Serve Jesus? … Do It Now (John 9:4-5)
John 9:4-5, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus is the Light of the world. If man wishes to be delivered from darkness, he must come to Christ. Christ is the only One who gives sight to man and His world. Jesus said that He must work due to the soon coming darkness. He meant that His earthly ministry would end and He would return to His Father. In the meantime, He was effectively and efficiently doing the works appointed by God. We all have limited time here on earth. Jesus had come with a mission to fulfill. He had not come simply to walk among men teaching the Scriptures, healing the sick, and comforting the weary; He had come to bring light to a dark world, delivering men from the bondage of sin. Already His eyes were fixed on Calvary. He wanted the disciples to see the eternal work that was being done. Jesus came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He had come to open the eyes of this blind man and all who were blinded by sin. It was Joshua who said in Joshua 24:15, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose, land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua's mind was made up to serve the Lord no matter what anyone else was going to do. Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus to be busy for the Lord, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). The point is that we should make the most of every opportunity we have—even more because of the evil that infiltrates our culture. Do your best for God, and work while there is still time. There are a lot of Christians doing nothing, but there are no Christians who have nothing to do. God used Adoniram Judson because of his commitment to serve the Lord and be available to Him. Adoniram Judson sweated out Burma's heat for 18 years without a furlough. He went six years without a convert. Enduring torture and imprisonment, he admitted that he never saw a ship sail without wanting to jump on board and go home. When his wife's health broke and he put her on a homebound vessel in the knowledge he would not see her for two full years, he confided to his diary: "If we could, I would find some quiet resting place on earth where we could spend the rest of our days in peace..." But then Judson steadied himself with this remarkable postscript: "Life is short. Millions of Burmese are perishing. I am almost the only person on earth who has attained their language to communicate salvation..." Judson was committed to serving the Lord. Perhaps, this is why we are still talking about him today over 170 years after his death. We are not only to serve the Lord, we are to be a spokesman for Him. It’s been said, "The best ability is availability." The best thing we can do is make ourselves available to God for His service, whether it is in our family, our neighborhood, our church, or on foreign soil. We should take advantage of every opportunity we have to minister, serve, and witness for the Lord. We are to make our life a mission for God, not an intermission. The time to serve the Lord is while we can, to live for Him today. Tomorrow may not come for you. Make yourself available to the Lord each day. May we all have Isaiah's attitude, "Here am I Lord, send me." I wonder how many of us trust God enough that when we hear Him simply call our name we can say, “Here am I…whatever You need, You have it…whatever You want, I will do it.” Man's greatest heartbreak will be to discover it is too late to do something he or she should have done. The word day reveals we have limited time to do God's will. The time for work is limited. Christ and His followers do not have forever to do the work. It has to be done now or the opportunity will be lost. Only so much time has been given. Whatever is to be done must be done today, while there is still some daylight left. Night is coming, the time when no man can work. Time will end and the opportunity will be gone forever. Each person’s greatest tragedy will be to discover it is too late to do something he or she should have done. Remember there are a lot of Christians doing nothing but there are no Christians who have nothing to do. Opportunities pass quickly, they are like a vapor for they are here and gone. Don't waste your life away! Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I don't know who or what will cross my path today, but help me to bring you glory today. Help me to be productive, patient, persistent, and perceptive. Help me to always work with diligence and may I make a lasting impact for Your kingdom. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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The World's Safest Place to Be (Psalm 91:4)
