can experience when we discover God has gifted us for certain tasks we can do wholeheartedly for Him. When we fail to work with all our heart, we deprive ourselves, as well as others. Determine you will use what God has given you to the fullest today. When we remember that we are serving the Lord it changes the way we view our tasks and those around us. Living this way has a powerful impact on the world. Make no mistake, with God, nothing goes unnoticed. He will record, remember, and reward your labor that you do for Him in Heaven. Therefore, we should strive to work heartily and honestly in all that we do bringing glory and honor to Him. POINTS TO PONDER:
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the work You’ve given me to do. Help me to see it as a commission straight from You. Remind me to work with all my heart as if I’m working directly for the Lord Jesus Christ, not for human supervisors. Forgive me for fixating too much on how I feel about my job, whether it fulfills me and makes me happy. Help me not to waste this short life or neglect the great privilege you have given me to work for you. Instead help me to embrace the dignity of my work. Open my eyes for the opportunity to serve You. I want to work hard on everything, for Your glory. It is a privilege to work for You and may my labor be pleasing in Your sight. 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 God’s Spiritual Scalpel (Hebrews 4:12)
Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Gipsy Smith told of a man who said he had received no inspiration from the Bible although he had “gone through it several times.” “Let it go through you once,” replied Smith, “Then you will tell a different story!” Gaylord Kambarami, the General Secretary of the Bible Society in Zimbabwe, tried to give a New Testament to a very belligerent man. The man insisted he would roll the pages and use them to make cigarettes. Mr. Kambarami said, “I understand that, but at least promise to read the pages of the New Testament before you smoke it.” The man agreed, and the two went their separate ways. Fifteen years later, the two men met at a convention in Zimbabwe. The Scripture-smoking pagan had been saved and was now a full-time evangelist. He told the audience, “I smoked Matthew, and I smoked Mark, and I smoked Luke. But when I got to John 3:16, I couldn’t smoke anymore. My life was changed from that moment.” The Bible is more than just words on paper? God’s Word is likened to a spiritual scalpel. The word sword here is more in the sense of scalpel used for surgery rather than a long sword. The emphasis is not upon the length of the blade, but upon the razor sharpness thereof. It is quick living. It is also powerful in that it is effective and effectual. God’s Word has the surgical sharpness to pierce deeper than our mind and into our heart. The Word of God can accomplish so much in our lives if we simply take the time to open it and be receptive to what it has to say. God’s Word surpasses logic and psychology. It pierces directly to the human heart (our spirit), just as the surgeon’s knife goes to the marrow. Let’s consider our body for an example. Within the leg is the bone which is not visible, even as our mind is not physically visible. However, even deeper still is the marrow, even as our spirit {or spiritual heart} resides at the deepest level of human existence. The difference between a surgeon and a butcher is a surgeon uses the scalpel for restoring and healing whereas that butcher uses the cleaver for slaughtering. Scripture is like a scalpel wielded by God to perform spiritual surgery. In conjunction with the Holy Spirit, the Word of God cuts through the sin and darkness of the human heart to restore spiritual health and vitality for Christ. Without the Word, we are as good as dead. God’s Word, however, eliminates the disease of the human heart and breathes life where there is death. We who love God understand firsthand how great the Scripture is. It has worked in our heart and we have never been the same since. The Bible is our spiritual lifeline and brings us the essential spiritual nourishment we need to live for God. Our relationship grows deeper with Jesus when we get in the Word of God and apply it to our life. Without Scripture we have no direction from God and will wander in the wilderness spiritually. The Bible is our foundation and this is what we build our life on. Prayer: Lord, I know that Your Word has the power to transform my life. Forgive me for the times I have just skimmed over Your Word rather than planting it deep in my heart. As I take it into my heart and get it deep into my soul, I ask You to use Your Word to release its power in my life! In Jesus name I pray. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Greatest Statement Ever Made (John 3:16)
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I cannot remember which professor I received this from while I was in seminary. I hope it is of interest to you. For God – the Greatest Lover So loved – the Greatest Degree The world – the Greatest Company That He gave – the Greatest Act His only begotten Son – the Greatest Gift That whosoever – the Greatest Opportunity Believeth – the Greatest Simplicity In Him – the Greatest Attraction Should not perish – the Greatest Promise But – the Greatest Difference Have – the Greatest Certainty Everlasting life – the Greatest Possession Our text is completely permeated with love. “For God” gives the source of love; “so loved” the fact of love; “the world” the object of love; “that He Gave” the act of love; “His only begotten son” the gift of love; “that whosoever believeth” the scope and message of love; “should not perish but have everlasting life” the fruit of love. John 3:16 is the most-quoted verse in the Bible, but what does John 3:16 mean to someone who has never heard it before? A tired and cold newspaper boy approached a policeman one night and asked, “Mister, where can a poor boy find a warm place to sleep tonight?” The policeman pointed down the street, “At that big, white house. Knock on the door and say, ‘John 3:16,’ and they will let you in.” When the little boy knocked on the door of the house, an elderly lady greeted him. He looked up and said, “John 3:16.” The woman invited the child inside and had him sit down in a wooden rocking chair in front of a large fireplace. As he sat there, he thought to himself, John 3:16— I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm. Later, the woman returned to offer the child food. The little boy ate . . . and ate . . . and ate until he could eat no more. Then he thought to himself, John 3:16 — Boy, it sure makes a hungry boy full. Then the woman allowed the boy to take a warm bath — the first he had ever taken. He thought to himself, John 3:16— it can make a dirty boy clean. Finally, the kindhearted woman brought the child to a large guest room where he could spend the night. As the boy slid beneath the covers, he thought, John 3:16 — it sure makes a tired boy rested. After breakfast the next morning, the woman found a Bible and sat down with the little boy by the fireplace. She asked if he understood John 3:16. “No, Ma’am, I don’t.” The woman found the verse and told the child about Jesus. He accepted Christ as his Saviour and thought to himself, John 3:16 — it sure makes a lost boy feel safe. The best truths are those which are tangible. We can clearly see them as they are applied to ordinary life circumstances. John 3:16 is such a truth. It reminds us of God’s gift to mankind and challenges us to express His love through giving. Love gives. Unleash His transforming power in your life this week. Prayer, Father in Heaven, thank You for loving all the world, not just some of the world. Help me to continue to grow in my love for You and for everyone else. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com One Way (John 10:9)
John 10:9, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The famous magician and escape artist, Houdini, could get out of any set of handcuffs, or any straight jacket that was ever placed upon him. In fact, he could release himself from almost any enclosure in less than one minute. Only once did Houdini fail. That incident occurred when he was touring the British Isles. Arriving at a small town, he agreed to demonstrate his ability by escaping from the local jail. The cell door was so ordinary looking that he smiled at the simplicity of the task. When given the signal, he used his terrific speed and agility to try to pick the lock. Unfortunately, he was unable to pick that lock. In frustration, he frantically tried every device he knew to pick the door, but nothing happened. He worked feverishly for two more hours, but to no avail. Finally, being completely exhausted, he fell against the door and lamented in defeat. Immediately, however, the door sprang open. His frustration had been due to the fact that the door had never been locked at all. The key truth is that Jesus is the door to salvation. There is no other way. Because of Jesus, we have access to God. How frequently, by a similar strategy, Satan had deceived poor sinners who are seeking to find a way to open the door of God's salvation. People work, cry, fret, sweat, and pray, trying in every way possible to bring release to their captive souls. Yet, it is only when sinners fall exhausted from their own efforts, and rest against "The Door," the Lord Jesus Christ, that they find the immediate release they so desperately seek. There are no alternatives and no options to salvation—it must come through Jesus Christ. God's salvation is available only through faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Those who except Jesus will be “saved” from the eternal consequences of sin (spiritual death and separation from God) and will experience a personal and never-ending relationship with God. As a result, they will have all they need to serve God’s purposes and experience victory over sin, guilt and condemnation. John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. A traveler engaged a guide to take him across a desert area. When the two men arrived at the edge of the desert, the traveler, looking ahead, saw before him trackless sands without a single footprint, path, or marker of any kind. Turning to his guide, he asked in a tone of surprise, "Where is the road?" With a reproving glance, the guide replied, "I am the road." So, too, is the Lord our way through unfamiliar territory. He is the way! He is the only way to God. There is no other way. For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Dear friend, if you want to go to the Father’s house, to Heaven, you must come through “the Door”, the Lord Jesus. He is the only way! There was one small opening in the shepherd's sheep pen. To enter it you had to remove any obstructions or hindrances. The shepherd literally became the door of the pen, protecting the sheep from wolves and from straying away. Our Lord is the door to Heaven. There is no other way. If you want to enter the sheepfold of Heaven, the obstructions, such as, our own righteousness or sinfulness, must be removed. There was one door into the sheep pen, one door into Noah's Ark, one way into the Temple, and there is one way to have access to God and be saved. Christ is the door. Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation. Jesus is the only door that opens to salvation, security, serenity, and satisfaction. He is the only door that allows the sheep to go in and out. If a man could "go in and out" without difficulty or danger, it meant he was safe and secure. Jesus brings to the believer safety and security, and serenity. Jesus is the only door that opens to healthy and lasting nourishment. He is the only door that leads to the true pasture, the pasture that has the living stream flowing through it and the pasture that has the living food in it. His pasture alone can restore, reassure the soul, and give eternal life. Jesus Christ is standing, knocking at the door of our lives waiting. He is standing at the door, not pushing it; speaking to us, not shouting. He is the architect; He designed it. He is the builder; He made it. He is the landlord; He bought it with His life-blood. It is His by right of plan, construction, and purchase. We are only tenants in a house which does not belong to us. He could put His shoulder to the door; He prefers to put His hand to the knocker. He could command us to open to Him or He could issue orders. He will not force an entry into anybody’s life; instead, He merely invites us to do so. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, Thank You for Jesus, Who laid down His life for me so that I might live with You forever. 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 There’s No Omission in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
Matthew 28:19-20, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. In March 2003, Christian Ambaye was arrested for "Christian proselytizing" and detained in a crowded jail cell for twenty weeks. Ambaye had left his home in Eritrea in 1988 to seek employment as a tailor in Saudi Arabia. While jailed, he said his detention in the crowded cell provided an opportunity to share his faith with other prisoners awaiting deportation. He estimated he had explained the gospel to 600 of his cellmates during the 20 weeks he was detained. Ambaye said that 42 of the prisoners indicated they wanted to become Christians. In August 2003, Ambaye was deported for his crime. He said: "I felt that Jesus Christ was with me in the jail and now I know Him so much better. Everyone knew my crime was being a preacher of Christianity." Even as he was being deported, he was able to witness for Christ. Ambaye said his guards at the airport told curious inquirers, including the airline ticket agent, that he was a "preacher of Christianity" who was being deported for violating laws against proselytizing. Just before Jesus finished His earthly mission, He clearly outlined His mission for His followers. We need to be disciples. Disciples are people whose lives are filled with Christ. Disciples are those who hear, understand, and obey His teaching. Part of the fullness of Christ is the actual responsibility of sharing that fullness of life with others. We need to be disciples making disciples. In understanding the entirety of His authority we come to understand our responsibility to that authority, which is "Go therefore." It is not a matter of debate or discussion. The Great Commission is a command, not a “Great Suggestion.” It is ultimately a matter of obedience. We need to come before Him and ask,” What would You have me to do in light of Your Great Commission?” Every Christian needs to let others know that Jesus Christ came into the world to bring salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. We have a wonderful opportunity to be a part of God's plan and program that has eternal value. That is where we need to put our attention and focus. May we find and obey the task that He has called us to do. Points to Ponder: We need to be people whose lives are filled with Christ. As His disciples, we need to make other disciples. Questions to Consider: What are you doing to take part in the work of spreading the message of Christ to the world? How are you involved in making disciples? PRAYER: Father, help me to become a more disciplined laborer in the field. I submit my availability to Your authority. May Your Holy Spirit guide me to souls who are open to receive Your truth. Help me to bring forth lasting fruit for pleasure and glory. 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 Is Your Heart Fixed? (Psalm 57:7)
Psalm 57:7, My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Allen Francis Gardiner grew up in a Christian home, took to the sea, and achieved a successful British naval career with little thought for God. In 1822, however, he fell ill and re-evaluated his wasted life. He scribbled in his journal, "After years of ingratitude, unbelief, blasphemy and rebellion, have I at last been melted? Alas, how slow, how reluctant I have been to admit the heavenly guest who stood knocking without!" Traveling around the world had given Captain Gardiner a glimpse of the need for missionaries, and he gave himself for the task. Surrendering to the Lord and leaving England for South America, he hoped to minister among the Araucanian (or Mapuche) Indians of Southern Chile. Government interference and intertribal fighting forced him back to England. Three years later he was at it again, visiting the Falklands and investigating the possibility of taking the gospel to the islands of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Sensing opportunity at hand, Gardiner returned to England and on July 4, 1844, established a small organization called the Patagonian Missionary Society. He wrote, "I have made up my mind to go back to South America and leave no stone unturned, no effort untried, to establish a mission among the aboriginal tribes. While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me." Allen kept trying to reach this region. He visited South America a third time, but his efforts were again hindered by intertribal fighting and governmental interference, the land being strongly Catholic, intolerant to Protestant missions. So he returned to England, recruited six missionaries, and set sail for Tierra del Fuego, but all seven men died of disease, starvation, and exposure on Picton Island. Gardiner, the last one to die, dated his final journal entry September 5, 1851, "Good and marvelous are the loving kindnesses of my gracious God unto me. He has preserved me hitherto and for four days, although without bodily food, without any feelings of hunger or thirst." Captain Allen Gardiner died without seeing a single soul saved among those for whom he was most burdened. Not one soul was saved, even though he kept trying and did not quit! Did he waste his life when he got right with God and went to the mission field? Did he waste his life away, dying on Picton Island in an effort to reach the lost for Christ? Was this man a flop or failure, even though he did the Lord's will? The answer is "No." Allen may have not seen one convert while he was alive, but he lit a fire which has never gone out. His South American Missionary Society (as it came to be called) has been sending missionaries and saving thousands of souls for over 175 years. Taking hold of God’s power and faithfulness brought security to David’s heavy spirit. He proclaimed that his heart was fixed and steadfast. He committed himself to worship God faithfully by singing and giving praise. The heart of the psalmist was full of conviction. It was steadfast, firm, and strong. We will not praise God well if we are uncertain, doubtful, weak. Our faith must have some firmness in it if we are to praise God. Understand that Satan will endeavor to suppress your devotion. He will use discouragement, despondency, disillusionment, depression, defeat, dismay, disappointment, and the disdain of others to quench the flames of a burning heart for God. Jeremiah suffered from such discouragement and depression. Jeremiah 20:8-10, For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. Jeremiah overcame his discouragement through the power of God's Word working in his life. Jeremiah 23:29, Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Adoniram Judson, the missionary to Burma, was once flung into prison, a lonely, friendless man, at the mercy of his captors. It seemed a hopeless task to which he had set his hand. He found frustration on every hand. As he lay in that foul Burmese prison, his captors jeeringly said, "What about the prospects of Missions now, Judson?" His swift and unhesitating reply was, "They are just as bright as the promises of God!" Judson had confidence in the Lord in the face of difficult circumstances. If our heart is not fixed we will fail to offer praise and adoration unto the Lord. The LORD is seeking a heart that is fixed and committed to Him. There are so many lures and distractions in this world that Satan will use to get you sidetracked. It is essential that you make up your mind and stick with that decision. The psalmist made that decision as well as the Apostle Paul. I Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Acts 20:24, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, keep my heart fixed and steadfast with Your love. Help me never to grow cold or calloused towards You, Your Word, or 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 One Thing Thou Lackest (Mark 10:21)
Mark 10:21, Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. One of the most memorable Super Bowl football games ever played in NFL history took place on January 30, 2000. This game was Super Bowl 34 and it was played between the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans. The game was close from start to end. With six seconds left in the final quarter of the game, the score was 23-16 with St. Louis in the lead. The Tennessee Titans, however, had the ball on the ten-yard line and had time for one more play. If they could score, they would tie the game and put it into overtime. The ball was hiked and quarterback Steve McNair threw a short pass to his wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who caught the ball, headed for the goal line, but was met by linebacker Mike Jones at the 2 1/2 yard-line. With his legs wrapped by the strong arms of Mike Jones, Dyson stretched out his hand with the football as far as possible, and tried to get it over the goal line to score, but the ball came down one.... yard....short, and time was out. The game was over. Oh, the frustration of being one......yard....short. Both teams gave their best, their all, but the Titans were still one....yard...short! Can you relate to this situation? Have there ever been times in your life when there was something you wanted to do, to accomplish, to be, or to purchase, but you were short of your goal or what you needed by a little margin? Do you remember the frustration? Such was the case of a ruler who came to Jesus and wanted eternal life. He was a good man that had kept the commandments, but Jesus told him, "There is one thing thou lackest." We are just like this guy in many ways. There are many things we do right, yet there is usually at least one thing, just one key thing, we are lacking that we need to work on or change in our lives. 1.He was Looking (Mark 10:17) This man sought Jesus asking how he might obtain eternal life. Jesus expounded the demands of God’s Law to this man, in order to show him his sinfulness and his need for redemption. 2.He was Lacking (Mark 10:21) Christ touched the weak point in the man's character. It was his passion for wealth. Selling his possessions and then giving them away was too much for the man, for he was too attached to his possessions to give them away. Jesus is not advocating a "works" salvation, nor is He saying that it is wrong to be wealthy. He is advocating faith in Christ. He is asking this particular ruler to trust in Him by selling all that he had to give to the poor and follow the Lord. That would require this young ruler to, first of all, humble himself. It would require him to trust in the Lord by faith to meet all of his needs. Surrendering his possessions would be the test of whether he would put the Lord first in his life or his possessions. Would he deny himself or keep "self number one?” Would this young man seek heavenly treasures or earthly ones? 3.He was Loved (Mark 10:21) Though this fellow’s attitude was wrong, Jesus nevertheless had compassion on him and loved him. Jesus knew the man needed first to have a change of attitude. His god was his wealth. Jesus instructed him to get rid of that first and then he could have treasure in heaven. The cross to the world of that day was a symbol of death. Jesus, essentially, told him to not only come to Himself, but to die to self, thus following Him. Implicit is not only repentance leading to saving faith, but also self-denial. Some had accused Jesus of lacking love for this man because he asks much of the man. Keep in mind, Christ gave up great riches to save mankind. 