Not Ashamed (Romans 1:16)
Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Paul was not ashamed or embarrassed of the “gospel of Christ.” It is the greatest blessing known to man. Romans 1:16 became key in the life of 27-year-old evangelist George Whitfield. In 1742, Whitfield was invited to preach at the fair at Marylebone Field, west of London with the condition that they would build him a platform. When the evangelist and his wife arrived at the fair-grounds, the sun was already down and the crowds were wild and rowdy. Muscular prizefighters challenged all comers to bare-fisted fights in the boxing ring. Whitfield seldom displayed fear, but on that night, he was obviously nervous as he mounted the rickety little platform prepared for him. As George raised his powerful voice, people began to gather around him. The crowds at the gambling booths began to thin out toward Whitfield as he preached louder. Shortly into the sermon, George saw a group of bare-chested fighters strutting straight toward him. George's voice began to falter, but he suddenly felt a tug on his trousers. It was his wife Elizabeth who said to him, "George, play the man of God!" Boldness shot through the veins of God's man as he firmly proclaimed without hesitation, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ! It is the power of Christ to everyone that believes!" He threw out his arms in a dramatic gesture and the platform nearly collapsed upon him. The fighters noticed the wobbly platform and tried to bring it down, but a group of Christians huddled around George. He continued to preach like a man trying to stand on the deck of a tossing ship. The people began to throw things at Whitfield. He was hit by a rock, a rotten egg, and manure, yet, he continued to preach on. When the evangelist finished his message, he was escorted to his wagon. A man lunged at George with a sword, but it was deflected by the cane of a friend. In spite of the pressure and harassment, Whitfield was a man of God that was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Not to the same degree of harassment as Whitefield endured, but 13 years of street preaching on Beale Street in Memphis, TN comes very close. May we learn from his courage and his example to not be ashamed of the Lord and His Word. While there was some things Paul regretted in life, there was no such shame in Paul concerning the Gospel! Paul had received and proclaimed that which was precious to his heart. Paul's confidence in the power of the Gospel, a massive theme of the book of Romans, is revealed here in two of the most powerful verses in all of the Bible (Romans 1:16-17). There is absolutely no doubt the Gospel is precious! We must never be ashamed! Especially when we consider the truth that God is not ashamed of us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Luke 19:10). No greater treasure do we have than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have never experienced anything that compares to the power of the Gospel. God can take a lost sinner, save him by His grace, and create a new creature in him (II Corinthians 5:17). All of the programs man has developed can only offer temporal change to a man's heart, but the Gospel, the power of God, brings eternal change and life! (I Corinthians 1:18). The heart of man's problem is a problem of the heart. Until the heart is changed, there is no genuine change. We cannot receive that in ourselves, but Christ can bring eternal, effective change through the Gospel. We should never be ashamed of the Gospel, the “good news” that brings the message of hope and life for all people. The message of the Gospel is what God has done and will do for us. He doesn’t say it brings power or has power, but that it actually is power. The Gospel’s power is seen in its ability to completely change minds, hearts, life’s course, our understanding of everything that happens, the way people relate to one another, and so on. Most of all, it is powerful because it does what no other power on earth can do: it can save us, reconcile us to God, and guarantee us eternity with God in Heaven. Too many are ashamed of Jesus and His Gospel. They are embarrassed and uncomfortable being identified and speaking up for Christ. Luke 9:26, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” II Timothy 1:8, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” Paul stood for Christ with a holy boldness because of his unwavering trust in Him. II Timothy 1:11-12, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” Many are ashamed and deny Christ because of peer pressure and intimidation. They are concerned about what others might say. They speak of sports, politics and world events, but they are silent concerning Christ. God help us to speak up for Christ. The Bible says we are not to be ashamed of several things.