Psalm 91:4, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” During a blizzard in South Wales, England, a young mother and her baby were making their way across the foothills when she was overtaken by the frigid storm. Failing to reach her destination, a group of searchers found her frozen body with her baby tightly wrapped underneath her; the child was warm and still alive. The mother had taken off her outer garments and covered her child from the cold. The child grew up to be David Lloyd George, Britain's Prime Minister and one of the greatest statesmen in England. His political and social greatness was made possible because his mother covered him in love. Much like David Lloyd George, our achievements in life can only be attributed to the covering of God's love. God is omnipotent, all-powerful. He will cover and protect us under His wings of care when we stay close to Him. The psalmist compared God’s care for His people to a bird gathering her young under her wings in order to protect them. The Lord will be our refuge, covering and protecting us in the dangers of life. Regardless of the threats and fears we may face; we can be confident in the protection of our loving Saviour. The truth and faithfulness of God will be our shield and buckler. God has given us His faithful promises to use as our armor for life’s battles (Ephesians 6:10-20). We are protected by His faithfulness to His Word. Knowing that, we can have complete confidence that He will fulfill His promises to us. In perilous times, we need to trust God to help us. When we abide in Him and live in the fullness of His Spirit, we can face every situation of life without fear. Whatever difficulties or dangers we may face, our Lord will be with us. The shadow of the Almighty will cover us through them all. We are covered by the feathers and sheltering wings of the Lord. His truth is our defense. It is our shield and buckler. The message is God's truth protects and surrounds us. It protects us from lies and deception, and from making foolish decisions that scar our lives. Genuine security brings peace in times of darkness, danger, destruction, disease, and death. Night is a time of terrors, robbery, and murder. The godly man lies down in peace and sleeps quietly, for he trusts his life in the hand of God, and he knows that He neither snoozes nor sleeps. Security and peace are a by-product of entrusting your life to God's care. People everywhere need a sense of security. True hope and security are found in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are "in Him," we are over-shadowed by His power; His presence makes every provision for our protection and blessing. God will protect us and deliver us, but it may not mean the absence of pain and affliction in this life. He is not only our shield, but a bulwark that fortifies our security. He will deliver us because we love Him. He sets us securely on high because we know His name. He answers us because we call on Him. He is with us in trouble, will rescue us, honor us, satisfy us with a long life, and allow us to know and experience His salvation because of an abiding, intimate relationship with Him. The fear of the unknown, the fear of loneliness, the fear of darkness, the fear of the future, or the fear of battle can be removed when your life is totally yielded to the Lord and you are obeying and doing what He instructs you to do in His Word. Peace comes from trusting in Him. In perilous times, we need to trust God to help us. When we abide in Him and live in the fullness of His Spirit, we can face every situation of life without fear. Satan’s fury against God, His Word, and His people is becoming more savage every day. More and more believers are paying a price for their faith in Jesus Christ. Through it all, however, God is our helper, and He is always with us (Hebrews 13:5-6). Our Saviour has promised to be with us to the end (Matthew 28:20). Whatever difficulties or dangers we may face, our Lord will be with us, we will not walk alone. We will walk under the comforting shelter of God’s shadow. If you've never been saved, there is a place beside the Lord for you if you will only claim it. If you are a Christian who has wandered from fellowship with the Lord, you need to come and find your place once again. I'm sure that you will find it just as you remembered. The Lord is waiting for you to come! Points to Ponder:
Questions to Consider:
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your presence in my life and that my future is secure in the place You're preparing for me. Your words bring me hope and comfort. Daily I catch glimpses of Your glory and blessing along the way as I walk 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 Effective Prayer Life (Luke 11:1)
Luke 11:1, “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” If you are seeking to follow God with your whole heart, you can confidently claim His promise for answered prayer. Hudson Taylor said, “The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge.” 3 Characteristics of Effective Prayer We have a God who delights in answering the prayers of His children. Praying is a resource that every one of us has at our disposal. However, in order for our prayers to be answered, there are unchangeable Biblical principles that must be met. Criteria such as faith, obedience, and persistence are among God’s key requirements. The Bible gives us many examples of people who had prayerful lives that God blessed through incredible answers: Abraham, Daniel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Hannah, Hezekiah, Nehemiah, and Paul. They were people who were just like us except for one thing: they had extraordinary prayer lives. For most of God’s children, the discipline of prayer is often neglected because we don’t understand the kind of praying that pleases God. We pray when we are faced with an emergency or an unexpected need, but during the normal down times of life, we pray with less frequency and effectiveness. What kind of praying pleases God? 1. The Soldier’s Prayer Should Be Spontaneous God cares for us and He compels us to go to Him in prayer. When we go to Him immediately in prayer, we let Him know that we believe Him to be the source who will answer our prayers. We should be ready to pray at all times, at any location, and under any circumstances. I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” I Timothy 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 2. The Soldier’s Prayer Should Be Specific Many of our prayers offered to God are general, non-specific, and lacking in intensity. James 4:2, “Ye have not because ye ask not.” Matthew 7:7, “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Prayer that is specific leaves no question as to what is being requested. 