Men of the Bible Series - Enoch
Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24) – Hebrews 11:5-6; Jude 14 Genesis 5:21-24, And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Enoch makes only a brief appearance in the pages of Scripture, but his life holds an important lesson for us concerning the responsibility of faith in our lives. Since our Christian walk is only possible through faith, our lives should be steeped in the Word so our faith will grow, and God will be pleased. The word walk in Scriptures speaks of a habit of life. The Bible tells us that he “walked with God” (Genesis 5:22, 24). He enjoyed a deep-rooted and constant relationship with God. That means he lived by faith in God, trusted in His promises (Hebrews 11:5-6) and made every effort to live a holy life (I John 1:5-7). Enoch’s Walk with God Reveals He Met with God. In order for mankind to have the ability to walk with God, man would need to have met with God. Enoch’s testimony once again indicates man’s walk with God since the fall in the garden. The one thing that stood out most in life, was his testimony, Enoch pleased God. The thing that pleased God about Enoch was that he “walked with God”. It is mentioned two times in Genesis 5:21-24. Enoch was a godly man who walked with God in a close, special way and one day God literally took him to Heaven. God desires for us that we walk with Him (John 4:23). There were only three people mentioned in the Bible as having a “walk with God”. All three were used by God (Enoch-Genesis 5:24; Noah-Genesis 6:9; Levi-Malachi 2:4-6). Enoch’s Walk with God Reveals a Merging with God. We cannot walk with God, declared the prophet, unless we are in agreement with Him (Amos 3:3). Our plans must be subjected to His plans; our ways must be yielded to His ways; our aspirations must be synchronized with His aspirations. The more we walk with God, the more we will be like Him. You either are, or will soon become like, those you associate with. Acts 4:20, For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Although we live in a different time from Enoch may we be “called unto the fellowship of His Son” (I Corinthians 1:9) and walk in this intimacy. We must walk with God every day (II Corinthians 4:16). Enoch’s Walk with God Reveals a Movement with God. As we walk physically, we move forward and advance. In walking with God, Enoch made progress in the spiritual realm! Similarly, as we walk with God we mature and advance in the things of God. It is impossible to walk with God and never go anywhere in our Christian experience. May our great concern be to know Him and to move through life with Him! Daily Enoch walked with God and he was in constant fellowship with God, and God was pleased (Hebrews 11:5-6). Enoch’s Walk with God Reveals His Maturity with God. God is pleased with those who walk with Him. The word walk indicates a progress and a habit of life. Every day Enoch spent time with God. We can spend time with the Lord everyday at anytime of the day as well. We spend time with Him when we read His Word and talk to Him in prayer. God speaks to us through His Word and we speak to Him through prayer. To neglect time with Him is to hinder our fellowship with Him. Everyone is as close to God as they want to be. A person is as filled with the Holy Spirit as they want to be. Enoch understood the value of closer walk with God. He so desired this quality time that he made sure that each day he walked with God. Enoch’s name means “dedicated”; he was so attuned to his walk with the Lord that one day he walked straight into the gates of glory. The Lord is never against anyone walking with Him; in fact, He welcomes all with outstretched arms. Enoch’s testimony should encourage all to purse a closer walk with God. Enoch’s lifestyle was a pattern and a challenge to the ungodly. The Bible tells us in Jude 14-15 that Enoch actually spoke out against ungodliness and immorality. He kept warning people of God’s ultimate judgment on them for their ungodly conversation and behavior. We should consider Enoch’s life as an example of how to live when surrounded by ungodliness. Believers should live in such a way that it becomes clear to those around us that we have a deep relationship with God and live to please Him. Most of all, we should be looking for Christ’s return to take us to be with Him forever (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Enoch knew the eternal value of walking with the Lord. Enoch’s translation to Heaven encourages us to have a deeper walk with the Lord. These following Scriptures are commands the Lord instructs us to walk in: Newness of life (Romans 6:4); honesty (Romans 13:13); by faith (II Corinthians 5:7); in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25); in love (Ephesians 5:2); As children of Light (Ephesians 5:8); circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15); in wisdom (Colossians 4:5). PRAYER: Lord, keep my heart tender and on fire for You. May today mark a new beginning of a closer walk with You. May the desire to walk with You everyday never cease and may my walk with You bring You pleasure. I want my heart to bless Your heart and give You the love that You deserve. Help me to be committed to my daily 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
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Men of the Bible Series – Silas (Acts 15:22)
Acts 15:22, Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: Silas, also known as Silvanus, is one of those seemingly minor characters in the New Testament, who was used of God to spread the Gospel (Acts 15-18). Silas (Silvanus) always craved to serve but never hungered for the spotlight. He was a respected leader in the church at Jerusalem. Seven passages in Acts involving Silas begin with an introduction to him as an important member of the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-27; 15:30-41; 16:16-24, 25-40; 17:1-9, 10-15; Acts 18:1-6). Silas played an active role with Paul and Peter from being both a courier and scribe for Peter and a right-hand man with Paul on a few missionary journeys (I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1; II Corinthians 1:19; I Peter 5:12). Paul achieved far more for Christ because of a committed co-laborer like Silas. He was a great example of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Silas, who was a dedicated follower of Christ, was well known for being a faithful companion and committed to the tasks God gave him. He was a leader at Jerusalem among the congregation of the apostles and he assisted them with a glad heart. He was willing to travel with, and suffer with, Paul over several years to spread the Gospel and to nurture