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. Their Skill (I Chronicles 5:18) Sons of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh numbering 44,760 had ability in three particular areas. 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 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 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 the Israelites depended on Him. David would state the principle in (Psalm 20:7) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: 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 God gives us abilities today, but He wants us to remember always that success is not in the abilities of our 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
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How to Run Like a Champion (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Hebrews 12:1-2, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Running long distances is a classic test of will and character. Dealing with the physical and mental stress of training and competing are some of the ways distance running builds individual fortitude. But there are lessons that lie beyond the traditional virtues of the sport. Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality most of us ever encounter. It is a quality that should be in the life of all Christians. When we have patience in our lives it will produce certain qualities that will glorify God in our life and help us to have a good testimony. 1. STAMINA (HEBREWS 12:1-2) The race we run for Christ is the most important race in the whole world, and we need to treat it that way. Our dedication to the task must never waver, and we need to diligently train. Hebrews 12:1, … and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. If we are going to effectively run the race that is before us for God, we must endure the afflictions along the way. We must not let sin side track us from the race. Also, there are some things which may not be wrong in themselves, but can be a weight and hinder us in running the race. Endurance has the never quit attitude even when things look hopeless to others. 2. SUPPORT (ROMANS 15:5-6) We need to have patience with other Christians as God does with us. Romans 15:5-6, Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a great challenge and opportunity to minister to other believers in the spirit of godly love. This principle in practice is a great encouragement to believers, and a powerful testimony to the lost in our community as they watch what we do. God will be praised and magnified as we put the Bible into practice in this area of our lives. 3. SEASONED (JAMES 1:19-20) When a believer is taught by the Holy Spirit concerning the Biblical truth of self-control, he will produce patience with others. When we are eager to hear the Bible and obey its teaching, then we will deepen our understanding and increase our fruitfulness. James 1:19-20, Wherefore, my beloved brethen, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. God isn't looking for quick tempered people, but those who are mature, patient, and have self-control. Without patience we will hurt and hinder God's work, but with it we can further it. If we fail to inspect (control) ourselves, we will fail to influence others. Jesus is our example. Whenever we face difficult circumstances, His Word is our guide. We will face trials, critics, temptations, and other hurdles on our Christian race, but Jesus has shown us that through His help, we can overcome these situations. Think about your Christian race. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
Prayer: LORD, You have chosen the course for my life. It’s been both exciting and exhausting however, I have a fruitful life and a finish line I have to cross. I want to thank You for the patience and joy You have given me on my course. As I run this race it’s my desire to praise You and to please 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 Every Home Needs (Proverbs 9:1)
Proverbs 9:1, Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: From Proverbs 1-8, Solomon has taught his son about the importance of wisdom and the risks of foolishness. Proverbs 9 is his conclusion to these lessons. Wisdom has something better than any mansion on earth. It has pillars. Pillars give a building strength and beauty, as God’s Word gives us strength. Its beauty is real and unfading. The actual doing of God’s Word is the foundation that brings strength, security, and blessing. Seven is no doubt symbolic of completeness and perfection. God's word is sufficient because it comes from the only wise God. It is a home where everything we need is supplied. Solomon pleaded for his son to accept wisdom’s call. God calls people to salvation through the wisdom of the cross (I Corinthians 1:18-25), and to a life of holiness and service through the wisdom of a Christ-centered life (I Corinthians 1:26-31). There is sufficient room for all who accept her invitation. Solomon’s temple had two pillars (I Kings 7:15). The seven pillars speak primarily of two things. The size and structure of wisdom’s house. Wisdom house is spacious and strong. The strong foundation of wisdom’s house is well-supported and is built on a solid foundation. Those who live wisely, are safe through the storms of life and are securely protected from attacks by the enemy. 