3. The Soldier’s Prayer Should Be Spectacular By this, I mean that we are not afraid to ask God for things that are beyond our power. I am referring to things that some would consider impossible. Over and over, we are encouraged to come boldly before God for Him to show Himself strong on our behalf. Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” The Commission to Practical Prayer (Ephesians 6:18) “Praying always…” (Ephesians 6:18a) Notice how God has commanded us to pray: 1. I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” 2. Romans 12:12, “Continuing instant in prayer.” 3. Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” 4. Luke 21:36, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always.” 5. Luke 18:1, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” The final weapon we have is a direct link to the Captain of the Host. In the midst of the battle, every Christian has the assurance of direction from the Lord. Being well dressed for battle is essential, but we need direct contact with the Commander. For soldiers staying in touch with command is crucial for the success of the mission and victory in combat. When soldiers are in contact with command they know what to do, where to go, and how to go about doing it. Command gives the soldiers direction, encouragement, and focus on the mission and objective. The soldier must ensure the lines of communication remain open. We need constant communication to defeat the enemy. An attack can happen at any moment, from any direction, so we must be on guard. Satan likes to attack when we least expect it. These attacks come suddenly without warning. He often comes during our times of weakness, even when we are alone, without the aid of other believers. Thank God we have a direct link to the throne room! Just as a squad is to get their orders from headquarters, so too are the Christian soldiers! We are to stay in contact with our Lord and Master through prayer. We are to pray urgently, confidently, passionately, and persistently. As Christians, we can take comfort in knowing that we are never out of range, and the enemy cannot destroy our communication base. We can go to the Father anytime and at anyplace. We are His servants on a mission for Him and we must know where to go, when to go, and what to do! Paul declared the call, consistency, and the contents of a Christian soldier’s prayer. A Christian soldier’s prayer should be dedicated, directed, determined, and demonstrated. We are to engage in prayer daily, dutifully, persistently, and personally. I want to challenge all Christian’s to put on the armor of God by prayer, fight the enemy through prayer, and to receive our orders from Headquarters in prayer. As Christians, we are in a spiritual war and we have been sent out with the Gospel and we face a real enemy that wars against us. We must stay in communication with command! Never lose that connection with Jesus. Don't lay the receiver down. Keep the line open. We must also keep ourselves holy before Him so that when a need arises, we can immediately call on Jesus. Don't find yourself in a condition where you have sin in your life and are out of fellowship with the Lord, unable to pray for another. Pray always! 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 The Watchman (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7)
2. The Failure of the People (Ezekiel 3:19). Ezekiel 3:19, “Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” If Ezekiel faithfully warned the wicked and the righteous of evil, then he would be reckoned accordingly before God. Your service can be the difference between someone getting saved or going to hell. We have a strong responsibility to be faithful in our service for God. As he had opportunity to share the message, his prayer was to be able to reveal the mystery of Christ clearly. If the Gospel is not clear to the church then it will not be clear to the community. It is the responsibility of God’s men today to warn people of God’s just judgment against sin and call them to repentance. God’s men who fail to fully carry out this sacred duty are accountable. God emphasized that Ezekiel was to faithfully continue to warn the people to turn from sin and to accept God’s salvation. The duty of a watchman is to preach both the love and justice of God. God never takes pleasure in the death of the wicked. Jesus Christ is the supreme proof of this fact. God loves the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for the sins of every human being (John 3:16). When people reject Christ, the Lord grieves, because He has made a way for people to escape sin and death, the way of repentance. As a