the church. Silas was always willing to serve in the ministry, both in the good times as well as the bad times. The faithful service of Silas’ teaching and preaching at the church at Antioch resulted in healthy growth. Although Silas endured persecution, affliction, and sufferings in the ministry, it never hindered his spirit from service to the Lord. He was jailed with Paul for preaching Jesus. Even in this abused and tired condition, at the late hour of midnight Silas sings praises to the Lord along with Paul. Then an earthquake occurred and set all the prisoners free. The jailer was stopped from taking his own life, and found the conditions inside the prison to be as Paul had said. He was shaken much more by these strange circumstances than by the earthquake, and the spirit moved him to ask about the way of salvation. Silas was faithful to stay with Paul even though difficulty and danger seemed to await Paul at each stop. They were said to have turned the world upside down and as a result, the number of believers continued to grow. Those who suffer along side us during adverse seasons become a great source of strength and encouragement, which for the most part leads to long lasting friendships. We all go through dark times in our lives. Friends disappoint us, those into whom we have invested our love and efforts turn away, and financial or physical problems we did not expect arise. None of those things take God by surprise. He is still there and still working in our lives even when we cannot immediately see what He is doing. That is where faith comes in—it sings until the lights come back on. Throughout the book of Acts, Luke points out that nothing can stop the spread of Christ’s message through His faithful followers. At Philippi, God stepped into the flow of human events and Paul and Silas were set free by an earthquake. This resulted in Christ’s message having an even greater impact, including the salvation of the jailer and his household. Through extremely difficult times, we must remember that if we continue to rejoice and trust God, He will prove Himself faithful and others will take notice. As a result of our faith and joy in seemingly hopeless or impossible situations, others may come to know Christ as well. Even if it seemed that Silas was doing simple routine tasks, he always did them with joy and a servant’s heart. We are called to fulfill the course the Lord has set before us and to finish it will well. As Christians, this is our responsibility. We are commissioned with doing those duties we are assigned and doing them with a joyful attitude. As a pastor and servant of the Lord, I’m blessed and eternally grateful for the loving laborers the Lord has allowed me to serve alongside with for more than 25 years. Especially for Fellowship Baptist Church and certainly the “SNOWBIRDS”. Our name may not be known to many this side of Heaven, but remember, God is watching. Even if no one else sees are hears what you do for the Lord, He will record, remember, and reward you for your faithful service to Him (I Corinthians 15:58). PRAYER: Lord, help me to always be a loyal co-laborer in the ministry. Regardless if anyone on earth knows what I’ve done or am doing for You. Help me to serve You and Your people with gladness and dedication. Keep me faithful in your service while fulfilling Your Great Commission. May I bear much fruit in the harvest field. 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 Men of the Bible Series - Gideon (Judges 7:2)
Judges 7:2 Therefore, the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Shortly God would perform one of the greatest miracles of all time through just 300 committed men. What heroes they remain today, thirty-two centuries after the event! God called upon a young farm boy named Gideon and gave him the assignment of taking on the Midianites. God intended to deliver Israel from the hands of Midian at the hands of Gideon. However, He also intended to make it very clear who gave them the victory. Lest Israel, in pride, take credit for their deliverance, God would make clear it was He who delivered them. God shows His might when the odds are against us. The tougher the game, the greater the glory—to God. God wants glory not to satisfy a thirst for praise and adoration, but to build faith in our lives by lifting our focus beyond ourselves to Him. God will purposefully create difficult situations to prove Himself to us. God makes men and women great who put their complete trust Him, who will place Him first in their lives and are willing to seek Him with their whole heart. Perhaps the key comes when we can begin to see ourselves as God sees us. Gideon saw himself as a farmer, but God saw him as a warrior, a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:12). Gideon had never heard such words. What is worth noting is that up to this point, Gideon had never fought his entire life. However, there are times when God makes the situation seem worse in order to show us, and others, His power. Take Gideon for example. The Midianites with an army of 135,000 had come upon Israel to destroy it. The Bible says they were like grasshoppers for multitude and as the sand of the sea. When Gideon called for troops, 32,000 men responded. The odds ratio was about one Israelite for every four Midianites. While this was a decent number of people, they were still incredibly outnumbered. God always intends conflict as an opportunity for Him to give the victory. However, God told Gideon that there were too many for Him to give Israel the victory. The reason was because He didn't want Israel to think they had done it. They were greatly outnumbered, but if God gave them the victory, they would have thought they did it themselves. God told Gideon to let the fearful return home, and he was left with only 10,000 troops. However, this was still too many so God then reduced the number down to 300. We would think 32,000 against a multitude compared to the sands of the sea would be a miracle, and 10,000 men against that many would surely show God's power, but God wanted to make a point by using only 300 men armed with pitchers, torches, and trumpets. He made it clear to Israel, the Midianites, the Amalekites and everyone else who heard the story, that God did it. The odds were now at one Israelite for every four-hundred and fifty Midianites. God can do the same thing in our lives. It always seems that God has a strange way of fighting battles. God wants us to trust in Him even when life is hard and it seems all odds are stacked up against us. Maybe He wants to use you to show that He is still mighty. Gideon’s impossible odds of victory highlight the fact that even if you are small in number, when you join with God, you become an unstoppable force for good. When God calls, He sends. When God sends us, He provides the opportunity to give Him glory, especially in the most difficult of situations. Maybe you have been asked to teach a Sunday school class and you don't think you are able to do it. Maybe you have been put in a difficult situation financially and you don't know how you can pay your bills. Trust God to provide what you need and see His promises work. When God takes our impossible situations and works them out, He receives the glory He deserves. Trust Him with your impossible situations today. Points to Ponder: What God wants from us more than anything else is our complete dependency on Him. Questions to Consider: What fear is the Lord wanting to remove from your life that keeps you from having victory in your walk with the Lord? PRAYER: Lord, May I have the courage of Gideon to believe that though I am weak, in you I am strong. 