Spiritual Birthday (Acts 20:24)
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. Paul lived a blessed life but finishing his course for Jesus was his passion. Paul’s faith was firm, and he stood for the Lord and would not be moved. “But none of these things move me.” The idea is how none of these things would deter him. Though he knew from much experience the opposition he had received, and of which he expected more, it did not deter him. In fact, he did not count his life dear unto himself. Dear means “precious, valuable, esteemed, honored.” Paul was willing to sacrifice his very life to fulfill God’s will. The possibility of pain and persecution did not detour and derail Paul. Paul determined not to be overtaken by the possibility of trouble, or turn aside from doing the will of the Lord. Paul’s life was not as important as the will of God and the work of God! It takes an act of faith in God and His word and His promises to come to this type of decision! The reason Paul was willing to sacrifice even his life was 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.” The major essence of Paul’s ministry was to testify (to witness) of Christ. Paul wanted to finish the course that the Lord had set before Him. He wanted not only to finish, but he wanted to finish with joy. The unselfish devotion of Paul to the Gospel was above his own his personal safety. Paul’s goal was to finish the course of his life with joy, faithfully and diligently running the Christian race to the end (I Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:13-14). Paul did complete his course, proclaiming its fulfillment to Timothy (II Timothy 4:6-8). Today marks the 27th year of my spiritual birthday. On the 20th June 1995, I made the greatest decision of my life. On that day, I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. Soon after, He called me to preach His Word, where I surrendered to His calling in September of 1997. I married the love of my life, Joy, on 20th May 2000. She is my very best friend and my #1 fan. She has always been by my side, through both the mountains and the valleys. I’m both pleased and honored to say that she has always supported whatever the Lord has led me to do and has never hindered His plan for my life. The Lord has been so good to me. He has always been with me and has never forsaken me, nor failed me. He has always led me to places and people where He has wanted me to minister. I have had the wonderful pleasure of preaching the Gospel in many places to many diverse people. Also, to work and start many ministries through local churches where the Gospel has been shared and where we have had the opportunity to lead many to Christ. We are thrilled that many whom we ministered to are in the ministry today, leading and ministering to others. On the 1st of June 2016, the Lord led us to Fellowship Baptist Church in Carrabelle, Florida. Over these six years, we have had a wonderful time with the believers at FBC as well as the surrounding communities along the Forgotten Coast. Fellowship is made up of some of the most godly and sweet spirited people who love the Lord, His Word, and people. The Lord has used us in a variety of ways for the furtherance of the Gospel. One of the ministries is through this website which has been used to reach souls for the Lord across the globe. My desire is to finish my course with my wife, and to always love people, the ministry, and especially the Lord. The Lord has a purpose for every life. We find joy when we find it and fulfill it with the help of the Holy Spirit. Although trials will come as we journey, remain steadfast as you serve Jesus. One day you will hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant...” Points to Ponder: Lord, by your grace, help me to finish my course. Lord, I long to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant...” Questions to Consider: Is your life more precious to you than the will of God? Are you willing to do the will of God no matter what? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I thank You for giving me a wonderful life. For my wife, family, and church family. For those You have used to sharpen me for the ministry that I may be used to reach others 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
0 Comments
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
A Father’s Greatest Investment Ephesians 6:4, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The responsibility of this opportunity falls squarely on the shoulders of fathers. God gives every father the opportunity to influence his family for greatness. Strong fathers make up strong homes (families). Strong homes make up strong churches. Strong churches make up strong communities. A wise father will make the most of that opportunity. If you’re a father, what lives after you is your children, and your children will have children. This is a legacy. Fatherhood is a full-time job with huge responsibilities consisting of love, commitment, sacrifice and leadership. While it is a difficult time in this world to raise children, it is still possible to be a successful dad. Fathers can and should have a positive influence and impact on their children. One of the ways a father can be a success is to have a consistent relationship with the Lord and with his children. In a world of constant change, just being steady and consistent is vital to becoming and remaining a successful father. According to Deuteronomy 6, God wants men to take their fathering so seriously that it will impact their families for at least a century. Is it possible you may ask? It is. You can lead your family for the next one hundred years. Another way is to communicate with them and invest time with your children. One of the greatest gifts a father can ever give to his children is a gift that doesn’t cost anything, and that is his time with them. Charles Francis Adams, the 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: “Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted”. His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence today. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: “Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!” The father thought he was wasting time while fishing with his son, but his son saw it as an investment of time. The time that is lost is spent and it can never be redeemed. No job, career, or salary in this country is ever worth you losing your relationship with your child. Your children are so valuable and precious. The teaching and training about Jesus are extremely important. The time you get to communicate with your kids is precious. Take the time to stop and listen to them. Kids are waiting, longing and desiring for people to communicate with them. Talk to your kids. Be sure to seize the opportunity you have today with your children. The daily opportunities will soon be past. You will not regret making the most of your opportunity to lead! You may not leave your family a single dime of inheritance. You may not leave them an inch of property. But, if you pass down your faith to those who come behind you, you have left them the richest legacy of all! When all is said and done, will your children follow your faith? I know that their decision is purely between them and the Lord. But I also know that they may base what they do on what they see in your life! Determine in your heart today that you will do everything in your power to see your family come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Faith That Pleases God (Hebrews 11:6)
Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him The importance of walking by faith in the Lord is a paramount principle of the Christian life. When the Lord saved us He also gave us a will or purpose for our lives. This is why it is so vital that we walk with the Lord every day. Often God asks us to take a step of faith before He shows us what He is up to. He did this with Abraham in Genesis 12. Abraham was just told to get up and get out and then God would reveal which direction he was to take. Galatians 3:11, But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11 is actually a quote from Habakkuk 2:4. Habakkuk 2:4, Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Paul also quoted Romans 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. The importance of this statement is revealed through its repetition. Hebrews 10:38, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Faith is a fundamental of the Christian life. Galatians 3:11 makes it clear that living by faith is a righteous thing. God wants us to live by faith. Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear that it is impossible to please God without faith. This verse points out two paramount principles of what faith is. First, faith is believing that God is—that He exists, and that He is who the Scriptures say He is. Second, faith is trusting that God rewards those who seek Him. When we understand this, we will want to involve Him in every area of our lives. Romans 14:23 shows us the flip side of faith. Romans 14:23, And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Whenever we fail to exercise our faith the end always results in negativity. The outcome is loneliness, disobedience, worry, guilt, etc. Trusting in God brings blessing, while trusting in man brings curse. Sooner or later man will always disappoint us and let us down. God is not that way. Trusting in man is like being a bush in the desert—dependent on inconsistent rain to have our needs met. Trusting in God is like being a tree planted by a continual source of water. Psalm 1:3, And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. POINT TO PONDER: If we are to experience the life God has for us, it will be only by faith and that means trusting Him step by step. QUESTION TO CONSIDER: In what areas of my life am I intentionally exercising the faith that pleases God? PRAYER: Father, thank You for the gift of faith that You give, that I can then use to trust You to do all the things that I could never do for myself, but need to have done! Guard me from thinking that anything in me could please You apart from faith. You even provide that! And thank You for Your amazing grace toward me, Lord. 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 taken from the Bible Study page from our website. If you would like to read this article in its entirety, please open the Bible Study link.
https://www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com/bible-study.html Our Faithful God (II Thessalonians 3:3) II Thessalonians 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. In II Thessalonians 3:3 of our text, Paul says, “…the Lord is faithful…” That was what the people in Thessalonica needed to hear, and it is the what you and I need to hear today. These thoughts remind us that our God is The Faithful God. I need to be reminded of that fact from time to time. One example of faithfulness is “Old Faithful” in the heart of Yellowstone National Park. It erupts every 60 minutes to 2 hours. Like Old Faithful, our Heavenly Father is faithful. God will be faithful to you because He is fully committed to you. He will keep every promise He has ever made in His Word! The LORD is faithful in many ways, but here are two: 1. He is faithful to forgive. I John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Confession simply means being honest with ourselves and with God, and if others are involved, being honest with them too. God is faithful to His promises. 2. He is faithful to forget. Hebrews 8:12, For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. What comforting Scriptures! God knows everything, but there are some things He has chosen to forget. God will remember our sins no more. When He buries our sin, He chooses not to dig it up and throw it in our face. When we forgive someone, we bury the sin and we relinquish our right to dig it up and remind the person about it. It is important that we learn to forgive like Jesus and love others like He did. Prayer, Father, I can’t help but think of the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” as I think about all You have brought me through. It is true that I have faced many trials and temptations. And as I look back, I see how You protected and strengthened me every time. Thank You for Your personal care for me! Help me to remember these things as new trials and temptations present themselves in the future. 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 When God Says, Wait! (Psalm 37:1-9)
Psalm 37:1-9, Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. Waiting is one of the hardest things we try to do. So many people simply cannot wait for God to work and often take things into their own hands instead. When we seek God and His answer seems to be "wait," we don't always hear it because that answer is not the one we are seeking. Often believers view waiting on God as inactivity. But waiting is not inactive; it is pro-active. It is the believer wisely choosing not to do something blindly because he or she senses the Lord is saying "wait." If we are to follow God or hear from Him, we must be sensitive to His Spirit and discern when we are to step out in faith and when we are to wait. What God desires is that we would delight in Him. These verses list a lot of practical things we must do before God will give us what we are seeking. What are some evidences that we are not "waiting on the Lord" in our hearts (Psalm 37:1)? Fretting and being envious are evidences that we are not really waiting in our hearts. What needs to come before the Lord will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:3-5)? We must trust Him, and we must do good. We are called to delight in Him so that He can begin to shape our desires. We need to commit our way to Him and let Him do it. Delighting oneself in the Lord means to find your greatest joy and satisfaction in your personal relationship with God. Those who delight in the Lord enjoy a sense of nearness to God, and they take great pleasure in living by the truth of God’s Word. They want what God wants, so He gives them the desires of their hearts. When we delight ourselves in God and find our greatest satisfaction in His purposes for us, God Himself places the right kinds of desires within our hearts; then He fulfills them. The pivotal verse in Psalm 37 is verse7. Instead of becoming heated or stirred up over evildoers, we should calmly rest in the Lord. Rest means to be silent and still, to be quiet and to settle one’s nerves, to be at peace. It indicates the absence of emotional distress and the ability to be quiet and relax. We should rest in the confidence that God will deal with the wicked. God works according to His timetable, not ours. We need to wait patiently for Him and be at peace. Psalm 37:7, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." But why? I believe there are lessons God teaches us through waiting on Him. 1. Waiting teaches us to keep our eyes on Him, not on our circumstances. In 2018, for nine months, Joy was very ill. Through it all, learning to wait on the Lord strengthened our faith in Him and confirmed our love for one another. 2. Waiting teaches us that the giver is more important than the gift. A child who always gets what he wants when he wants it is not a grateful child and ultimately isn't happy. Waiting helps us put life in perspective, and often it causes us to come to grips with what we have rather than complaining about the things we don't have. 3. Waiting demonstrates faith in God instead of in ourselves. Waiting is a choice. It’s a decision that says, “I only want what God will provide, final!” What God provides is far greater than what we can do on our own. When you live without worry and doubt, you will come to realize the rich blessings God has given you. You will see the fruits of serving Christ. Are you waiting on the Lord for your decision? If you are not, you will find yourself making things happen on your own. Those who are unwilling to wait for God’s will are foolishly making the choice to forfeit His will. Question to Consider: Are you completely satisfied with God's blessings in your life? Point to Ponder: Every time you think about complaining, think of a praise instead. You will start developing the patience needed to live a contented life. Prayer: Father in Heaven, I trust You, and I’m going to wait for Your timing. Forgive me for the times I’ve worried and doubted You. Teach me to trust and wait for You to act. 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 Got This! (Psalm 34:17-19)
Psalm 34:17–19, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Have you ever felt like nothing in your world was going right? You may have recently experienced the absolute worst day of your life. We all have experienced troubles and know the feeling of having a "crushed spirit." When circumstances are difficult, all too often this affects our attitude towards God and can also inhibit our worship. After all, why should we worship when it seems like life is falling apart at the seams? The Psalmist gives us 3 profound reasons why we can worship the LORD even in the midst of the deepest valleys. 1. We can worship because He hears us. This does not mean He merely hears our cry, but this word implies action. God is so unlike us; when He hears, He acts. And He acts immediately! He does not sit idly by, but intervenes in even the most desperate situation. 2. We can worship in the midst of trials because we know the Lord promises to deliver us. Keep in mind, this word deliver does not mean that He will remove us from our difficulty. Isn’t it true that at times we cry out to the Lord but it seems as though our situation doesn’t change? Do not mistake unchanging circumstances for God’s lack of deliverance. His promise to deliver us is made evident in the way He sustains believers even through the hardest times. 3. Finally, when everything goes wrong, we can worship Him because the Lord is close to us. He is not a distant, uninvolved, uninterested God, but a loving Saviour whose arms reach out to us in the midst of our brokenness. Maybe you are in the midst of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, month, or even year. Maybe you feel that in the midst of a valley it’s too hard to worship. Take some time today to thank God that He hears our cries, He promises to deliver us, and we can rest assured that He remains close to us even in our darkest moments. “What we do in the crisis always depends on whether we see the difficulties in the light of God, or God in the shadow of the difficulties” G. Campbell Morgan Have you ever experienced a difficulty that inhibits your worship? Which of these three promises do you need to be reminded of; God hears your cry, God promises to deliver you, or God is near to you? PRAYER: Father, thank You for being a personal God who is involved in my life. Thank You for hearing my cries. I want to worship You in the midst of this difficult time. Help me to see that Your promise to deliver me from trouble is Your promise to see me through till the end. Thank You for being near to me, especially when I am hurting the most. 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 Men of the Bible Series: Nathan (II Samuel 12:1-7)
David was described as a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Although King David did have his weak and embarrassing moments, he died a faithful man of God. David was accompanied by three men (Samuel, Nathan, and Gad) who influenced his life. Each of these prophets gave David the LORD’s direction for his life and each one had a special place at that time in his life. He had a prophet by his side to guide him, advise him, and correct during his reign over Israel. Nathan is seen at the beginning, in the middle, and at the very end of David’s reign. This prophet’s name was Nathan. Nathan bore the responsibility of representing the will and wishes of God. Nathan was faithful to deliver God’s messages.
After reaching the apex of success and leading his nation to peace, prosperity and power, David sank into sin. David caved into a giant named lust that lived within in his heart. He committed adultery with a married woman and got her pregnant; and then in an effort to cover up that sin, David had her husband put to death. For almost a year, David kept his sin hidden within his heart. God sent Nathan the prophet, a man David respected to confront his sin. Nathan came in with a story about a rich man with many sheep who took the only lamb belonging to a poor neighbor to feed a man who was just passing through. Nathan stresses the fact that the poor man’s lamb was precious to him and represented all that he had in this world. When David heard this story, he was furious! He demanded that the rich man restore the poor man four-fold, and then he ordered the rich man to be executed. Nathan looked at him and said, “Thou art the man!” “It’s you David!” David received counsel, advice, and reproof from Nathan. What Nathan told David was not easy, however, it was from the Lord and it was what David needed (II Samuel 7:17). Sin's pleasure never outweighs its devastating consequences. Never allow the devil to deceive you concerning the devastating results of sin. Sin never has positive results. Never think for a minute that sin can be successfully hidden away forever. The reality is that there are no secret sins. God knows exactly where it is buried and when the time is right, He will place His finger right on the sore spot and He will press. He will confront that hidden sin and expose it for what it is! Please examine your life today. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
If you are ready to come to the Lord today, then do so without delay. If you are a Christian but you have been wayward in your walk with the Lord, then turn back to the Lord and be strengthened. PRAYER: Father forgive me for the faults and failures in my life. I desire to lead a holy life that brings pleasure to You. Thank You for accepting me as Your child and help lead me to a life a purity. 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: Naboth (I Kings 21:1-17)
Naboth lived in Jezreel. He owned a vineyard alongside the summer palace of Ahab, the king of Israel. This property had been in his family for generations. It was more than his inheritance; it was his heritage. Ahab was very wealthy, but all his possessions did not satisfy him, and he coveted the vineyard which belonged to Naboth. Ahab, among several other things, lacking in godliness and contentment, offered to trade Naboth his vineyard for a better vineyard, or to purchase his land. The king held a lot of power and a lot of influence. People typically did as the king requested. The vineyard, part of Naboth’s inherited property, had belonged to his ancestors for many generations, so how could he sell it? According to Leviticus 25:23-28 and Numbers 36:7, God had clearly forbidden the sale of this property. The Word of God is very clear that the king could not buy the inheritance of the people (Ezekiel 46:18). Ahab would have already known this. To his surprise and anger, Naboth refused King Ahab’s offer. Naboth told King Ahab, “The Lord forbid it me”. He refused on the grounds that God said he could not sale the land. How could he do this thing when God had already forbidden it? Naboth had the courage of his convictions. He refused to disobey God. Naboth decided some things were not for sale, regardless of who was buying or what they were willing to give for it. Compromise is always wrong when it means sacrificing a principle. You will never regret, or ever go wrong, if you allow the Bible to guide your life (Psalm 119:105; 19:8; Proverbs 3:5-6). As a result of Ahab being rejected, we see him pouting and acting like a spoilt child! Often, people sulk when they cannot have their own way! His refusal to sell would cost him his life through the devious plot of Jezebel. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, is one of the most wicked and manipulative people in the Bible. She not only wrought great evil, but she influenced Ahab to do evil. When she heard of Naboth’s refusal. She personally involved herself in the situation. Jezebel bribed two false witnesses to charge Naboth with treason, I Kings 21:11-14 (SEE Exodus 22:28; Leviticus 24:16). She falsified documents (she signed her husband’s name) and connived with two evil men to bear false witness to accuse Naboth of blaspheming the Lord. She had Naboth, a God-fearing man, stoned to death. She gained the vineyard for Ahab, and he took possession of it. Her sinister plot succeeded, and a humble servant of God was stoned to death. Ahab and Jezebel had defied the Lord, but they could not get away with it, for He is sovereign in the affairs of mankind and He always has the last word. Immediately following Jezebel’s wicked plot, the word of the Lord came to Elijah. Naboth valued what he had, and he knew the king would not. He knew that Ahab was not worthy to possess the thing Ahab had been given by God. What Naboth possessed was not his to sale anyway. What he possessed was the gift of God. Naboth was to keep the land in the family and pass it down from generation to generation. He lived and died knowing that he had done the right thing. King Ahab represents Satan, Naboth represents the Christian, and Naboth’s fathers represent God the Father. Satan wants to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10a), when it comes to purity, testimony, family, etc., Satan’s scheme is to convince the believer that what he is trading for is far better. However, it can never compare with the value of the things God has given. A godly heart never seeks retaliation or revenge. We are never to give license to do wickedness. We are always to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:18), for love demands it. Vengeance and payback can devour our hearts, causing us to ignore peace, love, and justice. As a result, we sometimes find ourselves lashing out in bitterness and hostility. A heart that is pleasing to God is one that seeks peace and brotherly love among all people everywhere. Questions to Consider: • How much is your testimony or purity worth? • In which areas of your life have you ever been discontent or perhaps even covetous? • What have you determined in your life to be not for sale? • How much is your soul worth? Nothing in this world is worth losing that (Mark 8:36-37). Points to Ponder: • Sinful men and women cannot defy God and get away with it (Numbers 32:23). • We must guard what we have at all costs. • Those who have a price are those who are willing to sell themselves if the price is right. • We all must make important decisions in life, but our spiritual decisions are the most important of all. PRAYER: LORD, thank you for everything you give me. I thankful that you do not always give me what I want because my desires would draw my heart from being satisfied in You. Help me to be content in You with what You have given me and not to be focused on what my flesh wants. 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 Three Men and Their Foolish Choices (II Corinthians 6:2)
II Corinthians 6:2, For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Every choice and decision we make we have to live with. Some of the choices and decisions we make are not so costly however when it comes to life and death and where we will spend eternity should be a decision one takes very seriously. Life is not only fleeting (short) but it is also fragile. 1. Felix Said - "Not Right Now" Acts 24:24-25, And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Rather than accepting Christ as his Lord and Saviour, Felix chose to put it off and wait for a more convenient time. This man chose not to receive but reject Christ. What a mistake he made! This foolish choice to procrastinate would become a fatal one. Deceitful people often have a way of manipulating their way around authorities. However, no one will ever be able to cheat death and the judgment. The wicked like to think that if they can avoid the Bible in this life, they are home free. Not so! It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Divine judgment awaits the sinner after his death. Men must answer to God for how they have lived here on earth. Those who die without Christ have no hope at the judgment. 2. Festus Said - "Not At All," Acts 26:24, And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. Festus’ main problem was that he never intended to hear Paul’s answer. Festus revealed how foolish he was when he opened his mouth and charged Paul with madness. Rather than getting right with God, Festus wanted to gain some personal glory with the new governor. He may have impressed his audience, however, he revealed his ignorance of God’s character. 3. Agrippa Said - "Almost" Acts 26:28, Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Agrippa came so close to accepting Christ as his Lord and Saviour, however, he too rejected Him. This proves that one can come so close and still not accept Him. Almost is good, but it’s not good enough. Those who continue to choose to grieve away the Holy Spirit; if they continue to reject the Gospel and become hard hearted; if they go unprepared into eternity, the day of salvation for them will be gone forever and no mercy will be found. God does not design to pardon men beyond the grave. There is no forgiveness for your sins after you are dead. Those who are not pardoned in this life must be unpardoned forever in an eternal Hell. If you are a Christian, the opportunity to serve Christ and tell others is now. Don't throw your opportunities away. Now is the acceptable time to serve the Lord. Make your time count for Christ. Prayer, Father, may I live a life of Your guiding light, love, and lowliness that others would want to call upon Jesus for salvation without any hesitation. 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 - Samuel (I Samuel 9:6; 25:1)
I Samuel 9:6, And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. I Samuel 25:1, And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. Samuel is first called a “man of God.” He is described as honorable. Everything he said came to pass. He also is called a Seer, which means one who ‘perceived’ or ‘saw’ spiritually. It came to be another name for a prophet which Samuel came more commonly to be called. Samuel served God his entire life and it began from the time he was a child. God honored the life and legacy of Samuel he was honored and respected throughout his life (I Samuel 9:6; 25:1). Samuel was wise and godly and maintained a close and personal walk with the Lord. As a child, Samuel served the Lord (I Samuel 3:21). While in his mother’s (Hannah) womb Samuel was dedicated to the Lord. As soon as she weened him, she brought him to the Temple to Eli (I Samuel 1:27-28). The name Samuel means “asked of God”. Hannah knew that he was a gift and a responsibility from God. God used him in a special way because He honored Hannah’s faith and commitment. As a young child, Samuel heard God’s calling on his life and answered Him when he was a young child. Three times the Scriptures reveal that he ministered being a child (I Samuel 2:11, 18: 3:1). The word minister means to serve; to attend as a servant. When you walk in wisdom, you are bringing honor to your parents and placing yourself in position to receive God’s blessings. Samuel was dedicated to the Lord as a child by his God-fearing mother. While the world is fascinated by achievements and records of men, God is interested in the character of a person. 1.Samuel was a Man of Prayer. Samuel, like his mother was a prayer warrior. The power of a praying parent lasts long after children have left the home. Samuel faithfully prayed for Israel. When the nation’s back was against the wall it was Samuel who prayed all night long for God to intercede and the Lord answered his prayers. 2.Samuel was a Man of Praise. When the Philistines had stolen the Ark of God, it was Samuel who led the people in prayer and when the Ark was returned, he led them in praises. The Ark of God was symbolic of God’s presence, power, and promise. 3.Samuel was a Man of Perception. Samuel had the privilege of anointing one of Israel’s most godly kings. When Samuel anointed David, he was pouring out the power of God on him. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil symbolized the setting a part of a person for divine service. When God calls, He equips for service. If God wants you to do something for Him, He will give you the ability and strength to do it. The key trait is to be willing. When the servant of God is in the will of God, God solves the problems. God will supply your needs (Philippians 4:19). Samuel established an intimate relationship with God, and he enjoyed a lifetime of fellowship with the Lord. Samuel heard the message because his obedient heart was in harmony with the heart of God. God wants us to pursue close fellowship with Him. He wants us to spend time in the Scriptures, in supplications and in the sanctuary. We should approach the Bible with the mind set as Samuel (I Samuel 3:9), always ready to hear and respond to prompting of the Holy Spirit. We need more men of God like Samuel who stand firm as circumstances close in around them. Even when confronted with an entire nation's wishes and mounting pressure to pursue a path different from God's direction, Samuel maintained an unwavering stand in the name of the Lord. Because we are always one generation away from complete ignorance of the Lord, it is vital that men like Samuel assume the role for which they have been called as men of God. What is bred into youth always shows up in adulthood. Children who grow up serving the Lord do not look at ministry as an interruption or interference when they become adults. What the church needs today is more children who will serve more than idly sit by. May God give us men who would establish a relationship with Him early in their lives, and who serve the Lord all the days of their lives. May God give us more godly leaders who would be a guiding light to minister to us as the days grow darker. Without godly leaders, God's people will go astray. They have no models of righteousness. They have no one to teach them how to live consistent Christian lives. God expects His men to lead consistent Christ-like lives before Him for His people. For the purpose that they will know how to live and to lead exemplary lives in our families, churches, neighborhoods, and places of employment. PRAYER: Father, let me begin today by honoring You as my heavenly Father. Thank You for the parents You gave me. Thank You for the gifts and lessons You brought into my life through them. In Jesus name, AMEN. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
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
April 2024
Categories |