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 thing that pleased God about Enoch was that he “walked with God”. It’s 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’s desire for us is 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, “called unto the fellowship of His Son” (I Corinthians 1:9), walk in this intimacy. We must walk with God everyday (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 greatest concern be to know Him and to move through life with Him! Daily Enoch walked with God and he was in constant fellowship with Him, 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. Everyday 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 a closer walk with God. He so desired this quality time that he made sure each day to walk 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 pursue 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

Men of the Bible Series - Elijah (James 5:16-18)

James 5:16-18, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Elijah truly was a prayer warrior who believed in the power of prayer. He saw God work supernaturally in his life because when he prayed, he prayed earnestly. Elijah’s prayers brought a widow’s son back to life (I Kings 17:20-22), caused it not to rain for three and a half years (James 5:17-18), and that brought fire down from heaven (I Kings 18:36-38). Prayer should be as natural to the child of God as breathing is to the human body, because prayer is the believer’s spiritual breath. The reason so many believers are always spiritually tired and weary is they have been holding their spiritual breath. The Christian who says, "I simply can't find time for prayer," is like the person who says, "I just can't find time to breathe." If we refuse to pray regularly, we will spiritually suffocate.

When God said to pray without ceasing, the word “ceasing” means uninterrupted. The Word “effectual” means to be active. It has the sense of being “energized”. What James is driving at is that effective prayer is fervent and from the heart. When a man will pour out his heart in prayer, God tends to hear the same. Prayer cannot be once a week, or even once a day. It means to have a mind of prayer or an attitude of prayer. To “avail” means to have force or to be of strength. In other words, prayer that is so strong that it accomplishes what was intended. There are things we cannot do that only God can do such as provide, protect, and so on.

We have access to God because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2). One of the great tragedies of modern-day Christianity is that we simply do not pray as we should. The Lord has placed all of the power and resources of Heaven at our disposal to do His work, yet we “have not, because [we] ask not” (James 4:2). Prayer is not an empty ritual, nor is it a religious exercise. It’s how a child of God goes to the throne of grace based on the relationship He has freely given us to seek His help which He has promised to give.

Two wives were doing their laundry in a laundry mat. They were both patching their husband’s pants. One wife said, “My husband is so miserable. Nothing goes right at work, and he can’t find anything good on television. Our home is a place of hurt. When we go to church, the song leader is terrible and the pastor is dull. The other wife said “My husband is so excited. He can’t wait to go to church. He loves the sermons. We enjoy our family time.” It got very quiet in the laundry room as the women continued sewing the pants. One was patching the seat of the pants, and the other was patching the knees. Prayer changes marriages, families, ministries, etc. The success of a father is dependent upon prayer.

According to the Scriptures, God commands us to pray in the following verses: Luke 18:1; 21:36; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; I Thessalonians 5:17; I Timothy 2:1. The Devil cannot keep God from answering our prayers, so he seeks to keep us from asking. He does all that he can to prevent us from prayer. The greatest enemy to answered prayer is unbelief. A lack of faith will always hinder God from working in and through our lives. When we pray, we are not to waver.

Point to Ponder:
If we have faith enough to ask, we should have faith enough to believe that God will hear our need and supply wisdom in every situation.

Question to Consider:
What could the Lord do in and through our families and churches if His people would pray earnestly?

PRAYER: Father, I praise You that I can at anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstance come to You in prayer. My desire is to keep walking continually with You, so that my prayer may be the natural expression of my life with You. In Jesus name, AMEN.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

Memorial Day (Psalm 33:12)

Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

Memorial Day is about remembering. Today is a day to remember the brave men and women who have served and given their lives for our freedom. The men and women who have given their lives for the cause of freedom are heroes for their courage. They didn’t fight because a brutal dictator forced them to advance his regime. They gave their lives for the God-given right of freedom. They fought to preserve the freedoms with which God has blessed our nation; the very freedoms that give us the liberty to worship our God. Memorial Day is an important national moment. It is a day to do more than relax by the pool, grill, fish, etc. It is right and wise to remember the great sacrifice some have paid to preserve the historically unprecedented civil and religious freedoms we Americans have the luxury to take largely for granted. May we pray the Lord blesses us with spiritual and political leaders who will honor and obey the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-2, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…” As Americans, we have great privileges and freedom because of the high price that has been paid by heroes of the past and present. As Christians, we have even greater privileges and freedom because of the high price paid by Jesus for our salvation. It is vitally important that we never forget the many good things that God does for us each day, nor the cost that was required for the benefits we enjoy.

Because God knows better than we do how forgetful we are of who He is and what He has done, He commands us to remember. Psalm 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 106:13–14, “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.” Psalm 78:42, “They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.” But the importance of Memorial Day is more for our future than it is for our past. It is crucial that we remember the nightmares and why they happened. We forget them at our own peril. The future of the United States depends, in large amount, on how well we collectively remember and cherish what liberty really is and the terror of tyranny. There is a high cost to forgetting. In the words of George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

There is a real danger when we enjoy great blessings that we begin to take for granted and think that we deserve them. The more God does for us the more grateful we should be. Just as we rightly set aside a day to honor our nation's heroes, we should also take time to give thanks to God for our spiritual liberty and His many benefits to us. Christians, may we take time today to honor those brave soldiers by remembering them. Let’s not assume it will happen on its own. In the midst of our organized social activities today, let’s pause and let our mind and heart remember.

PRAYER: Father, I thank You mostly for Jesus and His sacrifice for my sins. In Him, I have freedom. I also thank You for the birth and the blessings for this great country. I resolve to make this day a time to honor and recognize the brave men and women who sacrificed for my freedoms and the freedoms of other nations. Stir my heart, Lord, with patriotism and thankfulness as I remember the blessing You have bestowed on this great nation. I ask You to minister comfort and peace to those who grieve and are suffering. May I respectfully honor all the men and women who presently serve in the armed forces. May they feel appreciated and supported this day and every day. 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 - Daniel (Daniel 6:1-3) PART 2

Daniel 6:1-3, “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”

Joe Lee told an early work experience that helped shape the future course of his life. He got a job in his teens on one of the largest cattle ranches in California. One day, he was instructed to drive cattle from one pasture to another. On the way, he saw that a fence had fallen, and the cattle had gotten out. Rather than continuing, he stopped, rounded up those cattle and spent the rest of the day fixing the fence.

Concerned that he would get in trouble for not finishing the job, he called his boss. When he told him what he had done, rather than getting reprimanded he was praised for taking initiative. “Act like you would if you owned the place,” his boss told him. That principle of integrity - taking diligent care of everything placed in his hand - made Joe Lee a great success in the business world, but most importantly, as a Christian.

Daniel 6 opens with the head of gold being replaced by the silver kingdom, the breast and arms of Media-Persia. King Darius arose to power around 538 b.c. When Darius took over the Chaldean kingdom, he appointed 120 princes to oversee the affairs of the Chaldean province. Over these princes, Darius appointed three presidents of whom Daniel was first in authority. Daniel was the leading president of three presidents that oversaw 120 princes.

Daniel was the most outstanding of the three administrators who assisted Darius in ruling the empire. Because of Daniel’s exceptional qualities, including his extraordinary intelligence, the king planned to give him a new position above all the other leaders and administrators. Because of God’s goodness, Daniel’s mind was still sharp and his abilities still strong at 80 years of age (Exodus 7:7; Deuteronomy 34:7; Joshua 14:10-11; 24:29). This was a new king, but he already knew that something was different about Daniel. The king discerned an excellent spirit in Daniel. Daniel was preferred above all others because of his excellent spirit. His reputation as a man of wisdom was outstanding, and his character was impeccable. The king preferred Daniel because of his honesty and integrity. Standing for the Lord is not always easy, but Daniel displayed how to do it well. I Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Daniel's character could not be drowned by floods, burned by fire, corrupted by rust, stolen by thieves, or destroyed by moths.

Daniel was highly respected by the king but despised by the other leaders. They diligently sought for ways to get him removed. Daniel was accused of violating a new laws they had created. This law was used to get Daniel in trouble based on his commitment to God. Daniel may have lost his position but he did not lose his integrity. Today, there are laws formed by government that violate the laws of God. Very soon, there will be harsher laws put in place that will challenge the believer’s commitment to Christ. There will come a time when those who choose to obey the Lord will be threatened with death.

There may be times when we face persecution, deprivation, prosecution, or execution. God, however, wants us to know that faithfulness to Him is always the right thing in spite of the difficulties. Faithfulness and obedience to Him yield rich rewards and blessings. We never have to be ashamed of our faith in the Lord though the world may try to intimidate us into silence.

Questions to Consider:
Do you have an excellent spirit?
Are you easy to work with?
Do you work hard and do your best at what you do?

Points to Ponder:
This was a great testimony for Daniel and a challenge to all of us to have the same kind of attitude.
As Christians representing the Lord, we should do our best to bring honor to Him.
God remembers, records, and rewards you for your faithful and devoted service to Him.

Prayer, Father in Heaven, I thank You for Jesus Your Son. He is the perfect example of integrity and character. Teach me Your ways and guide my heart. My desire is to be more like Jesus in all my attitudes and actions in a manner that is pleasing 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

Men of the Bible Series - Daniel (Daniel 1:8) PART 1

Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Now, more than ever, is a crucial need for God’s people of strong, righteous character to purpose in their hearts not to compromise. The society we live in today is rampant in immorality, mischief, inequality, persecution, and self-indulgence, a time when scarce few rise up to wave the banner for integrity and righteousness. Daniel lived in a time of inexcusable immorality, anarchy, and violence when there was little uprightness and morality on earth. Notwithstanding, he stood firm for the Lord against the temptations and the enticements of an ungodly nation. In all ages, God’s people have always been faced with the pressures to compromise their personal walk with Him. Every day we face the temptation to compromise our commitment to the Lord. We must decide to be dedicated in our devotion for the Lord regardless of the amount of pressure we face to compromise. We will examine that the pressures Daniel and his three friends faced by the king of Babylon were the same pressures we face today.

By God’s standards, Babylon’s moral and spiritual climate was totally corrupt. It is very likely that what Daniel and his friends were being taught often contradicted God’s law and principles. Daniel made up his mind from the start not to compromise his spiritual values and convictions, even if it meant death. Consider the fact that Daniel no longer had his parents or family around to guide or influence his decisions. Yet his love for God and His law, learned as a child, so filled his heart that he never lost his desire to serve the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:7).

I imagine it would have been fairly easy to “give in” at this point. With no parents, no pastor, no godly influences, conforming to the wicked lifestyle of the Babylonians would have been simple. No matter how much pressure others may put upon us to compromise, we must stand fast and not give in to the seduction of sin. No matter how appealing, attractive, or alluring the craving may be, we must take a firm stand for God. We must purpose in our hearts that we will not defile ourselves. Swimming against the current only makes you a stronger swimmer. Daniel believed in being holy before the Lord. Holiness is not an option for the believer, but it is the clear command of the Word of God (I Peter 1:15-16).

What helped Daniel remain faithful to the Lord in a corrupt society was the fact that early in life he had “purposed in his heart.” Surround yourself with those (parents, pastor, wise friends) who are wise (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). He had already determined, come what may, that he would stand for the Lord regardless of the direction society was heading. This purpose was not short term, as in until it was inconvenient, it was for life. A lack of purpose in one’s life leads to an easy target for Satan. Once we purpose in our hearts, it will be easier to demonstrate it in our lifestyle. When we make wise choices, it leads to right results (Proverbs 20:18). Purpose in one’s life will help prevent them from changing or giving up. The first priority of every person should be to cleave unto the Lord (Acts 11:23). The actions we take in our life are purposed in the heart before they are ever carried out by our actions. Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” We should serve God out of a pure heart, for this is what God loves the most and desires. Daniel made this decision in his heart before anyone else ever knew about it.

The desire to love God and serve Him starts in the heart. It goes against the flesh of mankind and is a radical concept to this world. Paul was an advocate of swimming against culture’s current. He wrote, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1–2).

A believer who conforms to this world, at some point, will yield to the great pressure that they are under to change. The believer who is transformed is yielded to the Holy Spirit of God who transforms them from within. Something is going to shape your life, but the question is, will it be the worldly philosophy we are conformed to, or the truth of God that we are transformed by? Will you be conformed or transformed? What are your goals for this year? I encourage you to follow the example of Daniel as you strive to make a difference.

Those who are determined to stay faithful to God when confronted with temptation can depend on Him for the strength to resist. However, those who have not prepared their minds and hearts to stay true to God and His Word will find it difficult to resist sin and to avoid conforming to the world’s ungodly ideas and lifestyles. It is much easier to avoid temptation than to resist temptation.

Prayer: Lord, Thank You for the strength I have in You to remain committed in my walk with You. I am encouraged by the example of Daniel and his three friends and the choice they made in obeying Your Word rather than compromising with the world. Often, I’m tempted to compromise my commitment to You. May I be determined to remain faithful to You and steadfast in my commitment to 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

Men of the Bible Series: Caleb (Joshua 14:6-15)

When Henry M. Stanley found Livingstone, the great missionary who spent thirty years in darkest Africa, and who had been lost to the world for over two years, he wanted him to come back home to England with him, but Livingstone refused to go. Two days later he wrote in his diary, "March 19, my birthday; my Jesus; King; my Life; my All. I again dedicate my whole self to Thee. Accept me, and grant, O gracious Father, that ere the year is gone I may finish my work. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen." A year later his servants found him on his knees dead. It was said of him:
"He needs no epitaph to guard a name
Which men shall prize while worthy work is known;
He lived and died for good—be that his fame;
Let marble crumble: this is Living-Stone."

Canaan represents the victorious Christian life. A land of victory and rest. It meant release for they were once slaves in Egypt. Caleb represents the Christian about to conquer his Canaan, possess his possessions, and receive God’s inheritance for himself. He took the whole mountain meaning fullness. He wanted all that God had for him. Hebron was fruitful. Caleb wanted fellowship, fullness, and fruitfulness. Here in the Word, we find a man that faithfully served the Lord, was a spiritual fire-cracker for God; and received God’s inheritance. I believe from the Scriptures and the life of Caleb were given a plan to serve the Lord all the days of our lives.

1. Faithful Follower of the Lord (Joshua 14:8, 9, 14)
The Scriptures mention six times where Caleb wholly followed God (Numbers 14:24; 32:12; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:8-9, 14). Caleb gave God all he had. God deserves our best. Caleb was not complainer-he was a conqueror. This very day, so many Christians are living defeated lives because they have not surrendered their lives to the will of God. God never meant for His children to live in the valley of depression but on the mountain top of victory.

2. Fervent Fire for the Lord (Joshua 14:10-12)
Caleb was a conqueror because his confidence came from the Word of God. Caleb was as strong at 85 as he was at 40. Some people do not even live to be 85. Caleb refused to consider himself stricken in years. Here, we see Caleb was 85 and still very much alive. Caleb was not ready to retire or give up on God. Caleb’s mind was on conquering a mountain top for God. I see more and more Christians today who are living wasted, depressed, and defeated lives. For the most part, because they are not willing to surrender to the will of God.

3. Fruitful Finisher for the Lord (Joshua 14:13-15)
The majority focused on the obstacles; the minority focused on the possibilities. The majority focused on the foes; the minority focused on the fruit. The majority focused on the problems; the minority focused on the promises. The majority focused on the giants; the minority focused on God. Pessimists see difficulties in every opportunity, while optimist see opportunities in every difficulty. Stop looking at how big your problems are and start telling your problems how big your God is! Caleb set his sights on the Promised Land. The reason Caleb remained strong spiritually was his mind was in Canaan. Caleb wanted that Mountain. Give me this mountain! Have you ever wanted something so bad that you asked God over and over again for it? We are not to grow weary in well doing. Caleb received his promise and inheritance. Hebron was the highest inheritance for Caleb. There are rewards for serving the Lord. The rewards are stored up in glory, but there are also some rewards the Lord has for us here. Be faithful to the work in the Lord’s service. God will remember, recognize, and reward you for your labor, if you faint not. Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD.”

Questions to Consider:
Can you imagine what God could do through the life of one person completely committed to Him?
Can you imagine if our churches had one Caleb?
Do you still have the same zeal you had when you were first saved?

Points to Ponder:
Would you like to see what God could do in and through you if you were completely sold-out to God.
Don’t live like you got until next year to serve God. Each day, serve Him like there’s no tomorrow.
Lord, give me the spirit of Caleb. There is still more work to do and mountains to conquer!

PRAYER: Father, I know I have an eternal inheritance in Jesus. Help me to remain faithful in Your service. May others see You in my labor for You and may they become desirous of the work that they come to know 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