The Gospel Saves: · It saves from sin’s penalty (doom) through justification. · It saves from sin’s power (dominion) through sanctification. · It saves from sin’s presence (domain) through glorification. PRAYER: Lord, knowing that only in You is there love, hope, and life, help me to boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ with whomever I encounter. 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
0 Comments
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 assist 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 to 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 teaches us how to be a neighbor to people, and 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 it. This good is not to be delayed but promptly performed. Walking in wisdom involves the way a person treats others and deals with them. The father gives simple instructions that will help his son as he learns to relate to his neighbors, in particular, and to all others, in general. 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:
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 Lord’s Goodness and Mercy (Nahum 1:7)
Nahum 1:7, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” President Calvin Coolidge was awakened one morning in his hotel room to find a burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm very precious to him. Coolidge then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and learned he was a college student who had no money to pay his hotel bill or buy a ticket back to campus. Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet declared it to be a loan. He also advised the young man to leave the way he had come to avoid the Secret Service! Although this young man never earned nor deserved mercy, Coolidge showed this young man mercy rather than justice. Surprisingly, the loan was paid back. True Biblical mercy never tolerates sin for one moment, but it shows compassion to the sinner. Mercy helps people overcome sin; it never comforts them in their sin. God declares and demonstrates His goodness to His children. Nahum described the mercy and goodness of God. He is good! He is a refuge for help in the day of trouble. Furthermore, God knows those who trust in Him. He knows His own. The Lord knoweth them that are his (II Timothy 2:19). He has promised to bless those who trust in Him (Psalms 2:12; 34:78; 40:4; 84:12). Those promises remain to this day. The mercy of the Lord is great, and I am grateful for its abundance. It is something that we do not deserve, but we are very grateful for. Without the mercy of God, we would be without, and our life would have no meaning. It is very humbling to think of the great compassion and mercy God shows to His fallen creation. Only the heart of a divine Saviour can love us at the level we receive. i. The Lord’s Patience: No one is more patient with us than God is (Romans 15:5). If God can be patient with imperfect man, then surely we can be patient with one another. ii. The Lord’s Purpose: God has a plan for every life. With God, it is not one mistake and you are out. Due to mankind’s rules, a lack of forgiveness, and ignorance of the Scriptures, many Christians have been hindered from being used of God after they have stumbled (I Timothy 1:16). While speeding one late night, a driver saw the flashing lights of a state trooper in his rearview mirror. As the driver pulled over and rolled down the window, he tried to come up with an excuse for being in such a hurry. But as the trooper approached the car, he said nothing. Instead, he shined his flashlight in the driver’s face, then on his exhausted pregnant wife, then on his snoozing 18-month-old in his car seat, then on his three other children who were also asleep, and lastly on the two dogs in the very back of the car. Returning the beam of light to his face, the trooper spoke and said, "Son, you can't afford a ticket. Slow it down." He returned to his car and drove away. Sometimes mercy triumphs over law. So it is for sinners who call out to Jesus. Prayer, Father in Heaven, use me as a sanctified vessel, to pour out mercy and love without measure on other people. Father, we live in a world where there are so many hurting people. Help me to stretch out a willing arm of comfort when I see other people hurting or in pain. May Your Holy Spirit empower me to bless and help all those whom I come in contact. 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 5 Promises, Not to Fear (Isaiah 41:10)
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah hopes to silence the fears of God’s people and encourage us to confidently trust the LORD in the midst of trouble and adversity. It is contrary to the will and glory of our God for His people to be a timid, fearful, anxious people. In order to conquer our fears, the Lord God graciously assures us of His constant presence, power, and provision. Considering all the fears that we would confront in this world, the Lord gives us five great promises by which He says to every believer faced with danger and trouble, “Fear not ... be not dismayed”. As Christians, we must not fear other humans because: 1. “I am with thee”. Life would be hard to bear, but God would be with them. In their moments of fear, He would provide courage. If we were left to ourselves to face our enemies (the world, the flesh, and the devil), we would fear; but God says to our trembling souls, “I am with thee”. Take refuge in Him and be comforted (Psalm 46:1-11). We live in a world that often brings fear and uncertainty. God desires that we take courage in Him and overcome our fears. God is with us (Isaiah 40:9; 43:2, 5; Genesis 15:1; Acts 19:9-10). God promised comfort to those who were weary and needed encouragement. God is in control. 