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 Men of the Bible Series - Noah (Genesis 6:5, 9, 11)
Genesis 6:5, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:9, These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:11, The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. In the days of Noah, the human race had become so wicked; people were completely depraved in their sexual morality and the earth was filled with violence. The people had abundant evidence of God’s goodness, however, they turned away from their knowledge of God and toward their own pleasures. God had enough (Genesis 6:3-7). Only one man found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man who faithfully walked with God and was obedient to His instructions (Genesis 6:22). Because of his faith in God, he was justified. Though the world around him was absolute corrupt, Noah was basically without blemish before God. Noah was a just man. Noah preached in a day when “the wickedness of man was great in the earth” (Genesis 6:5). The Scriptures reveal Noah being just, being perfect (entire or without blemish), and walking with God. The corruption and violence of man caused God to send a world-wide flood. However, in God’s mercy, He sent Noah, a preacher of righteousness, to warn and plead with the people for 120 years, while the ark was being built. Noah must have stood out in the world in that day, building an ark when it had never rained. But what made him stand out more was his walk with God (Genesis 6:12). Noah was a man who walked with God and preached right living. Noah preached for 120 years and apart from his family he never had one convert (I Peter 3:20), however, the Bible calls him a man of faith (Hebrews 11:7). He was a preacher of righteousness (II Peter 2:5). His righteousness did not come by his own works, but through his faith in God’s Word. Though the people of that day were wicked, corrupt, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5, 11), Noah practiced righteousness. He preached against immorality and the sin of that day. He preached repentance for the ungodly men to turn back to God. He did that which was right as a principle and of habit. The preaching of a generation determines the morals of the next generation. God considered Noah one of the three most righteous men in history as recorded in Ezekiel 14. When tempted to lie, he told the truth. When tempted to steal, he was honest. When tempted with immorality, he determined to be pure. When tempted to lose his temper and curse, he held his tongue. When tempted to become bitter or jealous, he maintained a right spirit. When it seemed easier to not put the Lord first, he refused. When he realized another in need, he sought to help him. When directed by God to begin a task no one else in human history had ever done, Noah took God at His Word and obeyed. In a world filled with mockers and skepticism, Noah had unwavering confidence in God’s Word. In that day, God planned to destroy the population of the wicked world. His plan was to send a world-wide flood upon the earth to such a degree that all would be drown. God called Noah to build an ark where his family and two of every species of animal of the earth would be saved. Every day Noah labored on the ark was a call to repentance and a declaration that judgment was coming. Just as those in the days of Noah ignored the warning and rejected the message that would save them. Jesus warned us of making the same mistake (Matthew 24:37-39). Noah believed God when He warned him of the impending judgment. Noah took God at His Word and simply did what God said to do. Though it took Noah 120 years to accomplish the construction of the ark, he persisted. Some take God at His Word and in due season are blessed of God (Proverbs 28:20; I Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9). We are called to study His Word, to be faithful to the things of God, witness, walk in love, love one another. Today, God still has His faithful men who stand firm and preach and teach His Word (Titus 2:12). Noah went against the high tide of sin. Despite the mocking and ridicule Noah received, he kept on building the ark until he completed God’s plan. There were many rooms or compartments within the ark to hold room for the people of that day to escape the judgment of God. Just as there was one door (Genesis 6:16), so there is only one way to God, that is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Once the ark of the door was shut, it was too late to enter in. Until spared, he paid a dear price for it, and so must we as ambassadors for Jesus. Like Noah, our faithfulness to God’s Word will be contrary to everything the world stands for. But every time we see a rainbow, it reminds us of His faithfulness. No amount of righteousness on man’s part can gain eternal life (Titus 3:5). Righteousness after salvation is an act of obedience and desire to know God. Salvation does not excuse the responsibility to live righteously (Romans 6:15). Righteousness is conforming our hearts and lives to God’s divine law. Paul told Titus, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). Point to Ponder:
Question to Consider:
PRAYER: LORD, my desire is to please and honor You in my daily walk with You before others. I know that there is not one thing that I ever perform or ponder that is concealed to You. As You examine my heart, help me to live a life of holiness, honesty, and humility. I ask for strength, patience, and wisdom as I aim to practice Your Word. 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 This morning’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study. You can view this current study in its entirety by visiting this sites Bible Study link.
