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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
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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 can 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 on to 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 during the storms. Although 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 and replacing it with love. Point to Ponder:
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 Building Others Up! (Proverbs 3:27)
Proverbs 3:27, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” God cares about the smallest details of our lives. The man who owes you money and has the means to pay it back, yet keeps on putting you off is foolish, for God sees him and takes note of his behavior. When someone is due good at our hand, there is great wisdom in rewarding that good. The good may be money owed or a word of thanks. The greater thought is that when we owe someone, there is wisdom in paying the good due to them promptly. Moral principles are entrenched in God's laws, which are all impartial and just. God does not look kindly on people who procrastinate to the point of criminal inactivity. As believers, we have a Biblical responsibility to be prompt in our obligation and, if we are able, to help and assist those who need our help (Exodus 23:4-5; Acts 20:35; I Timothy 5:16; James 1:27). Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” When the mantle was passed from Moses to Joshua, God knew Joshua would need all the help he could get in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. So, God told Moses, Joshua’s mentor, the instructions according to Deuteronomy 3:27-28, “Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.” Everyone needs encouragement…even you need it! During the 1920’s, the Chisolm’s were the epitome of American high society. Everlina, the Chisolm’s housekeeper, had been with them for 45 years, and when her niece came over to play, they took the little girl under their wing. She sang beautifully and Mrs. Chisolm, a trained musician, asked if she would like to become a professional singer. She was thrilled. Her most prized possessions were recordings of famous opera singers, and when the Metropolitan was on the radio she was mesmerized. It was on that day she took the first step towards realizing her dream and guests of the Chisholm’s were amazed by the girl who sang with a talent and sensitivity far beyond her years. Elizabeth Chisholm continued to sponsor her education by sending her to study at Julliard. As a result, the world was introduced to the phenomenal talent of Leontyne Price, the darling of the Metropolitan Opera. The Bible admonishes us to “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it”. One of the highest responsibilities we have is to encourage one another. As followers of the Lord, we are instructed to build others up by emphasizing on others potential. Become the oxygen to others around you who are gasping for hope. Strengthen to persevere for the Kingdom. Encourage then that all things work together for good to them that love God. These verses can apply to giving rewards, assistance, or praise to those who deserve them. Another application, however, is the on-time payment of your debts to your creditors or wages to those who work for you. Wisdom is demonstrated by how we respond to and interact with others. Love teaches us how to be a neighbor to people and places us in debt to our neighbor so we are morally obligated to do our neighbor good when he is in need if we have the ability or resources to do it. This good is not to be delayed but promptly performed. Walking in wisdom involves the way a person treats others and deals with them. The father gives simple instructions that will help his son as he learns to relate to his neighbors, in particular, and to all others, in general. Do not delay to help those who deserve it. As believers, we have a holy responsibility to be prompt in our obligations and to be generous in helping and giving to those in need. This command relates to the following:
Four examples of withholding good: 1. Jacob (Genesis 25:29-33) 2. The Ammonites (Deuteronomy 23:3-4) 3. Nabal (I Samuel 25:10-11) 4. The priests and Levite (Luke 10:30-35) Three examples of not withholding good: 1. Abraham (Genesis 13:9; 14:23) 2. The widow (I Kings 17:9-16) 3. The good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) Question to Consider: Who can you encourage today? PRAYER: Lord, help me to be mindful of others who I can help, encourage or build up in the faith. 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 Reaching the Lost, No Matter the Cost (Exodus 23:20)
Exodus 23:20, “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Jim Elliot was unsure of what to do after graduating from Wheaton College in 1949. He spent the summer praying for guidance from the Lord. He received a letter about the need for workers in Ecuador. On July 4th, Jim set aside ten days for prayer and on the 14th he wrote, "I asked for some word from God ten days ago, which would encourage my going to Ecuador. It came this morning in an unexpected place. I was reading Exodus 23:20, Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Jim Elliot was ready to jump in with both feet. He believed in giving 100% to any task that he would adopt. Exodus 23 sent Jim Elliot eventually to his death, and to his glory. It also brought the Auca Indians, in God's timing, to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God's Word gave Jim Elliot guidance and direction to do His will, even though His will meant his death. God was leading Jim and four of his friends where they