|
What Pleases God (John 8:29) PART 1
John 8:29, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” As believers, our aim in service to the Lord is to please Him in all that we do. May we be faithful to please Him rather than bringing pleasure to ourselves or any other. The most miserable type of person is the one whose life is lived to please self. If we want to please God, we must find out what pleases Him. The Bible has much to say about this, here are a few:
1. Giving to Missions. (Philippians 4:18). Philippians 4:18, “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” Paul tells the Philippians that their giving was an act of worship to God and He was well pleased with their worship. The Philippians gave out of their poverty. Their gift was an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. It was received and honored by the Lord Jesus Christ. Our giving and supporting the work of the Lord is indeed an act of worship to the Lord. Paul describes their giving as being “well pleasing to God.” It amazes me that we can bless God by our obedience, faithfulness, and sacrifice. The Lord Jesus is pleased with our sacrifice that is motivated by our love for Him, our obedience to Him, and our concern for His people and His work. In Philippians 4:15, the words "giving and receiving" are business terms referring to the credit and debit side of a ledger. It was as if Paul was saying to them, "No other church opened an account with me except you." The fruit of his ministry would bring reward to the church at Philippi in the present and at the Judgment Seat of Christ. In Philippians 4:17, the term "abound to your account" is a money market term. It means "interest which may be accumulated in your account." Paul's motive was not to seek a gift, but fruit on the spiritual account of the Philippian believers. He "desired" this fruit for them which means "he craved" for it. In Philippians 4:16, Paul indicated that they sent support to Paul not just once, but twice. The gift they sent was intended to be a benefit for the receiver, but was an even greater benefit to the giver. Spiritual fruit and blessings were credited to the account of the Philippian church. They gave to Paul and received blessings for doing so. Notice the words, "I am full." Paul was saying, "I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied. I have been filled, and at present, I'm well supplied." Their offering was a sacrifice that was well-pleasing to God. Gifts to the Lord's work are considered as an offering to God Himself. In God's economy, what we withhold withers; what we scatter, gathers; what's laid aside, spoils; what we release, returns. When we fill another's need, God fills our needs. The Philippians were known for their fruitful sacrifice. They sent a full supply, a faithful servant, and they sent a fruitful sacrifice that was well pleasing to God. God was well pleased with the giving of the Philippians. Paul compares it to an Old Testament sacrifice which a person offered up to God. The person's sacrificial commitment to God was just like the pleasant smell of the animal sacrifice: it was acceptable. The sacrificial commitment was a sweet, or pleasant smell to God. So it was and is with sacrificial giving. The commitment of the gift is acceptable to God just like the pleasant smell of an animal sacrifice. There is nothing you can do to make God more pleased with you than to be generous. Whenever we help others, especially those who minister to others, we are presenting a sweet-smelling offering to God. God is pleased with a giving church and God’s power is on a giving church. Giving churches are made up of giving Christians. We need to have faith in the Lord to take care of us as we seek to take care of others. When David Livingstone went to Africa, a Scotch woman who saved thirty pounds came and presented to him this gift. She said, "I want you to save yourself needless toil and exposure by hiring a servant who will go with you wherever you go and share your sacrifices and dangers." With this offering, David Livingstone hired, Sebantino, a faithful servant and friend. Later in Livingstone's journeys, when he was in the heart of Africa, a lion attacked Livingstone, threw him down, and crushed the bones in his left arm, but Sebantino, at the risk of his own life, saved the missionary. Just think, what would have happened if the Scottish woman had never given the love offering to Livingstone? Many would not have heard the Gospel. How many will not hear the Gospel today because of the neglect of giving to missionaries? We are to give faithfully to the Lord’s work of furthering the Gospel, out of a heart of worship to our Lord who gave Himself for our sins. PRAYER: Lord, I want to live a life that brings pleasure to You. May it be well pleasing in Your sight. 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
0 Comments
This morning’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study. You can view this current study in its entirety by visiting this sites Bible Study link.