Men of the Bible Series - Abel (Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4) Genesis 4:4, And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Hebrews 11:4, By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was a shepherd, who had strong faith in God. His name means “breath” or “vapor” in which describes his brief life. Also, which is a reminder as to how frail and fleeting life is (James 4:14). Abel was Adam’s second son; he was a faithful worshiper of God (John 4:24). He gave God a pleasing offering of a first-born lamb. He was killed by his older brother Cain, whose offering was not pleasing nor accepted by the Lord. His blood cried out for vengeance to God. Faith is defined as believing God and acting on what God has said or revealed. God had revealed the way of sacrifice, and both Cain and Abel knew what God had said. Abel believed, and by faith he brought an animal sacrifice. Cain didn’t believe and decided to come his own way. Cain and his offering of the fruit of the ground were not accepted. Cain was rejected because he came his own way, not God’s way. John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. The Bible couldn’t say it any clearer. The only acceptable approach to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Abel’s offering foreshadowed the greatest offering ever made, Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ was the best sacrifice offered to God. In Him is no sin (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 9:14; I Peter 2:22; I John 3:5), absolutely holy. The shedding of the blood, which occurred in the slaying of the animal in sacrificing it, foreshadowed salvation through the blood of Christ. "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22); "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7); and "being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Romans 5:9). The slaying of the lamb spoke convincingly of the Lamb of God "slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8), and "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Cain's offering did not foreshadow Christ at all; there was no lamb, hence no blood, no Christ, no cross. When the Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock” (Genesis 4:4), he was acknowledging his trust in the perfect Lamb of God who would one day be slain for sin. He knew his brother’s offering was a rebellious declaration against God. Cain exalted his own efforts at righteousness while Abel humbled himself as a sinner who needed a Saviour. Cain and Abel describe the great conflict between Satan and the Lord Jesus Christ. The first murder in the Scriptures signifies the rage of Satan and evil men crucifying Christ which led to the ultimate sacrifice of the Lord Jesus giving His life for sinners. Abel came God’s way. God’s way was the way of animal sacrifice. Abel’s sacrifice looked forward to the one Great Sacrifice that was to come in the future. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, would go to the cross and die for the sins of the world. Abel believed God, and acted on what God had said. This is what faith is all about. Abel came to God, believing what God had revealed he offered to God by faith. God’s way today is to approach God on the basis of the one Great Offering that was pictured in Abel’s sacrifice the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Abel’s “more excellent sacrifice” pointed to Christ, the perfect offering for sin. Jesus was “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:19). The lamb slain by Abel represented the coming “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” John 1:29. Abel was not made perfect through his own works. It was not Abel who professed himself righteous, it was God who declared that Abel was righteous. He “was righteous” through the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. Abel was declared righteous by the very mouth of God because Abel, by faith, offered the one sacrifice which spoke of Jesus Christ, Who, by dying on the cross of Calvary, provided mankind with salvation. "He being dead yet speaketh." One does not stop speaking when he dies. Our lives send messages long after we have died, and it is not just what we may have on our tombstones. What decides whether your message is a good one has to do with faith. What will your life say after you have died? The truth is that your life will speak after you died by how you lived before you died. PRAYER: Help me to be a dedicated ambassador, to preach the Gospel fearlessly and ceaselessly. Give me the confidence to preach the Gospel at all times under whatever condition and make me a useful instrument to further Your Great Commission. I ask you to give me the grace to proclaim Your good news, so that other people can be saved also. Do not let me be an obstacle to evangelization but help me to support it and to spread it further. 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 Men of the Bible Series
Stephen (Acts 6:5, 8; 7:55) Acts 6:5, And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch. Acts 6:8, And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Acts 7:55, But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 1. Stephen Served. Stephen had a godly testimony. He was one of the first deacons and the first martyr of the church. Stephen is a great example to each of us as to what we should be filled with. Stephen was a good man of “honest report”. He was a gifted man, “full of...wisdom”. He was a godly man— “full of the Holy Ghost”. The Bible makes it clear that the source of Stephen’s fearlessness was the Holy Spirit. Three times the Bible records that he was “full of the faith”, “God’s grace and power”, or “full of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5, 8; 7:55). He was filled with the Holy Spirit who allowed him to speak truth wisely, witness boldly, and to face death peacefully. Stephen’s character displayed the character of God through the Spirit of God, and that Spirit who gave him a servant’s heart and courage. Stephen became a preacher and died a martyr’s death. He was filled with the Spirit (Acts 6:5), fearless in witness (Acts 6:10), and faithful in service (Acts 6:14). We see the witness of his life (Acts 6:8), the witness of his labors (Acts 6:8), the Witness of his learning (Acts 6:10), the Witness of his looks (Acts 6:15). The Spirit who empowered Stephen is the same Spirit who fills Christ followers today. No matter the chaos or opponents to the Gospel you face today, you can have the same power, boldness, and humility as Stephen. 