Faithful Friends (Luke 5:17-26)
A young boy, came into a Christian bookshop. His head barely reached just above the counter. He asked the clerk, “Sir, How much are your Bibles?” The man pulled his cheapest Bible off the shelf, one with children’s pictures, and said $1.00. But the boy didn’t have enough money. The boy said. “Hang on, I’ve got more money in my sock,” He sat down on the floor, pulled off a shoe and a long sock. The clerk asked, “You don’t have a Bible Son?” The boy responded, “The Bible’s not for me; it’s for my friend. I want him to know Jesus like I do.” The clerk said “You can have the Bible.” As the boy walked out the door with the Bible, he stopped, turned and said with a big smile, “It’s a good book, ain’t it mister?” By seeking to bring his friend to Jesus, that boy was being the best kind of friend in this world. Their names are not given, their occupation is not mentioned, nor are their ages listed. The Scriptures only records one thing that they did. But the one thing which these men did is the most important work ever performed by men: these men brought a helpless man to the Lord. “It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands” Arthur H. Stainback. The outward success of Jesus’ great Galilean ministry aroused the jealousy of these religious leaders and they, from this time forth, came from far and near to spy on Him, accuse Him, and turn the multitudes from Him. Those onlookers had seen deity manifested to them in such a convincing way. These four friends men knew the Lord. They had true faith in Christ. They believed Him to be the Messiah. They recognized His power and authority as the sovereign Lord, the Son of God. They knew that He had power both to heal disease and to forgive sin. These men had a friend who desperately needed Christ. Their friend was a hopelessly, helplessly paralyzed man. They could not heal their friend or forgive his sin. Knowing Christ’s power and grace and knowing their friend’s desperate need, these men determined to bring their friend to Christ. It was not an easy thing to do. The room was packed with people, standing room only. In fact, there was no room through the front door. No one offered to assist them nor even to make room for them, but they were not deterred. They never gave up on their friend. They found a way to bring him in and to lay him before Jesus. At last they got their friend before the Lord. They said nothing; they simply laid the helpless man before Christ. And as a direct result of their labors and faith towards Christ, two marvelous things happened: a sinner was freely forgiven of all his sins and the Lord God was glorified. These men had been voluntary instruments in the hands of the Lord, and God used them to accomplish his eternal purpose! Early Christians "turned the world upside down" as they shared Jesus Christ with others. They were interested in the souls of men that needed to be saved. I want to be like these men, diligently laboring to bring sinners to Christ, faithfully giving myself to the great commission, allowing nothing to stand in my way. We cannot save men, but we can do our part and get others under the sound of the Gospel. It's far more important that I care about people, rather than plans. The cause of Christ ought to be at the top of our priority lists. We should always be mindful of how we can be used to lead others to Christ. You may be in a hurry as you're reading this today; but in your haste, don't neglect opportunities to let your light shine for Christ. Be available to lend an ear or a hand, and you'll be amazed at how God will use you What happens concerning conviction and repentance is between the sinner and the Saviour. Our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ is to get them to the Saviour. The only way to heaven is by Christ. Gospel comes from God. It brings us to God. We find four men, co laborers, working together as a team effort to get this one man to Jesus. I Corinthians 3:6, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. It’s great when several people work together in bring someone to the Lord. That is often the case. It almost always takes more than one. We are not to get jealous over who gets the credit. The main thing is getting the person to Jesus. What a person chooses to do with their decision with Christ is their choice. The friends of the paralyzed man had strong faith that Jesus could heal him, as seen by their determination to bring him to Jesus. We too must show the confidence that Christ can meet the needs of those we know by using every opportunity to introduce them to Jesus. If we truly desire to bring others to Christ, God’s Spirit will provide many opportunities to do so. A Suggested Outline: (Luke 5:17-26)
Points to Ponder: Palsy paralyzes the body, sin paralyzes the soul. These men were willing to make sacrifices to help the paralyzed man. They were willing to get involved in his life to help him. Our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ is to get them to the Saviour. Questions to Consider: Are we as determined to bring our spiritually-paralyzed friends before Jesus? Is there an expectation in your life you want to see fulfilled? What are the obstacles we face today that hinder us from getting close to the Lord? What keeps us from seeing our expectations fulfilled? PRAYER: Lord, thank You for saving my soul and for Your gift of eternal life. You used a friend and a co-worker who lead me to You. Help kindle a fire within me and inspire me to zealously give myself to the business of bringing sinners to Christ. Help me to have that same passion for others 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