Our Standing Before God (Ephesians 1:4-7) Ephesians 1:4-7, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Understanding the riches we have in Christ. The hidden riches of Christ are available to you and me, but to find them we have to open the letter of Ephesians. It is here, in this letter, that we find the description of the riches we have in Jesus Christ. Christ's death on the cross appeased the requirements of His Father, in that it abolished sin once and for all. We cannot fully fathom all that Christ has done for us, but Scripture teaches that through His death, we’ve been redeemed, forgiven, justified, and reconciled. We are redeemed! In redemption, the sinner stands before God as a slave to sin who has been given his freedom. Romans 6:22, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Now that we are no longer enslaved to sin, we can serve God, thereby producing fruit unto holiness. Who we serve determines the fruit we bear. Whatever we do in life results in fruit. If we sin, there will be the resulting fruit of sin. If we live for and serve the Lord, there will be a resulting fruit. We are forgiven! In forgiveness, the sinner stands before God as a debtor whose debt has been paid in full and forgotten. Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” The price of salvation is extremely high. This price includes the blood of Jesus Christ. No wonder Peter calls it the "precious blood of Christ" (I Peter 1:19). This opens the door of salvation to everyone. Some think they are too great a sinner to be saved. But no one is too great a sinner for the grace of God. God's grace can save any sinner. "The riches of his grace" are so great that God can, through His grace, redeem any sinner who comes to Him for salvation. We are justified! In justification, the sinner stands before God as a condemned sinner who has been declared righteous. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Salvation is through Jesus Christ. This is great news for the believer. Salvation removes forever the Divine condemnation upon the saved one for their sin. When a person trusts Christ as Savior, the condemnation is forever removed immediately. We are reconciled! In reconciliation, the sinner stands before God as an enemy who has become God’s friend. II Corinthians 5:18, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” Reconciliation is a work of God through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation involves the whole work of the Gospel. It all revolves around Christ. Leave Him out and you will not have any reconciliation. An old Navajo Indian became rich when oil was found on his property. He took all the money and put it in a bank. His banker became familiar with the habits of this old gentleman. Every so often, the Navajo would show up at the bank and say to the banker, “Grass all gone, sheep all sick, water holes all dry.” Without a word, the banker would take the old Navajo into the vault, show him several bags of silver dollars, and say, “All this is yours.” The old man would spend about an hour stacking up the dollars and counting them. Then he’d return the bags to their places, come out of the vault, and say, “Grass all green, sheep all well, water holes all full.” It is amazing the change that comes over us when we simply review our resources and count our blessings. That is where true encouragement is found—in an honest accounting of the Father’s limitless resources and blessings, made available to us in Christ. Are you enjoying your inheritance? Every morning, when the sunlight opens our eyes, our first thought should be, “I’m a child of the Father! I’ve been chosen by Him to be a member of His family! His peace, His joy, and His love are my legacy, my inheritance—and I can draw upon His riches every moment of every day, no matter what my circumstances may be.” We do not have to live a life of defeat in sin. We can live a victorious Christian life, a holy life, blameless, having a good testimony. Prayer, Father, thank You for always seeing in me what others may never see and for giving me the strength and desire to serve You. Help me to utilize these truths for the purpose of ministering to others. Please show me how I can actively and passionately engage in the ministry opportunities You have sovereignly placed around me. Give me eyes to recognize these opportunities, a heart dependent on You, and a desire to come alongside people in my life to help them grow into a deeper relationship with You. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This morning’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study. You can view this current study in its entirety by visiting this sites Bible Study link.
