God Meant It Unto Good (Genesis 50:20)
Genesis 50:20, But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. In the days before World War II, Josefina Guerrero was the charm of Manila. She was young, bubbly, and married to a wealthy medical student. In 1941 she was diagnosed with leprosy and immediately began treatments. Later that same year when Japan invaded the Philippines all leprosarium’s were abandoned. Despite her disease Josefina joined the underground movement where she was very beneficial to the cause of smuggling food, clothes, medicine and messages to POW’s. She mapped out fortifications along the waterfront and the location of anti-aircraft batteries. When guerillas discovered a newly planted minefield where the 37th Division was scheduled to land in Manila, she was the one who got the message through. With little thought for her own life she trekked through miles of enemy encampments with the map taped to her back and delivered it safely. Because of her courage many dangerous missions were completed and the U.S. War Department awarded her the Medal of Freedom with silver palm for saving countless American lives. Amazingly, Josefina was never caught. In fact, Japanese soldiers steered clear of her as she lumbered through the streets of Manila. Even when she was stopped, she was never detained very long, once they recognized the shrouded bandages and the lesions of progressing leprosy. This is a great perspective of life which Joseph exhibits. He saw all the evil done him simply as a means by which God brought good. This perspective takes the sting out of our troubles and encourages our reaction to trials to be one of grace, not guile. Joseph once again showed the righteous spirit of his character in noting that God had ordained all which had come to pass years earlier. He understood how God had caused all things to work together for good for His people to bring greater good and deliver them at the end. Indeed, the story of Joseph is a wonderful illustration of Romans 8:28. George Mueller said, “In a thousand trials it’s not just five hundred that work for our good, but nine hundred and ninety nine – plus one!” The Scripture says, “God meant it unto good” means that no disaster, disease, or delay can keep Him from turning it into something beneficial. God forgives our past, knows our present and has planned our future. May we walk in confidence that nothing can ever happen to you that’s beyond the scope of His grace and redemption. Our disappointments are God’s appointments. When God brings unexpected tragedy in our lives, it is hard for us to understand His logic. However, He is taking care of us while we are in the midst of tribulation. Prayer: Father in Heaven 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
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God Will Turn It Around (Romans 8:28)
Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Some are devastated by rejection, but others respond with fortitude and determination to succeed. G. Campbell Morgan was one of 150 young men who sought entrance to the Wesleyan ministry in 1888 at the age of 25. He passed the doctrinal examinations, but then faced the trial sermon. In a spacious auditorium that could seat more than 1,000 people sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. When Morgan stepped into the pulpit that day, the enormous room and the searching, critical eyes caught him off guard even though he had been preaching since he was 13. Two weeks later, Morgan's name appeared among the 105 rejected applicants for the ministry that year. Jill Morgan, his daughter-in-law, wrote in her book, A Man of the Word, "He wired to his father the one word, 'Rejected,' and sat down to write in his diary: 'Very dark everything seems. Still, He knoweth best.' Quickly came the reply: 'Rejected on earth. Accepted in Heaven.... Dad.'" Remember, God can use the rejection of others for your good. In later years, Morgan spoke about his rejection and said, "God said to me, in the weeks of loneliness and darkness that followed, 'I want you to cease making plans for yourself, and let Me plan your life.'" Rejection is rarely permanent, as Morgan went on to prove. Even though Morgan had no formal training for the ministry, his devotion to studying the Bible made him one of the leading Bible teachers in his day. What you do with the Bible determines what God will do with you. His reputation as a preacher and Bible expositor grew throughout England and spread to the United States. In 1896, D. L. Moody invited him to lecture to the students at the Moody Bible Institute. This was the first of his 54 crossings of the Atlantic Ocean to preach and teach. After the death of Moody in 1899, Morgan assumed the position of director of the Northfield Bible Conference. After five successful years in this capacity, he returned to England (in 1904) and became pastor of Westminster Chapel of London. His preaching and weekly Friday night Bible classes were attended by thousands of people to hear the preaching of the Word of God. Not bad for a guy who supposedly could not preach. God used him greatly. He was faithful in preaching the Word of God until his death in 1945 at the age of 81. He was rejected by men, but approved by God. Prayer: Father in Heaven 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 What the Love of Christ Cost Him? (Romans 5:8)
Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Can you imagine this kind of love? The Father sacrificed His Son to save others who weren't even looking for Him? No wonder that heavenly host filled the sky, proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)! Angels joyfully announced that the time for the plan of all ages, the redemption of mankind, had finally come! Christ loved us so much even when we were enemies of God, He died for us. He knew the only thing that could save us from Hell was a perfect sacrifice given in our place. He came with the sole purpose to die for our sins so we could spend eternity in Heaven with Him. He didn't come to show us the way. He came to be the way. There was nothing we could do, so He did it all. He didn't hold anything back. Jesus proved and demonstrated His love for the world as He bore the wrath His Father poured out. He showed His love by leaving heaven, the adoration of angels, and the throne of glory. He became a Man of sorrows, He hungered, thirsted, and was betrayed and suffered. Love led Him to the cross where He was nailed and crucified. He proved His love for us when He died on Calvary. I don't believe we can fully comprehend the extent to which Christ went to redeem us. We cannot imagine what He gave up in glory to come to this earth. The physical abuse and pain He suffered on the cross is more than we can put into words, and there is no way to describe what it was like for the Son of God to take on all the sin of the world. It is no surprise that the world falls short when it comes to love, but that should never be true for us. Each of our relationships with family members, friends, fellow church members and the lost should be characterized by this Divine love. Questions to Consider: How often do we stop and appreciate what Christ did for us on the cross? How far are you willing to go for Him? Are you willing to share the Gospel with those around you? Points to Ponder: It is impossible to truly love people without being willing to sacrificially give to them. Spend some time today thanking Him for His love for you and purpose to show Him your love today. Prayer, Father in Heaven, thank You for not sparing Your Son that I might become Your child by faith. Thank You for the assurance that I can come to know and believe the love You have for me, expressed so ultimately in Your Son. Thank You for Jesus who died for me, walks each day with me, and is waiting for me in eternity. I bring You my gratitude under the authority of His matchless name, Jesus. Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way Please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Spirit Filled (Ephesians 5:18)
Ephesians 5:18, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; be filled with the Spirit. The filled means controlled, intoxicated, permeated, thoroughly influenced, overcome by a power greater than your own. We know what it is to be filled with pain, with joy, or with sorrow. Being filled with excruciating pain, for example, eclipses everything else in our consciousness. We feel only the pain and fixate exclusively on it. The filling of the Holy Spirit is a similar experience—the Christian is overcome and under the influence of a power greater than himself. When a person is under the influence of alcohol (Luke 1:15; Acts 2:4, 13–17), or drunk, they don’t act like themselves. They have little control of their minds, emotions, words, or actions. In the same way, we are to yield control of ourselves to the Holy Spirit. But unlike alcohol, we can’t get too much of the Spirit. We can never be too filled. When D.L. Moody was asked, “Why do you focus so much attention in your sermons on being filled with the Holy Spirit of God?” His reply was, “Because I leak!” This one little verse contains three critical truths about the filling of the Spirit: 1. The filling is commanded. Notice God’s tone. He is not giving us a mild, optional suggestion. If you have some extra time, you might want to consider being filled with the Spirit. It’s a command: “Be filled.” And because God commands it, we know it’s possible. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to be indwelt, baptized, or sealed with the Spirit because those are God’s work in us at conversion—but we are commanded to be filled. 2. The filling is for everyone. This command to be filled with the Holy Spirit is for every believer, not just for preachers, missionaries, evangelists, or pastors. It is for all of God’s children—it’s for you. 3. The filling is not permanent. Filling is not permanent, it's an ongoing process. We are to be continuously filled, day by day. Never in the New Testament do we see a believer baptized by the Holy Spirit more than once. But we do see multiple fillings (Acts 2:4, 4:8, 9:17, 13:9). There is only one baptism at conversion, but there are many fillings of the Spirit. Questions to Consider: When have you experienced the empowered life of the Holy Spirit controlling and living through you? We must clear the way for the filing of the Holy Spirit. What do you need to confess and repent of? What acts of restitution do you need to do to make things right with others? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I know You want to fill me but will not until I remove the barriers. Please bring to my mind my unconfessed sins and help me repent of them. Will You fill me with Your Holy Spirit? Live Your life through me today. Make me the person You want me to be that You would be glorified, in Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com His Ways Are Higher (Isaiah 55:9)
Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God’s thoughts and ways are by no means equivalent to ours. If finite man could ever completely understand our infinite God then He would cease to be God. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so God’s ways are higher than our ways. He is in another dimension than we are. How, then, can we hope to understand those things that He has communicated to us in His Word? To be sure, God has not told us all He knows, but what He has provided is sufficient for our faith, and He has also given clues as to the nature of many things we can only fully know in eternity. God’s ways are infinitely higher than our ways. This is an understatement, for our ways are so far from God's standards and ways. He does not think as we do because He is infinitely higher. God goes in one direction while most men are going the opposite direction. This is the reason the Scriptures speaks of conversion. People have to change their way of thinking if they come to God. That is the reason God said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth.” That is the reason that unless the Spirit of God awakens the heart of man to the truth of the Gospel, the whole thing is ridiculous to him. The whole thing is foolishness. That is the reason God reminded us that it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save the world. He will freely pardon those who turn to Him in repentance and faith. His mercy is thus infinitely higher than that to which we are accustomed. God's timing may not make any sense to us, but He does what He wants to do in His own time and His own way. Not only are the Lord’s thoughts higher than our thoughts, but His plans and His purposes are also. God's mind is far superior in holiness and reasoning than ours. Therefore, we should pray as Paul encouraged us to (Philippians 2:5). Never forget this! God is capable of solving any problem we have. And what’s more, He wants us to know it! PRAYER: Father in Heaven, rather than trying the impossible, to figure You out. I desire what You desire, to follow Your path for my life that Your will and purpose would be done through my life. Therefore, purge any obstacles in my mind that would hinder allowing Your mind and Your thoughts to be transformed in mine. 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 The Bitter Root of Bitterness (Hebrews 12:15)
Hebrews 12:15, Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; A certain man went to the doctor and told the doctor he was hurting all over his body. The doctor wanted to know the specifics of this man’s pain. The man told him when he touched his foot, he hurt. If he touched his nose, he also hurt. He proceeded to touch various areas of his body; with each touch the doctor noticed his pain was very real. The doctor diagnosed that the man had a broken finger. As with this patient, the bitter person finds pain in nearly every area of their life and often fails to properly diagnose the root of their misery. The reality of their misery comes from that root of bitterness. A bitter person only focuses on their own personal pain. A bitter person looks at their own pain meticulously, but blindly ignores the pain of others. Bitterness is always self-inflicted. We cause it ourselves. It will completely destroy you. Bitterness is holding on to an offence until it has a hold on you. If one decides to go this route; it is a personal choice. If you allow bitterness to rob you of your joy then you have no one to blame other than yourself. Bitterness is not something that someone can do to us. A root is hidden beneath the ground, but it feeds the entire plant. The root of bitterness that is growing in many lives must be dug up and exposed for what it really is. As we diligently dig up the roots of bitterness within our lives, we will find that many of the roots have grown deep into our heart. This points to the deceptive nature of sin in the heart (Proverbs 4:23). The person that willingly exposes the bitterness will realize that the bad taste in their mouth has practically ruined them socially, spiritually and emotionally. The pill of bitterness is so hard to swallow, but when it has been swallowed it is even harder to digest. This bitter pill lodges within our very being and wreaks havoc upon us continually. The sin of bitterness will spread poison in a church if the sinning person does not repent or is not put out of the church. This person will cause trouble and many will be defiled. As a member of the church, you are responsible to make sure that no “bitter root” springs up and defiles others by turning them away from God. Points to Ponder: Bitterness is the most dangerous form of anger. Bitterness is a deep seated, long burning, smoldering resentment. Bitterness is an anger that is constantly brooding and holding grudges. Bitterness in its most poisonous stages is a deep-seated anger that has stewed deep down inside until it's poison rules the heart. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I ask You to examine my heart and expose any resentment or unforgiveness lest any root of bitterness would spring up inside me. Help me to walk in the Spirit that I may produce the Fruit of the Spirit. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com God Is Our Refuge & Strength (Psalms 46:1)
Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Regardless of the circumstances we face in life, no dilemma is too big for our God. God is our refuge and strength. If we will learn to take refuge in Him and lean on Him alone for strength, then as the psalmist we can face the most challenging crises with confidence, because God is with us and He is sufficient. But we would be in error if we thought that God insulates us from problems. David well knew that God was his refuge and strength. He had experienced God’s providential deliverance on numerous occasions. The idea of a “very present help” is that of one being near at hand. When trouble comes, God’s help is right beside us for He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). He is readily available to help if you will take refuge in Him and trust in His strength. It’s not like God is on the sideline when we’re in trouble. When we find ourselves facing trouble, God is already with you on the scene. When trouble strikes, God is sufficient to get you through. The fact that God is our refuge and strength does not mean that we are exempt from predicaments and difficulties. The abundant life is not an uncomplicated life. We need to be clear on this because many false teachers today claim that it is God’s will for every person to enjoy prosperity and perfect health. They teach that since Jesus has promised to answer the prayer of faith, all that stands between you and material prosperity and physical health is your lack of faith. Confess it as yours by faith, and it’s yours, according to this heresy. God does not exempt Christians from these circumstances. Troubles come into the lives of the saved and the lost. The question is, when trouble strikes, do you want to face it with God as your refuge and strength, or do you want to find help elsewhere? Psalm 46 shows that when trouble strikes, He is present to help us in every way we need it. God is sufficient to get you through any trial you encounter. He is the one who keeps us and sustains us. Whatever personal catastrophe you face, a major health problem, the death of a loved one, the loss of your job, emotional problems, relational conflicts, or whatever, God is bigger than your problems. When circumstances are out of our control, we can run to God and find refuge and rest in him. Our most challenging struggles are easy for God to handle. The Lord is our refuge, our strength, and always near when trouble emerges. God is sovereign over all things, we can hide in Him, knowing that every struggle and challenge we encounter is easy for Him to handle. PRAYER: Father, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Strengthen me that I may stand fast in the evil day and to trust in Your Word, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Lessons from the Ant (Proverbs 6:6-8)
Proverbs 6:6-8, Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. There are a number of important elements in these verses about the ant. Notice the wisdom in the ant’s preparation. The ant, without anyone telling him what to do, prepares for the future winters by gathering food in the summer. The ant's entire life, which can range for up to seven years, is spent working. They gather food, bring it back to the nest, and use it for day-to-day meals, as well as to store for the winter. The ant is the most laborious and industrialized insect in existence. They work tirelessly until the work is done. They work together in astonishing systems of organization to the best of the whole community. They are ingenious carpenters, building their own system of homes and underground tunnels. They keep their homes clean. Each ant has a specific job to help meet the needs of the community. They are intelligent and wise (Proverbs 6:6). They carry out life's work without being forced to do so by a guide, overseer, or ruler (Proverbs 6:7). The word sluggard has the thought of one who is ‘lazy,’ ‘unmotivated,’ and ‘un-disciplined’ in life. They lived in Solomon’s day and they are still around today. The ant is used as an illustration of looking ahead, being motivated, disciplined, and a self-starter. Ants routinely lay up food stores for winter. The illustration is of taking the long look. The now generation has always been around. Those who live for today and ignore tomorrow often find themselves in a bind when tomorrow inevitably comes. The thought speaks of working today to save for tomorrow. Wise men live by the philosophy of being productive today to save for tomorrow. Foolish people blow their money today. Wise men invest for tomorrow. Solomon said that the ant provides her meat in the summer. The word "provideth" means "to be fixed or stable, steadfast, to prepare, to be ready, to be settled." When you think about it, preparation requires all of these elements. Being fixed on a goal, or purpose, helps us to be steadfast and not to quit in the preparation process. The importance of being ready, or prepared, is a motivation to finish our preparation. When we are prepared it gives us stability, or confidence, to do the task at hand. Preparation helps settle us emotionally. The ant does not waste his opportunities. He gathers his food in the summer before the winter arrives. The truth we are stressing here is the importance of taking advantage of your opportunities if you want to achieve, or reach, your goals. Time changes the conditions and circumstances of your life. What may be possible today may not be possible tomorrow. Your health can change. Your finances can change in one day. What might be accomplished today may not be possible tomorrow. Don't waste your opportunities. Be like the ant and work on reaching your goals now while you can. God said this is a wise thing to do (I Corinthians 15:58). Serve God now while you can. Don't wait until you get older. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You, have given me a great example of achievement in Your Word by the life of the ant. Help me to become wise in considering her ways. 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 Living a Life That Will Influence Others (I Corinthians 4:17)