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A Fruit Basket in Your Soul (Galatians 5:22)
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” As believers, we stand before God approved and acceptable. We are embraced and loved by God, looked after and cared for by God. We are the heir of eternal life, not because we deserve it, nor because we have kept enough laws to win the approval of God. We have been accepted by God because of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for man's transgressions of the law. He died to free men from the law, from its judgment and condemnation. Therefore, standing before God, the believer is not there because he has kept laws and has earned the right to stand there. He is there because of his faith in Jesus Christ. His faith honors God's Son, and God loves His Son so much that He honors anyone who believes in His Son. He honors the person by doing exactly what the person believes. Therefore, the man who believes that Jesus Christ makes him acceptable to God becomes acceptable to God. If you are a child of God, the Bible says you really ought to produce fruit. A fruit tree will produce fruit. So if you are a child of God, when the world sees you, there should be no questions about your salvation. If you are a child of the King, the world ought to see you and know who you are. The world should know whom you belong to. The first thing they will detect about you is your love. The thing about love is that you cannot hide it. If love is there, love will lift its head every time. NOTICE: “…against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:23). The believer has to approach God through Jesus Christ and not through the law. The believer is freed from the law. He is not under the law but he is under Jesus Christ. Does this mean then that the believer has no restraint upon his or her life and behavior; that they are free to live like they want? Are they free to follow the desires and lusts of their flesh—to seek the things of the world and give in to the urges to look, think, touch, taste, and do? The answer is no! For the believer has been given God's nature; he walks through life bearing God's nature (I Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; II Peter 1:4). God has absolutely nothing to do with sin, it’s not within His nature. Therefore, the believer is not to cave in to the lusts of the flesh; they are to walk bearing the fruit of God's nature, that is, the fruit of God's Spirit. In Matthew 26, there was woman called Mary who couldn't contain her love. She showed it by taking a box of expensive ointment and pouring it on the feet of Jesus. Then she took her hair and wiped His feet. That was love. When love is present, you'll know it because when you love somebody you will be talking about the person all the time. How can we say we love Jesus and never bring up His name? But when a person is really in love, they don't care where they are. They talk about you in the department store; they talk about you in the bank; they'll bring up your name on the job. And that's the way it ought to be if you are in love with Jesus. Bring up His name wherever you are. You don't have to gossip in garbage. No, no, there's enough about Jesus to keep you busy all day long. True godliness engages our affections and awakens within us a desire to enjoy God's presence and fellowship. It produces a longing for God Himself. This is the heartbeat of the godly person. This longing for God also produces a desire to know God more, to glorify Him, and to be more Christlike. This is God's ultimate objective for us and is the object of the Spirit's work in us. God wants us to become more and more like Jesus Christ. To become the Christian God wants us to be we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Your fruit will also be joy and peace. You can be on hard times and still have joy. When you've got joy, it will fall off on somebody else. People around you can't stay sad. You have the peace of knowing God will make a way. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
Prayer: Lord, thank You for sowing Your Spirit and Word into my life. Help me yield to the divine seed You have planted inside me. I know that Your life resides in me, longing to be released, so today I make the choice to let Your Spirit start working mightily inside me. Thank You for the life of God that is flowing up from my spirit right now, producing the life and the nature of Jesus Christ in me. 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 God is Good…All the Time (Genesis 39:19-23) – Part 2
Genesis 39:19-23, And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. Joseph continued to trust God, to seek His glory, and give Him the glory for what He had done (Genesis 41:14-16). Ultimately, this moment was not about Joseph; it was about God. Joseph found favor with God and gave God the glory, whether he was in prison or the palace. Likewise, as believers, we must stand firm on the Word of God and always seek God’s glory. Therefore, we are to submit to God’s plan even when we cannot understand it (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are to believe in the God of the promise even when it is difficult to believe in the promise of God. Because God is faithful and sovereign, we live with full trust in Him, knowing that even when obstacles appear to prevent His mission, He may use those very obstacles as part of His plan to bring glory to His Son. Potiphar had Joseph thrown in prison “where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.” Nevertheless, “the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.