The Blue-Prints for Life (Proverbs 16:9) Proverbs 16:9, “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on material, or how many contractors you schedule, or how many hours you invest into a building, if you do not have the right blue-prints for the construction, you will waste your time. No one would flippantly start a building project without securing the appropriate plans. Such a strategy would bring chaos and confusion. Intentions are wonderful, but intention without preparation is futile. Let’s face it, buildings need blue-prints…the same is true with our lives. God has given us the blue-prints for spiritual success. He doesn’t expect us to live for Him without proper instruction. He has a set of signed and sealed plans known as the Word of God. These plans provide the foundation and framework for faithful living. How absurd would it be to go to the local hardware store and spend thousands of dollars on material without knowing the design? The same holds true in the spiritual realm. Don’t expect to build a life of honor and glory without referring to God’s specific plans. Measure your life by His Word, and God will provide a good place to live. We are a society of planners. From daily schedules to five-year goals, we carefully map out our paths, hoping to design a life of success and happiness. Yet, how often do we pause and ask, “Is this my plan, or is this His?” True peace comes when we align our plans with His. His way is always best, even if we can’t see the destination just yet. It’s not wrong to plan. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us that “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” But problems arise when we rely solely on our own understanding and fail to consult God. How many times have we pursued a path that, despite being meticulously calculated, didn’t pan out as we hoped? It’s humbling to recognize that even our best-laid plans are limited by our own perspective. God’s plans, on the other hand, are far greater than anything we could imagine. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” His divine purpose is not only comprehensive but also lovingly crafted for our fullest good. The truth is, relinquishing control is difficult. There's always an urge to hold tightly to what feels safe and familiar. But trusting in God’s sovereignty requires surrender. It’s a daily, intentional choice to release our grip and invite Him to guide our steps. The Lord directs people’s steps one step at a time. The use of the word steps emphasizes that God works in the details of people’s lives. He has not only a destination for people, but also a plan to take them there. Yet God does not reveal in advance the entirety of His plan for an individual’s life; He only reveals the next step. Today, reflect on the plans you’re holding tightly to. Have you invited God into the process? Are you listening for His voice, or are you pushing forward on your own? Take heart in the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Even Christians, routinely come up with their own plans. Though we often come up with our own plans, it is God who establishes our way. Although we often flop, when God directs our way, the plans work out. God’s way is best; His way always works. Our need is to crucify the pride of our own way and let God direct our paths. Prayer: Father in Heaven, I know You love me and it amazes me that You made plans for me before the foundations of the world. Thank You Father for caring for me. I know the thoughts and plans You have for me are for Your glory and for my good. Whatever I may face today, I can expect that You are working for good in all of it. So I’m going to step forward in faith, trusting You in all things and seeking to cooperate fully with Your plans for me. I know I can’t imagine all the good You have planned for my life, but I also know it’s all coming in Jesus’ name, so I can say, amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Honor God…and He Will Honor You (I Samuel 2:30)
I Samuel 2:30, “Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” A profound principle, which extends to this day remains: those that honor the Lord, will be honored. Those who have little regard for Him and His precepts will receive little esteem from Him. God blesses those who honor Him and at the least withholds His blessing from those who ignore Him. In 2004, Chinese athlete Liu Xiang won Olympic glory for his nation as the gold medalist in the 110-meter hurdles. After his victory, he was acknowledged as the first male Chinese-born track and field Olympic champion. However, if you were to go to Weifang in Shandong, you’d find a monument to another son of China who won track and field gold 80 years earlier. That monument is the burial site of Eric Liddell. Liddell was the son of Scottish missionaries who competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics for the United Kingdom. But Liddell was born in Tianjin, China, and later died in a Japanese incarceration camp near Weifang during World War II. His picture is mounted there on a lamppost, and a large granite stone is inscribed with his achievements. There are a number of reasons to remember Liddell. As this summer commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the 1924 Paris Olympics, we look back on his triumphant victory there in the 400 meters. That story begins in his rivalry with fellow British sprinter Harold Abrahams, the two entering the Olympics as favorites in both the 100 meters and 200 meters. However, Liddell dropped out of a mete for the 100 meters because it was run on Sunday (a race Abrahams later won). Liddell’s decision to skip those races for his religious convictions was immortalized in the movie Chariots of Fire. Leaving his young son in boarding school in Great Britain was the hardest thing Rev. James Dunlop Liddell, Scottish missionary to China, had ever done. But Eric thrived like a hare in the highlands. He studied hard. He loved sports, particularly rugby. He