I Corinthians 4:17, For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. Paul wanted to make sure that these believers in Corinth were going in the right spiritual direction. To help them remember Paul's teachings, the apostle sent Timothy to teach them. It was a great blessing that Paul had someone who was faithful, available and could be relied upon to go to Corinth. Over a century and a half ago, there lived a humble pastor in a small village in Leicestershire, England. He had never attended college and had no degrees. He was just an ordinary, faithful pastor. In his church was a young student to whom he gave special attention, teaching him the Word of God. This young man was later to be renowned as William Carey, one of the greatest missionaries of modern times. This same pastor had a son, a boy whom he taught faithfully and constantly encouraged. The boy's character and powers were profoundly affected by his father's life. The son was Robert Hall, the mightiest public orator of his day, whose sermons influenced the decisions of statesmen and whose character was as godly as his preaching was phenomenal. It seemed that the small village pastor accomplished very little. But his faithful witness and godly life had much to do with giving India its William Carey and England its Robert Hall. God honors and blesses faithfulness. As a young boy, I remember skipping rocks with my older brother into creeks and across ponds. My brother and I would often compete in trying to see whose rocks skipped the most, or made the biggest splash. I can remember my brother picking up and hurling a large rock into the water and watching the ripples reach clear across the other side of the pond. When I think back to those times, I’m amazed that such a small rock, compared to a large body of water, could make such a huge impact on the entire body of water. If God is the force behind the large faith-rock of your life, He can toss you higher than any other and cause you to make waves in the water of this world that will reach and influence many lives. The first time we came to Carrabelle it was our desire to be a blessing and an encouragement to the people for the weekend. Since becoming pastor, it’s my desire to not only see our church grow in the Word of God, but also to impact the community for Christ. Allow the Lord to launch you into someone’s life today and make an impact for Christ. Prayer: Lord, make a difference in me. Make a difference through me. Make me a difference maker. Each day You give me opportunities to reach others with the Gospel. I ask You to use me as one of Your instruments to restore one who has fallen in this broken world. 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 Take the Lord at His Word (Philippians 4:19)
Philippians 4:19, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. George Müller founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institute for Home and Abroad. It sent out over 160 missionaries from Britain, distributed 111 million gospel tracts, supported 2,000 orphans in five orphanages, and trained 121,000 students. George Müller was a man who knew a great deal about faith. His large orphanages provided care to thousands of children, yet he never publicly asked anyone for money. Instead he prayed. Regarding faith and trials Müller wrote: “God delights to increase the faith of His children...I say, and say it deliberately—trials, difficulties and sometimes defeat, are the very food of faith...We should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more that faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us.” Müller believed that God would supply his material needs through prayer alone. He relied on gifts for his ministry and personal support, but only the Lord knew of the needs. One day a man arrived at one of Müller's orphanages. A woman opened the door and said, "Have you brought the bread?" The man replied, "What bread?" "The bread for the children. It is five minutes before mealtime." He found many children waiting patiently for breakfast. In a few minutes the woman came back saying, "The bread has come." A cart of bread had been delivered in answer to prayer. Later the man learned they needed about $25,000 that day by noon. Mr. Müller confessed, "I don't know where a penny of it is coming from, but it is certainly coming." A letter from India arrived and was opened in the visitor's presence. It contained a draft for the exact amount needed. Proverbs 15:29, The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Over $500,000 was given to the Institute. Müller gave away most of it and left a personal estate valued at less than one thousand dollars. Are you looking to the Lord for the needs in your life? In prayer give thanks to Jesus Christ—the supplier of every good thing. Let Him know your needs. PRAYER: Lord, thank you that no circumstance is too far out of Your control to provide. I thank You that You own it all, and hold everything in Your hands. You know my needs before I even ask, before I come to You. I ask for Your answer, in Your timing, in Your plan. Thank You for the abundance of blessing and goodness You have already stored up. Thank You for teaching me to be content in all circumstances, I trust You this day, and every day, I love You Lord, I’m leaning on You. 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 |
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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