“ The keeper of the prison promoted Joseph making him a trusty. He quickly became the overseer of the prison. The keeper thus entrusted Joseph with oversight of the entire prison, “because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” Four times in Genesis 39 the Bible tells us that “the Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23). Because Joseph honored God, God honored him. God promises to guide those who honor and depend on him completely in everything they do (Proverbs 3:5-7). All things were working together for good. God had a greater plan for Joseph and his family. Being in prison was part of the preparation of that plan. Joseph foreshadowed Jesus through his experiences, highlighting God’s greatest act of redemptive reversal in Scripture. Joseph went from favored son to slave. He suffered unjustly in Potiphar’s house and in prison, but God later exalted him to a place of prominence (the second most powerful person in Egypt) allowing Joseph to save his people. Jesus humbled Himself by leaving His throne on high, taking on flesh, and coming to earth as a servant (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus suffered unjustly at the hands of the ones He came to save, rejected, wrongly accused, and forsaken (Matthew 27:32-56). Unlike Joseph, Jesus was not granted freedom; the sinless Saviour was crucified and buried. But on the third day, God revealed His greatest act of redemptive reversal to the world. Jesus resurrected, arose from a tomb that could not contain Him (John 20:1-18). Sin had been forgiven, death had been defeated, and Christ returned to His exalted place of glory with the Father where He now reigns for us for all eternity. Points to Ponder: God is at work even when we can’t see it. The circumstances you face today are no challenge to the power and purpose of God. Like Joseph, we might not be able to see God’s plan at any given moment, but we will see it one day. Questions to Consider: How will you respond when it is difficult to feel God’s presence or trust in Him and His promises? How can you begin to view obstacles in your life as opportunities to share Christ with others? What are some ways you can encourage one another to continue trusting in God and His promises in difficult circumstances? PRAYER: God, You are present even when I can’t see Your sovereign hand at work nor feel Your omnipresent love. Grant me the faith to continue trusting You even in the midst of adversity and suffering, knowing that You are molding me into the image of Your Son. Help me to encourage others with the truth as they endure suffering. 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 Good…All the Time (Genesis 39:19-23) – Part 1
Genesis 39:19-23, “And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” Joseph had been serving Potiphar faithfully and he had caused Potiphar to prosper. He had been true to God and to his master. Potiphar had seen this. He knew Joseph’s character and his dedication to God. However, his circumstances were about to abruptly change when Potiphar’s wife, falsely accused him of attacking her. Repeatedly Potiphar’s wife asked Joseph to sleep with her, but he refused every time because he was an honorable and faithful man. Even when no one was around, he fled from her temptation, but she held onto his garment and he left it in her hand. Rejected for the last time, Potiphar’s wife used the garment to falsely incriminate Joseph before her husband, so he had Joseph placed in prison. For the second time, Joseph was wronged and again, he remained dedicated to the Lord. Once again it involved his garment (Genesis 37). Now Potiphar became enraged because of Joseph’s garment his wife gave to him along with her fictitious story. Although Joseph did what was right and fled from the temptation, he was thrown into prison. At this moment, one might expect Joseph to lash out at God and curse Him and die. But no, there isn’t even a hint of it. Scripture tells us that Joseph continued in full obedience to the will of God. Joseph’s circumstances continued to become more difficult, but his faith in God grew. God has never promised the Christian life would be without storms. But he has promised to protect us during the storms. Though Joseph was treated unjustly and his conditions worsened, his hope in God did not waver. Joseph knew that the situation he was facing was not good, but God always is. Adversity and injustice seemed to be a continual part of Joseph’s life in Egypt, but so were God’s presence and goodness. Whether in Potiphar’s house or in prison, Joseph continued serving God, accepting God’s goodness to him, and extending it to others, and God made everything Joseph did prosperous. Like Joseph, we should avoid any situation that could invite such temptations. We should avoid people and settings that could lead us to danger. And if we are being tempted to be unfaithful, we should resist. We should tell a trusted friend to keep us accountable. As much as it depends on us, flee also youthful lusts (II Timothy 2:22). As Christians, we need to follow the same example of Joseph. Joseph resisted her advances (Genesis 39:7) and said, “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Since God extends kindness to us even when our circumstance is difficult, we should respond by showing kindness to one another, even to those who wrong us (Matthew 5:44; 7:12). When we are hurting, we tend to want to hurt others. But we need to put this desire to death and instead follow the path of Jesus who served others through His suffering. We need the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, purging the sinful contempt we often have for those who persecute us, replacing it with love. Point to Ponder: • God is good even when our circumstances are difficult.