2. “I am thy God”. The almighty is ours, as truly ours as we are His! A stranger might see a person injured and pass by indifferently. But a husband cannot be indifferent to the pains of his wife. A father cannot be indifferent to the troubles of his child. And our God is never indifferent to the troubles of His children (Zephaniah 2:8; II Chronicles 16:9). 3. “I will strengthen thee”. We are told that the Lord will “put strength into his people” (Psalm 29:11). The journey they faced would be a most difficult one. There would be times when it felt as if they could no longer go on. There would be times when it seemed that defeat was inevitable. In those moments of weakness, God promises that He will provide strength. He would sustain them. He will strengthen you with might in the inward man. Your God will strengthen you to bear your troubles (II Corinthians 12:5-9), endure temptation (I Corinthians 10:13), and do His will (I Thessalonians 5:24). We all have faced those moments of weakness. We have all felt as if we could no longer go on. You may feel that way today. God will give us the grace and strength needed to face all of life’s circumstances. There is strength in the Lord. 4. “Yea, I will help thee”. He “helpeth our infirmities” (Romans 8:26). That means when our burden is so heavy that we cannot with all our strength support it, our God will take hold of it and bear it together with us. God will help us through times of crisis by giving us hope and peace. In other words, to imagine that any burden is too great for us to bear is to say that it is too great for God to bear! “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” No! And nothing is too hard for those to whom God says, “I will help thee”. He will provide for our needs. 5. “Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”. Captivity was coming, but they would not be destroyed. They would not perish at the hands of the enemy. They were secure in the mighty hand of God. What more can we want? The eternal God is our Refuge! Beneath you are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27-29; Isaiah 51:12-13). If God be for us, all the powers of earth and hell combined can’t exert themselves against us (Romans 8:31-39). With such a God and Saviour as we have in Christ Jesus, we have every reason to be comforted and fearless, even in the face of great trouble and in the midst of great enemies. He will support us in our efforts to fulfill His purpose for our lives. The saved are sealed and secure in the Lord. We may have to endure a battle while living this life. We may get a few bumps and bruises along the way, but we are secure in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are upheld by His mighty hand! Our safety is our God! Points to Ponder: Jesus is the only source of hope in this life and the life to come. He alone can secure your eternal destiny. Questions to Consider: Do you know Him as Saviour of your soul? How has the Lord used this devotion to help you serve Him today? PRAYER: Father, I can't see any way out of this problem. However, I know You can see many solutions to this problem. I trust completely in You. I know You will bring me safely through. I will not give up because my faith in You is strong and unwavering. As You see me through this trail, may You allow others to see You deliver me, that they may learn from You. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com A Faithful Friend (Proverbs 27:5-6)
Proverbs 27:5-6, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” An honest friend will display their love to their friend by correcting them and keeping them from a foolish or fatal act. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. This warns us that not all kisses are the “Hi, Great to see you” greetings of a friend. They may come from an enemy and be deceitful. Unfortunately, the Bible is filled with numerous examples of the deceptive kisses of an enemy. The most famous kiss of an enemy was Judas Iscariot kissing Jesus. Though he claimed to be a friend and kissed Christ, he was a traitor. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. A mark of a faithful friend is that they will be willing to wound us with loving correction. The correction may not feel good but it will be an expression of the love and faithfulness of a friend. The ‘wounds’ are the painful words that must be addressed in a true friendship in order to heal a broken relationship. Before anyone engages in correcting their wayward friend, they should pray for wisdom. Seeking the Lord to lead them in ministering to them as they speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). 1. Be candid. This means we should be direct and honest and not deceitful. If we want to build relationships with others, we must be honest. This means telling people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Anyone who has a “friend” who refuses to tell them when they are doing wrong, or who plans or participates, they are not their friend. The Bible warns that they are your enemies and their kisses are deceitful. If they really love you, they will say to you, “You know what you are doing is wrong. You know it is different from what you have been taught. You know that God cannot bless it.” If we are true friends, we will tell our friends the truth to help them, even if it might make them annoyed with us. Always compliment in public and correct in private. No marriage, friendship, or other relationship can survive unless it is built on candidness and honesty. 