2. Stephen Suffered. Stephen was a godly young man who followed the teachings of Jesus in a time when much uproar was found in the religious world. Stephen preached Jesus before the Sanhedrin (A supreme council of the Jewish people). Stephen was not filled with fear that day before his opponents. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he boldly shared the truth of God. Stephen preached a long sermon. He begins with the “God of glory” (Acts 7:2) and ends with the “God of glory” (Acts 7:55). His purpose in preaching this sermon was to show how each leader of Israel had tried to bring them out of their tradition into a broader revelation of God’s will and purpose for Israel, and how in every instance they had rebelled against the truth. This was exactly what the Sanhedrin was doing as they tried Stephen for blasphemy. He would charge them with rejecting the Christ of Israel. He began with Scripture and used the Scripture to reveal their sinfulness. When Stephen mentioned their crime against the Just One it was then when they charged him like a rioted mob. Stephen suffered and through that we see that Saul (Paul) was a witness. 3. Stephen Shined. His face shown with the brilliance and radiance of an angel of God! He reflected the glory of God because he spent time with the Son of God! Stephen shined at his death. He died calling upon God, asking forgiveness of his enemies. The religious leaders looked intently upon Stephen they saw that his face was “as it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). Stephen’s death was not in vain. God honored his life and his death. Paul witnessed his death and, as a result, Paul would later accept Christ as his Saviour. Through His suffering he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”. “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:59-60). We know that those who exhibit godly character do not necessarily have literal shining faces. They do, however, glow with the countenance of the One who fills their heart. Sharing the Gospel of Christ is the greatest news you could ever spread. Everyday Christians are challenged to speak or remain silent concerning Christ. Although not everyone will receive it well, it always brings pleasure to the LORD. Faith begins with knowing Christ as your Saviour, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is what gives us victory over the world (I John 5:4-5); and helps us to quench all the fiery darts of Satan (Ephesians 6:16). The Bible mentions no faith, little faith, great faith, and being full of the faith. Stephen was full of faith because he was full of Scripture according to Romans 10:17. The amount of faith we have is in proportion to how close we are to God and His Word. Points to Ponder: May we reflect the love and glory of the Lord. Your testimony will impact others, stand strong and glorify God whenever you get the chance. When others look on us, I pray that they would see faithful men and women of God who shine the light of Jesus in this world! Questions to Consider: Are we letting Jesus shine through us? What do you face today that brings fear into your heart? Which of the character qualities that Stephen had do you most need to work on? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I know You want to fill me but will not until I remove the barriers. Please bring to my mind my unconfessed sins and help me repent of them. Will You fill me with Your Holy Spirit? Live Your life through me today. Make me the person You want me to be that You would be glorified, 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 Reaching the Lost, No Matter the Cost (Exodus 23:20)
Exodus 23:20, Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Jim Elliot was unsure of what to do after graduating from Wheaton College in 1949. He spent the summer praying for guidance from the Lord. He received a letter about the need for workers in Ecuador. On July 4th, Jim set aside ten days for prayer and on the 14th he wrote, "I asked for some word from God ten days ago, which would encourage my going to Ecuador. It came this morning in an unexpected place. I was reading Exodus 23:20, Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Jim Elliot was ready to jump in with both feet. He believed in giving 100% to any task that he would adopt. Exodus 23 sent Jim Elliot eventually to his death, and to his glory. It also brought the Auca Indians, in God's timing, to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God's Word gave Jim Elliot guidance and direction to do His will, even though His will meant his death. God was leading Jim and four of his friends where they were desperately needed. It was one of the most violent group of people on the planet and these five missionary families knew it. In fact, in this region, Shell Oil Company had to halt construction of its base called Shell Mera, because the construction workers were being speared by the natives in spearing raids. The people of these jungles believed that killing others gave them a sense of self control. It was the main way they resolved their problems. This part of Ecuador was truly an area that revealed the wickedness of men without any restraint to their sinful hearts. Yet, it was their wickedness that created the burden in the hearts of these missionaries. It was their desire to reach these folks with the Gospel no matter what the cost. That desire and the burden of reaching these lost souls helped them to conquer any fear of death they may have entertained. These missionaries had guns to protect themselves, but they all agreed and insisted they would not use them to defend themselves if attacked. They considered themselves already dead if need be. They said, "They are not ready for Heaven, but we are!" They overcame their fear of death. In the effort to reach these Indians, they all five were massacred by the people they were trying to save. In their deaths, however, God was glorified. God opened the door for their wives and children to enter the village and reach the people for Jesus Christ at a later time. All these missionaries, including their wives, overcame the fear of death. Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. To witness is to bear testimony or give evidence of. Jesus was speaking to the disciples about being witnesses before He ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Jesus’ last command ought to be our first priority. Being a witness for Christ is telling others what He did for you by His death, burial, and resurrection. We often refer to witnessing as soul winning. Soul winning is one beggar telling another beggar where the bread is. All of us can, and should be a witness of Jesus Christ. We can do this by passing out Gospel tracts, giving our testimony of salvation, preaching or teaching, and door to door soul winning. There are countless other ways of being a witness, but every Christian should do something. There should be ministries in your church such as bus, jail, prison, printing, Sunday School, Christian School, fairs, camps, and other areas of service in which you can take part in the obedience to Jesus’ last command. In the 1840s, John Geddie left the pastorate of a church in Canada to take his wife and two small children to the South Sea Islands to begin a mission work there. After a voyage of more than 20,000 miles, they arrived in the New Hebrides Islands at Aneityum. The island chain was filled with cannibals, and more than twenty crew members of a British ship had been killed and eaten just months before the Geddies arrived on the mission field. They faced the difficulty of learning a language that had no written form and the constant threat of being killed. Slowly at first, a few converts came, and then soon many more received the Gospel. Geddie continued his ministry faithfully, including translating the entire Bible into the native language and planting twenty-five churches. For many of those years, Geddie labored with little help and little word from home, but God was faithful to His servant. In the pulpit of the church Geddie pastored for so many years stands a plaque in his honor which says: “When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen.” Thankfully, it’s not illegal to witness here in America. Too often, so many believers never tell anyone else about how they can receive salvation through Jesus Christ. We have all kinds of excuses for why it should be someone else’s job. But God has given all of us people whom we can reach more effectively than anyone else. Prayer, Father, I understand that fear interferes with my fellowship with You. I can’t focus on fear and focus on You at the same time. Forgive me for the times I focused on fear when I knew You have promised to always be with me. Thank You for Your faithfulness in calling me out of fear and into Your presence, where I find peace. 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 Learning Contentment (Philippians 4:11)
Philippians 4:11, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content Paul said, “I have learned”. Lessons on contentment come from going through the best times and the bad times, the prosperous times and the poor times. Content means self-complacent; that is contented. Paul’s contentment was not just in the good times, but in whatever state he was in. No matter if he was in prosperity or famine, mountains for valleys, he was content. Do you want contentment but find it hard to achieve? Be encouraged. Even Paul, an admirable Christ follower, realized being content was something he had to learn. If Paul had to pursue contentment, let’s recognize our need to work on it, too by allowing the Lord to teach us. Contentment encourages true joy in eternal things. As your contentment grows, so does your joy in the eternal. For example, looking forward to digging deep into your Bible and can’t wait to hear God speak to you. Be Content Where You Are. The story is told about a pilot who always looked down intently on a certain valley in the Appalachians when the plane passed overhead. One day his co-pilot asked, “What’s so interesting about that spot?” The pilot replied, “See that stream? Well, when I was a kid I used to sit down there on a log and fish. Every time an airplane flew over, I would look up and wish I were flying... Now I look down and wish I were fishing.” Learn from those, both the covetous and the content that the Lord has placed near you. Allow Him to teach you the joy and those who are content and the misery of the covetous. Jesus is calling out to you to a settled place of satisfaction in Him. Be Content with Who You Are. “Don’t be guilty of comparing your accomplishments or performances with those of any other preacher [or person]. To do so is to lessen your own effectiveness and frustrate the grace of God. You are you, and to attempt to become more is to become less.”--Dr. Raymond Barber. Contentment is the skill to remain persistently and purposefully in the presence of the Lord so that He can transform any plan into something significant. When we are content, we find it is the simple things make us happy. Like going for a walk with our spouse or a family member and talking about what’s important and what really matters. That’s a blessing of contentment. Be Content with What You Have. The story is told of a farmer who had lived on the same farm all his life. It was a good farm, but with the passing years, the farmer began to tire of it. He longed for a change—for something "better." Every day he found a new reason for criticizing some feature of the old place. Finally, he decided to sell, and listed the farm with a real estate broker who promptly prepared a sales advertisement. As one might expect, it emphasized all the farm's advantages: ideal location, modern equipment, healthy stock, acres of fertile ground, etc. Before placing the ad in the newspaper, the realtor called the farmer and read the copy to him for his approval. When he had finished, the farmer cried out, "Hold everything! I've changed my mind. I am not going to sell. I've been looking for a place like that all my life." It is