Question to Consider:
PRAYER: Father, thank You that You gave me Your Word to instruct me in my daily walk with You. I seek your wisdom that I might avoid the snares of the enemy. Help me abide in You so closely that I depend only on You and not in something that could enslave me. 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 World's Safest Place to Be (Psalm 91:4)
Psalm 91:4, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” During a blizzard in South Wales, England, a young mother and her baby were making their way across the foothills when she was overtaken by the frigid storm. Failing to reach her destination, a group of searchers found her frozen body with her baby tightly wrapped underneath her; the child was warm and still alive. The mother had taken off her outer garments and covered her child from the cold. The child grew up to be David Lloyd George, Britain's Prime Minister and one of the greatest statesmen in England. His political and social greatness was made possible because his mother covered him in love. Much like David Lloyd George, our achievements in life can only be attributed to the covering of God's love. God is omnipotent, all-powerful. He will cover and protect us under His wings of care when we stay close to Him. The psalmist compared God’s care for His people to a bird gathering her young under her wings in order to protect them. The Lord will be our refuge, covering and protecting us in the dangers of life. Regardless of the threats and fears we may face; we can be confident in the protection of our loving Saviour. The truth or faithfulness of God will be our shield and buckler. God has given us His faithful promises to use as our armor for life’s battles (Ephesians 6:10-20). We are protected by His faithfulness to His Word. Knowing that, we can have complete confidence that He will fulfill His promises to us. In perilous times, we need to trust God to help us. When we abide in Him and live in the fullness of His Spirit, we can face every situation of life without fear. Whatever difficulties or dangers we may face, our Lord will be with us. The shadow of the Almighty will cover us through them all. We are covered by the feathers and sheltering wings of the Lord. His truth is our defense. It is our shield and buckler. The message is God's truth protects and surrounds us. It protects us from lies and deception and from making foolish decisions that scar our lives. Genuine security brings peace in times of darkness, danger, destruction, disease, and death. Night is a time of terrors, robbery, and murder. The godly man lies down in peace, and sleeps quietly, for he trusts his life in the hand of God, and he knows that He neither snoozes nor sleeps. Security and peace are a by-product of entrusting your life to God's care. People everywhere need a sense of security. True hope and security are found in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are "in Him," we are over-shadowed by His power; His presence makes every provision for our protection and blessing. God will protect us and deliver us, but it may not mean the absence of pain and affliction in this life. He is not only our shield but a bulwark that fortifies our security. He will deliver us because we love Him. He sets us securely on high because we know His name. He answers us because we call on Him. He is with us in trouble, will rescue us, honor us, satisfy us with a long life, and allow us to know and experience His salvation because of an abiding, intimate relationship with Him. The fear of the unknown, the fear of loneliness, the fear of darkness, the fear of the future, or the fear of battle can be removed when your life is totally yielded to the Lord and you are obeying and doing what He instructs you to do in His Word. Peace comes from trusting in Him. In perilous times, we need to trust God to help us. When we abide in Him and live in the fullness of His Spirit, we can face every situation of life without fear. Satan’s fury against God, His Word, and His people is becoming more savage every day. More and more believers are paying a price for their faith in Jesus Christ. Through it all, however, God is our helper, and He is always with us (Hebrews 13:5-6). Our Saviour has promised to be with us to the end (Matthew 28:20). Whatever difficulties or dangers we may face, our Lord will be with us, we will not walk alone. We will walk under the comforting shelter of God’s shadow. If you've never been saved, there is a place beside the Lord for you if you will only claim it. If you are a Christian who has wandered from fellowship with the Lord; you need to come and find your place once again. I'm sure that you will find it just as you remembered. The Lord is waiting for you to come! Points to Ponder:
Questions to Consider:
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your presence with me and that my future is secure in the place You're preparing for me. Your words bring me hope and comfort. Daily I catch glimpses of Your glory and blessing along the way as I walk with You. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Assurance of Afflictions (I Thessalonians 3:3-4)
I Thessalonians 3:3-4, “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.” Over 100 years ago, a tornado struck the prairies of Minnesota. Many were killed, hundreds were injured, and one small town was almost demolished. In the midst of the disaster, an elderly British surgeon and his two medically-trained sons worked almost around the clock for days aiding the stricken, bandaging wounds, and setting broken limbs. Their heroic work did not go unnoticed. Their excellence as physicians and their selflessness in the service of those in need created a following among the tornado victims. The doctor and his sons were offered financial backing to build a hospital, provided that they took charge. The men agreed and in 1889 founded a clinic that soon attracted nationwide attention. Their little clinic grew. The city was Rochester, Minnesota. The elderly doctor's name was William W. Mayo. His sons were William J. and Charles Mayo. Their clinic is simply called "The Mayo Clinic." It now consists of 63,000 doctors, scientists, and health staff treating more than 1.3 million people a year from 50 states and 150 countries. It is known worldwide as one of the premier places of health, healing, and excellence in medicine. I'm sure if you asked the citizens of Minnesota about the Rochester tornado at the time, they would have said it was all about death and destruction, and unqualified disaster. But put in the perspective of more than a century, and in the hands of a creative God, the tornado was really about life, help, healing, and purpose. Out of the trial came great blessing. These men had a great purpose and have been used of God to help millions of people. Many of the patients they have cured are dedicated Christians. Their labors continue to this day. Great blessings do come from fulfilling God's purpose for your life. When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he warned them they would suffer tribulation, and they did. Paul's concern was that they stand fast in the faith. He said that no “man should be moved”. He did not want a single believer to become a causality. Paul mentioned here the certainty of trials which he warned these Christians about. They knew afflictions were coming. The apostle mentioned here that our trials are appointed. The word “appointed” carries the idea of something that cannot be changed or altered. It has been laid out for you for a reason. The tribulation Paul speaks of is from the hands of sinful man. The church of Jesus Christ has always suffered at the hands of sinful man. This tribulation has taken place throughout every century. Mankind has always been opposed to the church and there has always been persecution against the church. This word does not refer to the tribulation that is coming from the hands of Holy God. The tribulation Paul speaks of is from the hands of sinful man. The church of Jesus Christ has always suffered at the hands of sinful man. This tribulation has taken place throughout every century. Mankind has always been opposed to the church and there has always been persecution against the church. This word does not refer to the tribulation that is coming from the hands of Holy God. Trials and afflictions are going to come your way (James 1:2-4). Trials are not accidents. They are on your horizon and mine. When they arrive, it does not mean you have done something wrong. God, however, may have something else planned for you with the trial. Paul warned in II Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Godly people do go through trials. Trials are still difficult for us. I’m sure that it was not fun at all for Job or Joseph to go through the intense problems they faced, but in the end, God bestowed great blessing upon these men. These men, for thousands of years, have been good examples and teachers about the issue of trouble and trials. They have taught us lessons with their lives as well as with their responses to their trials. Paul was encouraging the church to hang tough and be faithful to the Lord Jesus. None of us ask for or request afflictions to come to us, afflictions are just part of living for Jesus. When we go through afflictions, we do not need to get bitter at God or give up on serving Him. Instead, when we go through afflictions, we need to ask God what He is doing in and through these afflictions in our lives. God allows them in our lives for a reason and purpose. Without establishment and encouragement in the faith we will be shaken by the afflictions of life. Afflictions come in all forms. Physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual afflictions always come to faithful servants of God. Understanding that the Lord knows about your trials and has a purpose for them should cause you and me to rest in what He is trying to accomplish in our lives. That is where our faith comes into play. Will we trust Him? Will we rest in Him? If we do, our faith is strengthened more. When we face opposition, we need to stand strong in the power of His might. Questions to Consider: Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus? Are we remaining strong in trials? Do we remember the admonition about trials? Has our faith wavered in the face of adversity? Points to Ponder: Nowhere in the Bible are we promised that because we are Christians, our lives will be problem-free. We are destined to have afflictions. We shouldn’t get all shook up when trials come, even severe ones, because they are appointments—not accidents. Knowing that we do not go through anything without the Lord Jesus should encourage all Christians to remain strong in trials. If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 5 Smooth Stones (I Samuel 17:40-41)