2. Be confidential. There are very few people who can be trusted with sensitive, personal information. We all need a friend with whom we can share our hurts, fears, and frustrations. One of the quickest ways to hurt people is to repeat a confidence. Friends are some of life’s most valuable assets. Acquaintances in life are many; true friends are few. A friend is a trusted confidante whose love is not dependent on performance, and whose influence draws others closer to God. Everyone needs a friend who will be loving and honest to restore them with their faults and flaws. The Lord Jesus Christ saw our greatest need, and He offered us His friendship. If we are to be Christ like, we should show this same friendship of Christ to others. PRAYER: Father, thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ. You did not forget me nor You did You leave me alone. Thank You for saving me and for being a faithful friend. 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 2 Priorities for a Powerful Prayer Life (Matthew 14:22-23)
Matthew 14:22–23, “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Jesus was very popular. The crowds sought Him out! Everyone wanted to be with Him! Masses of people followed Him for various reasons. They either wanted to hear Him, or ask Him a question, or get Him to heal a loved one. From daylight to dusk Jesus was sought. When the crowd knew He was in town, they found Him. Jesus never had a moment alone to be with the Father, unless He made it happen. Jesus often pulled away from the crowds and activity to spend time alone with His Father (Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 22:41-42; Hebrews 5:7). It is very important that we spend time alone with God. Time alone with God is essential to the spiritual well-being of every Christian. Perhaps every one of us struggle at times when it comes to making time for prayer. The subject of prayer has been has written about thousands of times to make one more confident and consistent in time spent with the Lord. A Quiet Place. The first priority is establishing a quiet place that is free from distractions. When you want to pray, where do you go? Do you have a special place where you enjoy some quiet time? The Scottish pastor Thomas Brooks said, “The power of religion and godliness lives, thrives, or dies, as closet [private] prayer lives, thrives, or dies. Godliness never rises to a higher pitch than when men keep closest to their closets.” Your prayer closet is one of the most important places you’ll go to every day. Since, we all have busy lives we have to adjust to what works best. Personally, I feel the best time and place would be early in the mornings in a quiet secluded place at home. However, for some it may be at a restaurant, coffee shop, or office cube. A Quiet Period. The second priority is having a specific time. Having found a quiet place, we also need a quiet, committed period of time. Despite our best plans, there are times when life gets chaotic. This may mean scheduling a specific time of day in which you talk with the Lord. Although we can take our cares and burdens to the Lord at any time, if we are committed to a consistent prayer life and scheduled time, it will help. For some it will be harder than others to find a quiet hour. This means we may have to sacrifice things that maybe pleasant and profitable. The most important appointment you make every day is the one you make with God. The lack of desire to pray is an unmistakable sign that one’s spiritual life is in a process of decline. If this is happening, we must take a hard look at our lives and remove anything that offends God or gets in the way of our relationship with Him. We must then come boldly, but humbly, to Him and renew our commitment to spending time with Him in prayer (Luke 18:1). Prayer is simply talking and interacting with God. It involves two-way communication in which we speak but also learn to listen for God’s responses and direction. Find a quiet place and a quiet time where you can spend time alone before God. These are priorities for a powerful prayer life along with an effective personal devotion. Jesus always found time to spend with the Father. Since prayer was such an important part in the life of Jesus how much more important is it to us who are broken and sinful. If Jesus himself needed this time, how much more must we show our dependence on God in this way. Time alone with the Lord will be the most comforting time in your day. Prayer, Lord, I humbly ask You to graciously grant me a heart that desires to pray. Forgive me, I’ve just been struggling with fear and doubt that has troubled the peace I have from You. I commit myself to prayer and I am casting these things Your way right now. I’m choosing not to worry about them anymore because You will deal with them under the authority of Jesus’ name, Amen If this post has blessed you in any way Please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Seeking the Lord with All Your Heart (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Deuteronomy 4:29, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” If a person is to seek the Lord with all their heart, one must prepare themself. Let’s look at the examples of King Rehoboam (II Chronicles 12:14) and King Hezekiah (II Chronicles 30:18-19). II Chronicles 12:14, “And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.” If you desire to seek the Lord and establish a close walk with Him, then you need to prepare yourself to do that. If you fail to do this, then sin tends to take root in your heart. This is what happened to King Reheboam. Those who sought God prepared their hearts to seek Him. King Hezekiah stressed the importance of doing this. II Chronicles 30:18-19, “For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one 19 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” Ezra was another man of God that prepared his heart to seek the Lord and obey Him. Ezra 7:10, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” In order for a believer to prepare their heart to serve the Lord faithfully, they must decide to follow the Lord and refrain from wandering away. It was Caleb and Joshua who had wholly followed the Lord and David knew that. They only of the generation which came out of Egypt were allowed to enter the promised land. The psalmist made up his mind in Psalm 119:10. Psalm 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” A lack of commitment to Christ will lead to spiritual apathy and to wandering away from God. The word wander means to go astray or to be led astray; to swerve out of control, to be tossed to and fro, and roll back and forth. The words “whole heart” clearly indicate a wholehearted dedication. David freely and openly cried out with his whole heart seeking after God. David further knew that God had required that he seek Him with the whole heart (Deuteronomy 10:12). He knew that God had promised specific blessing for serving Him with a whole heart (Deuteronomy 11:13). David knew that Joshua had commanded Israel to serve God with all their hearts (Joshua 22:5). The thought here is being led astray from God’s Word. David therefore pled with God to keep him from being so led astray. He was well aware of the distractions and diversions of life which lead to detours from God’s way. The devil knows that if he can replace God as the greatest desire of our hearts—even with something that is not sinful—he has destroyed our effectiveness. This, unfortunately, describes many unstable believers today. They have no stability in their lives and spiritually they are weak. They make one mistake after another, and also destructive choices, that scar their lives with long term consequences. Spiritual apathy is like cold water on a burning heart on fire for God. Apathy and indifference cool us spiritually and many have adapted a “whatever” attitude in their dedication and service to Christ. This is why we need to seek Him with our whole heart, with a 100% effort. We are to jump in with both feet when it comes to serving and loving Him. Make up your mind and put the Lord first in your life. The same fact holds true with God. God is disgusted with our half-heartedness toward Him. He is not comfortable at all with this kind of attitude. It makes Him sick as He expressed to the apathetic church in Laodicea. Revelation 3:15-16, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” The psalmist’s commitment was to seek God wholeheartedly. He realized that his passion for God’s Word could diminish over time, that he could grow indifferent to spiritual truth. And, because he was fully aware of human nature’s sinful tendencies, he feared straying from the Lord’s commandments. For him, a casual, half-hearted commitment was not enough. If he was going to remain faithful to the Lord and His Word—if he was going to stay pure—he knew that he had to keep the fires of passion burning for God and His Word. To find God and know Him in His fullness, a person must seek Him with wholehearted devotion (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12; 11:13; 13:3; 26:16; 30:6, 10; Philippians 3:8-11). Knowing God and experiencing the power, blessing, and righteousness of His kingdom do not come easily. These will happen only to those who earnestly seek God (Hebrews 11:6) and desire His nearness, the fullness of His Spirit and His gift of eternal life. Questions to Consider: · Have you given your whole heart to the Lord? · Do you hunger for the Lord? · Do you have an appetite for spiritual matters or are you full of the delicacies that the world offers you? · Have you lost your appetite for the world? Points to Ponder: · The urge to wander from God will be strong if you are in love with this world.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may I seek you with all my heart and not wander away. Help me never to grow cold or calloused towards You, Your Word, or others. 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 Being A Reflector of the Lord (Philippians 2:15)