were desperately needed. It was one of the most violent group of people on the planet and these five missionary families knew it. In fact, in this region, Shell Oil Company had to halt construction of its base called Shell Mera, because the construction workers were being speared by the natives in spearing raids. The people of these jungles believed that killing others gave them a sense of self control. It was the main way they resolved their problems. This part of Ecuador was truly an area that revealed the wickedness of men without any restraint to their sinful hearts. Yet, it was their wickedness that created the burden in the hearts of these missionaries. It was their desire to reach these folks with the Gospel no matter what the cost. That desire and the burden of reaching these lost souls helped them to conquer any fear of death they may have entertained. These missionaries had guns to protect themselves, but they all agreed and insisted they would not use them to defend themselves if attacked. They considered themselves already dead if need be. They said, "They are not ready for Heaven, but we are!" They overcame their fear of death. In the effort to reach these Indians, they all five were massacred by the people they were trying to save. In their deaths, however, God was glorified. God opened the door for their wives and children to enter the village and reach the people for Jesus Christ at a later time. All these missionaries, including their wives, overcame the fear of death. Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” To witness is to bear testimony or give evidence of. Jesus was speaking to the disciples about being witnesses before He ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Jesus’ last command ought to be our first priority. Being a witness for Christ is telling others what He did for you by His death, burial, and resurrection. We often refer to witnessing as soul winning. Soul winning is one beggar telling another beggar where the bread is. All of us can, and should be a witness of Jesus Christ. We can do this by passing our Gospel tracts, giving our testimony of salvation, preaching or teaching, and door to door soul winning. There are countless other ways of being a witness, but every Christian should do something. There should be ministries in your church such as bus, jail, prison, printing, Sunday School, Christian School, fairs, camps, and other areas of service in which you can take part in the obedience to Jesus’ last command. In the 1840’s, John Geddie left the pastorate of a church in Canada to take his wife and two small children to the South Sea Islands to begin a mission work there. After a voyage of more than 20,000 miles, they arrived in the New Hebrides Islands at Aneityum. The island chain was filled with cannibals, and more than twenty crew members of a British ship had been killed and eaten just months before the Geddies arrived on the mission field. They faced the difficulty of learning a language that had no written form and the constant threat of being killed. Slowly, at first, a few converts came, and then soon many more received the Gospel. Geddie continued his ministry faithfully, including translating the entire Bible into the native language and planting twenty-five churches. For many of those years, Geddie labored with little help and little word from home, but God was faithful to His servant. In the pulpit of the church Geddie pastored for so many years stands a plaque in his honor which says: “When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen.” Thankfully, it’s not illegal to witness here in America. Too often, so many believers never tell anyone else about how they can receive salvation through Jesus Christ. We have all kinds of excuses for why it should be someone else’s job. But God has given us people whom you can reach more effectively than anyone else. Prayer, Father, I understand that fear interferes with my fellowship with You. I can’t focus on fear and focus on You at the same time. Forgive me for the times I focused on fear when I knew You have promised to always be with me. Thank You for Your faithfulness in calling me out of fear and into Your presence, where I find peace. 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: The Greatest Neglected Power (Matthew 26:41)
Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Trials and even temptation arise immediately and unexpectedly. They jump right up in front of us. Only persistent, sleepless prayer will prepare us for such crises (Ephesians 6:18). The disciples had undergone a long day. It was, in all likelihood, now late at night. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. Though just hours before they had professed their allegiance to Jesus in spirit, in their flesh, they couldn’t stay awake. If one cannot endure a little fatigue when there is no suffering, how will one do when the temptation or the great trial of their faithfulness and courage comes. They were sleeping because of the emotional strain and stress of the evening. They slept because of sorrow (Luke 22:45). The evening had been shocking and taxing. They were weary, fatigued, and preoccupied, therefore, concentration in prayer was difficult. They probably fought to stay awake and to pray for their Lord. They were making two mistakes common among believers. The disciples were depending upon their own wisdom and strength instead of God's Spirit to fight whatever battles lay ahead. The disciples were taking God's deliverance for granted instead of assuring His deliverance through the power of prayer. Christ instructed the disciples that the flesh is weak, though our intentions may be strong. So, we ought to pray earnestly, so