joined a Bible study, faithfully attended church, and became a member of the Crusader Christian Union. He also began his lifelong habit of early morning Bible reading and prayer. Eric advanced to the university, joined the track team, and won races like a thoroughbred. Every week he brought home more prizes and trophies until he soon ran out of storage space. His legs became a Scottish national treasure, and all the world followed him to the 1924 Olympics. All the while, Eric’s Christian life continued on the fast track as well, and his newly-found fame gave plenty of opportunities for preaching and witnessing. At the Paris Olympics, his faith was put to the test when his chosen venue, the 100-meter race, was scheduled for Sunday. Eric, who didn’t believe in competing on the Lord’s Day, opted out. In spite of pressure and criticism, he instead entered the 400-meter run that was on a different day, as the world watched and wondered at this unusual young man. Perhaps an even greater reason to remember Liddell is his decision to lay aside his athletic career for a higher calling. After returning from Olympic triumph in Paris to overwhelming popular adulation, he shocked everyone by announcing his intention to return to China as a missionary. In an age when sports were becoming ever more popular in Britain, many argued he could reach more people at home than abroad. Indeed, the Sunday after he returned from Paris to preach in a Scottish church, the pews were filled with people. Liddell preached on Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” It was acceptable that staying in Britain and continuing his athletic career might fit hand-in-glove with Liddell’s desire to preach the gospel. When asked why he’d give up such an opportunity, he’d simply reply, “Because I believe God made me for China.” The next summer, he traveled the Trans-Siberian railway overland from Europe through Russia and down to China. He would serve there for 20 years as a missionary. In his dressing room, just before the race, Eric unfolded a small bit of paper that had been given to him by the team masseur. It read, “In the old book it says ‘He that honors me I will honor.’ Wishing you the best of success always.” Eric knew the verse very well. It was I Samuel 2:30. He smiled and made up his mind that, win or lose, he would honor God, and that he did. I Samuel 2:30 played an important role in the life of Eric Liddell. He and the Lord had honored each other. He won the gold medal. His time that day was 47.6 seconds. He set a new world record. The Lord had blessed him with speed like a stallion. God's Word is clear; those who honor Him will be honored, and those who despise Him will be held in low esteem. God honors and blesses faithfulness. God places great merit on faithfulness. He is looking for men and women faithful to Him. Proverbs 20:6, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” I Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” God is looking for faithful men like:
Points to Ponder: God places great merit on faithfulness. He is looking for men and women faithful to Him (Proverbs 20:6; I Corinthians 4:2). Honor God and He will honor you and your faithfulness to Him. Questions to Consider: Are you faithful, or a failure in obedience to the Lord? Are you honoring the Lord with your life? How will you choose to honor the Lord today? PRAYER: Lord, I want You to know how important You are in my life, so I come to You now, giving You the first portion of my day. Help me to honor You in attitude and actions today. 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 Is Jesus LORD of Your House? (Joshua 24:15)
Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-18, “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: And the Lord drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God.” The call to Israel was to make a decision for the Lord. Note the word "now" in Joshua 24:14, this indicates that the Lord's personal message to Israel had now ended and that Joshua himself was giving the exhortation to the Israelites. Up to this point, Joshua had been preaching the prophetic message of the Lord, but now he shared from his own heart. This is his final message to the people, the last opportunity he would ever have to extend an invitation, to call the people to make a decision for God. This is one of the most straightforward invitations ever given, one of the most clear-cut decisions ever presented to a people. Remember, we become like what we worship. True worship will make us like God. The strong exhortation was straightforward. Joshua challenged the people to take immediate action, to get right with God (Joshua 24:14). Two actions were necessary. The people must "fear" the Lord; the people must serve the Lord, putting away all false gods and false worship. The Lord alone was to be served—wholly. There was no neutral ground. Note that Joshua actually charged the people to put away false gods and false worship. Remember it had been over twenty years since Joshua had led the Israelites in the conquest of the promised land (Joshua 23:1-2). This was an exhortation that would be needed down through the generations and an exhortation that God's people still need today, no matter who they are or in what generation they are living. It is a warning that is constantly needed by the believer. The decision to be made was plain and pure; choose this day whom you will serve. The false gods of your forefathers or the Lord, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). The response called for involves two strong confessions from a person (Joshua 24:16-18). Would the Israelites make these confessions of loyalty and allegiance to the Lord? Would they make a total commitment to Him? The people made a strong confession never to forsake the Lord (Joshua 24:16-18). They declared that they would never turn away from the Lord, never commit apostasy against Him. They declared that they would serve the Lord Who had saved them