I Samuel 17:40-41, “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.” In I Samuel 17, David is seen as a type of Christ and Goliath is seen as a type of Satan. As David was in physical warfare, we are in spiritual warfare. As David goes into battle, he brings with him his sling and chooses five smooth stones out of a brook. In the Bible, five is the number of grace. Notice: If you’re going to win spiritual battles in your life, it is going to be by the grace of God. When we fight God’s battles, we are enabled by God’s grace. God’s grace enables us to use our abilities for His service and glory. Goliath had his shield, but David’s shield was the Lord. As believer’s, we are to take and put on the armor of God everyday (Ephesians 6:10-20). Choosing the stones over Saul’s armor shows that although David could not always depend upon himself, he, in fact, could depend upon the Lord. David was prepared for the moment and used his God given abilities. He used (sling and stones) what was in his hand. When you are fighting spiritual battles, use what’s in your hand (Bible). As David chose stones to destroy the enemy, Jesus chooses Christians as His instruments to battle the works of spiritual darkness. He does not have to, but He chooses us as His instruments. These stones were made smooth by the rolling of the water over them for a long period of time. These smooth stones were taken out of the brook, which is a type of the Word of God. God uses the Word of God over a period of time to smooth the rough edges in our life. God wisely has a way of taking the rough and sharp corners off. God takes things and uses them to shape and smoothen us. God takes and uses the pressures in life and it rubs against us for the purpose of conforming us to His image. A lady once came to Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her erratic angry outbursts. "There's nothing wrong with losing my temper," she said. "I blow up, and then it's all over." "So does a shotgun," Sunday replied, "and look at the damage it leaves behind!" Are you harboring anger or contempt in your heart? God desires that we have pure hearts that are yielded to Him. We must make sure that no matter what goes on in our lives, God has control of our emotions. Ask God to help you have a sweet attitude toward others today. PRAYER: Father, help me to submit to Your will and purpose. As Your Holy Spirit ministers to me through Your Word, may I desire to be conformed to the image of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 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 A Clean and Willing Vessel (Psalm 139:23-24)
Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Even though God speaks to many people, some do not hear because they are not willing vessels. People are unprepared vessels when they can't make good use of a word from God because of how they are living. So we ask ourselves, “Do I stand ready to obey and change, should God direct that? Do I want to know if I am wrong?” 1. Search Me. David was inviting God into his heart where all sin originates. David sought for God to search him and reveal to him any sin that might have crept in. He surely was transparent before God. Though God knew his every thought, David invited God to shine His pure light into the inner crevasses of his heart to reveal to him his thought life. He wanted the Lord to search his heart, to go beyond his words and deeds, to probe the innermost depths of his being, and to expose anything that grieved Him so that he might repent of it, if there was anything in his heart that grieved or caused sorrow for God. Opening ourselves up entirely to God may prove to be a painful process. Not only will we have to confront our sins, or the sins we might not currently be aware of, but we will also have to repent of them. When we are willing to go through this process of letting God explore us, expose what is within us, and extract it from our hearts, we will possess a clean heart. More than anything else, our greatest desire should be to please the Lord. David wants to be obedient to God. He wants to live in the way that will honor God. The heart reveals the true you. Acknowledging the omniscience of God once again, David pled with God to reveal any wickedness in his heart. David asked God to see if there was any wicked way in him. He wanted his life to be in accord with Divine requirements, and all wickedness exposed and removed that might have remained in his heart. David invited the Lord to go beyond his words and deeds to examine the innermost part of his being. He wanted God to know his heart, his feelings, intentions, and motives. David asked God to try, or to test him, so that He would even know his thoughts. To try something is an expression used of refining metals for the purpose of purifying and proving them (Job 23:10; I Corinthians 3:13). David desired that God fully examine him to prove that he was pure within. God knows us better than we know ourselves. We need to regularly open our hearts to God and ask Him to search us within. We need to invite God to investigate us to the very core of our being, to test and prove us, and to reveal any sinful ways that are within us. More than anything else, our greatest desire should be to please the Lord. 2. Lead Me. “Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love