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Building Others Up! (Proverbs 3:27)
Proverbs 3:27, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” God cares about the smallest details of our lives. The man who owes you money and has the means to pay it back, yet keeps on putting you off is foolish, for God sees him and takes note of his behavior. When someone is due good at our hand, there is great wisdom in rewarding that good. The good may be money owed or a word of thanks. The greater thought is that when we owe someone, there is wisdom in paying the good due to them promptly. Moral principles are entrenched in God's laws, which are all impartial and just. God does not look kindly on people who procrastinate to the point of criminal inactivity. As believers, we have a Biblical responsibility to be prompt in our obligations and, if we are able, to help and assistance those who need our help (Exodus 23:4-5; Acts 20:35; I Timothy 5:16; James 1:27). Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” When the mantle was passed from Moses to Joshua, God knew Joshua would need all the help he could get in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. So, God told Moses, Joshua’s mentor the instructions according to Deuteronomy 3:27-28, “Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.” Everyone needs encouragement…even you need it! During the 1920’s, the Chisolm’s were the epitome of American high society. Everlina, the Chisolm’s housekeeper, had been with them for 45 years, and when her niece came over to play, they took the little girl under their wing. She sang beautifully and Mrs. Chisolm, a trained musician, asked if she would like to become a professional singer. She was thrilled. Her most prized possessions were recordings of famous opera singers and when the Metropolitan was on the radio she was mesmerized. It was on that day she took the first step towards realizing her dream and guests of the Chisholm’s were amazed by the girl who sang with a talent and sensitivity far beyond her years. Elizabeth Chisholm continued to sponsor her education by sending her to study at Julliard. As a result, the world was introduced to the phenomenal talent of Leontyne Price, the darling of the Metropolitan Opera. The Bible admonishes us to, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it”. One of the highest responsibilities we have is to encourage one another. As followers of the Lord, we are instructed to build others up by emphasizing on others potential. Become the oxygen for others around you who are gasping for hope. Strengthen to persevere for the Kingdom. Encourage them that all things work together for good to them that love God. These verses can apply to giving rewards, assistance, or praise to those who deserve them. Another application, however, is the on-time payment of your debts to your creditors or wages to those who work for you. Wisdom is demonstrated by how we respond to and interact with others. Love places us in debt to our neighbor, so we are morally obligated to do our neighbor good when he is in need if we have the ability or resources to do him good. This good is not to be delayed but promptly performed. Do not delay to help those who deserve it. As believers, we have a holy responsibility to be prompt in our obligations and to be generous in helping and giving to those in need. This command relates to the following: · Paying workers their wages and paying them promptly (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; James 5:4). · Providing assistance to those who need our help (Exodus 23:4-5; Acts 20:35; I Timothy 5:16; James 1:27). · Paying our debts in a timely manner (Psalm 37:21; Romans 13:8). Four examples of withholding good: 1. Jacob (Genesis 25:29-33) 2. The Ammonites (Deuteronomy 23:3-4) 3. Nabal (I Samuel 25:10-11) 4. The priests and Levite (Luke 10:30-35) Three examples of not withholding good: 1. Abraham (Genesis 13:9; 14:23) 2. The widow (I Kings 17:9-16) 3. The good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) Question to Consider: Who can you encourage today? PRAYER: Lord, help me to be mindful of others who I can help, encourage, or build up in the faith. 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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Let Me Tell You About Jesus (Mark 5:17-20)
Mark 5:17-20, “And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” If I were to take the time to share with you all the opportunities I have had to tell others about Jesus it would take all day. Although, I cannot know how many parts this series of devotions will cover, each day I will attempt to write about opportunities I have had to share my faith in Christ. The Lord has been so good to me and has allowed me countless opportunities to share with others His goodness and grace. Today, I would like share with you this encounter… I ministered on the streets of downtown Memphis for 13 years. It was during this same time when I pastored in north Mississippi. On Friday and Saturday evenings I would fill my backpack full of Gospel tracts and New Testaments and set off for downtown. I would spend many hours there handing out the Gospel tracts and New Testaments until the backpack was empty. I would walk through the parks, the shelter’s, historic Beale Street and many other areas. There are a few times a year when downtown Memphis hosts a large crowd. One is Elvis week and another is Memphis in May International Festival celebration. They typically hosts over 100,000 people during the weekend. These two festivities bring crowds of people, not just from all over these United States, but from all over the world. Talk about world-wide missions endeavors. Jesus has commanded us to tell others about Him. This event gave me the opportunity to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ. Imagine, people from different parts of the world coming into your own backyard and all you have to do is get up go and tell them about Jesus. 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: 20 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.” Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” I received a call one day in my church office. My phones caller ID verified that this was an incoming call from British Columbia in Canada. It was not to my surprise when the caller on the other end asked to speak to me. What had surprised me was why he was calling. He had explained to me that our paths had crossed several weeks before on Beale Street in Memphis, TN. Furthermore, he went on to say that he did not remember me at all, but it’s what I had told him that he held to. He went on to tell me that I didn’t say much to Him other than to tell him that “Jesus loves Him and that He died for Him.” I told him to not throw it away but to keep it, put it in his pocket and later, when he had a chance, to read it. He went on to tell me that he was giving me a call to tell me about a decision he had made the next day. He told me that he had read the Gospel tract that I had handed him the following day and he had trusted Christ as his Saviour. We continued to converse for the next half an hour. I was able to share Scriptures with him regarding spiritual growth and what he could do to share his faith in Christ with others. You never know when the opportunity to tell others about Jesus will occur. John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist saw Jesus and spoke up right away, telling others that Christ was the solution to the world’s sin problem. He was the One who would be the sacrifice, the Lamb of God, for mankind’s sins. That is our message to this lost and dying world. That is our blessing and responsibility to tell others and point them to Christ. PRAYER: Father, thank You for bringing me to a saving faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. That is the best thing that has ever happened in my life. Forgive me for not sharing this Good News with others on a regular basis. Bring people into my life that I can tell about Your amazing love. 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 Peace Rather Than Panic (Proverbs 3:25-26)
Proverbs 3:25-26, “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” Many people panic when they're faced with severe problems. We can't escape many of the problems in our lives, but we have been given the ability to control our reaction to the problems we face. Our reaction to problems is much more important than the problems themselves. Two people can face the same problem—one person can react calmly with faith in God while the other person panics. The Lord is our confidence. He keeps our foot from being taken in snares and traps of the wicked. Confidence in the Lord and His Word also leads to balance or stability. He is the One that keeps our foot from being caught in a trap. There may be times that people may try to entrap or hurt you. There may be times that people may covet something you have or be jealous of you for some reason. You may have unknowingly offended them, too, and they will set out to destroy you, or try to discredit you by setting a trap. The Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus for the purpose of destroying Him. The bravest and securest men in world history were those who put their trust in the Lord.
The range of our emotions is a clear indication of maturity. Our Father wants us to learn to yield our emotions to Him. Our Father wants us to learn to react calmly to the problems we face because we trust Him to solve the problems we can't solve ourselves. Safety is not found in avoiding danger but in obeying God. People whose lives revolve around themselves believe they have to solve every problem with human ability. Our Father says we shouldn't panic when we're in the midst of the storms of life. He wants us to remain calm because we trust completely in Him (Proverbs 3:25-26). Crises and trouble do arise in life. However, for the people of God possessing godly wisdom, the command is to fear not. When we dwell in the secret place of the most High and possess godly wisdom and discretion of life, God will be our confidence and guard. He will not suffer the righteous to be moved. The wise person, the one who has embraced wisdom, which includes embracing Christ as Saviour, Who is our wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:3), does not and should not fear what the unsaved fear. Wisdom is not to fear when folly is judged. Wisdom has hope ("the Lord shall be thy confidence") that folly does not have. This hope enables wisdom not to fear. In spite of what is happening in the world, those who put their trust in God will be safe and saved. In fact, they can sweetly sleep when others are panicking and in trouble. Your relationship with God will bring strength and stability. He is the one that gives confidence or security to the believer. He is at our side. The fact that He hears the prayers of the righteous give us serenity and hope. Walking with God gives you peace. Abraham Lincoln won the presidency of a divided country. There were four major candidates in 1860, and Lincoln only narrowly received his electoral majority. Among his harshest critics was Edwin Stanton of Ohio who opposed Lincoln’s election, calling him, among other things, the “original gorilla.” Yet Lincoln asked Stanton to serve as Secretary of War, recognizing his organizational skills were greatly needed for the war effort and being the best person for the job. When Lincoln was assassinated, Stanton said, “There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen.” We do not have to strike back at everyone who says or does something with which we disagree. It may be temporarily satisfying, but in the end it leads to bitterness and often an escalating cycle of revenge and retaliatory actions. Love does not insist on getting even—in fact it glories in peace. Paul wrote that love, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (I Corinthians 13:5). Many people find themselves living stress-filled lives because they do not allow love to do its work of peace. When we lack peace, we should view that as a reminder to focus on God rather than on our circumstances. Panic also stops us from hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants us to keep the focus on Him open. He doesn't want us to block this channel with negative emotions such as fear, worry, doubt and unbelief. We should never allow ourselves to be discouraged by the problems we face. Nothing good ever comes from discouragement. This word means lack of courage. Romans 15:5, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus”. God’s Word instructs us how to live our lives and gives us the encouragement we must have to hold fast to God's promises, refusing to give up hope. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to respond to your problems with calm, quiet confidence in the Lord instead of panicking. 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 The Devil Uses Doubt (Genesis 3:1-6)
Genesis 3:1-6, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” The curtain opens in chapter three with Satan, in the form of a serpent, questioning and attacking God's Word. Have you ever noticed when Satan made his first appearance in Scripture after his exile from Heaven? He came on the scene immediately after God created and designed marriage. If you’ll notice the serpent didn’t seem to bother Adam until God gave him a wife. Soon after the marriage union was established the devilish assault against the home began. Satan's first words were poisoning Eve's mind with seeds of doubt. This tactic is found all throughout the Scriptures. Notice what transpired once Adan and Eve were married:
Notice Satan's weapon that he used upon Eve again for a moment. It was the doubting and questioning of the authority and accuracy of God's Word. The Scriptures refer to Satan as the Father of Lies (John 8:44). This is one of Satan's most effective weapons. Doubt brings fear, uncertainty, and hesitancy in obeying and believing God. When we doubt or question God, we have a tendency to take matters into our own hands and then really mess things up. Satan wants couples to doubt and have lack of confidence in God’s Word. His intent for your home and marriage is still the same today. He wants to come between you and your spouse and cause division and dissention. His ultimate goal is to destroy your home and cause you to lose all God has given your family. Beware of his subtlety and guard your relationship against his devices. Satan’s makes promises he cannot keep. Satan attack’s God, questioning His ability to carry out judgment. Satan declared to Eve, “Ye shall not surely die…” but death did come. He promised their eyes would be opened and they would be as gods. Their eyes were opened, but eventually closed in death and they did not become gods. Wisdom is never attained by disobeying God's Word. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). In Eve's reply to the serpent, she added to God's Word. She said she would die if she ate of the fruit or touched it. God said nothing about touching the fruit. Meddling with God's Word is a very serious matter. God does not like His word to be changed or misquoted. We are the same. We do not like our words twisted or misquoted. The goal of Satan was to ruin Adam and Eve. He accomplished this by tempting Eve to have the wrong goal of wanting to be like God. Instead of being content, Eve felt she was being cheated. Her attitude affected her desires in life. When our priorities get mixed up, our goals in life are rearranged, too. To have a strong, godly marriage you must hate how the world has tried to distort marriage. You must hate divorce. You must hate the things that tear marriages apart and you must both stand on that conviction when marriage gets hard. You also must learn how to lose. I know, we live in a “win-at-all-cost” society, but a couple who lives victoriously “will lose”. They “will lose” their pride. They “will lose” their selfishness. And they “will lose” any and all things that try to pull them away from God and each other. Prayer, Father in Heaven, I’m fully aware that Satan is on the prowl seeking opportunities to destroy my marriage. His strategy is to get me and my spouse in competition with each other and You. Help me to never lose sight of this. 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 Merciful God (Matthew 5:7) – PART 2
Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” 1. God’s mercy should compel believers to practice mercy. The Beatitudes give mercy as a continuing attitude and action of the redeemed. Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” In the Beatitudes, Christ was teaching about the attitudes that are within those who are truly part of the kingdom of God. With this specific attitude of mercy, Jesus gave a mutual promise. He said mercy will be given to those who have shown mercy. Those who practice mercy in their daily lives: forgiving others, giving to the poor, etc., will always receive mercy from God. But those who do not show mercy, God will show His justice. Matthew 6:15, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Certainly, this should be a warning to us. If we withhold mercy, God will withhold mercy from us—He will not forgive us. But even worse than withholding mercy, He will judge us for not being merciful as He is. Matthew 18:33-35, “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Understanding that this is a characteristic of God should cause us to practice the discipline of being merciful. By practicing mercy, we will look more like our Father who is great in mercy, and it also is the doorway to receiving tremendous blessings in our lives. 2. God’s mercy should compel believers to love mercy. Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah says we must not only show mercy but love it. It is very possible for our acts of kindness and forgiveness toward others to have the wrong motive, or simply to be done out of obligation. I Peter 4:9, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” God not only commands our actions, but he commands our hearts. He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul. God has called for us to love showing mercy because he loves showing mercy. This is a wonderful characteristic of God that we must strive to show every day to those God has placed around us. God’s mercy must also continually drive us to the feet of God in prayer to ask for mercy on us, our communities, our nations, and all those around us. Thank you, Lord, that you are the God of mercy. Thank you, Lord, that you don’t keep a record of sins, for who could stand your wrath? Psalm 130:3, “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Questions to Consider: In what ways do we see God’s mercy reflected throughout the Scripture? In what ways is God calling us to demonstrate His mercy to the church and those around us? Points to Ponder: Pray that God would be great in mercy to your nation for its sins (Psalm 51:1). Pray a prayer of confession for specific sins and ask for God to bring revival. PRAYER: Lord, thank You for having mercy toward me. By all rights, I should be eternally separated from Your holiness and kindness. Cultivate within me a heart that displays mercy and forgiveness. 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 Merciful God (Proverbs 28:13) – PART 1
Proverbs 28:13, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." The Bible teaches us that God is a God of mercy. Mercy, by definition, means “compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.” This has the idea of God’s goodness toward those in misery and distress. Throughout the Bible, we see that the character of God is merciful. He delights in forgiving people and being merciful to those who don’t deserve it. How should God being merciful affect us? 1. God’s mercy should compel believers to seek God’s forgiveness for their sins. I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This verse is abounding with mercy. Confession of sins implies acknowledgment and repentance. As we therefore come to God and acknowledge our sin with a repentant spirit, He is faithful and just (righteous) to forgive our sins. John is touching upon day-to-day forgiveness which interrupts our fellowship with God. It is seeking to restore strained fellowship. Furthermore, this confession grants cleansing from all unrighteousness. There is no sin too great which God will not forgive. He desires to give mercy to sinners. Many saints walk around with condemnation about something they did or did not do in the past. This is because they don’t truly have an understanding of God’s great mercy. For that reason, they instead listen to and accept the condemnation of their flesh and the devil. Some have stopped going to church, some have stopped praying and reading their Bibles. They feel too guilty. Jesus took the penalty for our failures and our sins so that we could receive mercy. If we truly have a revelation of what Christ has done for us, we will run to the throne room of God constantly to receive grace and mercy in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). 2. God’s mercy should compel believers to pray for mercy over others. If we understand God’s mercy, it should cause us to seek and plead with Him for mercy over others. At the cross, Jesus prayed, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...” (Luke 23:34). He asked for mercy towards His persecutors. The Lord’s Prayer says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” as it ushers us to seek forgiveness for not only our sin but others also (Matthew 6:12). Do you ever ask for mercy over the sins of others? This is the same thing we saw the prophet Amos do for the nation of Israel (Amos 7:1-6). It is the same thing Moses did as he constantly asked God to forgive the nation of Israel for their sins (Exodus 32:9-14). It is the same thing Stephen did as he asked for forgiveness over those stoning him (Acts 7:60). It is the same thing that Christ prayed for on the cross. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). It is the same thing we must constantly do for those around us. God has called us to make intercession for people who are far away from God (I Peter 2:9; I Timothy 2:1-4). Prayer: Lord, In spite of the fact that I don’t deserve Your lovingkindness or tender mercy, thank You for forgiving me of my sins and saving my soul. Help me to utilize these truths for the purpose of ministering to others. Please show me how I can actively and passionately engage in the ministry opportunities You have sovereignly placed around me. Give me eyes to recognize these opportunities, a heart dependent on You, and a desire to come alongside people in my life to help them to grow into a deeper relationship 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 God is Good…All the Time (Genesis 39:19-23) – Part 2
Genesis 39:19-23, “And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.” Joseph continued to trust God and to seek His glory, and give Him the glory for what He had done (Genesis 41:14-16). Ultimately, this moment was not about Joseph; it was about God. Joseph found favor with God and gave God the glory whether he was in prison or the palace. Likewise, as believers, we must stand firm on the Word of God and always seek God’s glory. Therefore, we are to submit to God’s plan even when we cannot understand it (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are to believe in the God of the promise even when it is difficult to believe in the promise of God. Because God is faithful and sovereign, we live with full trust in Him, knowing that even when obstacles appear to prevent His mission, He may use those very obstacles as part of His plan to bring glory to His Son. Potiphar had Joseph thrown in prison “…where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.” Nevertheless, “…the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.“ The keeper of the prison promoted Joseph making him a trusty. He quickly became the overseer of the prison. The keeper thus entrusted Joseph with oversight of the entire prison “…because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” All things were working together for good. God had a greater plan for Joseph and his family. Being in prison was part of the preparation of that plan. Joseph foreshadowed Jesus through his experiences, highlighting God’s greatest act of redemptive reversal in Scripture. Joseph went from favored son to slave. He suffered unjustly in Potiphar’s house and in prison, but God later exalted him to a place of prominence (the second most powerful person in Egypt) allowing Joseph to save his people. Jesus humbled Himself by leaving His throne on high, taking on flesh, and coming to earth as a servant (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus suffered unjustly at the hands of the ones He came to save, rejected, wrongly accused, and forsaken (Matthew 27:32-56). Unlike Joseph, Jesus was not granted freedom; the sinless Saviour was crucified and buried. But on the third day, God revealed His greatest act of redemptive reversal to the world. Jesus resurrected, arose from a tomb that could not contain Him (John 20:1-18). Sin had been forgiven. Death had been defeated. And Christ returned to His exalted place of glory with the Father, where He now reigns for us for all eternity. Points to Ponder: God is at work even when we can’t see it. The circumstances you face today are no challenge to the power and purpose of God. Like Joseph, we might not be able to see God’s plan at any given moment, but we will see it one day. Questions to Consider: How will you respond when it is difficult to feel God’s presence or trust in Him and His promises? How can you begin to view obstacles in your life as opportunities to share Christ with others? What are some ways you can encourage one another to continue trusting in God and His promises in difficult circumstances? PRAYER: God, You are present even when I can’t see Your sovereign hand at work nor feel Your omnipresent love. Grant me the faith to continue trusting You even in the midst of adversity and suffering, knowing that You are molding me into the image of Your Son. Help me to encourage others with the truth as they endure suffering. 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 is Good…All the Time (Genesis 39:19-23) – Part 1
Genesis 39:19-23, “And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” Joseph had been serving Potiphar faithfully and he had caused Potiphar to prosper. He had been true to God and to his master. Potiphar had seen this. He knew Joseph’s character and his dedication to God. However, his circumstances were about to abruptly change when Potiphar’s wife, falsely accused him of attacking her. Repeatedly Potiphar’s wife asked Joseph to sleep with her, but he refused every time because he was an honorable and faithful man. Even when no one was around, he fled from her temptation, but she held on to his garment and he left it in her hand. Rejected for the last time, Potiphar’s wife used the garment to falsely incriminate Joseph before her husband, so he had Joseph placed in prison. For the second time Joseph was wronged and again, but he remained dedicated to the Lord. Once again it involved his garment (Genesis 37). Now Potiphar became enraged because of Joseph’s garment his wife gave to him