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. 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 be turned 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, His word, and His promises to come to this type of decision! The reason Paul was willing to sacrifice even his life was in order 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 28th 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 of whom we ministered to are in the ministry today, leading and ministering others. On the 1st of June 2016, the Lord led us to Fellowship Baptist Church in Carrabelle, Florida. Over these 7 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
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Men of the Bible Series: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18, 28)
Daniel 3:16-18, 28, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” Two boys entered the dentist's office. One of the boys said, "Doc, will you pull a tooth right this minute?" The dentist replied, "You don't need any gas or Novocain?" The boy said, "Nope! Just one big yank!" The doctor replied, "Sure! That's what I call being brave and courageous. Now show me the tooth you want pulled." The boy turned to his little brother and said, "Come here Jimmy and show the Doc your tooth." We are brave for others but struggle sometimes to have our own courage. There Hebrew names were, Hananiah (the Lord is gracious), Mishael (who is like God), and Azariah (the Lord has helped). They were good friends of Daniel. They were intelligent, courageous, devoted to the Lord, and uncompromising in their faith. They all excelled in Babylon until the day they refused to bow down to a ninety-foot tall golden statue of the King. Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to be thrown into a fiery furnace. The Hebrews responded that their God could deliver them from the fiery furnace, but if He didn’t, they still would not bow to any statue or any other god. This made the king furious, and he ordered them to be thrown into the furnace. These three Hebrews had genuine courage and confidence in the Lord. As a result, the Lord delivered them and the king praised the LORD God of Israel, Who was far greater than any god in Babylon. Being accused by these influential people (the astrologers) did not frighten these young men into compromising their faith. Neither did the king’s angry threats cause them to compromise their faith. Without hesitation, they boldly expressed their loyalty to the one true God. God had given them the strength to do the right thing, and they were completely confident that He would protect them (Psalm 46:1; 56:4). They knew that God’s judgment against sin and disobedience was far worse than anything people could do to them (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). They also knew that God’s love and power to save them was greater than any power that man could provide to destroy them. They knew that their God was able to save them from the fiery furnace. In fact, they were casting themselves upon the Lord to rescue them. But even if the Lord chose not to deliver them, they still could not betray Him. The minds of the three Hebrew men were made up! These men had genuine courage and faith. They would not bend, bow, budge or break. They were not bound, burnt, nor bothered. It has been said, “If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.” God wants us to make up our minds to live for Him! We need to make that decision now before we are tested. Trials will come. Our attitude should be that of Job 13:15, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” From the earliest days of childhood, all three of these young men had made the Word of God the center of their lives. These three young men faced the ultimate test of their faith. They either had to disobey the Lord or disobey the king. And their decision was a matter of life or death. Their first loyalty belonged to the Lord. They loved and believed in the Lord and knew Him in a very personal way. They risked their lives and experienced the sustaining power and presence of God in the flames. When you honor the LORD, He comes close to you in the middle of a crisis. These servants of God were not saved from going in the furnace, they were sustained in it and God did not let it destroy them. There are many times that God allows us to go through great affliction, but His grace sustains us and the trial does not destroy us. There are some that God allows to be a martyr for their faith. Our job is to be faithful until the end and leave the results in the hands of God. Jesus was in the fire with them (Hebrews 13:5). It was during the severest trial of their life that God made His presence known to these men. Their fellowship would be wonderful, and no doubt it was the closet they had ever been to Jesus. Their heart would be overflowing with joy. Though we do not ask for the trial that we go through, we can always rejoice in the way God meets our needs and helps us to draw closer to Him in the process. God's grace is always greater than the trial that you are going through. His grace is not only sufficient, but it is abundant. Their faith was unconditional, no matter the outcome. Even if God did not rescue them in this particular situation, they refused to deny Him. Having faith does not mean we will always be spared from trouble. It takes more faith to stick with God through difficulty and danger than it does to escape the situation altogether. In a world that constantly pressures us to deny our faith and compromise our commitment to God, we must always remember that if we are ashamed of Him on earth, He will be ashamed of us on judgment day (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26). But if we stand strong and boldly live for God in this life, He will stand with us both now and forever. When our faith is tested, we must continue to trust the Lord. Even if the test is a matter of life or death for us, we are never to deny the Lord. We must entrust the keeping of our souls totally into God’s hands. No matter how strong the temptation or how difficult the trial, God expects us to continue to believe and trust Him. Our faith is not to waiver, nor collapse, but rather remain strong. Through faith, we can overcome all the tests and trials of life. We will never know the true strength of our faith until it is tested. Prayer: Father in Heaven, I know strength and help comes from You. Thank You for giving me courage under fire when serving You gets hard. Help me to continue to stand for You in life’s fiery trials. 