out of the slavery of Egypt, Who had led them through the wilderness wanderings or journeys, Who had had protected them from all the enemies of this world, Who had given them victory over all enemies of the promised land. They declared that they would serve the God Who saves His people, Who guides His people. Who protects His people. They declared that they would serve the God who gives victory over all enemies as a person walks throughout life. The Israelites made a strong confession of renewed dedication. They recommitted themselves to serve the Lord. In this confession, they were renewing their commitment and covenant with God. There was a local church that sponsored a family day for the community. The entire day was committed to the promotion of family time and family values. Many of the couples came down with their children and prayed to be more committed one to another. After the service one couple noticed that their little four-year old boy was sitting on the pew crying. When they asked him what was wrong he said, “The preacher said he wanted me to be raised in a Christian home…but I want to stay with you guys”. Interestingly enough, there are many Christians who do not have Christian homes. Just because believers live in a house together does not necessarily mean that the home has a Christian environment. A Christian home embraces God’s design for the family. A Christian home loves and honors one another. A Christian home has the Word of God as its defense. A Christian home has a spirit of harmony and grace. A Christian home prays together and seeks God’s will together. No, a Christian home is not a perfect place; but it does attempt to live by the blueprints given in God’s Word. Do you have a Christian home? We understand the great need of having Jesus Christ as the Lord of our hearts; but we also need Him as the Lord of our homes. The decision to be made is one of total commitment, a commitment of devotion and consecration, of loyalty and faithfulness. It is a commitment and allegiance that will obey God, keeping His Holy Word and commandments. Obedience is the greatest proof of devotion. If you want to live a supernatural life of victory, the victory express runs on two rails, trust and obey. We must make a decision for the Lord, a decision to believe and follow Him wholeheartedly—a decision to serve the Lord with all that we are and have. There is no room for neutrality: a decision must be made. Neither is there any room for delay or hesitancy, no allowance granted for putting the decision off. God demands that a decision be made, and in fact, it is automatically made: if a person does not make the decision to accept God, he is choosing to reject Him. Here is the decision that must be made; here is the decision clearly spelled out by Scripture. It is only the life that is lived with the approval of Jesus and in the authority of Jesus that will bring acclaim to Jesus. A PRAYER FOR YOUR CHILDREN: Father in Heaven, help me to be the example You would have me to be before my child. I ask that You stir my child’s heart towards obedience. I pray they would be inspired to love You and to serve You faithfully. 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 Our Total Dependence on Almighty God (Revelation 19:6)
Revelation 19:6, And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the LORD God omnipotent reigneth. When we're committed to carrying out God's will for our lives, we should expect to go through seasons of adversity. Our Father wants us to trust Him completely. God is omnipotent —He is all powerful. He is omniscient —He knows everything. He is omnipresent—He is able to be in many different places at the same time. Our Father is in complete control of every situation. Our Father is more than sufficient to bring each of His children through any problem we will face. We must not allow our problems to seem bigger than God. Too many of us magnify the problems in our lives when we should be exalting Almighty God and trusting completely in Him. Sometimes our Father allows our problems to get to the point where we must turn to Him. He wants each of His children to trust totally in Him. Whenever a situation looks hopeless, we should draw nigh unto the Lord and call upon Him. Psalm 91:2, I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Many times, we will be faced with problems that seem to be absolutely impossible to solve. When every door seems to be closed and there doesn't seem to be any way out, we must realize that God can bring us through if we keep our faith in Him and refuse to give up. Matthew 19:26, But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. God's ways are much higher than our ways. We must not limit Him. We don't have to fight every battle by ourselves. He is with us every hour of every day. He wants to help us. II Chronicles 32:8, With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. Too many of us want to give up because we're trying to fight battles our Father doesn't want us to fight. Many times we do our best to solve a problem, but nothing we do seems to work. We must not give up. We should persevere because we trust God to fight for us. II Chronicles 20:15, And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. PRAYER: Father, I can't see any way out of this problem. However, I know You can see many solutions to this problem. I trust completely in You. I know You will bring me safely through. I will not give up because my faith in You is strong and unwavering. As You see me through this trail, may You allow others to see You deliver me, that they may learn from 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 Our Partner in Prayer (John 14:16–18)