always tempting to think that others have it better than we do, and that if we just had “a little more” everything would be fine. But contentment cannot be achieved by increasing possessions. Nothing will ever be enough. In our covetous culture, genuine contentment is rare. The words, “I have enough” runs counter to our culture. Contentment and covetousness cannot coexist, you will live with one or the other. There’s nothing wrong with having money, but there’s something very wrong with money having you. “The contented man is never poor, the discontented never rich.” - George Eliot. We should not allow what we have or do not have to decide if we are content. Paul told Timothy, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (I Timothy 6:8). Anything above this is an added blessing, not a necessity of life. Often, we are discontent because we have taken for granted all the things God has given to us. “Contentment is realizing that God has already given me everything I need for my present happiness. Contentment is understanding that if I am not satisfied with what I have, I will never be satisfied with what I want.” -Bill Gothard. “If you are not satisfied with a little, you will not be satisfied with much.” - Sir James Mackintosh. Points to Ponder: Covetousness runs rampant in our culture, and contentment is rare. God wants us to improve at this over the course of our lives, day by day. Think of a situation you have faced when you had to make a choice between contentment and covetousness. Questions to Consider: Do you see the blessings of contentment in your life? Do you spend more time thinking about people to influence or things to accumulate? Do you know someone who needs this? Are you willing to share this devotion? PRAYER: Lord, I do have enough because I have You. I have Your promises, Your faithfulness, Your strength, Your presence, and Your wisdom to face whatever happens in my life. I know I can trust You with my burdens. Forgive me for associating my happiness with anything external. Please help me to grow in the grace of contentment, so that I too can learn to be content in any situation. 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 Profits of Pleasing the Lord (Proverbs 16:7)
Proverbs 16:7, When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. A pair of Canada geese set up housekeeping on an island in a farm pond in New Jersey. Year after year these two returned to raise their young. One summer, only one of seven eggs hatched, and the hatchling died the next day. The parents moped for days only to be faced with a new problem. From the woods by the lake another pair of Canadian geese emerged with eight brand-new babies. For some reason, this new pair had chosen the farm pond, and woefully, the island itself, as their brood site. As they arrived on the scene, they went straight to the island ready to do battle for the rights to the location. Of course, the residents fought hard to keep what they thought was their own territory, but they could not drive the newcomers away. As night approached, the resident pair still occupied the island, except for a corner where the new pair huddled with their young, having been granted sleeping privileges. The farmer and his wife went to bed that evening wondering what the outcome of the battle would be the next day. Imagine the farmer's surprise the next morning when he looked out on the lake and saw eight baby geese swimming peacefully with not one but two parents in the lead, and two bringing up the rear. By making peace, the adult geese had not only provided double protection for the goslings, but had also provided the resident pair with babies to care for to replace the ones they had lost. In the same manner as the geese, the Lord gives us insight on what we can do to get along with people, especially our enemies. He tells us to please the Lord by the way we live. When we honor God with our lives, when we love others, including our rivals, He will make our enemies to be at peace with us. People have tried such things as flattery or bribery to appease enemies, but have failed. A genuine Christian is the most lovable personality in human life. God has a way of raising up friends for those who serve Him and do His will. God however, can change the heart of an enemy when our ways please the Saviour. Though there are many enemies of the righteous, when our lives truly please the Lord, in due season, God will cause them to be at peace with us. God does not promise freedom from enemies. The world’s crowd never likes God’s people, but deep down in their heart, they respect those who are truly godly. Though they might persecute and mock the righteous, God will cause them, in due season, to respect His people. The greater principle is that God blesses the righteous. He takes care of them. Pleasing God produces peace. No effort of the United Nations can ever produce the peace that pleasing God does, yet how disinterested the nations of the world are to please the Almighty. During the Civil War, Stanton treated Lincoln with utter contempt. He called him a "low cunning clown" and "the original gorilla." He said there was no need to go to Africa to capture a gorilla when one was available in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln, however, never retaliated. Instead, he made Stanton his war minister, believing that he was the best qualified for the office. Years later when Lincoln was killed by an assassin's bullet, Stanton looked down on his rugged face and said tearfully, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." Even if our life doesn't please our enemies, we haven't lost anything. We are still pleasing God, the only One who truly matters. A righteous life disarms opposition. Albert Barnes put it this way, "Goodness has power to charm, and win, even enemies to itself." Our effort to live for God and be peacemakers will usually make us more attractive to those around us, even our enemies. They may not believe what we believe, but many of them acknowledge that we are standing for something that is good or we have something that is special. Our patience, wisdom, diligence, kindness, and love also make a big impression on those who oppose us. When we