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 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 to 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 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 was 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 Samuel was a gift and a responsibility from God. God used Samuel 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. 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 has 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 apart 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 to 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 same mindset 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 are more children who will serve more that 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 Men of the Bible Series - Onesimus (Philemon 11-12)
Philemon 11-12, “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels.” Philemon is one of Paul’s four prison letters. The other prison epistles are Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. It’s one of four personal letters to individuals written by Paul. The others are I Timothy, II Timothy and Titus. Philemon is the shortest of Paul’s epistles, but in just 25 short verses, Philemon mentions 11 people and makes many spiritual applications and is filled with numerous doctrines, particularly, the doctrine of imputation. In Philemon we see a slave named Onesimus. He was owned by Philemon. Philemon was a wealthy Colossian believer. He was a longtime friend of Paul. Onesimus left Philemon and he fled to Rome. Perhaps he fled to Rome because of its population, he believed he would never be found. On his way to Rome, he crossed paths with Paul and this resulted in him being saved. We do not know exactly how their paths crossed. This we do know, that at some time Onesimus accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour (Philemon 10). Upon hearing his testimony, Paul realized that he knew Onesimus’ master and decided to send him back to Philemon. By all rights, Philemon could have had Onesimus put to death. But Paul would write a letter to Philemon explaining what had happened to Onesimus so that upon Onesimus’ return there would be no hostility. Onesimus then took this letter and journeyed back to Colossae, to the home of Philemon. Before Onesimus became a Christian, he was unprofitable (Philemon 11). He was inefficient and unfavorable to Philemon. After Onesimus’ conversion and transformation he was highly beneficial (Colossians 4:9). Onesimus became fit for the Master’s use (II Timothy 2:21). Onesimus’ name means profitable. God can save that person and make them into something great for His glory and use. That person is very profitable for the ministry. God did not save us to sit, but to serve. But Paul wrote Philemon to let him know that Onesimus was profitable for him. Onesimus’ transformation was so powerful that Paul stated in his letter that he desired to keep Onesimus with him to serve with him in the ministry (Philemon 13). Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not as a servant, but as a brother beloved (Philemon 16). Paul requested Philemon to treat Onesimus as he would treat Paul himself (Philemon 12). Not only because of what Christ had done for the both of them, but because of what Paul had done for them. If Onesimus still owed Philemon anything that he couldn’t work out, then Philemon was put it on Paul’s account. In this epistle, we see Jesus as the payer of our sin-debt. How undeserving we are of God’s grace and mercy. Through this epistle we see what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. We had a debt that we owed to God that we could not pay (Romans 5:12). Because Jesus never sinned, He could pay it and did pay it. Impute means to put on someone's account; to charge something to another’s account. Imputation is the act of God whereby our sins are put on Christ’s account and His righteousness is put on our account. When a person trusts Jesus for salvation, Jesus takes their sins upon His record and then places His righteousness upon their record. Just as it is with our sins, they have been charged to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ taking our sins and allowing our sins to be charged to Him. If we take it for what it means, it can affect our lives in understanding how much the Lord Jesus Christ loves us. Just as Jesus willingly paid our debt for offenses against God to free us from slavery to sin, Paul expressed the same character that Jesus showed by offering Himself as a substitute for Onesimus’ debt. Paul truly imitated Jesus and lived what he preached (I Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1). One of the most rewarding experiences in the Christian life is the privilege of introducing others to Jesus. Those who actively communicate their faith both in actions and words are fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission to take His message to all the world (Matthew 28:19). Anyone who has had the opportunity to lead another person to faith in Jesus Christ knows the tremendous sense of joy, purpose and fulfillment that comes from helping someone enter a personal relationship with God. Leading others to Christ is perhaps the highest good we can do for them in this life. Jesus placed your sins on His account. If you go to the LORD, He will take Christ’s righteousness, which is perfect, and He will accredit it to your account. Because Christ’s righteousness is placed on your account, you’ll never stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), not because you’re sinless, but because of your account. If you will receive Jesus Christ (Gospel), He will accredit your account with perfection because He has already accredited your sin onto Jesus Christ. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, call upon Him right now. Jesus earnestly wants to impute your sin to His record and impute His righteousness to your record. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Jesus to pay for our sins that we would be made righteous in Your sight. Please help me to be profitable to You and to Your people as I do Your work, 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 absolutely 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, 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 was in need, he sought to help them. 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 to the ark(Genesis 6:16), so there is only one way to God, that is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Once the door of the ark 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). Points to Ponder:
Questions 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 from 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 Men of the Bible Series - Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:1-4) – PART 2
Nehemiah 6:1-4, “Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.” Nehemiah was doing a great work for God and he faced great trials as he did it. The trials were both internal and external in nature. We see that the enemies saw the rapid progress and resorted to offer a compromise to try to slow the work down and eventually stop it from its intended purpose. They did not have a change of heart, only a change of strategy in their effort to stop Nehemiah. Compromise has crippled many local churches, softened many pulpits, and undermined many homes. The righteous remnant must seek God with all their heart as we need a heaven-sent revival more than ever. When we decide to live for God on a higher level, the Devil uses every weapon in his arsenal to derail us. As Nehemiah lead his people to rebuild the wall, we see Satan's weapons of external opposition from pagan enemies and internal opposition in the form of dissension. According to Revelation 12:12, the devil knows his time is getting shorter and shorter. The closer we get to completing what God has called us to do, the more intense and sophisticated the wiles of the Devil become. Bible believing local churches are completely different than the world. The world and the true church are, by the nature of them, irreconcilably opposed to each other. This opposition arises not from the things they do or do not do, but from two opposing spirits which dwell in them. Focus is very important, and we need to rebuild the walls of focus as God’s people and as families. It is so easy to lose focus and get distracted. Distractions are costly and detrimental to churches, individuals, and families. Distractions in the church can cost people their souls. Jesus calls for us to faithfully follow Him and keep our eyes on Him. We are to look to, learn from, and live for Jesus. Distractions are part of life; it is how we deal with the distractions and learn from the them that will make us or break us. This would not come without opposition from his enemies and his own brethren. Nehemiah knew this was birthed from the Lord and would bless future generation, so he was willing to obey the Lord regardless of the hostility from naysayers. When we’re taking a project for God, we understand that not everything is going to go as we would plan. In fact, there is going to be opposition from within your own people and from outsiders. At all times, the enemy was present and persistent (Nehemiah 6:4-5). Vision always attracts criticism. Critics will always resist change. Critics associate with other critics. Critics fail to see God’s hand in the work. You know you’re doing the Lord’s work when opposition comes. According to the Scriptures, some things are worth fighting for (I Timothy 6:12). When Paul spoke of the ministry, he stated “so fight I” (I Corinthians 9:26), and he did so until the very end of his life (II Timothy 4:7). We are in a spiritual fight, and we have been instructed to take and put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11, 13). Those who truly try to live a life based on faith in Christ and the assurance of His Word will often face ridicule and rejection. One reason unbelievers will oppose those who serve the Lord is because of the moral standards of the Christian life. Unbelievers will criticize a Christian’s devotion to the Lord Jesus. Unfortunately, you will see more and more of this kind of persecution take place publicly in our day in which we live. It’s been said, “Many professing Christians evidence little interest in the things of God. They do not read their Bibles or pray, they seldom attend church services, and they have no interest in missions and other efforts to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Their interests are instead in such things as politics, sports, and making money. They get so wrapped up in these pursuits of the flesh that they have no concern about God’s work and the things of God.” Point to Ponder: God is always faithful to do His part; we must be faithful to do our part. We need to pray that the Lord will help us understand distractions and deal with distractions in a godly manner. God is looking for his children to rise up and meet the great challenge of the hour and serve him with all our heart. Question to Consider: When is the last time we have wept over the condition of the church? What are some areas in your life that you struggle with distractions the most? Are you willing to take your stand and serve God without compromise? PRAYER: Father, as this present world in which I live in is opposed to Your message and morals, help me to remain focused and faithful to fulfilling Your Great Commission. 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 - Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-2) – PART 1