1. Every Home Needs a Sure Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27). The institution of the home is God’s design. He is the best builder and sustainer of our family. He alone is the Master Architect and has the blueprint for each of our lives. Every home must allow Christ to not only be present, but to be preeminent. Families should live in such a way that the presence of God is very real. Children must see that God is the greatest reality of life, not just in church on Sunday, but that He is with us all day, everyday. This type of attitude begins with parents. Parents must model their love for Christ and to their children. The home built on the Rock of Ages will withstand the storm trials of life. We shouldn’t be afraid of the storms because we believe in the God who controls the storms. Hardship comes to every family, but a family built upon this strong foundation will stand firm. The home is perhaps the most attacked place in the world. This is the case, especially amongst Christian homes. Satan’s goal is to cause the family to crumble. Whenever Satan strikes the family, his desire is to capture the children. 2. Every Home Needs Strong Faith (Romans 1:17). Keep your family in a sound Bible preaching church to safeguard your home. Romans 10:17, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If you follow Christ faithfully, you are setting an example and securing a blessing that can reach beyond your own children for generations. A Christian home does not develop by accident; it requires dedication and much prayer. One of the best possible things you could do for your family is create a special time where your family spends time in God’s Word and in prayer. 3. Every Home Needs Sincere Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). God wants to heal family hurts. Ephesians 4:32, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. The Lord forgives us freely, forgetfully, fully, and forever. This is exactly how we should forgive. Love is relational dynamite that obliterates all obstacles in its path. Talking won’t do that for you. Pressuring won’t. Prodding, insisting, demanding, getting selfish—all of this will only tear your life and family apart. I Corinthians 13:8, Charity never faileth: You don’t have to do great things, just small things with great love. Express your love not only in lip service but also in lifestyle. 4. Every Home Needs Structured Finances (Proverbs 6:6–8). There is nothing wrong with money and possessions, unless we allow them to control us. But when gain becomes our goal, we are headed for defeat and disaster. Proverbs 6:6–8, Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Be faithful stewards of God’s blessings. Get on a budget that includes a saving account. Save so that you can afford the things you are tempted to borrow for (home repairs, vacations, Christmas gifts, etc.). 5. Every Home Needs Sacrificial Furnishings. As you give to the Lord and to the needs of others, you will learn about His care and power to provide for your own personal needs in your life. You will get to know Him. Time and again I have watched the Lord supply my needs and the needs of my family as we have put Him first in our finances and give to Him. His provision increases my faith in Him and His care for our lives. This is one of the reasons why we are encouraged to give and meet the needs of others. 6. Every Home Needs Supportive Friendship (Proverbs 17:17). As a Christian, you need to be careful about the friends you choose. They will influence you for good or for bad, depending on what kind of people they are and how they live. Proverbs 17:17, A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. True friends love at all times. If your friend is up or down, victorious or defeated, rich or poor, you will love him at all times. 7. Every Home Needs Sweet Fellowship. Time with family is like investing for retirement: small and consistent contributions combined over an lengthy period of time leads to a valuable return. What has made our nation great is through the teaching and training arm of the home. The kind of family you have tomorrow is determined by the kind of investments you make in your family today. Build a family, and you’ll have a place to live for a long time. PRAYER: Lord, thank You for parents who did their best, even sacrificing and pouring into my life with their words and actions. Father, help me be a source of blessing to my children and others. Help me uphold, encourage, and speak about You to them. I 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 Benefits of Trusting in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Nothing is more important than what a person believes about God. How he or she perceives Him will determine, to a significant degree, what he or she believes about themselves and how they relate to others. It will also define a person’s interpretation of life and the meaning of events. Never is someone’s understanding of God more critical than in times of personal crisis. Worrying is not trusting in the Lord. When we worry, we are more likely to lean on our own understanding. Jesus instructs us to, Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34). We should live wisely as the Bible instructs us, trusting in the Lord in every area of our lives. Trusting God means leaving the outcome of a situation in His hands without trying to influence it ourselves. (This doesn’t mean that we are to sit around and not do anything. Trusting God involves working as we wait.) It means we should stop worrying about the way it will turn out. Finally, it means we have to accept the outcome as God’s best for us, even if it is different than what we wanted. Four vital ways for us to seek God’s guidance is to plead with Him in prayer: 1. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face (Psalm 5:8). 2. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day (Psalm 25:5). 3. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies (Psalm 27:11). 4. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness (Psalm 143:10). If you reject the Word and wise counsel, you’re not giving the Spirit much to work with. You tell yourself, “The Lord told me to do this.” God will not tell you to do something contrary to His Word and contrary to the godly wisdom of others. If you insist on deciding against God’s Word and wise counsel, the results will be entirely your own fault. Start with Scripture, include wise counsel and reliance on God’s Spirit, and your testimony will be, “He guides me.” When life is difficult, you want to know you have sought God’s guidance every step of the way. When you lean on the Lord through prayer and you trust Him to answer, you can rest in His assurances that He will do the following: 1. He will guide you into pleasant paths. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:1-2). 2. He will guide you in your decision making. Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way (Psalm 25:8-9). 3. He will guide you with His own eye. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye (Psalm 32:8). 4. He will guide you through the rest of your life. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death (Psalm 48:14). 5. He will guide you by wise counsel. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory (Psalm 73:24). 6. He will guide you into an understanding of truth. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13). The life of a believer is filled with many impediments and difficulties and often we cannot see them coming. We need to have an honest and trustworthy guide to help us stay on course. In John 16:13, Jesus described the ministry of the Holy Spirit this way, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come”. No obstacle we encounter is a surprise to Him, and no decision we must make confounds Him. As children of God, we have been given this promise and we need to use it every day. Points to Ponder: · Don’t worry about the future. · Acknowledge God in all your ways.
Questions to Consider:
PRAYER: Lord, Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect. In Jesus name, AMEN. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Who Is Your Master? (Matthew 6:24)
Matthew 6:24, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. This verse deals with servitude. Jesus shows here the absolute impossibility of loving the world and loving God at the same time. Anyone who gives their heart to the world robs God of it. This verse deals a death blow to the idea that a Christian can be worldly and spiritual at the same time, that he or she can be popular with the ungodly and with God at the same time, that one can have their affections on earthly things and still have their affections on heavenly matters. It is impossible to serve Christ and the world at the same time. The ark of God and Dagon cannot stand in the same house (I Samuel 5:1-7). Jesus must be Lord in our hearts, ruling over us, so that His will and His glory receives the devotion and commitment of our hearts. Unless Jesus has the preeminence, everything in our life is in chaos and confusion. Jesus is to be the Lord and Master of our lives each day. As long as we put ourselves first, we cannot put the LORD, the Master of All, in the position He rightfully holds. Demas could not mix the love of the world with loyalty to Paul and his ministry (II Timothy 4:10). Augustine said, "Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." Vance Havner said, "A wife that is 85% faithful to her husband, is not faithful at all. There is no such thing as part-time loyalty to Jesus Christ." It was in 1873, in Dublin, at an all-night prayer meeting at the home of Henry Bewley, that D. L. Moody heard British evangelist Henry Varley utter those life changing words: "The world has yet to see what God can do with, for, through, and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him." "As I crossed the wide Atlantic," Moody said, "the boards of the deck... were engraved with them, and when I reached Chicago, the very paving stones seemed marked with them." The result: Moody decided he was involved in too many ministries to be effective and therefore began to concentrate on evangelism. This verse can help one concerning getting the priorities of life straight. Either He is Lord, or someone or something else is. That may range from self all the way to Satan himself. Jesus, in effect, was saying that if one tries to serve two masters (two lords), he either will loathe one and love the other, or ignore one and be partial to the other. The word mammon has the idea of ‘wealth’ or ‘the getting of wealth.’ Jesus said, we cannot serve God and at the same time seek wealth. They are mutually exclusive. Our finances are a tool that can be used to help others and support the work of the Lord. We are to have a proper attitude and have control over our financial blessings. Our money is not to be in control of us. It is not to be our master. God is to be the Master of our lives and when He is not, we begin to fall. I Timothy 6:5-11, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. William Carey, who is called the “Father of Modern Missions,” served the Lord in India for many years. He gradually became very concerned about the attitude of his son, Felix. The young man had promised to become a missionary, but he reneged on his vows when he was appointed ambassador to Burma by the Queen of England. Carey wrote to his friend, asking prayer for his son with these words: Pray for Felix. He has degenerated into an ambassador of the British government when he should be serving the King of Kings. Points to Ponder: We are in a constant battle with our will and God's will. Seek heavenly treasures, not earthly treasures. It is impossible to have two masters, so make sure your master is Jesus Christ. Questions to Consider: Who are you serving? Is Jesus the master of your life? Are you totally dedicated to Him? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, create within me a strong desire to serve You. May You prevent anything that would hinder my fellowship with You. Help me to keep You first, to seek You first and to trust You when I feel like quitting. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Finding Purpose (Psalm 32:8)
Psalm 32:8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. One of the most common questions people ask me is, “How do I know God’s will for my life?” God has a plan and design for your life. You are not a leaf that fell by chance to be scattered by the wind. Scripture says the steps of a good man are “ordered” by the Lord. (Psalm 37:23). The Lord desires many qualities from us. A couple of these are a humble and a teachable spirit. May we value His presence and counsel (Psalm 32:7), trust him completely (Psalm 32:10), rejoice in him and continue to do what is right (Psalm 32:11). What a blessed promise from God! God has promised to instruct us and guide us in the way we should go. Notice: This guidance is by His omniscient eye. Psalm 73:24 and Proverbs 3:5-6 points to the same promise. We should also be comforted to know that the Lord’s eye is always upon us. We are never out of His sight. God knows everything about us, even our hearts. His diligent, all-seeing eye assures us that He knows our way and will do what He must to guide us along the path of righteousness (Romans 8:28). We are never outside of His loving care (Romans 8:35-39). God, who knows all and sees all, knows far better than we and He is pleading with us to follow His instructions. Unfortunately, every day many reject His guidance. Joy and fulfillment are ultimately only found in that one goal. Everything good comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord. The starting place for that kind of joy begins with kneeling before Him as Lord of your life. God’s will is for you to be a Christian. I Timothy 2:3–4, For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. God’s will for you to be Spirit-filled. Ephesians 5:17–18, Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;. Being Spirit-filled is not an emotional experience or high. It is not fasting and praying. Being Spirit-filled means to be completely submitted to the authority of Scripture in your life. Everyone searches for meaning and fullness of life. The Bible teaches that the purpose of life is to know Christ and to make Christ known. Daily seek to fulfill God's purpose for your life. Every day ask God to help you accomplish your life's mission. Pray for opportunities to fulfill that purpose by asking for boldness to tell others of God's love. God has a unique plan and purpose for your life. Seek to fulfill God's purpose for your life every day. We are not left to our own resources when it comes to obeying the Lord and walking righteously. God promises to provide sufficient instruction and guidance. How does the Lord teach and direct His children? Through His Holy Word and His Holy Spirit. People need a plan in their life. God has a plan for your life and He is pleading with us to find, to follow, and to fulfill this purpose. How do we receive this direction from the Lord? Here are at least three ways the Lord instructs us in the way that He is leading us. 1. His Scriptures: God uses His Word to instruct us. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). In the darkness of our uncertainty, God uses the light of His Word to direct our steps. 2. His Spirit: God has also given us His Holy Spirit, who lives within us from the moment we receive Christ as Saviour. God uses His Spirit to instruct us. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12). There are some things in life that we will not discover any other way than the Holy Spirit teaching them to us through personal study of and the preaching of God’s Word. 3. His Servants: God also uses godly counsel to instruct us. “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:20–21). God has provided everything we need to live in obedience to Him (II Peter 1:3-4) with His Word to instruct us, His indwelling Spirit to lead us, and His watchful eye over us. Reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word are all essential in order to achieve victory over sin. Prayer, Father, I am deeply grateful today that You are willing and ready to assume Your rightful place in my life. As my Creator, only You understand the detail and destination of my life is such a way that I can trust You completely. Teach me to do that in a big way and then renew it each day as I live for You. Thank You for making all this possible through Your Son Jesus who saved me and in whose footsteps I can follow. 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 His Life For Mine (Romans 5:8)
Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The following are a few of the numerous Scriptures regarding Christ giving His life for us (John 3:16; 11:50; Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:17-19). The deepest, most profound, and most edifying subject in all the Word of God is found in II Corinthians 5:21, ‘He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him! ’ He died in our place, so that when we die, we will never spend eternity in Hell, separated from the LORD. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). For the believer, there is no possibility of condemnation! The most marvelous thing that ever took place upon the earth was Jesus Christ, God the eternal Son, being made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him! Jesus Christ not only died in our place. But He also has taken our punishment and our charges (Romans 3:21-26), and there is no sin in Him (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter 2:22; I John 3:5). Substitution is the core doctrine of Christianity. This is the rock upon which our hopes are built. This is the only hope of the sinner and the only true joy of all saints. These two things, Christ being made sin and us being made righteousness, could only be accomplished by substitution. There was no possible way for the Lord of glory to be made sin, except by imputation. And there is no way by which any man can be made righteousness, except by imputation. It is a legal matter. At Calvary Christ became sin for us, and we became righteousness in Him. As surely as Christ was made sin, all of those for whom He died are made righteous. Impute means to put on someone's account; To charge something to another’s account. We had a debt we owed that we could never pay (Romans 5:12). Jesus is the payer of our sin debt. It means that Jesus places His righteousness upon our record when we trust upon Him for salvation. Imputation is the act of God whereby our sins are put on Christ’s account and His righteousness is put on our account. It means that Jesus took our sins upon His record and then placed His righteousness upon our record. What a wonderful truth! To think that Jesus would bare our sins upon His own body and suffer the crucifixion for us. Jesus would place all His righteousness upon our record so that we might be viewed upon by God as having the righteousness of Christ. Now that is a loving God! If we take it for what it means it can affect our lives in understanding how much the Lord Jesus Christ loves us. We can never understand the depths of wisdom and grace revealed in the substitutionary death of Christ. But we who have seen Him dying in our stead should never cease to worship, adore, love, and trust our merciful Redeemer. Jesus earnestly wants to impute your sin to His record and impute His righteousness to your record. If you will receive Christ’s righteousness He will impute His righteousness to your account so that when you stand before God, you will stand before Him as though you have never sinned; not because your sinless, but because your account has been settled. If you would like to accept Him as your Lord and Saviour, it all begins when you say yes to Jesus and let Him become your Saviour. All you must do to be saved is admit your guilty condition before God for violating His holy Law (Romans 3:19), and then trust Jesus to wash away your sins with His shed blood. PRAYER: Father, I thank You for Jesus who paid the sin debt that I owed and could never repay. 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 Feed Them (Matthew 14:16)
Matthew 14:16, But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. Now, we come to the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14). When evening comes, the disciples come to Jesus and point out to Him that they are in an isolated wilderness. So, they suggest He send the crowds away to the villages for food (Matthew 4:15). The disciples are shocked at Jesus' response (Matthew 4:16). The scene is set in Matthew 14:13-21. The multitudes were gathered together to see and hear from Jesus. Jesus would perform a miracle that the people would never forget and never stop talking about. It was late in the afternoon when His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.” The disciples began to make excuses and told Jesus that it was too late in the day for them to go buy food for the multitude and they didn’t have enough money. But Jesus said, " give ye them to eat." The disciples have already seen Jesus turn water into wine, heal scores of people, calm a storm by just speaking, and cast out demons, but they still don't understand who He is. Now He wants them to feed a crowd of 5,000 men, plus women and children (Matthew 14:21), which means the total could be as many as ten to twenty thousand. When God commands, God enables. Elisha multiplied bread for 100 men (II Kings 4:42-43). Christ multiplied bread for 5000 thousand men. They came back to report that there were five loaves of bread and two fish. Then Jesus told the crowd to sit down. He took the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, gave thanks for the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, He gave the bread and fish to His disciples to place before the people. And the crowd ate until they could hold no more! There were about 5,000 men there for that meal, and afterwards there were leftover twelve baskets. If we not careful, we miss some key words from Jesus. Often, we are so caught up in the meat of this miracle and rightly so. Jesus used five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand men. Notice: Jesus could have served the people Himself, but He chose to use His disciples to serve and feed the people. There are at least two lessons that could be applied from this miracle. 1. Use what you have got. Anytime we are given an opportunity to be used of the Lord. We are to trust Him and the gifts He has given to us. 2. Give what you have. Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed more than five thousand people. It turned out to be more than enough to meet the need. What He was originally given seemed insufficient, but in His hands, it became more than enough. We often feel that our contribution to Jesus is small or insignificant, but He can use and multiply whatever we give Him, whether it is talent, time, or treasure. It is when we give them to Jesus that our resources are multiplied. God gives in abundance. He takes whatever we can offer Him in time, ability, or resources and multiplies its effectiveness beyond our wildest expectations. If you take the first step in making yourself available to God, He will show you how greatly you can be used to advance the work of His Kingdom. The disciples could not see beyond the physical world. This is understandable, for the only life they had really known was life lived on the human plane. They had always looked only at what they had, only at what man could do with what little he had. They had not yet seen what God could do with human resources yielded to Him. Note that the disciples were being awakened to the need and moved by Christ. They were now willing to offer and share what they had. Notice: Being aware and being moved to share will not get the job done. God is needed! We have to take our resources and turn them over to God. The command of Christ is to every man: "give." We are to take what resources we have and give to meet the desperate needs of the multitude. We all have the duty and responsibility to give whatever we have, no matter how little or how small. He is using these same words today. Whether you are in Carrabelle, Colorado, or Columbia, you have exactly the same assignment in the kingdom of God - to feed His sheep, literally and spiritually. Everyday there are multitudes without food, provisions, or resources. We might be puzzled like the disciples were. We don’t have enough. What are we to do to minister to them? We, like the disciples, can take it to the Lord (Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever) and ask Him how He may use us to “feed them”. With the Lord there is never a church, ministry, or servant that ever lacks the resources. He already knows what we need. He will bless the work and see it accomplished. Prayer: Lord, I’m truly thankful to be involved in Your work and to spread and share the same Gospel that saved me. As Jesus used the fish and bread to feed the five thousand, use the gifts You’ve given me to feed the souls of others You allow me to encounter. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This morning’s devotion is an excerpt from our Bible Study link. You can view this complete study in its entirety by visiting this sites Bible Study link. Bible Study - Fellowship Baptist Church
Take the Lord at His Word (Philippians 4:19) Philippians 4:19, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. George Müller founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institute for Home and Abroad. It sent out over 160 missionaries from Britain, distributed 111 million gospel tracts, supported 2,000 orphans in five orphanages, and trained 121,000 students. George Müller was a man who knew a great deal about faith. His large orphanages provided care to thousands of children, yet he never publicly asked anyone for money. Instead he prayed. Regarding faith and trials Müller wrote: “God delights to increase the faith of His children...I say, and say it deliberately—trials, difficulties and sometimes defeat, are the very food of faith...We should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more that faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us.” Müller believed that God would supply his material needs through prayer alone. He relied on gifts for his ministry and personal support, but only the Lord knew of the needs. One day a man arrived at one of Müller's orphanages. A woman opened the door and said, "Have you brought the bread?" The man replied, "What bread?" "The bread for the children. It is five minutes before mealtime." He found many children waiting