watchman, God gave Ezekiel some warnings regarding his ministry. According to Ezekiel 33:6, God will hold a watchman accountable. A watchman (one positioned in a tower or on the city wall to look out for invaders or approaching disaster) who saw destruction coming and did not sound an alarm to warn the people would be held responsible for their deaths. In God’s kingdom, a pastor who does not warn those who are uncommitted or rebellious against God about the danger of judgment will be held accountable for the people’s spiritual destruction. All Christians have the responsibility to share their faith with people who are spiritually lost or without a personal relationship with God, and to help fulfill the mission Jesus gave to the church (Matthew 28:19). We will give an account to God if we refuse to obey Jesus’ Great Commission (Acts 20:26). Ezekiel was to be a watchman, warning that all who continued to resist God would be punished with death (Ezekiel 3:18). If Ezekiel failed to warn the wicked, he would be held accountable for their deaths. Faithful men of God today embrace Ezekiel’s example by warning those in their congregations who are behaving in ungodly ways that they will be excluded from God’s kingdom if they do not repent (I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:18-21; Ephesians 5:5). God’s people are to be taught that they must admit their sins, turn from their own selfish ways, and begin to follow God’s purposes. Those who fail to warn the unfaithful will themselves be accountable to God for people’s spiritual destruction. We must always remember that God has given us the responsibility to take His message of forgiveness and new life through Christ to the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). This message includes the warning of eternal death for all who refuse to accept Christ’s forgiveness. God has made all of Christ’s followers his watchmen (Matthew 18:15). According to Ezekiel 33:7, God had made Ezekiel His watchman. God emphasized again that Ezekiel was to faithfully continue to warn the people to turn from sin and to accept God’s salvation. Today the church and its Pastor must help spread the message of spiritual salvation through Jesus Christ to all nations (Ezekiel 3:18). In Ezekiel 22:30, the LORD cried out for a man to stand in the gap. Just as Christ is the “mediator between man and God” (I Timothy 2:5), so redeemed man is the “gap” between the lost and Christ. With Christ in Heaven and the Holy Spirit in the Christian, the Christian is the only person on earth to represent God before others. This is our responsibility, our calling as “ambassadors of Christ” (II Corinthians 5:20). Too often few respond to their calling. Like Ezekiel, we must be the man in the “gap”. As a watchman, we will:
As he has been appointed, so have we. We are God’s watchmen as well (Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:20). No one will be held more responsible for the cities we live in than us (Esther 4:14; Acts 17:26). I believe we all are accountable for giving the Gospel to the lost. We have a responsibility to try to tell people how to be saved either by witnessing to them, or giving them a gospel tract. Do you have friends or loved ones that need the Lord? If so, make an effort to tell them about Jesus Christ and how to be saved. If you don't know Christ, you can turn to Him right now. According to an old legend, a man became lost in his travels and wandered into a bed of quicksand. Confucius saw the man's predicament and said, "It is evident that men should stay out of places such as this." Next, Buddha observed the situation and said, "Let that man's plight be a lesson to the rest of the world." Then Mohammed came by and said to the sinking man, "Alas, it is the will of God." Finally, Jesus appeared and said, "Take my hand, brother, and I will save you." If you know not the Lord, He will save you if you will ask Him. Point to Ponder: A warning can be a matter of eternity. We live in a world where at least 2 billion people currently lack access to the Gospel. We should be ready and eager to share the good news of Christ (Peter 3:15). If the Gospel is not in our hearts or on our mind, then it will not come out of our mouths. Questions to Consider: What are we doing with the message we have been given? How can you be the watchmen you need to be for your city, your state, and your nation? Who in your city still hasn’t heard that Christ has not only come once, but is also coming again (Psalm 96:13)? How would your community, city, and country be different if your church asked God every day for opportunities to share the Gospel? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for those You sent my way to share the Gospel with me. Help me that I may share the Gospel with those You allow me to connect with. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Watchman (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7)