along with her fictitious story. Although Joseph did what was right and fled from the temptation, he was thrown into prison. At this moment, one might expect Joseph to lash out at God, curse Him and die. But no, there isn’t even a hint of it. Scripture tells us that Joseph continued in full obedience to the will of God. Joseph’s circumstances continued to become more difficult, but his faith in God grew. God has never promised the Christian life would be without storms. But he has promised to protect during the storms. Though Joseph was treated unjustly and his conditions worsened, his hope in God did not waver. Joseph knew that the situation he was facing was not good but God always is. Adversity and injustice seemed to be a continual part of Joseph’s life in Egypt, but so were God’s presence and goodness. Whether in Potiphar’s house or in prison, Joseph continued serving God, accepting God’s goodness toward him, extending it to others, and God made everything Joseph did prosperous. Like Joseph, we should avoid any situation that could invite such temptations. We should avoid people and settings that could lead us to danger. And if we are being tempted to be unfaithful, we should resist. We should tell a trusted friend to keep us accountable. As much as it depends on us, “…flee also youthful lusts” (II Timothy 2:22). As Christians, we need to follow the example of Joseph. Joseph resisted her advances (Genesis 39:7) and said, “…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Since God extends kindness to us even when our circumstance is difficult, we should respond by showing kindness to one another, even to those who wrong us (Matthew 5:44; 7:12). When we are hurting, we tend to want to hurt others. But we need to put this desire to death and instead follow the path of Jesus, who served others through His suffering. We need the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, purging the sinful contempt we often have for those who persecute us and replacing it with love. Point to Ponder: · God is good even when our circumstances are difficult.
Question to Consider:
PRAYER: Father, thank You that You gave me Your Word to instruct me in my daily walk with You. I seek your wisdom that I might avoid the snares of the enemy. Help me abide in You so closely that I depend only on You and not in something that could enslave me. 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 5. Crown of Glory - Shepherds (I Peter 5:1-4) – PART 6
I Peter 5:1-4, “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” During the great Welsh revival, it is said a minister was marvellously successful in his preaching. He had but one sermon, but under it hundreds of men were saved. Far away from where he lived, in a lonely valley, news of this wonderful success reached a brother preacher. Forthwith he became anxious to find out the secret of this success. He started out and walked the long and weary road, and at length, reaching the humble cottage where the good minister lived, he said, "Brother, where did you get that sermon?" He was taken into a poorly furnished room, and pointed to a spot where the carpet was worn shabby and bare, near a window that looked out toward the solemn mountains, and the minister said, "Brother, that is where I got that sermon. My heart was heavy for men. One evening I knelt there, and cried for power to preach as I had never preached before. The hours passed until midnight struck, and the stars looked down on a sleeping valley and the silent hills; but the answer came not, so I prayed on until at length I saw a faint grey shoot up in the east; presently it became silver, and I watched and prayed until the silver became purple and gold, and on all the mountain crests blazed the altar fires of the new day; and then the sermon came, and the power came, and I lay down and slept, and arose and preached, and scores fell down before the fire of God; that is where I got that sermon."—G. Campbell Morgan. This crown is promised for faithful pastors. This crown will be won by those who study the Word of God as a pastor and feed the church of which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers. The word "feed" means not only to preach and teach the Word of God, but to tend and shepherd the flock. It means to act like a shepherd, to carry out all the duties of a shepherd. These duties include: to feed the sheep, even if he has to gather them in his arms and carry them to the pasture. To guide the sheep to the pasture and away from the rough places. To seek and save the sheep who get lost. To protect the sheep. He is even willing to sacrifice his life for the sheep. To restore the sheep who go astray and return. To reward the sheep for obedience and faithfulness. To keep the sheep separate from the goats. The minister is to lead people by living for Christ. He is to preach and teach Christ, but he is to, first of all, live a pure and righteous life just like Christ lived. The minister is to live exactly what he preaches. He is to be a pattern and model for Christ, a pattern and model of just what God wants His people to be. Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd and He is going to appear, that is, return, to earth. The idea is that nothing will stop His return; He is going to appear and reward His ministers. It is a crown of glory that never fades away. A pastor will never have a heart for God’s people without first having a heart for God. Pastors are stewards of the ministry that God has given them. Every pastor has a responsibility to the flock that God has entrusted to him. Pastors have a great responsibility to God to feed the flock, pastor the people, shepherd the sheep, and will receive a great reward from God. Peter tells the elders to take the oversight. The people of God had been entrusted to these under-shepherds. A pastor is not to have the attitude that he has to serve the church, but that he gets to serve the Lord and His church. God’s not called the elders to be dictators, rulers, or to have an ‘“it’s my way or the highway” attitude, but to be the spiritual leader of the church of God. During tough times, it is critically important for God’s people to have good, spiritual leaders who faithfully preach and teach the Bible without watering it down for political correctness. The pastor is to lovingly lead the flock of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God! Pastors are not to be manipulative or dominant over God’s heritage. Faithful servants do not serve for a reward, but they serve because they love Jesus and have been called by Jesus. The crown of glory will be like nothing that we’ve ever seen or possessed on this side. Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Father, I thank You for counting me faithful and putting me into the ministry. I’m grateful for the people You have entrusted me to feed and care for. Help me to always love them. 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 4. Crown of Life – Sacrifice (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) – PART 5
James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” We have an appointment with the Lord someday. God help us to surrender our all to Him. There is a story that comes to us from India. A beggar saw a wealthy prince come toward him, riding in his beautiful chariot. The beggar took the opportunity and stood by the side of the road holding out his bowl of rice, hoping for a handout. To his surprise, the prince stopped, looked at the beggar, and said, "Give me some of your rice!" The beggar was furious. To think that this wealthy prince would expect his rice! Gingerly, he gave him one grain of rice. "Beggar, give me more of your rice!" In anger, the beggar gave him another grain of rice. "More please!" By now the beggar was seething with resentment and bitterness. Once again, he stingily gave the prince another grain of rice and then walked away. As the chariot went on its way, the beggar, in his fury, looked into his bowl of rice. He noticed something glitter. It was a grain of gold the size of a grain of rice. He looked more carefully and found two more. For every grain of rice he gave to the prince he received a grain of gold. If we clutch our bowl of rice, we shall lose our reward. If we are faithful and give God each grain, He gives us gold in return. The gold that God gives will survive His testing fire. This crown doesn't represent eternal life because our salvation is not based on works (Ephesians 2:8-9). James is referring to rewards based on works or how we respond to our trials and temptations. This crown will be won by those who dare to go against the world, flesh, and the Devil and do not yield to the power of temptations. We are to remain steadfast. God has a purpose for your trials. God will reward you with “a crown of life”. We are not to give up. Remember it is the fire that refines the gold. This involves persecution and martyrdom. When such a person has stood the test, he will receive the victor's crown. Beyond the cross of trial is the crown of life. This crown is promised and rewarded to those who persevere under trials, not to those who flee from them. Only trials can develop our patience. God had to try Joseph for thirteen years before he could trust him on the throne. David went through many difficulties before God could put him on the throne. Do you love God enough to grow and stay strong in the trials of life? Complaining is a neon sign that we are lacking in maturity. Love looks at the promises and sees God as just. The strength to persevere under trials comes from the love of Christ. You might expect James to say, “the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who persevere,” or “to those who obey,” or “to those who believe in Him.” But rather, he says, “to them that love Him.” Why does he say this? Perhaps it is because love for Christ keeps us from loving the world. Love for Christ motivates us to persevere under trials. Our love for Christ does not exempt us from trials. Rather, it gives us the strength to persevere. We are blessed by God when we allow the Lord Jesus to so indwell us that He enables us to resist the temptations that we face. We cannot stand against temptation in our own strength. Every trial, every encounter, every disappointment, every point of pressure is an opportunity for God to reveal His power in our lives. He knows that God is looking after and caring for him and is going to deliver him from all the corruption and evil of this life including death, and give him life eternal. Points to Ponder:
Questions to Consider:
Thank you for reading this devotion. This is PART FIVE of this series. Please visit the website tomorrow for PART SIX. PRAYER: Father, help me to lose my will that I may find Your will. Strengthen me to serve You and give me the wisdom that I may honor You with the choices I make. 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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