to him”, Nathanael Emmons. God does not expect negotiation, He expects obedience in every part of our lives. Even believers who have known Jesus for years admit, “I’m not following perfectly”. Jesus knows you can’t follow Him flawlessly. In spite of that, He invites you to follow Him anyway. The leading of God will mean that David will not walk in sinful paths but will be led in the right ways that are pleasing to the Lord. If you want to be right with God, you must constantly confront your thought life with God’s Word. When God’s Word exposes where we are wrong, we must submit to the Lord and walk in His way. We all need to be led. Believers have the Scriptures and the Spirit to guide them, but too often allow self, or the flesh, to do the leading. God has not promised to keep our lives free from times of distress, but He has promised to be with us through them and to use them to bring about our ultimate sanctification. A follower of Jesus Christ, whose greatest desire is to be like the Lord, understands that they must have a daily walk and conversation with Him. He provides His constant presence to help you do what you are incapable of doing on your own. This is why you can call Jesus your Shepherd. He is the perfect Shepherd even though you’re not a perfect sheep. Thank Him for being your Shepherd today. Questions to Consider: Do you want to know if you are on a wrong path? Do you stand ready to obey and change, should that be what God directs? Where are you most resistant to hearing God's direction (for example, in circumstances that require humility, honesty, or purity)? When you sit down to read the Bible or hear a sermon, are you willing to ask God to show you where you are wrong and what you need to know to be corrected? PRAYER: Father, I ask You to search my heart and reveal to me anything that is hidden so that I can repent of it and lead a life that pleases 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 The Christians Greatest Need (Proverbs 8:11)
Proverbs 8:11, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” In May of 2012, a 32-carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring—that was part of the collection of Lily Safra, one of the richest women in the world—was sold at an auction. The pre-auction estimate for the sale was $3–5 million, but the final sale price ended up at $6.7 million. It is believed to be the most expensive ruby ever sold. As valuable as rubies are, the Bible tells us that wisdom is far better and more valuable. That which is most valuable with God is not recognized by men as a treasure. No earthly treasure can compare to wisdom because nothing else offers the same protection, benefits, and blessings that wisdom does. People often spare no expense to increase their wealth, but the same is not always true concerning wisdom. Wisdom’s instruction is far more precious than gold, silver, or rubies. All the other things that men desire is not worthy of being compared to wisdom and her teachings, yet the great majority of men place little or no value on wisdom’s teachings. Solomon used the image of searching for silver and hidden treasures to illustrate the effort required to gain wisdom (Proverbs 2:5-6). James and Solomon tell us that God gives us wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5; Proverbs 2:6). 1. Wisdom’s Source. For wisdom is God alone. The throne of God in heaven is the place that we must go to get wisdom if we are to have it. Every river has a source and if the source dries up then the river would dry up. Lake Victoria is the source for the Nile River and God is the source for wisdom. This is a promise from God that we can have if we want it bad enough. These promises connect the wisdom of God from his throne to our life. As a river flows from its source, so wisdom flows from the heart of God to those who are thirsty for it. 2. Wisdom’s Supply. God's wisdom is more abundant than the water that fills all our oceans in the world today. Every Christian in the world could ask God for wisdom and receive a generous supply and it would not put the heavenly reservoir in jeopardy. This source will never dry up because God's resources cannot be exhausted. This is a pure source that has no corruption from man. 3. Wisdom’s Satisfaction. We can have God’s wisdom and it will greatly enrich our life. The wisdom of God is perfect and it has no flaws in it. Nothing in this world can satisfy or substitute for the wisdom of God. Godly wisdom is superior to anything that is in this world, consider the following verses. Proverbs 8:11, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Ecclesiastes 9:16, “Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” Ecclesiastes 9:18, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” 4. Wisdom’s Significance. Silver, gold, and rubies, even in superabundance, are only "things." But things can dominate our lives. The poor man may spend his life worrying about the things he does not have. The rich man may spend his life worrying about the things he does have. Yet Jesus said, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). The world of thought is far more important than the world of things. Things are deceptive. They hold our thoughts down so that we become occupied with the material, the physical, and the temporal. Continually, Solomon stresses the blessing of having