John 14:16–18, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” Jesus promised to send us a Helper who will be with us forever. In Romans 8:26, it says that the Holy Spirit seals our relationship with God and counsels us on how to pray. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter or our Parakletos. It comes from the Greek word parakaleo, a verb which means "to encourage". The Greek word for advocate is parakletos. The word "para" means "along side" and "kaleo" means "to call". John was the only one who used this term in the New Testament. The "parakletos" was the one called alongside to assist, help, defend, or intercede on the behalf of another or to give counsel. The advocate counseled, coached, and championed the cause of another in court. He was a helper, supporter, and a witness giving favorable testimony. The parakletos was also one who lent his presence to his friends. In a military court martial, the officer who defended the accused soldier was called the prisoner's friend. The parakletos was also called in to help in a situation with which a man by himself could not cope alone. The Lord is our friend, too. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and helps us to cope with life. Jesus promised that we would not be left alone—that a Comforter, the Holy Spirit—would come and dwell with us forever. This happens at the moment that we are saved. Though we are to surrender to God’s leading so that we can be filled with the Spirit, we do not need a second baptism to get more of Him in our lives. Instead, we need for Him to have more of us. This is vital to every aspect of our lives and walk with God. Sometimes we feel that we should come to God only when we have a need. However, prayer is about intimacy with the Father. If the Lord gave us whatever we wanted as soon as we asked Him, we would not be able to understand the preciousness of our relationship. Perhaps we would fail to learn the importance of developing patience and dependence on God. When we have been praying for a long time about something, and don’t feel as if our words are going anywhere, that is not the time to quit. A better approach is to pray through those situations so we understand what the Lord is teaching us through our circumstances. God listens and hears our requests, and His Spirit is our constant companion—even when we cannot “feel” His presence or involvement in our lives. Instead of ceasing to pray, we must call on the Holy Spirit to help us persevere. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He is the source of truth and communicates truth to His own. He helps us to understand the truths of God's Word. He never leads us to contradict God's Word. When people claim that the Spirit led them to do something that contradicts God's Word, they are in error and possibly deceived. God is not the author of confusion and will not lead us to contradict the clear teachings of His Word. The world does not know the Holy Spirit, see Him, or receive Him. Radio or television waves go unnoticed without a radio or television because we are not tuned into them. The lost are not naturally in tune with the Holy Spirit. They have no spiritual life and walk in darkness. The Spirit of God is speaking to men, but they don't listen. When they start paying attention, God can work in their lives. Jesus promised that He would not leave us "comfortless”. This word comes from the Greek word orphanos which means "orphans”, or “without a father”. It was used of disciples or students without the presence of a teacher. Jesus promised to not leave us desolate or alone. We are not to be left hopeless, helpless, or abandoned. Because of the Holy Spirit, we are given the ability to do great things for God. When Jesus used the word truth to describe the Holy Spirit, it was the equivalent of saying, “You don’t need to worry that He will lead you astray or that He will lead you wrong. You can depend upon Him and you can trust Him.” Many believers have a hard time following the leading of the Holy Spirit because they can’t see Him or physically hear His voice, but the Holy Spirit will always guide you to where you need to be. He is the Spirit of Truth! You can be sure that when the Holy Spirit nudges your heart to do something, it is the right thing to do. When He puts a thought into your mind, it is a right idea. When He guides your spirit, He knows something you don’t and is trying to lead you on the best possible path through the obstacles in your life. He is always the Spirit of Truth, and as the Spirit of Truth, you can rely on the fact He will never mislead you. POINTS TO PONDER: When answers are slow in coming, ask the Holy Spirit to help you persevere in prayer. As you yield to the Holy Spirit who dwells in your heart, you will find power to do what God calls you to do. 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 Stirred, Not Shaken (II Timothy 1:6)
II Timothy 1:6, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” In II Timothy, the apostle Paul reminded his young protégé to “stir up the gift of God that is in you”. Timothy had been facing some very difficult situations as a young pastor. He grew discouraged and disheartened by the false doctrine and worldly tendencies of his congregation. By all implications, it seemed as though Timothy was tempted to leave his pastorate and pursue other options. To say the least, Timothy was shaken. He was shaken by the failures of others and the fear of his own inabilities. You and I can certainly relate to Timothy’s plight. When you look at the condition of the world, the apathy of the modern church, and the prevailing wickedness of society, it is easy to get shaken. But the words of Paul serve as a reminder to us all: we are not to be shaken, we are to be stirred! The catalyst for our stirring is none other than the gift of God. This “gift” refers to the calling of God placed upon Timothy’s life. His calling was confirmation enough. However, it was up to Timothy to “stir it up”. If you are disheartened in this hour, remember, God has called you to a specific purpose. Every now and then you should remind yourself of God’s power in your life, and realize the only thing that stands against your fear is the call of God. When it feels like you are being shaken, remind