Philippians 2:15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” As we engage the Lord in our walk and our words, we will be shining lights to a dark world. A Bible teacher had just finished speaking to a large class of businessmen on the Christian's responsibility to be a "light" in the world. He emphasized that believers are to reflect the Light of the world, the Lord Jesus. After the class, one of the members related to him an experience he had in his home which had impressed upon him this same truth. He said that when he went into his basement, he made an interesting discovery. Some potatoes had sprouted in the darkest comer of the room. At first, he couldn't figure out how they had gotten enough light to grow. Then he noticed that the cook had hung a copper kettle from the ceiling near a cellar window. She kept it so brightly polished that it reflected the rays of the sun onto the potatoes. The businessman said, "When I saw that, I thought, I may not be a preacher or a teacher with ability to expound Scripture, but at least I can be a copper kettle catching the rays of the Son and reflecting His light to someone in a dark corner." May that be true of all of us. We are to follow Jesus Christ by our walk, by our words. Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Believers are to shine! We are to be lighthouses, warning men of the dangers of sin and pointing them to the safe harbor of salvation. We are to be light reflectors, always reflecting the light of Jesus for those in darkness. We are to light the way for others, just as the way was lit for us by others! The Word of God reminds us that God desires His children to shine in this present world! Everyone values light and regardless of how small the light may be. If it is shining, it can lead one out of darkness. We are to shine as lights in the world. If we were to shine brightly, holding forth the Word of life, people would see the beautiful promises of God, regardless of how crooked and perverse the world. It is our responsibility to shine the light in the darkness. We have the answer in our Saviour, Jesus Christ. If we keep the light of God’s truth and love shining brightly in our lives, it will impact the darkness around us. When we are in line with God, we are spotlights in a dark world! How’s your light shining? Prayer, Lord, sometimes my life seems like I'm just stumbling in the dark, scrambling for the light switch. Let your light shine through my life that will lead others to Your Son. 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 Are You A Burden Bearer?…Carrying Someone’s Burden (Galatians 6:2)
Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” There is no shortage of people in need. Have you ever been so busy in life that you missed the opportunity to do something big in the life of another? We all need help and we are all helpers—that’s part of being human. But what does it look like to help each other well? The people who help best are people who both need help and give help—being able to share their burdens and to bear the burdens of others. In many cities in the Middle East, carriages or carts were not allowed to enter the city gates, so porters usually had to carry heavy loads on their backs. These men were often chosen from among the poor and were forced to spend long days and nights in back-breaking labor. Often, two porters would walk side-by-side and take turns relieving each other. So when Jesus told those who were “heavy-laden” to come to Him for rest it was a clear illustration of an everyday struggle (Matthew 11:28). When Paul encouraged the Galatian church to bear one another’s burdens, (Galatians 6:2), it was more than a spiritual truth, it was a way for Christians to practically live out their faith. The word burden comes from the Greek "baros." It carries the idea of being "weighty or hard to bear." The word bear means to "support or carry." Many times, people have burdens that are simply too much for them to bear alone. To carry each other’s burdens includes helping people in times of sickness, sorrow, concerns, problems, difficult responsibilities, and financial stress. It involves praying earnestly for people as well as helping to meet their needs in tangible, practical ways. To carry another’s burden is a godly quality (Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7). Solomon explains that two are better than one. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Just helping someone bear his load goes a long way. Sometimes that is all a person needs in order to get back in fellowship with the Lord. Helping others bear their load is a major part of the ministry of restoration. Walking alongside someone who is going through hardship means making time for that person, maybe at a child’s ball game, or at church, or over coffee, or during a small group meeting. It means having conversations that go beneath the surface, hearing what’s on his or her heart, and praying for and together with the person. As people who are needed, we can ask to hear our friend’s story. The better you know other people, the more you enjoy, appreciate, pray with, and love them. And the more you love them, the more they will invite you into their lives in times of hardship. Problems are complex, and there will be times when limits to our human gifts, abilities, and experience create the need for co-helpers. Maybe today you can do something to help lighten someone’s load. Think of someone who is hurting in your church or your community-and think of a way you can do something practical that will help them. Bearing other’s burdens is sometimes more than kind words and sweet notes. It’s rolling up your sleeves and doing something positive to affect their lives. If we are not willing to help others with their problems, then we have no one to whom we can minister. I want to encourage you today to be sensitive to the needs of others who are around you. When you go to church, go to work, or even spend time with your family and