wisdom. It should be the desire of every Christian to delight in having wisdom. It is more precious than rubies. It will preserve you against danger and destruction and promote you into leadership. It will cause your father to be pleased with you. Wisdom is the principal thing! When you give wisdom to others you will receive it, too. The consequence of our generosity is we will reap generosity in our own lives. Wisdom would have us look up. A desire for wealth will fasten our focus on this world. Wisdom would teach us to wait and work towards the life to come, to lay up treasure in Heaven, and to become "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). Wisdom is better than wealth. Wealth can be lost, but wisdom partakes of the infinite nature of God and endures forever. PRAYER, Father, Your Word says that You will give us wisdom if we will ask for it. Forgive me for all the times that I failed to ask You for it. Your wisdom is available to me at all times. Thank You for those You have allowed to come into my life to help me become wiser. 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 Prayer Prevails (I Chronicles 5:18-22)
I Chronicles 5:18-22, “The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him. And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand. For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.” One of the great tragedies of modern-day Christianity is that we simply do not pray as we should. The Lord has placed all of the power and resources of Heaven at our disposal to do His work, yet we “have not, because [we] ask not”. The promise of the result of the request ought to make us stronger in prayer, more faithful in prayer, more confident in our prayers. The story is told of a man who got a permit to open the first tavern in a small town. The members of a local church were strongly opposed to the bar, so they began to pray that God would intervene. A few days before the tavern was scheduled to open, lightning hit the structure and it burned to the ground. The people of the church were surprised but pleased – until they received notice that the would-be tavern owner was suing them. He contended that their prayers were responsible for the burning of the building. They denied the charge. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the judge wryly remarked, “At this point I don’t know what my decision will be, but it seems that the tavern owner believes in the power of prayer and these church people don’t.” 1. Their Skill (I Chronicles 5:18) Sons of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, numbering 44,760, had ability in three particulars. They used shield and sword, shot with bows, and displayed skill in fighting. For any battle, the believer needs the Lord's power. We are not told that Jesus ever taught His disciples how to preach, but He taught them how to pray. “He wanted them to have power with God; then He knew they would have power with man” — Dwight L. Moody. 2. Their Success (I Chronicles 5:19-22) Victory is evident in that the Israelite soldiers were "helped" and the enemies "given into their hand." “One might estimate the weight of the world, tell the size of the celestial city, count the stars of heaven, measure the speed of lightning, and tell the time of the rising and the setting of the sun—but you cannot estimate prayer-power. Prayer is as vast as God because He is behind it. Prayer is as mighty as God because He has committed Himself to answer it.” - Leonard Ravenhill 3. Their Secret (I Chronicles 5:20-22) The soldiers "cried out to God in the battle." Prayer was the weapon for success rather than all their ability with shield, sword, and bow. God "was entreated for them," answering prayer. God answered with victory "because they trusted in Him." They did not trust within themselves but in the Person who had all power. He lifted them above an army more than twice their size (I Chronicles 5:21). When God answers trust, He is being true to His word of promise. He had pledged overwhelming victory when the Israelites depended on Him. David would state the principle in (Psalm 20:7) some trust in horses, some in chariots, but believers like him remember the name of the Lord. The believer's prayer secrets for battle today are spoken in (II Corinthians 6:7; 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-20; II Timothy 2:1-4). “Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer.” - R. A. Torrey R. A. Torrey used to say that the chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer. If you can't pray like you want to, pray as you can. God knows what you mean. God gives us abilities today, but He wants us to remember always that success is not in the abilities on own right but in His power (Proverbs 3:5-6; II Corinthians 3:5). David frequently prayed (II Chronicles 14:10, 14) as we should be disciplined in praying without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer should always be with trust as God sets a high importance on faith (Hebrews 11:1-6). He also makes it clear that prayer is always to be with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7; I Thessalonians 5:18). No matter what odds are stacked against those who pray in faith, God is able to win. 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 |
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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