Though Nehemiah held a prestigious position in the Babylonian court, his desire was to be in Jerusalem. Hanani had reported that Jerusalem’s walls were broken and the gates destroyed, and Nehemiah knew that meant invaders could easily destroy what was left in Jerusalem. As long as his people in Jerusalem lived in danger, his heart would remain broken. As a result, Nehemiah immediately mourned, wept, and prayed. The Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer. Keep in mind that the Lord may not answer our prayers immediately, but He always answers them in time. He was granted permission to go to his homeland, with provisions to carry along the journey for the building project, and security to give them safe passage. Nehemiah and his people had one purpose in rebuilding the wall—their city would no longer be a reproach, or disgrace, to their God. The Israelites wanted to rebuild the walls to bring glory to the name of God. In the same way, if we are to be motivated to make a difference in our churches, it must be to bring glory to the name of God. There are times when our heart will be broken for someone, a group of people or a cause which will lead us to intercessory prayer. It is during this time of prayer when our hearts are tender that God will place a desire in our heart to do something in the form of ministry that will help meet the great need that we are burdened about. God will mold the tender heart and guide us so that we may glorify Him in the service that He leads us to. The time of sadness may be great, but the surrender it leads to will bring eternal fruit for the glory of God. More than thirty times in the book of Nehemiah you will find the word repair. They were repairing something that had been built at one time. They were taking the rubbish (the scraps) and rebuilding them. Just as God takes those pieces of our life that we have broken or messed up and He repairs them and puts them back together again. Each of us has a mission in the Great Commission. That is building lives within the body of Christ for the glory of God. We see this every day, lives totally ruined by sin. In the ministry, we are taking old broken lives, homes, and hearts and letting God put them together. We are rebuilding lives as Nehemiah rebuilt the wall. There will be areas of your wall that have to be maintained. There will be parts of your life that are much stronger than others, while some areas are hurting, injured, and in need of repair. Since constructing a wall is a continual maintenance it is something you must continually work on. If you neglect the maintenance, it will break and once the wall is broken your protection is gone. God desires to see strong, spiritual walls in our lives. Three examples of these are strength, stability, and separation. Strength: How can I fight the good fight of faith against Satan and his attacks? Stability: What are some areas in my life that I can grow and become more stable in my walk with the Lord? Separation: How can we become more separated from worldliness and set apart for God’s service? May we continue to work faithfully even when unbelievers argue. Keep in mind, we are working for God, not the enemy. Nehemiah challenges us that we may be productive in our service for God. He expressed many practical lessons that will help us be more effective servants in a local church ministry. It is important that all Christians grow to maturity and become the Christian that God wants them to be. Nehemiah was a great leader and motivator of God’s people. He overcame opposition to get the job done. He knew it was going to take time and effort, so he counted the cost (Luke 14:26-33). What seemed to be an impossibility (Nehemiah 1:3; 2:13-14, 17; 4:2) turned into a great miracle (Nehemiah 6:15). The Lord had put in Nehemiah’s heart a desire to rebuild the wall at Jerusalem. Nehemiah had a great burden for the work that needed to be done. He had many blessings to help get him to this point, but there was still much work to do, There is much work that goes into any ministry for God. In starting a new ministry or a church there must be much planning, prayer, and preparation, but if one does not put in the persistent hard work then all that was done beforehand will not amount to anything. Ask the LORD to give you a servant’s heart and seek to serve Him in every assignment. We never know what impact might result from our labor of love. Point to Ponder: Lord give me a broken heart for broken lives. God desires to see strong spiritual walls. Our first step in spiritual wall-building must be a burden for others. Question to Consider: If God were to begin a revival with you, where would He need to start? How do you respond when you become aware of broken spiritual walls? When you see a job to be done at your church, what is your response? PRAYER: Heavenly Father, use me and help me to serve You with a with willing and tender heart; help me to pursue a deeper walk with You. I want to be a good and faithful servant when I stand before Your throne. Thank You Lord that in Your grace You have sustained me. Help me not to strive in the flesh instead of resting in You and letting Your Holy Spirit live and work through me. I pray for strength as I labor that I would not get weary. Help me to love people the way You do. 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: 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, advise, and correct him during his reign over Israel. Nathan is seen at the beginning, in the middle, and at the very end of David’s reign. He 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 stressed 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 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 lead me to a life of 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 has 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 spoiled 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 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 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 attacking out of 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 am 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 |
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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