patiently for breakfast. In a few minutes the woman came back saying, "The bread has come." A cart of bread had been delivered in answer to prayer. Later the man learned they needed about $25,000 that day by noon. Mr. Müller confessed, "I don't know where a penny of it is coming from, but it is certainly coming." A letter from India arrived and was opened in the visitor's presence. It contained a draft for the exact amount needed. Proverbs 15:29, The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Over $500,000 was given to the Institute. Müller gave away most of it and left a personal estate valued at less than one thousand dollars. Are you looking to the Lord for the needs in your life? In prayer give thanks to Jesus Christ—the supplier of every good thing. Let Him know your needs. PRAYER: Lord, thank you that no circumstance is too far out of Your control to provide. I thank You that You own it all, and hold everything in Your hands. You know my needs before I even ask, before I come to You. I ask for Your answer, in Your timing, in Your plan. Thank You for the abundance of blessing and goodness You have already stored up. Thank You for teaching me to be content in all circumstances, I trust You this day, and every day, I love You Lord, I’m leaning on You. 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 Confidence in Christ (Romans 8:28)
Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Let's face it. No one likes trials. Nobody wants to go through difficult circumstances. We don't particularly like the idea that suffering or persecution might be God's will for us. However, God is far more concerned with our character than with our circumstances. Circumstances are one of His tools to shape our character. He would like us to learn our lessons through studying the Word, but He also lets us learn them by putting us into situations where we have to apply what the Word says. If we aren't careful, we will mistake our fleshly desires for ease, and comfort for God's leading. It isn't surprising that people buy into wrong doctrines—those teaching that, if we'll just have enough faith, we'll have all the money we want, all the healing we want, everything we want. Sure, we really want those things to be true, but God doesn't fit neatly into our box, and often His use of providential circumstances means difficult times for us. However, there is good news. God is sovereign, He is able to turn the difficult times around and cause them to work for our good. I am not saying that God causes bad things to happen to His people. What I am saying is that, because He is sovereign, He can use anything that happens to us to accomplish His will. And when we grumble and complain about our circumstances, in effect, we are accusing God of mishandling our life. Because God is sovereign, He is able to accomplish His purpose through whatever life throws at us. He causes all things to work toward His ultimate purpose. What an incredible principle! Perhaps as you look back over your past, there are places where you stumbled over the circumstance’s life brought. Circumstance after circumstance, Joseph found life sending him where he did not want to go. His jealous brothers sold him as a slave. The vindictive wife of Pharaoh had him thrown in prison on false charges. The man whom Joseph helped in prison forgot about him once he was set free. If most of us were faced with similar circumstances, we would become bitter and angry. Those who become sour with life simply do not understand or trust God's sovereignty. Again and again, in Genesis 45, when his brothers are grieving, Joseph basically says to them, "You didn't do this; God did this." In Genesis 50:20, he gives further clarity. He responds, But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. In his responses, when questioned by his brothers about what had happened to him, Joseph teaches us to trust God with His providential circumstances in our lives. Joseph trusted God's purpose of those circumstances, and saw them as evidence of His will. Question to Consider: What are the most difficult trials that you have been through? How might God be working them for your ultimate good? Are there any situations from your past that make you bitter toward someone or some event? Point to Ponder: There is no comfort in the view that God is not sovereign over the shocking circumstances that happen to us. There is great comfort in knowing that the sovereign God is working all things together for good for His people. Although you may not be where you need to be in your Christian walk, you can trust the Lord is working for the good! PRAYER: Father in Heaven I know You love me and it amazes me that You made plans for me before the foundations of the world. Thank You Father for caring for me. I know the thoughts and plans You have for me are for Your glory and for my good. Whatever I may face today, I can expect that You are working for good in all of it. So, I’m going to step forward in faith, trusting You in all things and seeking to cooperate fully with Your plans for me. I know I can’t imagine all the good You have planned for my life, but I also know it’s all coming in Jesus’ name, so I can say, amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
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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