yourself to get stirred! The time to decide to stand in God's power is before the battle begins. The words stir up mean "to rekindle, to keep ablaze”. It carries the idea of stirring a fire to keep it burning and hot, to prevent it from burning out. Which is meant here? No doubt Timothy faced what we sometimes face: times when he needed to be restirred and rekindled. But there is no indication that Timothy's flame was about to go out. Paul was admonishing Timothy to fan the flame and keep the fires burning in his heart. Paul warned earlier in I Timothy 4:14, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” Many fail to stir up the gift of God. And so they let the fire of their zeal burn out. As a result, there are many Christians wasting away on Church pews who accomplish little, if anything for cause of Christ. Keep this is mind, Paul was facing death; he was about to be executed. He clearly stated this fact in II Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Therefore, Paul sensed the need to give Timothy charge after charge. One of the very first things Timothy needed to do was to keep his spiritual gifts blazing and burning to the hottest point possible. The idea is it is a continuous action. The believer is to keep on stirring up his gift, never letting its flame lose any of its intensity. He is to use his gift to minister and minister, never slacking up nor losing his zeal. God has gifted the believer to minister, gifted him in a very, very special way; therefore, he must minister. He must do exactly what God has gifted him to do. Paul invested a great deal of time and training into the life of Timothy. He knew that a new generation of leaders would be needed to carry on the work after his life ended. In his final letter to Timothy, Paul was attempting to prepare Timothy to carry on the work without his guidance. Realizing that Timothy would face intense persecution and opposition, Paul reminded him of the source of power that could overcome whatever obstacles Timothy faced and allow him to be faithful in continuing his ministry. Most of us do not have to endure the intense persecution faced by the early church, but the world is no friend to our faith, and there may come a day when we must choose whether to stand for the truth or give in to avoid suffering. The challenge in that day will be to trust in God's strength and power rather than trusting our own ideas and ingenuity. The point that Paul drove home to Timothy was that ultimately it is the gifts and power of God that allow us to stand even in hard times. Of course we do not have to wait for afflictions to come to trust in God and rely fully on Him. We can begin living with that approach in the current day, and indeed that is the kind of living that will bring honor and glory to God, even as it prepares us to take a stand. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that I need to stir up the gift of God that is in me. There was a time when it seemed the fires burned much brighter, but for one reason or another, I’ve allowed the flame in my spirit to grow colder. I take responsibility for this, as it is my heart, and I ask You to forgive me for letting my condition go this far. I accept responsibility, and I will look at my heart and determine the truth. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will begin to actively and ardently rekindle that glorious spiritual fire that You intended to burn inside me. Help me, Holy Spirit, to do this not just once, but to continually put spiritual fuel into my heart and stoke the embers. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com What Kind of Friend Are You? (Colossians 4:12-13)
Colossians 4:12-13, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.” Epaphras was a believer and servant of Christ who fervently prayed and worked hard for the believers of his church.
Epaphras helped plant the churches at Colossea, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, too. All three cities were located in modern day western Turkey. All of these churches faced major threats from dangerous theological heresy. Epaphras cared for these churches and more importantly his friends in those churches. In this text, Epaphras demonstrates his great love and concern for his friends specifically through prayer. He prayed in particular for one thing: that they might be perfect and complete in all the will of God; that is, that they might know the complete or full will of God and do it perfectly. In addition to the many ways you can be a friend, let me suggest one of the greatest is by praying for your friends. While we are instructed and encouraged to pray for our own needs, we are also commanded to pray for the needs of others. This kind of praying is not something that can be done casually. It is serious work that requires a great deal of effort. When Paul described the prayers of Epaphras, he used the Greek word” “agōnizomai” meaning agonizing. Praying for other people effectively requires that we take it seriously and put our hearts into the work. It was His love for us that made Jesus willing to go to the cross. He knew what it would take to pay the price for our sin. He dreaded what lay ahead, and sought the help of His Father in serious and intense prayer. Luke 22:44, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” When Praying for Your Friends: 1. Take Prayer For Your Friend Very Seriously. When Paul described Epaphras’ prayer, he described it as always laboring fervently. In other words, Epaphras always prayed fervently for his friends whom he loved. A friend prays hard for another friend. We do not simply run in and out of God’s presence quickly. Instead, we pray hard. In prayer, we bring our friends before God and think through their particular cares and concerns. We consider them individually; then, we pray in light of what we have thought through. Maybe at any particular time it only takes a moment. However, throughout a day, when we add those many moments together, we find that we have prayed hard for the individual. 