that our intentions will be fulfilled in spite of our flesh. Prayer is necessary because of our weakness in the flesh. See these Scriptures: Romans 7:15-20; Romans 8:12-13; I Corinthians 9:27; Colossians 3:5. The need for prayer during an overwhelming problem is not occasional; it is constant. Jesus was again warning them of the danger of being overconfident of their own spiritual power. The disciples had boasted about never leaving Him. Like the disciples, we have a desire to remain loyal to Jesus. However, because our flesh is weak under the pressure of fear, we can falter in our faith. So, we must prayerfully depend upon God. Our failure to think of prayer as a privilege may be partly due to the fact that we can pray any time. The door to prayer is open so continuously that we fail to avail ourselves of an opportunity which is always there. Calling upon the Lord will either make a man stop sinning, or sin will make him stop praying. Unless we have within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us. D.L. Moody said, "Fervency in prayer by the power of the Holy Spirit is a good preservative against thoughts rushing in. Flies never settle on a boiling pot." Calling on the Lord consistently will help us to keep the fire burning for God in our hearts. It will help us stay alert to destructive temptations that cross our path. 1) Adoration (I Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 25:8; 63:3-4; Revelation 4:8; 5:12) During this time, focus directly on God, adoring Him for Who He is. 2) Confession (II Corinthians 7:9-10; Psalm 25:11; 51:10-13; 139:23-24; Jeremiah 31:34; I John 1:4-9) We cannot stand before the throne of a holy God with sin between us and our Saviour. Thank God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins! 3) Thanksgiving (I Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 100:4-5; Philippians 4:6-7; I Thessalonians 5:16-18) Take time to thank the Lord for what He has done. Thank Him for salvation, the many blessings in your life; protection, provision, open doors, and opportunities. 4) Supplication (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; I Timothy 2:1-4) This is the time to ask God for His divine help to meet needs, solve problems, or work in someone's life. Here is a profound principle concerning prayer. As we watch, that is, as we are mentally disciplined to focus upon that which we ought, and as we pray without ceasing, we will not enter into temptation. Prayer has a spiritually antiseptic quality. As long as we are in a spirit of prayer, we will not walk in the flesh. When we are on the line with God, the devil can’t get through. The line is busy. Mr. Roger Babson, in an after-dinner address, made the following statement, "Prayer is the greatest unused power in the world, and faith is the greatest undiscovered resource." Faith is a grasping of Almighty power; the hand of man laid on the arm of God when the things impossible to us become the possible, O Lord, through Thee. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of prayer. Below are seven points with Scripture to help us concerning our prayer life.
By dying to our own desires and praying for the will of God to be done, we die to self and the Lord takes pleasure in what we have done. Prayer: Father, with my whole heart I praise You for this wondrous life of continuous prayer, continuous fellowship, continuous answers, and continuous oneness with Him who lives to pray forever! Father, keep me abiding and walking in the presence of Your glory so that my prayer may be the spontaneous 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 One Way (John 10:9)
John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The famous magician and escape artist, Houdini, could get out of any set of handcuffs, or any straight jacket that was ever placed upon him. In fact, he could release himself from almost any enclosure in less than one minute. Only once did Houdini fail. That incident occurred when he was touring the British Isles. Arriving at a small town, he agreed to demonstrate his ability by escaping from the local jail. The cell door was so ordinary looking that he smiled at the simplicity of the task. When given the signal, he used his terrific speed and agility to try to pick the lock. Unfortunately, he was unable to pick that lock. In frustration, he frantically tried every device he knew to pick the door, but nothing happened. He worked feverishly for two more hours, but to no avail. Finally, being completely exhausted, he fell against the door and lamented in defeat. Immediately, however, the door sprang open. His frustration had been due to the fact that the door had never been locked at all. The key truth is that Jesus is the door to salvation. There is no other way. Because of Jesus, we have access to God. How frequently, by a similar strategy, Satan has deceived poor sinners who are seeking to find a way to open the door of God's salvation. People work, cry, fret, sweat, and pray, trying in every way possible to bring release to their captive souls. Yet, it is only when sinners fall exhausted from their own efforts, and rest against "The Door", the Lord Jesus Christ, that they find the immediate release they so desperately seek. There are no alternatives and no options to salvation—it must come through Jesus Christ. God's salvation is available only through faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Those who accept Jesus will be “saved” from the eternal consequences of sin (spiritual death and separation from God), and will experience a personal and never-ending relationship with God. As a result, they will have all they need to serve God’s purposes and experience victory over sin, guilt, and condemnation. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” A traveler engaged a guide to take him across a desert area. When the two men arrived at the edge of the desert, the traveler, looking ahead, saw before him trackless sands without a single footprint, path, or marker of any kind. Turning to his guide, he asked in a tone of surprise, "Where is the road?" With a reproving glance, the guide replied, "I am the road." So, too, is the Lord our way through unfamiliar territory. He is the way! He is the only way to God. There is no other way. For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Dear friend, if you want to go to the Father’s house, to Heaven, you must come through “the Door”, the Lord Jesus. He is the only way! There was one small opening in the shepherd's sheep pen. To enter it, you had to remove any obstructions or hindrances. The shepherd literally became the door of the pen, protecting the sheep from wolves and from straying away. Our Lord is the door to Heaven. There is no other way. If you want to enter the sheepfold of Heaven, the obstructions, such as our own righteousness or sinfulness, must be removed. There was one door into the sheep pen, one door into Noah's Ark, one way into the Temple, and there is one way to have access to God and be saved. Christ is the door. Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation. Jesus is the only door that opens to salvation, security, serenity, and satisfaction. He is the only door that allows the sheep to go in and out. If a man could "go in and out" without difficulty or danger, it meant he was safe and secure. Jesus brings to the believer safety and security, and serenity. Jesus is the only door that opens to healthy and lasting nourishment. He is the only door that leads to the true pasture, the pasture that has the living stream flowing through it and the pasture that has the living food in it. His pasture alone can restore, reassure the soul, and give eternal life. Jesus Christ is standing knocking at the door of our lives, waiting. He is standing at the door, not pushing it; speaking to us, not shouting. He is the architect; He designed it. He is the builder; He made it. He is the landlord; He bought it with His life-blood. It is His by right of plan, construction, and purchase. We are only tenants in a house which does not belong to us. He could put His shoulder to the door; He prefers to put His hand to the knocker. He could command us to open to Him, or He could issue orders. He will not force an entry into anybody’s life; instead, He merely invites us to do so. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for Jesus, Who laid down His life for me so that I might live with You forever. 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 One Thing Thou Lackest (Mark 10:21)
Mark 10:21, Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. One of the most memorable Super Bowl football games ever played in NFL history took place on January 30, 2000. This game was Super Bowl 34 and it was played between the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans. The game was close from start to end. With six seconds left in the final quarter of the game, the score was 23-16 with St. Louis in the lead. The Tennessee Titans, however, had the ball on the ten-yard line and had time for one more play. If they could score, they would tie the game and put it into overtime. The ball was hiked and quarterback Steve McNair threw a short pass to his wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who caught the ball, headed for the goal line, but was met by linebacker Mike Jones at the 21/2 yard-line. With his legs wrapped by the strong arms of Mike Jones, Dyson stretched out his hand with the football as far as possible, and tried to get it over the goal line to score, but the ball came down one.... yard.... short, and time was out. The game was over. Oh, the frustration of being one...... yard.... short. Both teams gave their best, their all, but the Titans were still one.... yard... short! Can you relate to this situation? Have there ever been times in your life when there was something you wanted to do, to accomplish, to be, or to purchase, but you were short of your goal or what you needed by a little margin? Do you remember the frustration? Such was the case of a ruler who came to Jesus and wanted eternal life. He was a good man that had kept the commandments, but Jesus told him, "There is one thing thou lackest." We are just like this guy in many ways. There are many things we do right, yet there is usually at least one thing, just one key thing, we are lacking that we need to work on or change in our lives. 1.He was Looking (Mark 10:17) This man sought Jesus asking how he might obtain eternal life. Jesus expounded the demands of God’s Law to this man, in order to show him his sinfulness and his need for redemption. 2.He was Lacking (Mark 10:21) Christ touched the weak point in the man's character. It was his passion for wealth. Selling his possessions and then giving them away was too much for the man, for he was too attached to his possessions to give them away. Jesus is not advocating a "works" salvation nor is He saying that it is wrong to be wealthy. He is advocating faith in Christ. He is asking this particular ruler to trust in Him by selling all that he had to give to the poor and follow the Lord. That would require this young ruler to first of all humble himself. It would require him to trust in the Lord by faith to meet all of his needs. Surrendering his possessions would be the test of whether he would put the Lord first in his life or his possessions. Would he deny himself or keep "self number one?” Would this young man seek heavenly treasures or earthly ones? 3.He was Loved (Mark 10:21) Though this fellow’s attitude was wrong, Jesus nevertheless had compassion on him and loved him. Jesus knew the man needed first to have a change of attitude. His god was his wealth. Jesus instructed him to get rid of that first and then he could have treasure in heaven. The cross to the world of that day was a symbol of death. Jesus, essentially, told him to not only come to Himself, but to die to self, thus following Him. Implicit is not only repentance leading to saving faith, but also self-denial. Some had accused Jesus of lacking love for this man because he asks much of the man. Keep in mind, Christ gave up great riches to save mankind. 4.He was Lost (Mark 10:22) The man went away sorrowful because he was unwilling to part with his possessions. This young man possessed everything except that which mattered most. His home was filled with valuables, while his soul remained poor. All of us have one thing we lack. When you think about it, in our own lives, there is almost always at least one thing or one area we lack. A Christian can be outstanding in many areas of his or her life, but there is usually one thing he or she lacks. Regardless of who they are, what they do, or where they have been, there is at least one weak area in each one of us. Are you searching for that means of peace and comfort that this world has not been able to provide? Understand, as beneficial as church attendance and living a moral life are concerned, it is not enough, they cannot save. Have you realized you are lacking? If so, you don't have to continue in that state. I urge you, if you are trusting in anything but the shed blood of Jesus, come to Him today and receive salvation. All the wealth and influence in this life cannot prevent death and it cannot secure salvation. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I thank You for seeking me long before I sought You. Help me to remember that You will never force anyone to surrender to You. Help me to keep Your Gospel simple and to be sensitive to those I encounter. 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 One Touch (Luke 8:40-48)
Luke 8:40-48, And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. 41And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Imagine the grief and despair that she felt. Most would grow impatient and give up in twelve days. Each day was more of the same. She has been suffering twelve humiliating years with an issue of blood. She was labeled unclean by the Rabbis. According to the law of God she was considered ceremonially unclean. This affected her life both socially and spiritually. She was not allowed to fellowship with the public, nor to worship at the Temple. She lived a life of solitude and physical suffering. She was untouchable and not able to touch others. Lonely, heartbroken, and humiliated at this point even a hug would have ministered to her, but it was prohibited. She was ostracized from the Synagogue. She was an outcast from society. She thought she was orphaned from God. She has an opportunity or official visit with the Son of God. Daily as she was avoided by others, she saw their faces and their eyes. They must have been cold, cringing, and some calloused. For twelve years she has been carrying the weight and burden of this humiliation. With appointments with numerous doctors filling her head with dreams ad hopes of healing her with remedies, in the end the only filling that came was the pockets of the doctors. She is destitute after a dozen years of steady blood loss. She is pale, anemic, and tired. She is done with the stigma, shamers, and shysters. Her life may have been filled with tragedy and desperation for twelve long years, but things were about to change. Her life was soon to be completely transformed. The attributes of her transformation will be evident in all who experience the touch of Christ. She hears of another physician. One Who is compassionate, no charges or fees, a gentle healer. She has heard of His success among the incurable. Briefly following the crowd, she desperately extends her empty hand through the crowd and touched the hem of His garment. When she realized she could not hide from the Lord, she came before Jesus trembling. She was terrified and fell down before the Lord. She told the people what was wrong with her and then told them that when she touched Jesus she was healed immediately. She had spent all her living seeking healing, but just one touch from the Lord made her whole. She was immediately transformed by His mighty touch. Jesus was moved by her faith. This is the only time that Jesus called a woman daughter in all of Scripture. He encouraged her to be of good comfort. Don't forget, she is scared of the people for being unclean and she is afraid of Jesus because she touched Him. She is wondering, I'm sure, "What is going to happen to me now?" With gentleness, tenderness, and assurance, Jesus tells her everything is going to be all right, "Be of good comfort." Jesus was telling her to have courage and to be cheerful. This is the meaning of this word "comfort." He continued and said, "Go in peace. Your faith has made you whole." This word "whole" means "continually whole." Jesus assured her that she would not have a relapse. Her problem was not coming back. Christ's message is the same for us today. Just as this poor woman was immediately healed of her plague when she touched the Lord Jesus, so sinners are healed of the plague of their hearts, freed from the curse of the law and the guilt of sin as soon as they touch the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. Like this woman with the hemorrhage, we all have been defiled by sin. We must be cleansed of sin or we can never spend eternity in the presence of a holy God. Only Jesus can cleanse us through His death on the cross. Following the crowd who are following Jesus will not bring a person into a personal relationship with Him. We must lay hold of Him by faith as she did that day. You will never possess what you need in life apart from Christ! Religion without Christ is of no value to lost sinners. When you get close enough to touch the Lord by faith, I assure you that He will know and He will respond. He will not let a touch of faith go without notice. When Jesus does a work in your heart or life, you won't be able to keep in quiet. If someone as big as the Lord lives within, He will be revealed from time to time. We will have to tell it once in a while. Her time with the Lord had brought great and immediate blessing. The same remains true with us. There is nothing like the touch of Jesus. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, that You for saving me by Your amazing grace. I know that when I called out to Your Son for salvation, He was already reaching to me. Help me to reach others who need 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 One Thing I Have Desired (Psalm 27:4)
Psalm 27:4, One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. Worship a pure and precise antidote for worry. David understood that praising the Lord and being in His presence was the one thing that could disperse fear. There is safety and security in the Lord’s presence. David did not isolate himself nor did he face his troubles alone. He gathered himself with the fellowship of believers. David didn’t enter the Lord’s house to watch but to worship. He was personally involved. We must not allow the struggles of life to seize our time spent with the Lord. Daily Passion: David’s heart cried out for the Lord." Where could he find eternal security? Where could the desires of his soul be fully satisfied? When his eyes turned toward the sanctuary, he cried, " One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. David is not just praying for deliverance from his present condition, but he also wanted to get a grip on the Lord in his relationship with Him. David wanted to live in uninterrupted enjoyment of the Lord’s presence throughout life. Most often our prayers are centered around asking the Lord for His hand on our behalf rather than seeking His face to behold His glory and holiness. Devout Passion: Prayer means to ask. We pray because God is faithful. We thank God because He is good. We praise God because He is great. David was very clear about what mattered most to him and what he desired. Above all else, with all his heart, David’s desire was to be in God’s presence. The man after God’s own heart desired but “one thing” and sought but “one thing” from the Lord that I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever Psalm 23:6b,. David loved the sweet communion on earth and longed for the perfect communion in Heaven with the Lord. “To behold the beauty of the Lord” by faith here, and face to face for eternity. This long period of David's weakness and vulnerability was serving a good purpose. God was using David’s circumstances to strengthen his faith. Having no other to protect him he was cast totally on God. He longed after God Himself, both in this time of trouble and forever. His troubles and fear drove him to a deeper experience with the Lord. Determined Passion: He had a burning desire to be faithful to the house of God throughout his entire life. His determination was not to be an occasional or casual attendee. David vowed to dwell in the house of the Lord. This speaks of is durability and dependability. As far as he was concerned, God’s house was his home. There he would seek the Lord’s face and focus upon His blessedness. He desired the Lord’s presence in his life, and it is the supreme focus of his prayer. God calls all of us to this same purpose. David wanted to live in the Lord’s presence to enquire or seek Him. His foremost priority was to know God. This is the desire of the true worshipper: not to receive something from God but to know God. Scripture reveals that God’s beauty is in His holiness (I Corinthians 16:29; II Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 96:9). Every object and piece of furniture in the tabernacle testified to the Lord’s holiness. True worship is to bask in the presence of God, adoring His perfect holiness. Psalm 92:13, Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. If we are going to dwell in the house of the Lord forever then, it goes without saying that we should want to dwell there all the days of our life. If we have no love for the meeting place of God's people, no passion to be there, then there's something radically wrong with our belief. Fewer people today view His Word as a thing of beauty and a thing of great value. Many are not interested in spiritual things. They are more interested in dwelling in sports' stadiums, shopping malls, and social media rather than in church sanctuaries. As with anything in life, we will only spend time in fellowship with the Lord if we are willing to make time for Him and make Him a priority. May we be determined to live in unceasing fellowship with the Father. Points to Ponder: Daily seek unbroken enjoyable fellowship with God Every believer needs a time and a place to commune with the Lord. Questions to Consider: Where does your security lie? What is your satisfaction in? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, my desire, is to seek Your face, to know You, and to dwell in Your presence. 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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