friends, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see when people are carrying too much by themselves. If you discern that they are burdened, go to them and ask, How can I pray for you today? What is happening in your life? God may use you to bring real relief and freedom into someone’s situation. Perhaps just providing a listening ear is all that is needed to help that person get through his or her dilemma. On the other hand, if an overwhelming problem, weakness, habit, or sin is pressing down on your life, you need to be humble enough to say, “Hey, I need someone to pray with me! This is too much for me to do completely by myself!” It may be difficult for you to open your heart and reveal your need, but it will be far more difficult for you to carry it alone until you eventually become emotionally devastated by that burden. As brothers and sisters in the Lord, we need to do everything we can to step deeply into people’s lives in order to encourage and refresh them spiritually and to help them get through their problems. When we see someone struggling, we must be bold enough to ask that person how we can help! When we work together as a body in this way, every need will be addressed and met! 1. Have there been situations in your life when you thought you might break under the weight you were trying to carry by yourself? When that happened, did anyone come to you and ask how he or she might help or pray for your needs? 2. Have you ever gone to others to see how you could help them through the situations they were enduring? Or have you been too self-consumed to remember that other people have needs, too? 3. Do you know of individuals you should check on today to see what you can do to help them through a situation they are facing? In what ways can you be a strength or an encouragement to them? Prayer, Lord, I am asking You to help me be sensitive to the needs of other people. Help me to stop being so self-consumed with my own concerns that I am negligent in recognizing the needs of people around me who need help and prayer. Holy Spirit, help me see through the masks people tend to wear to cover up what is really happening in their lives. Give me the wisdom to know how to approach people who need strength and encouragement. I pray this 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's Love Displayed in the Life of a Christian (I John 4:9-11)
I John 4:9-11, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” G. Campbell Morgan was once at lunch with his wife and his five sons who were also preachers. A friend asked them, "Who is the greatest preacher?" In unison the six men said, "Our mother." Mrs. Morgan's life affected others more than any sermon her husband and sons had preached. Because we are Christians, people will watch us. They will watch how we live and what we let affect our lives. Many times, they will judge Christianity based on our lives. How did God so love us? God loved us selflessly, sacrificially, sincerely, steadfastly. All throughout the Scriptures, God speaks of His love for us through His Word. He proved His love to us when He sent His only begotten Son to die on Calvary. If God had not taken the initiative to bring about our salvation, no one would be saved. Romans 3:10-11, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” But God’s love was so great that He sent His Son to be the sinless sacrifice to purchase our redemption. This is the foundation of our salvation. God did not wait for mankind to come to Him. He sent His Son to seek and to save us. Jesus left Heaven and sought after the lost so that we could have a restored relationship with Him. I John 4:11 tells us that we are to love one another. Christ does not give us a list of requirements someone must meet in order for us to love them. He does not command us to love only those who love us. He tells us to love one another. This means everyone. No matter what someone has done to us, we should love them. God's love for us does not depend on our love for Him; He loves us whether we obey Him or reject Him. Even so, we must not base our love for others on their love for us or their attitude toward us. We must love them as Christ loves us. Romans 5:5 says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Of our own power, we would not be able to always show God's love. Yet through the empowering of His Holy Spirit, we can even show love to those who mistreat us. Not only does Christ desire for us to love others, but He desires for us to let His love flow through our lives. God is invisible, but we as His children are visible. While some may not read of God's love in His Word or see His love on Calvary, they may see it through us as believers. The only way some people may see the love of Christ is through our lives. Questions to Consider: How would someone judge Christianity based on your life? Are you letting Christ's love flow through you? Or will someone never see the love of Christ because of your life? Points to Ponder: John says that the logical progression and response to God’s love is for us to love one another. We are challenged to put our love on the line. Ask Christ to give you the strength to love those around you, and let His love flow through you today. PRAYER: Thank You for bringing me into a relationship with You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to never forget the price and the power of His cross. 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
January 2025
Categories |