Ezekiel 3:17, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:7, “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” The Titanic is one of the worst maritime disasters in history. The British luxury liner Titanic (46,000 gross tons) of the White Star Line, on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, struck an iceberg about 95 miles south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland just before midnight on April 14, 1912. Of the more than 2,220 persons aboard, about 1,513 died. The ship had been proclaimed unsinkable because of its 16 watertight compartments. Nevertheless, the iceberg sufficiently damaged the Titanic to make it sink in less than three hours. Investigations found that the ship had been steaming too fast in dangerous waters, that lifeboat space had been provided for only about half of the passengers and crew. Warnings came, however, the response was “You’re jamming up our signals.” The Californian, the closest ship to the scene, had not come to the rescue because its radio operator was off duty and asleep. A warning can be a matter of life and death. On September 11, 2001, the people working in the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York had no warning that planes were going to slam into their buildings on the morning of September 11, 2001. As a result, 2,606 people would lose their lives in the collapse of the buildings. More would die in the planes and at the Pentagon. A warning can be a matter of life and death. The sailors who slept on the USS Arizona and other Navy vessels at Pearl Harbor were given no warning on the morning of December 7, 1941, that Japanese planes were on their way to attack. As a result, more than 20 naval vessels were sunk or badly damaged, almost 200 American aircraft were destroyed, and 2,335 U.S. servicemen were killed and 1,143 were wounded. A warning can be a matter of life and death. The Intelligence Agency of a nation is of critical importance in protecting its people. Whether a satellite or a plane in the sky, a mechanical or human spy, or a soldier or guard on the border, a nation’s ability to gain intelligence determines its capability to protect itself. In ancient history, a nation protected itself by establishing fortified cities and outposts along its borders, as well as by posting military patrols at key locations throughout the land. But most important of all were the watchmen who were strategically posted along the walls of a city. It was the watchman’s duty to scan the horizon for any approaching enemy and to be alert to any danger within the city, such as fire or civil disturbance. As God’s man, I must take the Word of God forth to the world proclaiming the glorious message of salvation to every human being of every generation. Ezekiel explains in Ezekiel 3:17 that the watchman had a responsibility to warn the people of God’s judgment. He was the difference between the life and death of the people (Ezekiel 33:7-9). As a watchman, Ezekiel was informed that he was not responsible for the reactions of the people, however he was responsible to warn them. God stressed the personal responsibility of both the prophet and the people who heard his message of repentance that was to follow. 1. The Failure of the Prophet (Ezekiel 3:18, 20). Ezekiel 3:18, “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:20, “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” If Ezekiel failed to warn either the wicked or the righteous, he would be held accountable and punished for his failure. If the watchman was irresponsible and failed to warn the people of an approaching danger, two things would happen. First, the people would die because of the watchman’s unfaithful and irresponsible behavior. Second, God would hold the watchman accountable for that person’s death. under the judgment of God. But if the watchman failed to give the warning and people died, the watchman would be held accountable for their deaths. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for those You sent my way to share the Gospel with me. Help me that I may share the Gospel with those You allow me to connect with. In Jesus name, AMEN! Be sure to visit tomorrow for Part 2. If this post in any way, has blessed you, 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 that a minister was marvelously 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 towards 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 for those who persevere under trials, not for 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 3. Crown of Righteousness – Seeking (II Timothy 4:5-8) – PART 4
II Timothy 4:5-8, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” In the 1987 NCAA Regional Finals, LSU was leading Indiana by eight points with only a few minutes left in the game. As is often the case with a team in the lead, LSU began playing a different ball game. The television announcer pointed out that the LSU players were beginning to watch the clock rather than wholeheartedly play the game. As a result of this shift in focus, Indiana closed the gap, won the game by one point, and eventually went on to become NCAA champions. While Jesus called us to be aware of "the signs of the times," He clearly called us to expend our energies in faithful, active service. As we await Jesus' promised return, we are not so much to watch the clock as to be diligent servants during the time we have available. Look for His return. Love His appearing. Those who live in such a manner as to love for Christ to come will receive this crown. There is a great reward that awaits those who finish well. The early believers were not looking for something to happen, they were looking for Someone to come. Looking for the train to arrive is one thing, but looking for someone we love to come on that train is another matter. When General MacArthur was driven out of the Philippines by the Japanese invasion, he said, "I shall return," and return he did. Before our Lord left this earth He said, "I will return..." (Acts 15:16), and return He will. The Lord will give this crown to the faithful Christian who is looking forward to the return of Christ. When I studied arithmetic, I remembered that the answers were in the back of the book. No matter how I floundered among my problems, the correct solution was on the last page. I have failed often in working out life's problems, and I dwell in the midst of a people who are hopelessly trying to untangle the riddle of this present age. But I am cheered by one unfailing uncertainty—there is a Book that solves the mystery and the answer is in the back of the Book, "Behold I come quickly"; "Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:12, 20). The famous and very successful football coach, Bear Bryant, often told reporters, "I’d croak in a month if I quit coaching." After 25 years as the head coach at his alma mater, Bryant announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. On December 29, 1982, he coached his Alabama football team for the last time in Memphis, TN, at the Liberty Bowl against Illinois. On January 26, 1983, he died of a massive heart attack. The words “loved his appearing” perfectly describe the persevering Christian. Their eyes are on the future waiting for the day Christ will return, wanting to be found faithful. Does that describe you? Are you fighting the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith? The day is coming, and if you are fighting, finishing, and focused your crown will be waiting. Oliver Greene said, "No man knows the day or the hour when Jesus will come; we do not know the day or the hour when we will be called to meet the Lord in death. If this should be the day of the Lord's return, or if this should be the day death comes for me, could I testify as Paul did in the face of death? Have I really fought a good fight? Have I kept the faith? Have I been a good minister, true to the Word and to those to whom I preached? Will I have a crown to cast at the feet of Jesus when we crown Him Lord of all?" What a wonderful day it will be when Jesus Christ rewards His children for their faithfulness! However, these crowns are not for our glory, but for His. “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne” (Revelation 4:10). As we faithfully run the race, we earn crowns to His honor and glory. Paul had put in his time. He had stayed faithful. He had hung in until the end. Here he is in prison awaiting execution. It is just about over and Paul could say without reservation that he had accomplished what God had called him to do. Question to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Father, help me to be faithful and focused as I run my course for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen! Thank you for reading this devotion. This is PART FOUR of this series. Please visit the website tomorrow for PART FIVE. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 2. Crown of Rejoicing – Souls (I Thessalonians 2:19) – PART 3
I Thessalonians 2:19, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” At God's coming, we will experience the realization of our “hope”, supreme “joy”, and “crown of rejoicing”. We will soon be presented with this crown. The word crown refers to the reward given to the winner of a race. It would be similar to the awarding of a gold medal in the Olympic Games. The picture is that we are in a contest, a spiritual struggle against Satan for the souls of men. Paul was rejoicing for the souls that had been saved. He was declaring that the most esteemed prize in his trophy case was this crown for winning souls. Those who have won souls to Christ will be given this crown that is offered before Christ at the Judgment Seat. So, we must strain and strive for the souls of men. As an evangelist made his way across the states preaching in churches, he heard more and more of the testimonies of believer’s being converted in Sydney, Australia. He heard over and over of an elderly man who faithfully handed out Gospel tracts to people as they entered and exited from the subway. The evangelist was touched how that one man was making such an impact for the Lord in Sydney. The evangelist prayed that if the Lord ever gave him an opportunity to visit Sydney, he would meet this man and rejoice concerning what he was doing for the Lord. That prayer was soon answered and the evangelist, while in Sydney, crossed paths with the elderly man at the subway station. As the evangelist spoke of the success of his ministry, the elderly man was amazed for he had no idea of the impact he was making for the Lord. Imagine, someone who stood by the subway making such an impact for the Lord in leading souls to Him. Paul looked forward to the day when he would stand before his Saviour with the ones in which he had invested his life's work. Paul’s greatest joy was leading people to Jesus. Paul’s reward for being a bold believer was neither fame nor fortune. His reward was people whose lives had been forever changed by God through his ministry. Those whom he led to Christ were his crown of rejoicing. Paul’s converts were also his glory, which means the honor of his life was winning them to Christ. His converts were also his joy. As the Lord’s servant, you are precious to the Lord and precious to someone else as well. God blesses those who serve Him and He allows His servants to participate in winning people to Jesus. What an awesome privilege He has given to His church! It’s been said that, “Surely there can be no deeper joy than that of saving souls”. The joy of any teacher is his pupils. The rejoicing of any pastor is those who have come to know the LORD through his preaching. The crown of rejoicing awaits the person who will be able to present souls to the Lord in that day. Joining the Lord Jesus Christ with all the believers whom we have known, reached, and grown in Christ down here on earth. To offer to Christ all the dear people we have had a part in reaching and growing for the Lord. One of the greatest joys that we shall ever know is the joy of seeing lives that God has allowed us to touch and help. When we stand before God at His throne, our crown of rejoicing will be those whose lives we have touched for Him. Let us all ask God to touch our hearts and help us to win souls for Him. When I get to heaven, I want to see the full impact of what I’ve done on earth. I want to look around and say, “I invested in him”; “I led her to Christ”; “I discipled and built them up.” Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
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 the Gospel with others regularly. Bring people into my life that I can talk about Your amazing love to. Help me to live a life that brings You pleasure, may I manifest Your love through my life, and cause others to see Jesus in me. In Jesus name, AMEN! Thank you for reading this devotion. This is PART THREE of this series. Please visit the website tomorrow for PART FOUR. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 1. Incorruptible Crown - Striving (I Corinthians 9:24-27) – PART 2
I Corinthians 9:24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” A discus thrower developed his skills alone in his highland village in Scotland. This was in the nineteenth century, before the days of professional trainers. He made his own discus from the description he read in a book. What he didn't know was that the discus used in competition was made of wood with an outer rim of iron. His was solid metal and weighed three or four times as much as those being used by his would-be challengers. This committed Scotsman marked out his field the distance of the current record throw and trained day and night to be able to match it. For nearly a year, he labored under the self-imposed burden of the extra weight, becoming very, very good. He reached the point at which he could throw his iron discus the record distance, maybe farther. He was ready. The highlander traveled south to England for his first competition. When he arrived at the games, he was handed the official wooden discus—which he promptly threw like a tea saucer. He set a new record, a distance so far beyond those of his competitors that no one could touch him. For many years he remained the uncontested champion. “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do”—John Wooden. This crown is for endurance and patience in the Christian life. Those who strive lawfully, or walk according to the Scriptures, in this life will receive this crown. We don’t know the weight of what our service for the Lord is carrying into eternity. But what we are storing up is greater than we can imagine. We don’t know the size of impact we are making for the cause of Christ. As long as we are remaining steadfast and unmovable, we know our faithfulness to the Lord is storing up treasures in Heaven. If we give our enemy a foothold, he will build a stronghold and then use it as a stranglehold. Paul denied the desires of his flesh to keep himself in check. He did not want to do anything foolish that would hinder his service for Jesus Christ. That is the attitude of a champion for Christ. We are to live our lives for Christ each day as if it were our last. May we all accept Paul's challenge to be a champion for Christ. Be a champion for Christ! Without question, the best place to invest is in Heaven. No earthly investment opportunity can ever match the yield God will pay for investing there. No thieves can ever steal that investment. No downturn or economic crash will ever affect it. There will be a day in the future when all of our efforts, labors, and sacrifices made in service for God will be remembered, recognized, and rewarded. Whether anyone on this earth ever knows your name or not, you can be sure that God sees all that you have done and will greet you with the words, "Well done" (Matthew 25:21). Disciplined Christians do things for the Lord. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, believed in striving to reach the unsaved. He said, “While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, where there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight! I'll fight to the very end!” Points to Ponder:
Questions to Consider:
PRAYER: Father, help me to devote myself to the cause of Your precious Son. As I continue on this journey, help me continue to be dedicated to Your plan. In Jesus name, AMEN! Thank you for reading this devotion. This is PART TWO of this series. Please visit the website tomorrow for PART THREE. 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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