4.He was Lost (Mark 10:22) The man went away sorrowful because he was unwilling to part with his possessions. This young man possessed everything except that which mattered most. His home was filled with valuables, while his soul remained poor. All of us have one thing we lack. When you think about it, in our own lives, there is almost always at least one thing or one area we lack. A Christian can be outstanding in many areas of his or her life, but there is usually one thing he or she lacks. Regardless of who they are, what they do, or where they have been, there is at least one weak area in each one of us. Are you searching for that means of peace and comfort that this world has not been able to provide? Understand, as beneficial as church attendance and living a moral life are concerned, it is not enough, they cannot save. Have you realized you are lacking? If so, you don't have to continue in that state. I urge you, if you are trusting in anything but the shed blood of Jesus, come to Him today and receive salvation. All the wealth and influence in this life cannot prevent death and it cannot secure salvation. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I thank You for seeking me long before I sought You. Help me to remember that You will never force anyone to surrender to You. Help me to keep Your Gospel simple and to be sensitive to those I encounter. 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 Tabitha (Acts 9:36–37)
Acts 9:36–37, Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. Joppa was about 10 miles farther northeast of Jerusalem than Lydda, and it was on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The church at Joppa was incredibly blessed by the ministry and service of Tabitha. Her name means gazelle. Gazelle’s are known for their graceful nature. And certainly everything said about Tabitha or Dorcas speaks about her grace and beauty as a Christian woman! She manifested spiritual beauty by her gracious good works and generous giving to those in need. She was deeply committed to Christ, a very faithful and devoted disciple, full of "good works". She was a doer of good deeds touching the lives of many people who humbly worked behind the scenes. Tabitha had a positive impact on the lives of so many others who were in need. She was known for her deeds, her devotion, and for her donations. She was very charitable and full of good works. Tabitha used her skills to help make coats and garments for the widow women. She was a servant who was an industrious woman and an involved woman. Praise the Lord for servants like Tabitha who use their talents for their service to the Lord. Tabitha was generous to the poor and those who are facing difficult financial conditions. She was a woman compassionately moved by the needs of the widows, orphans, elderly, etc. She wanted to bring pleasure to the Lord by her profession and practice. She was determined that her life was not going to be miserable, pitiful, or idle. When Tabitha died, she was remembered as a disciple who did compassionate works. She was a wonderful example of Proverbs 10:7, “The memory of the just is blessed...” Servants of the Lord are characterized by their steadfastness to the saints, to the Scriptures, to supplication, and to their surrender. It’s been said, “The greatest use of your life is to use your life so that the use of your life will outlive your life”. God is always at work behind the scenes. He blesses and uses people who are surrendered, sacrificial, and servant hearted. True love not only involves our devotion to God, but it also involves our kindness to man. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, James 1:27. Dorcas was most faithful to this duty. Not all are called to preach, or teach, or sing, or play an instrument at church, but everybody can be compassionate to others. What the Bible says about of good works? We are created for them (Ephesians 2:10). We are commanded to do them (Psalm 34:14). We are equipped to do them (II Timothy 3:16-17). God knows our works (Revelation 2:2). The Christian is rewarded for doing them (I Corinthians 3:13-15). Points to Ponder: Just as there was only one Tabitha, there is only one you. You are unique and irreplaceable. The things that we do and the lives that we touch will be remembered for good or evil. What we give and do for others today will be what we are remembered for tomorrow. Every day of our lives, whether we realize it or not, we are building up a reputation by which we will be known. Do all that you can right now, and do it in a way that pleases and glorifies the Lord. Questions to Consider: Are you living for yourself or for others? What do we have to show when we leave this life? What kind of impact are we having on the lives of those around us? When you die, will others be able to testify of your good works? What kind of memories will you leave in the lives of others? PRAYER: Lord, make a difference in me. Make a difference through me. Make me a difference maker. Each day You give me opportunities to reach others with the Gospel. I ask You to use me as one of Your instruments to restore one who has fallen in this broken world. 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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