look at the lives of Joseph in Egypt, David in Gath, or Daniel in Babylon, we find that these dedicated men reaped peace with their enemies because their ways pleased the Lord. God knew what was in the hearts of these men and He knew they were determined to please Him. Peace is created when God’s ways become man’s ways. If God does allow some persecution by our enemies, it is for our good, (II Timothy 2:12) and for His glory (I Peter 4:14). God will deal with those who oppose His followers. Believers who focus on pleasing God in all of their ways can leave the fate of their enemies in the Lord’s hands. When a person strives to please the Lord, enemies find it more difficult to find fault with or to criticize him or her. One who is trying to uphold the great commandment to love others as oneself will be much more likely to win over an enemy than someone who is being rebellious or argumentative. It is the believer’s role to please the Lord, and it is God’s role to convert or convict the enemy. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Father, my greatest desire is to please You in all things. Help me to resist pleasing the world rather than pleasing you. Help me to always stay close to 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 Peace Rather Than Panic (Proverbs 3:25-26)
Proverbs 3:25-26, Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Many people panic when they're faced with severe problems. We can't escape many of the problems in our lives, but we have been given the ability to control our reaction to the problems we face. Our reaction to problems is much more important than the problems themselves. Two people can face the same problem—one person can react calmly with faith in God while the other person panics. The Lord is our confidence. He keeps our foot from being taken in snares and traps of the wicked. Confidence in the Lord and His Word also leads to balance or stability. He is the One that keeps our foot from being caught in a trap. There may be times that people may try to entrap or hurt you. There may be times that people may covet something you have or be jealous of you for some reason. You may have unknowingly offended them, too, and they will set out to destroy you, or try to discredit you by setting a trap. The Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus for the purpose of destroying Him. The bravest and securest men in world history were those who put their trust in the Lord.
The range of our emotions is a clear indication of maturity. Our Father wants us to learn to yield our emotions to Him. Our Father wants us to learn to react calmly to the problems we face because we trust Him to solve the problems we can't solve ourselves. Safety is not found in avoiding danger but in obeying God. People whose lives revolve around themselves believe they have to solve every problem with human ability. Our Father says we shouldn't panic when we're in the midst of the storms of life. He wants us to remain calm because we trust completely in Him (Proverbs 3:25-26). Crises and trouble do arise in life. However, for the people of God possessing godly wisdom, the command is to fear not. When we dwell in the secret place of the most High and possess godly wisdom and discretion of life, God will be our confidence and guard. He will not suffer the righteous to be moved. The wise person, the one who has embraced wisdom (which includes embracing Christ as Saviour, Who is our wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:3), does not and should not fear what the unsaved fear. Wisdom is not to fear when folly is judged. Wisdom has hope ("the Lord shall be thy confidence") that folly does not have. This hope enables wisdom not to fear. In spite of what is happening in the world, those who put their trust in God will be safe and saved. In fact, they can sweetly sleep when others are panicking and in trouble. Your relationship with God will bring strength and stability. He is the one that gives confidence or security to the believer. He is at our side. The fact that He hears the prayers of the righteous give us serenity and hope. Walking with God gives you peace. Abraham Lincoln won the presidency of a divided country. There were four major candidates in 1860, and Lincoln only narrowly received his electoral majority. Among his harshest critics was Edwin Stanton of Ohio who opposed Lincoln’s election, calling him, among other things, the “original gorilla.” Yet Lincoln asked Stanton to serve as Secretary of War, recognizing his organizational skills were greatly needed for the war effort and being the best person for the job. When Lincoln was assassinated, Stanton said, “There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen.” We do not have to strike back at everyone who says or does something with which we disagree. It may be temporarily satisfying, but in the end it leads to bitterness and often an escalating cycle of revenge and retaliatory actions. Love does not insist on getting even—in fact it glories in peace. Paul wrote that love, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (I Corinthians 13:5). Many people find themselves living stress-filled lives because they do not allow love to do its work of peace. When we lack peace, we should view that as a reminder to focus on God rather than on our circumstances. Panic also stops us from hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants us to keep the focus on Him open. He doesn't want us to block this channel with negative emotions such as fear, worry, doubt and unbelief. We should never allow ourselves to be discouraged by the problems we face. Nothing good ever comes from discouragement. This word means lack of courage. Romans 15:5, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.” God’s Word instructs us how to live our lives and to give us the encouragement we must have to hold fast to God's promises, refusing to give up hope. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to respond to problems with calm, quiet confidence in the Lord instead of panicking. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
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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