2. Pray with Clear Intentional Requests. As I implied earlier, Epaphras did not simply pray a generic prayer for his friends. He specifically and intentionally prayed with a goal in mind. His desire was that his friends would stand emotionally balanced in their walk with Jesus Christ, and committed to doing His will even in the midst of tough circumstances. In other words, he desired his friends to be strong in their faith, well-connected to Jesus Christ with all their hearts, and living a life that honors Christ in their circumstances. This intentional prayer for 1) stability of the faith, 2) contentment in Christ, and 3) obedience to God’s will demonstrates true care for a friend. In the midst of troubling circumstances and pressures, this prayer represents what truly matters. Only those who obey God’s will can realize the joy God intends for them in this life. Furthermore, as obedient, they increasingly grow in contentment and into their relationship with Christ. What Kind of Friend Are You? The key to being a friend is being willing to put forth effort in prayer in the way we view others. If we have love and compassion for them as Jesus did for us, the work of prayer will pale in comparison to our desire to see them blessed and helped. Our prayers for others are not meant to be asking God that they will do what we think they should, but that they will do what He says. When we pray for someone's spiritual growth, we know that we are praying for something that is within God's will, so we can ask for it with confidence. POINTS TO PONDER: You may never know how many or the intensity of those who are praying fervently for you every day. To pray for others with the fervent intensity we should, we must first love them as we should. When our hearts are stirred by needs, we find ourselves willing to struggle and agonize in prayer until the answer comes. Friendship includes many different areas. However, where, when, and how you pray for your friends does speak to your friendship. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: What kind of friend are you? Do you strive in prayer for your friend? What usually inhibits you from or interferes with you fervently praying for others? Are you willing to intensify and strive earnestly in prayer for your friends? Prayer, Lord, I humbly ask You to graciously grant me a heart that desires to pray. Forgive me, I’ve just been struggling with fear and doubt that has troubled the peace I have from You. I commit myself to prayer and I am casting these things Your way right now. I’m choosing not to worry about them anymore because You will deal with them under the authority of Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way Please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Will You Magnify the Lord? (Luke 1:46-47) – PART 2
Luke 1:46-47, “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” This is Part 2 and the conclusion of the devotion. If you need to refer to Part 1, look to yesterday’s devotion. 4. Path of the Magnifier: Most magnifying glasses usually have a handle on them. The handle gives the owner the ability to use the lens to magnify what he desires. It enables him to take it wherever he needs it. In the same manner, our lives are to be this way. God can use you to magnify Jesus Christ if you will yield to the control, to the hand of God. By submitting to His control, direction, and will, He will put you where you need to be. You will be willing go wherever He directs and leads you. The Lord is willing and able take you to places and to people that perhaps only you can reach for Him. Are you available to Him? That’s what a magnifier of God does. Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” By humbling and submitting yourself to the Lord, you will have greater ability to magnify God. In turn, God will magnify you as you magnify Him. 5. Purity of the Magnifier: Notice: if the lens is smeared with dirt, it is not going to be as much help to you. It is very difficult to use any dirty magnifying glass because the view is smeared or distorted. When the magnifying glass is clean, it is consistent with its purpose and use for you. This is why it is so important to keep the lens clean so that the magnification is clear and the glass is effective. In the same manner, if you are going to effectively magnify Jesus Christ with your life, it is critical that your life is clean. I Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Sin issues need to be dealt with and conquered in your life so that people will be focused on the Lord and not your sins and imperfections. Bearing spiritual fruit in your personal character and in your witness for Christ will help you immensely to magnify Him. 6. Praise of the Magnifier: Those who magnify the Lord also have a desire to point others to Him so that they will magnify Him, too. Magnifiers enjoy worshiping and honoring God with others. They do not compete in their worship, they complement one another in worship and praise. Magnifiers develop close relationships with other believers who love to magnify God. Their love for Christ generates a love for Christians. In fact, a great verse for Christian friends, a church family, or a husband and wife and their family is Psalm 34:3. Psalm 34:3, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” May God’s praise be upon our lips continually and consistently. May we spend each day magnifying HIM! Perhaps the next time you use a magnifying glass, this devotion will remind you of how we should magnify the Lord. Prayer: Heavenly Father, as Mary’s desire was to magnify and praise You, so is my desire. Guide my steps that I may encounter others who need to know You. Help me to humble myself that they may see You in me. I will magnify You and praise You before all others when given the opportunity. 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
November 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed