Standing Still (Exodus 14:13-14)
Exodus 14:13-14, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” The Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea just as Pharaoh had planned when he and his armies went after the Israelites in that location. Mountains were on two sides of them the Red Sea was on one side and Pharaoh's armies were on the other side. So no matter which way they looked they were trapped. Such situations are those which God especially likes to work because it shows His power and wisdom much more than in a lesser difficulty. Israel had not come to this place by disobedience but by obedience to God's leading. God showed Himself mightily and proved He would take care of the problem if they would trust in Him. Moses took an important step toward victory. He responded with faith when the people were terrified. With eyes of faith, Moses could see the victory that was ahead. He saw what God would do. In the same manner, we are not to fear tomorrow for God is already there. David addressed the issue of fear in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Isaiah told us how to have peace. Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Panic would mean death for God's people here. NOTICE: The same trial which shows one man's faith and confidence in God, may reveal other men's weaknesses. The people were weak, but Moses was strong in faith. He learned to walk with God. That is why he told them to fear not, stand still, and see the salvation or deliverance of the Lord. Spurgeon said, "Faith knows that whenever you get a black envelope from Heaven's post office, there is a treasure in it. God has treasures for you and me. Some of those treasures are found in the fire. The three Hebrews found the pearl of peace and the presence of God in the fiery furnace. Moses said, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." God wants us to be patient and watch Him work. Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” We are to be dormant in difficulties, tranquil in troubles, serene when under stress, at peace when we are pressed, calm and composed when under compulsion, and hushed when we are hurried. God says, "Be still and know I am God." The word "still" is rich in meaning. It means "to sink, relax, sink down as you would sink down at ease in a chair." God says, "Relax and get to know Me! Spend time with Me!" The Bible repeatedly teaches we are to be still because of Him. Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Learning to be still is an important element of victory. When we are in panic mode, we can make some very foolish decisions because we are not thinking clearly. For this reason God says, "Be still." Many have sought refuge in the Lord in their times of fear. In 1947, missionaries Dick and Margaret Hillis settled with their four children by the Mule River in the Honan province of China. Nearby, a mission church swelled with nearly a thousand Chinese every Sunday. It would have been a happy time but for the impending war between Chiang kai-Shek and the forces of Mao Tse-tung. One day, Nationalist Captain Hwang urgently told Dick, "The Communists are marching on the Mule River Market. You better take your family and flee." It was too late, however. The Communists had detonated, destroying all the railroad bridges. That evening the Hillis family heard the first shots and soon the battle raged around them. There was no sleep as they spent the night in prayer. The city soon fell, and the streets were filled with a swarm of Communist troops. Then a new danger arose. Captain Hwang, outside the city walls, was lobbing shells at the Communist soldiers. The bombing reached a crescendo one night as each shell dropped closer to the Hillis home. The house next door exploded into flames and splinters, killing all that lived within it. It appeared that the Hillis home would be obliterated next. The family huddled together in the corner as another shell exploded shooting dirt, glass, and bricks through the windows and walls. The house trembled and quaked as the bombs exploded. The children screamed and were momentarily deafened by the explosions. The family prepared for death when suddenly the shelling stopped. The family emerged from the corner into a room that was filled with debris, but no one was hurt. Dick tucked the children into bed that night. When he knelt by Margaret Anne, he noticed a dirty scrap of paper stuffed under her pillow. On it was printed in big, childlike letters these words: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." During her nights of terror in China, little Margaret was learning to be still and rest in God's care in her time of fear. God wants us to do the same. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Lord, too often through the eyes of the flesh, I see my battles bigger than You. Help me to trust in You and see them as You see them. There is never a problem I encounter that is greater than You. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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The Juggernaut of Jealousy…Keeping Up with the Joneses (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Song of Solomon 8:6, “Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” When it is said, “someone is keeping up with the Joneses” it means that they are doing something in order to show that they have as much money as other people, rather than because they really want to do it. Many people are holding down three jobs and purchasing items they really can’t afford, just to keep up with the Joneses. The day we stop comparing ourselves to others will be the day we start living life to the fullest, the way God intended for us to live. It has been said that a jealous man's horns hang in his eyes. Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other and they would spend each day keeping track of each other's business. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival. One night, an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, "I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?" The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!" The root of jealousy is insecurity. When we are insecure with ourselves, we will always compare ourselves to others. This only leads to disappointment, because as long as we try to be like someone else, we’ll never find fulfillment in being who God wants us to be. The only escape is to get secure in Christ. As we concentrate on who we are in Him, we can be content with the way God made us. Thank God for the great people in your life but also thank Him for the way He made you. When you do this, instead of bringing others down to your level, you will rise to theirs. The jealousy in you and me won’t stand a chance. Henri-Frédéric Amiel said, “Jealousy is a terrible thing. It resembles love, only it is precisely love’s contrary. Instead of wishing for the welfare of the object loved, it desires the dependence of that object upon itself, and its own triumph. Love is the forgetfulness of self; jealousy is the most passionate form of egotism, the glorification of a despotic, exacting, and vain ego, which can neither forget nor subordinate itself. The contrast is perfect.’” Human jealousy always leads to destruction not construction. Jealousy is a dividing force strong enough to tear apart the mightiest or the closest of friends. When you find yourself becoming jealous of others, try thanking God for their good fortune. Before striking out in anger, consider that you could lose a friend, a job, a spouse. One sign of jealousy is when it's easier to show sympathy and "weep with those who weep" than it is to exhibit joy and "rejoice with those who rejoice." Jealousy is not love, because love is self-giving, while jealousy is self-serving. Jealousy is nothing other than frustrated selfishness and ambition. Jealously is when we see in others what we want for ourselves, and in our anger, we direct our bitterness at them. Why should they have the benefits we lack? In our minds we pull them down and find fault. Charles Caleb Colton said, “Of all the passions, jealousy is that which exacts the hardest service, and pays the bitterest wages. Its service is — to watch the success of our enemy; its wages — to be sure of it.” God deserves our undivided devotion. God's jealousy is justified (Nahum 1:2). God alone has the right to be jealous and to carry out vengeance. His jealousy and vengeance are not tainted with selfishness. Love is the greatest weapon against jealousy. Saul tried to kill David because he was jealous of David's popularity, yet David continued to protect and comfort Saul. Perhaps people have been jealous of you and have even attacked you in some way. They may be intimidated by your strengths, which make them conscious of their own shortcomings. It would be natural to strike back or to avoid them. A better response is to befriend them (Matthew 5:43-44) and to ask God for the strength to continue to love them as David kept on loving Saul. Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Lord, Forgive me for the jealousy I struggle with. Help me to develop an attitude of contentment. 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 Great Comeback (Proverbs 24:16)
Proverbs 24:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” The story is told that Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends just couldn't understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson's friends said, "Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and out?" "Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat—he would never stay 'throwed.' Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner." Picking up on that idea, someone has said, "The thing that counts is not how many times you are 'throwed,' but whether you are willing to stay 'throwed." My favorite cereal is Honey Nut Cheerios. I like Honey Nut Cheerios not only because it tastes good. I also like it because you can’t sink the Cheerio, no matter how many times you attempt to sink it. It keeps resurfacing to the top. This reminds me of Proverbs 24:16. The Christian life is a battle. Scripture often speaks of God’s children as soldiers, and we should not expect to have things always be calm and peaceful. You’re not defeated by getting knocked down in life, you only defeated when you refuse to get back up. The righteous may fall, but they will get back up. The question is not whether we ever fail, but whether we get back up when we do. You cannot be defeated by the enemy; you can only lose by giving up. Don’t let defeats or setbacks discourage you. Instead, commit yourself to standing firm and not giving up no matter how tough things get. Failure is not final with God. God is willing to give those who fail a second chance to serve Him. Many of God’s best servants experienced some failure in their lives. Those who came back to God were given another great work to do: Samson (Judges 16:19-30); Elijah (I Kings 19:1-4); Peter (John 18:15-27); Mark (Acts 15:36-41). Proverbs 24:16 give us hope. Seven is a number that signifies completeness. The Word of God tells us the righteous will fall and get back up again. A lot of people fall down and don’t want to get back up. Many of them do not. Many of them grow tired of falling down, and they choose to stay down. Don’t give up. Comebacks are challenging, but they are also rewarding and necessary for spiritual maturity that we can grow in Christ. As in sports, one can view it in their service for the Lord. Look at it like you are a runner on the last leg of the race, a boxer in the final round, in football in the fourth quarter, the ninth inning in baseball, don’t give up. It’s not if you get knocked down that makes you a failure; it’s whether you choose to get back up and finish what you‘ve started that will determine that. Prayer: Father, it’s so obvious that I am quite an ordinary sinner when I look at my life. It’s comforting and convicting to know that godly people can fall so far, and yet, You never give up on us. Help me to see areas of my life where I am prone to fall. Forgive me when I do, and help me get back in line with Your will for my life. Never let me lose my sense of dependence on You. Keep me pressing on as I follow in Your Son’s steps, realizing it is Your plan to use my time here to grow me into someone more and more like Him. Your will be done, Father, 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 Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Receive One Another (Romans 15:7) Romans 15:7, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” 1. The Greeting. "Receive ye one another." The word "receive" means to take to oneself; to receive a person as a friend; to treat as the closest of friends with the most caring kindness. Believers are to receive one another in the closest of bonds. No person is too weak or base for us to receive. A strong and mature church is one that is united where everyone accepts one another. There is no discrimination whatsoever in a strong church. If you look for a church that is made up of people who are “your kind of people,” people who are just like you in their cultural background, their appearance, and their likes and dislikes, you’re missing Paul’s command here. In other words, the other person whom you are to accept is precisely the person who is different than you are in almost every way! When we were younger, immature, we let so much bother us, divide us. When we became older, matured, we realized those things didn’t matter. Today, we may ask. Why did I let that bother me so much? Have you ever noticed how easy it is to accept your own personality quirks and habits? When you live by yourself, all of your annoying habits are gone! But then you get married and discover that your mate has some rather annoying quirks and habits that you hadn’t noticed when you were dating! And then you have kids who somehow picked up your spouse’s most irritating quirks and habits! If only everyone in the family could be just like I am, things would go much more smoothly! And then you join a local church that is made up of some strange people! Where did all of these weird people come from? 2. The Good Example “as Christ also received us” Paul encouraged us to receive each other as Christ has received us. How did Christ receive us? In spite of all of our faults, Christ received us with much grace, mercy, and love. He received us when we were ungodly, sinners, and enemies undeserving to be accepted of His love (Romans 5:6-10). He saw us not as we were but as we could be. We were not seeking after Him (Romans 3:11). He came looking for us in our lost, helpless condition (Luke 15:4). He didn’t require that we clean up our lives or make vows to change or do anything to deserve His love. Like the father of the prodigal, Jesus ran to us, embraced us, and welcomed us into His family, in spite of our smell and dirty rags! He promises, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” John 6:37. That’s how we are to accept one another. Believers are to receive one another even as Christ has received us. 3. The Goal. "To the glory of God." The believer has the greatest pattern imaginable for how to treat the "weak in the faith”, this is Christ Himself. The goal of accepting one another is that God may be glorified. When we accept others as Jesus did, we will bring praise to God; this is the highest and noblest motivation of all. Just look at how far Christ went. Christ received the Gentiles and ministered to them. He came to bring them the mercy of God that they might praise God for His mercy. When God converted a proud, self-righteous Jew, who hated Gentiles and killed Christians, and turned him into the apostle to the Gentiles, that glorified God! God’s glory was promoted when Christ received us sinners, and it is further advanced when we, who are by nature sinners and wrapped up in our own concerns, instead receive our brothers and sisters in Christ with warmth and love. We are to receive one another that God might be glorified just as Christ received us that God might be glorified. So Christ received both Jews and Gentiles that God might be glorified. We should receive each other that God might be glorified. God is glorified when we fellowship with each other and work in harmony with each other in spite of our differences. A young teen having no family or friends who lived in one of the roughest neighborhoods of the city was wearing old tattered and dirty clothing that he had found. He attended a certain Sunday school class every week and was faithful to the church services. After several weeks of attending, a worker asked him where he lived. The boy told him where and the worker exclaimed, "That's on the complete opposite side of town! How do you get here?" "I walk," was the boy's simple reply." Astonished, the worker recommended, "There are many other churches closer to where you stay. Why don't you attend one of those so the walk isn't so great?" The little boy looked up at the man and said, "Because you guys love me over here." When we deny self and put others first, we bring glory and honor to God. Jesus lived for others and when we do the same, the world around us sees the manifestation love of Christ. Points to Ponder:
Prayer, Father, thank You for always seeing in me what others may never see in me and for giving me the strength and desire to serve You. Help me to utilize these truths for the purpose of ministering to others. Please show me how I can actively and passionately engage in the ministry opportunities You have sovereignly placed around me. Give me eyes to recognize these opportunities, a heart dependent on You, and a desire to come alongside people in my life to help them to grow into a deeper relationship with You. Amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Jesus is the Messiah (John 1:41)
John 1:41, “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” Charles Jennens was a very well known figure in his society. He was quite a site as he road into town on his magnificent coach drawn by four plumed horses. On Saturday, August 22, 1741, he brought a scrapbook with him to Handel's small study. He told Handel, "Here is a collection called The Messiah. Can you make an entertainment out of it?" When Jennens left, Handel started studying the text he received. He noticed that the words had been taken from Scripture. Handel felt that Jennens had really outdone himself this time, for the words sang like cardinals on a beautiful spring day. Handel started writing at once. He wrote so fast that the ink had scarcely dried on one page before he started another. The musical score was covered with splotches, but the Master did not notice them. He was oblivious to the whole world around him. Handel admitted later, "Whether I was in my body or out of body as I wrote The Messiah, I know not." He remained in the little front room on the first floor of his house, not for twenty-four hours, but for twenty-four days, setting down thousands of musical notes to Jennen's excerpts from the Bible. Handel was so consumed in what he was doing that he failed to touch his food that was brought regularly to him by his servant. Sometimes the servant stood in silent wonder as tears would drip from Handel's cheeks like the morning dew from lilies. They would mingle with the ink as they puddled on the pages. Once the servant found Handel sobbing with emotion. He had just finished the renown "Hallelujah Chorus" which brought the Queen to her feet when she heard it sung. Handel said of this chorus, "I thought I saw all Heaven before me and the great God Himself." You can understand what He is saying if you have ever heard this chorus. King of kings... Forever and ever, And Lord of lords... forever and ever. And He shall reign for ever and ever. And He shall reign for ever and ever. Ever since Jesus made His first public appearance, He had been trying to reach the nation of Israel. He was their Messiah and He did everything He could do to convince them of that truth. His miracles, His teachings, His compassion and His power were all clear evidence that the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament had appeared. Yet, when Israel saw Jesus, they refused to accept Him as their Messiah, their Lord, or their Saviour. Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders in Israel (Mark 8:11); He was rejected by the nation as a whole (Mark 6:3); He was even judged to be a mad man by His Own family (Mark 3:21). This total rejection is summed up by the Apostle John when he said, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). Even as Jesus was attempting to reach Israel, He was trying to teach His disciples. Jesus spent many months teaching them, displaying His power, and revealing His identity to His men in powerful ways. For the longest time, they were blind to His identity. Even though they saw Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, control the forces of nature, multiply bread and fish and raise the dead, they still could not grasp just Who Jesus was. Andrew followed Jesus without hesitation (John 1:37) and he immediately proceeded to introduce others to Christ (John 1:40-42). Andrew had met Jesus personally, and Jesus had met the crying need of his heart. Andrew could not contain the peace and joy; he just had to tell his loved ones immediately. He wanted them to also experience the love and joy and peace of Jesus. Andrew is still valuable to the Lord. Andrew's first concern was his brother Peter. The scene was striking. Immediately, after seeing Jesus for himself, Andrew rushed to find his own brother, Simon. Andrew was a great witness and a great personal worker for the Lord. He was always seen bringing someone to Jesus (John 6:8; 12:22). You do not have to be out in front to be valuable to the Lord. Andrew is the man we find introducing others to the Lord Jesus Christ. This should be the pattern adopted by all who follow Christ. This passage shows how Jesus looks at men. Jesus "beheld" Simon. The word "beheld" means a "concentrated, intent gaze that reads a man's heart." God knows us and what is in our hearts. Jesus not only sees a man as he is, but also what he will become, and what his potential is. The Lord Jesus Christ not only sees the actualities in a man, but also the possibilities. In the person of Peter, the Lord saw a fisherman and a rock in the early church. Christ not only sees what we are, but what we can be. Jesus is Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. Messiah is the Hebrew word translated into Greek, as Christ. Both words mean "Anointed One". One especially appointed by God for His plan and purpose. He shall reign forever and ever for He is the Lord Jesus Christ. God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow one day, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. He is the ONLY WAY to the Father in Heaven (John 14:6). He will receive you if you come to Him (John 6:37). PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for loving me and accepting me in Christ. Help me to live for You and to share Your message of salvation with 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 One Touch (Luke 8:40-48)
Luke 8:40-48, “And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. 41And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Imagine the grief and despair that she felt. Most would grow impatient and give up in twelve days. Each day was more of the same. She has been suffering twelve humiliating years with an issue of blood. She was labeled unclean by the Rabbis. According to the law of God, she was considered ceremonially unclean. This affected her life both socially and spiritually. She was not allowed to fellowship with the public, nor to worship at the Temple. She lived a life of solitude and physical suffering. She was untouchable and not able to touch others. Lonely, heartbroken, and humiliated at this point, even a hug would have ministered to her, but it was prohibited. She was ostracized from the Synagogue. She was an outcast from society. She thought she was orphaned from God. She had an opportunity for an official visit with the Son of God. Daily, as she was avoided by others, she saw their faces and their eyes. They must have been cold, cringing, and some calloused. For twelve years she had been carrying the weight and burden of this humiliation. With appointments with numerous doctors filling her head with dreams and hopes of healing her with remedies, in the end, the only filling that came was the pockets of the doctors. She was destitute after a dozen years of steady blood loss. She was pale, anemic, and tired. She was done with the stigma, shamers, and shysters. Her life may have been filled with tragedy and desperation for twelve long years, but things were about to change. Her life was soon to be completely transformed. The attributes of her transformation will be evident in all who experience the touch of Christ. She heard of another physician. One Who is compassionate, no charges or fees, a gentle healer. She had heard of His success among the incurable. Briefly following the crowd, she desperately extended her empty hand through the crowd and touched the hem of His garment. When she realized she could not hide from the Lord, she came before Jesus trembling. She was terrified and fell down before the Lord. She told the people what was wrong with her and then told them that when she touched Jesus she was healed immediately. She had spent all her living seeking healing, but just one touch from the Lord made her whole. She was immediately transformed by His mighty touch. Jesus was moved by her faith. This is the only time that Jesus called a woman “daughter” in all of Scripture. He encouraged her to be of good comfort. Don't forget, she was scared of the people for being unclean and she was afraid of Jesus because she touched Him. She was wondering, I'm sure, "What is going to happen to me now?" With gentleness, tenderness, and assurance, Jesus told her everything was going to be all right, "Be of good comfort." Jesus was telling her to have courage and to be cheerful. This is the meaning of this word "comfort." He continued and said, "Go in peace. Your faith has made you whole." This word "whole" means "continually whole." Jesus assured her that she would not have a relapse. Her problem was not coming back. Christ's message is the same for us today. Just as this poor woman was immediately healed of her plague when she touched the Lord Jesus, so sinners are healed of the plague of their hearts, freed from the curse of the law and the guilt of sin as soon as they touch the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. Like this woman with the hemorrhage, we all have been defiled by sin. We must be cleansed of sin or we can never spend eternity in the presence of a holy God. Only Jesus can cleanse us through His death on the cross. Following the crowd who are following Jesus will not bring a person into a personal relationship with Him. We must lay hold of Him by faith as she did that day. You will never possess what you need in life apart from Christ! Religion without Christ is of no value to lost sinners. When you get close enough to touch the Lord by faith, I assure you that He will know and He will respond. He will not let a touch of faith go without notice. When Jesus does a work in your heart or life, you won't be able to keep it quiet. If someone as big as the Lord lives within, He will be revealed from time to time. We will have to tell it once in a while. Her time with the Lord had brought great and immediate blessing. The same remains true with us. There is nothing like the touch of Jesus. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for saving me by Your amazing grace. I know that when I called out to Your Son for salvation, He was already reaching out for me. Help me to reach others who need 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 Flourishing in Faith (Jude 20-21)
Jude 20-21, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” As we learn the Bible and understand its truth, we are strengthened, we grow, we mature, we are built up. Without the Scriptures, there is no growth. Without the Word, there is no maturity. Without the Gospel, nothing of eternal good will last. Like the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, it is vital that we daily ingest and digest God’s Word and its truth. As believers, we must strive to build ourselves through edification (Jude 20) and keeping ourselves through dedication (Jude 21). We believers must defend and promote the Christian faith and resist false teaching. We can do this in many ways, here are four: 1. By building ourselves up in our most holy faith. This requires the diligent study of God’s Word and a determined effort to apply the Bible’s teachings to our lives (Acts 2:42; 20:27; II Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 5:12). 2. By praying in the Spirit. We should communicate and interact with God by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. This means depending on the Spirit to inspire, guide, energize, sustain and help us pray according to God’s will (I John 5:14; Romans 8:26; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18). 3. By remaining under the care and influence of God’s love. This involves faithful obedience to God and His Word (John 15:9-10; I John 5:3). 4. By living with great desire and anticipation for Jesus’ return and the eternal glory that will accompany His return (John 14:1-3). The thought of building is to strengthen. We are to strengthen, or build, our faith (II Peter 1:5-10). We are never to cease or stand still spiritually. We must always be growing. A growing believer is a healthy believer. These verses have been referred to as “The Believers Building Program”. We are to build on a solid foundation (I Corinthians 3:12; Psalm 127:1; Luke 6:48). We are to build cooperatively (Ephesians 2:22). We are to build on the Word (Acts 20:32). We are to build by preaching the Gospel (Romans 15:20-21). We are to build by praying in the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 14:15; Romans 15:30-33). As believers, we must take the initiative to grow spiritually (II Peter 3:18). I’m grateful and very blessed that the Lord has allowed me to pastor a wonderful church where His people love Him, His Word, and people. If we are not growing as a Christian, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We need to have the craving to be a better Christian and will be willing to take the sacrificial steps to make that a reality. When we talk about dedication to task or goal, we must ask ourselves how badly we want to achieve this. Paul was very focused on serving God with his life (Philippians 3:13-14). We need to be focused completely on our service for God and our relationship with him. Too often, God is treated as a low priority and many other things often interfere with serving God. When we are really motivated, it is amazing what we can do. When I was in Bible College, one quote I have remembered more than any other was, “What you do with the Bible determines what God will do with you”. It has been my life’s desire to read it, study it, obey it, and apply it. My desire has been to serve the Lord and to Love Him, and to find and finish the course He has set me on. Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Vance Havner said, “A wife who is 85% faithful to her husband is not faithful at all. There is no such thing as part- time loyalty to Jesus Christ”. I’m truly thankful the Lord has given me a faithful wife who has never hindered me from following Him, but has always encouraged me to pursue whatever the Lord has lead me to do. Jesus loved us enough to give His life for us on Calvary. It is our responsibility to identify with Him! We live in a day when more and more are refusing to identify with Him or make mention of His name. It is time for God's people to publicly identify with their Saviour and Lord! The imminent return of Jesus Christ motivates us to live a holy life and promotes the purity and separation of the church from the world (Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13). If we knew for certain the Lord would return tomorrow we would have lived much differently today. Well, the truth is He just might come tomorrow. Live each day as if it might be your last. We have no guarantee of another day and there is still so much to be done. David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry and he faced harsh opposition from his Scottish brethren. He ministered half blind. In his personal diary, he wrote, “Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie but the tie that binds me to your service and to your heart”. Question to Consider: Do we inspire anyone else by the way we live, love, and labor? Point to Ponder: If we do not, then something needs to change in our life so God can use us like he wants to. PRAYER, Father in Heaven, I know I’m a work in progress, but thanks to Jesus, I’m not the man I used to be. I need Your help, as I continue to learn from You, lean on You, love You and look for 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 Sights Set on the Saviour (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34)
Matthew 6:25, 31, 34, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 31, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 34, Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Not once, although once should suffice, but three times within this portion of Matthew 6, Jesus is telling His disciples not to worry. In Matthew 6:25, man is setting priorities and determining what is to be first in his life. The first priority of every person should be to take care of their life eternally. Matthew 6:31, unconverted man does not know the Lord personally and has hope only in this present life and is pursuing the desires of this world. We believers have our heavenly Father who knows our needs. We are to leave the cares of this world up to God as we diligently goes about our affairs upon earth. We makes our contribution to life as God has called us to do, and while so doing we know that God will take care of all the necessities of life. Matthew 6:34, Christ is not forbidding a man to take care of tomorrow. He is pointing out man's obsession with getting more and more and ignoring and neglecting God and His righteousness. We are not to worry, but to live one day at a time. The believer is not to be preoccupied with tomorrow and its affairs. Therefore, we are to seek "first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" today, and leave tomorrow and its needs in God's hands. Our Father wants us to be calm and confident because we have had the faith to appropriate His strength on a daily basis. We'll always rest securely in the Lord if we follow these instructions continually. The future belongs to God. Our Father doesn't want us to be concerned with the future. He wants us to trust Him to take care of everything today. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” When we're tempted to be worried and anxious, we should meditate continually on God's promises. If we do this, our Father's promises will lift us up and encourage us. Psalm 94:19, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” If we focus continually upon the problems we face these problems will seem to be much worse than they actually are. Our Father wants us to do exactly the opposite. He wants us to focus continually on the promises in His Word. If we focus constantly upon God's promises we'll be so close to our Father that the problems we face won't be able to pull us down. Our Father wants us to focus continually on Him and not on our problems. Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” This passage of Scripture promises that God will guard us and keep us in perfect and constant peace. Our Father has promised to constantly give us His wonderful peace if we will do what He tells us to do. This promise is conditional. God will guard us and keep us in perfect and constant peace if we do our part. Our part is to filter our thoughts through God. We must resist the temptation to focus on our problems. If we saturate ourselves continually in the Word of God, we'll be able to keep our character under God's power. Our faith will be strong. We'll be able to lean on God and place all of our hope and our confidence in Him. Psalm 25:15, “Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” We panic when we know we can't solve a problem and we don't deeply believe the Lord will solve the problem for us. If we focus continually on the Lord, we won't be shaken by the problems we face. We can't allow our problems to distract us from focusing constantly on Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus is our Leader. He is the Source of our faith. Our faith should be anchored upon Him. Jesus is the Finisher. If we focus continually on Him, and if we trust totally in Him, Jesus will bring us safely through the problems we face. Questions to Consider: Is worry crippling your prayer life, keeping you from prayer? Is worry hindering your Bible study making you not concentrate on the passages you are reading? Is worry stopping your productivity at the office, keeping your mind from focusing on your daily tasks? Points to Ponder: Then I ask you to take your concerns to the throne of grace. Spend time praying about each of your concerns. Then spend some time in Bible study. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you a specific scripture to help you with your problem. Then go about your day with a calm spirit, knowing that God is faithful and has promised to help. PRAYER: Lord, I know that You don’t want me to live consumed with worry. You want me to live life, guarded by Your peace. Please engulf and guard my heart with it. Remind me, Father, that peace is not the absence of problems in my life, but in the calm assurance that what You’re doing is best. You have never failed me, and You will never fail me—my confidence is in You. I pray this in Jesus’ name! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com A Blessed Walk (Psalm 119:1)
Psalm 119:1, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” Can we know if and when God is pleased with how we are living our lives? Eric Liddell, Scottish missionary and athlete of the 1924 Olympics, stated, “In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is glory to be found if one has done his best”. Another statement he made was, “And when I run, I feel His pleasure”. Liddell lived a life that honored the Lord on and off the field. He gave God all the praise and glory. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This blessed psalm begins with blessing. One condition for God’s blessing is being “undefiled in the way of life.” The word undefiled has the sense of being without ‘blemish’ or ‘upright.’ The greater thought is that those who keep themselves undefiled by sin in the pathway of life are blessed. Those who walk in the law of the Lord will in fact be undefiled. As we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we will not sin against Him. Living a life which is undefiled by sin is a blessing in and of itself. Sin brings nothing but trouble, loss, destruction, and misery. The Word of God is crucial in developing a life undefiled by sin. Psalm 119:133, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” God has given us His precepts and laws. He has pathed the way on which we are to follow on our journey. We have assurance that we can walk according to His will and avoid unrighteousness if we purposely choose to accept His instructions and diligently follow them. If we are devoted to this commitment, this will result in a life that is blessed, happy, and content. This requires seeking Him with all our heart, observing the Lord’s testimonies and promises, walking in the way of integrity, living a life that honors Him. Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy”. It is pleasing to be able to read God's commandments and expectations and not be ashamed. We can only worship and praise the Lord if our heart is upright, obedient, and faithful, for He has blessed us in revealing His way to guide us. He will not forsake those who are careful about following His statutes.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I sincerely desire the fullness of Your blessings and want to keep my life pure and blameless. Give me a heart to seek You above all else so that sin, worldly determination, and self-gain have no attraction for me. Help me treasure Your Word in my heart, make Your law and Your statutes the foundation of my convictions and life values, give heed to Your testimonies, and find joy and delight in following them. 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 Power & Praise (II Samuel 5:17-25)
II Samuel 5:17-25, “But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim. 21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them. 22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25 And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.” One of David’s greatest strengths was his strong conviction that God’s help and direction were absolutely necessary for success in battle. David made it a habit to check with God before he made major decisions. Fulfilling God’s plans for our lives depends on His guidance. For this reason, we should follow David’s example of frequent and regular prayer, as well as submission to the Holy Spirit, who now lives within Jesus’ followers and leads them in God’s direction (Romans 8:1-17). The major lesson to be learned from this point is prayer. In facing the crisis of the Philistine invasion, David prayed, asking the Lord for guidance. When facing the enemies of this life, we have the most wonderful resource imaginable, that of prayer. After getting direction from the Lord, David attacked the Philistines and defeated them. Like the water gushing from a broken dam and sweeping its path, God helped David to sweep the Philistines. He gave God the credit and glory for the victory and named the place of victory Baalperazim, which means "Master of the Breakthroughs." That is what our Lord is to us. God has a way of coming through when the storms are the darkest, when the floods of frustration are raging, when life is like a fog and we can't find our way, or when we don't know what to do or what direction to take. God breaks through for us. He is the master of the breakthroughs! We will enjoy victory in our own lives when we rely upon His power and praise Him for His blessings. Romans 8:37, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Psalm 21:13, “Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.”I Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” II Timothy 4:18, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” God broke through for Israel at the Red Sea. God broke through for the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. God broke through for Daniel in the lion's den. God broke through for Esther and the Jews against Haman and the Persian Law. God broke through for the Apostles that were imprisoned. God broke through for the Saviour when He arose the third day after His crucifixion. In 1880, a Christian couple, George and Sarah Clarke, purchased the lease for the Pacific Garden Mission of Chicago. This was the second oldest rescue mission in the United States, which ministered to homeless alcoholics and downtrodden men and women. Colonel and Mrs. Clarke bore the cost of the mission themselves, but as expenses grew and the ministry expanded, their funds ran low. Eventually, the day came when they could not pay the rent. Attempts to secure the needed funds failed, and Colonel Clarke was told he had only 24 hours to make the payment. Otherwise, he would lose his lease, and the Pacific Garden Mission would close. Throughout the night, Colonel and Mrs. Clarke prayed, asking God to guide and to provide in His own way and time. They reminded the Lord of the souls being saved each night, of the men and women whose lives were being salvaged. Determining to trust God, they remained before the throne of grace in simple faith and in earnest pleading until the breaking of dawn. When they emerged from their Morgan Park house that morning, they gasped. Something had happened to their front yard. It was covered with white. It was something that instantly reminded them of the manna God provided the children of Israel during their wilderness wanderings in the book of Exodus. Looking closer, they discovered their lawn was filled with mushrooms of the very best quality, which was quite mysterious because it wasn't the season for mushrooms. Harvesting the crop of mushrooms, the Clarkes carted the mushrooms down the street and sold them to the chefs at the Palmer House, the famed hotel just off of Michigan Avenue, for a large price. The receipts were enough to pay the rent, with enough left over to meet other ministry expenses. So, the Pacific Garden Mission carried on, its work undeterred. Hundreds of thousands have been won to Christ through this ministry, and through the lives that have been saved and changed. One well-known convert was a professional baseball player from the Chicago White Sox. His name was Billy Sunday. Billy became an evangelist for God. Historians that studied his ministry state that he preached to more than one hundred million people face-to-face and that over one million people came to Christ in his revivals. The fruit of his ministry was an extension of the Pacific Garden Mission and the power of God working in his life. Questions to Consider: · How is the Lord using you to minister within your church? · When was a time the Lord gave you a Baalperazim moment? Points to Ponder: · Give God the credit and glory for those times He gives you victory when He “breaks through” your circumstances. · When you feel like you can’t make it through the day it’s time to enquire of the Lord, and get ready to give Him the PRAISE 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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