Profits of Practicing Patience (James 1:1-4)
James 1:1-4, James, a servant of God and of the LORD Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. G. Campbell Morgan said, “Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.” God uses trials in our lives to make us steadfast in the faith. Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality most of us ever encounter. In prayer, we are aware that God is in action and that when the circumstances are ready, when others are in the right place, and when our hearts are prepared, he will call us into the action. Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts. Let’s view four ways in which we profit by practicing patience. 1. We need patience in suffering. In Romans 5:3, “tribulations worketh patience”. We see Job as an example of faith (James 5:11). In Job 23:10, “…when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”. 2. We need patience in our labor for the Lord. According to Galatians 6:9, we have this promise, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 3. We need patience in the Christian race Hebrews 12:1-2, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 4. We need patience in waiting for Jesus in the rapture II Thessalonians 3:5, And the LORD direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Patience is the inner strength from God to bear with a plan or adversity a long time. We believers are becoming less patient these days. We want this to happen right now. If it doesn’t, we get discouraged and give up. When Jesus took his disciples over the Sea of Galilee, He took them right through a dreadful storm. It was a trying experience for the disciples, but there was great opportunity for ministry awaiting them. When they arrived safely on the other side, they freed a demoniac man, healed a diseased woman and raised a dead girl. They had to pass through a great trial to get there. PRAYER: Father, forgive me for the times when I have struggled waiting while You were working in my life. I can’t endure in my strength, but in Your strength, I can endure with joy. 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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Seeking the Lord (Amos 5:1-15)
No nation can last long unless its leaders are honest and execute true justice among themselves. Any society will soon crumble unless it maintains true justice; this is essential for any nation’s survival. This passage (Amos 5) shows the Lord grieving over Israel’s failure to seek Him. God has pronounced His judgment on all the unjust of Israel. Despite all the medical, scientific, and technological advances since Amos’s day, people’s behavior has not changed. We are just as guilty of unjust behavior today as were the people those many centuries ago. Mankind has a way of tarnishing everything God has committed to him. Therefore, the need to repent comes necessary. Five times the word “seek” is used here. Israel lost the presence of God in their lives. Where pride and self-will are allowed to surface, corruption will soon follow. In Amos 5:5, Bethel is mentioned because of the corruption they are allowed there. Bethel lost sight of God and the godly could no longer visit there like they once were able. The enormity of sin might be concealed from man, but God knows how many are our offences, and how great are our sins. All hypocrites will face the judgment of God. A profession to know the Lord is not enough to make us acceptable to Him. We can be in church every time the door opens and not really know the Lord. We can serve on every church committee and still not be serving the Lord if our daily walk is not righteous. Our walk with the Lord must be genuine, consistent and undivided. Our God is a jealous God and He will not share His glory with any other so-called god. We must truly believe in and trust the Lord, and Him alone. A person who sincerely believes and trusts will follow the Lord and obey His commandments. The person will live righteously. If we confess to believe in the Lord, and continually break His holy commandments, we are liars. We see that Amos is pleading with Israel, after the fact, to “seek the Lord”. Had they continued to seek the Lord as they did at the beginning they wouldn’t be in this situation. However, they didn’t. This calls to mind the things happening around us today in the name of Jesus Christ that certainly must grieve the Holy Spirit. Had they sought the Lord, they would have never strayed away from His pleasure. Israel’s problem was that they came to God on their own terms—"We want to worship You and believe in You and still keep our sins." The only way to God, then and now, is through repentance, through being willing to seek goodness and justice and righteousness. Let me encourage you to continually seek the Lord about everything. And if we don’t, then may the Lord give us a godly person to reveal to us our sin. Seek the Lord! In the midst of this talk about destruction it is amazing that God still urges the people to seek His grace and mercy, just as the Lord encouraged the church at Sardis to turn to Him (Revelation 3:2-3). All He requires of His people is that they will come to Him, and they will live. The Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that all God requires is for people to humble themselves and come to Him and find rest (Matthew 11:28). The most disturbing thing about Israel's fall, and the fall of any man into God's judgment, is that it was unnecessary. All through Amos 5, and throughout the Word of God, there runs a thread of hope, a way of escape, a way of deliverance. God said, "Seek ye me and ye shall live (Amos 5:4, 6) ... Seek good and not evil that ye may live (Amos 5:14-15). PRAYER: Lord, help me to seek You every day. If I seek You then I will find 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 Encounters with the Enemy (I Samuel 19)
In I Samuel 19, King Saul was obsessed with jealousy, envy, and rage. He was so consumed by it that he failed to see the blessings of his most loyal servant, David. Although David was devoted to the king, Saul made several attempts to rid himself of David. After David successfully defeated the king’s enemies, and defended the king repeatedly, David was deceived by the king. Paul warns in II Timothy 3:13, But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. The same will happen to believer’s today. However, God is always able to foil the plans of evil men. We see evil committed every day, yet, we can rest assured that our God is always mindful of our need for protection every day. In I Samuel 19:6-9, we see that David never once had done anything to incite wrath from the king, in fact, he continued to fulfill his duties; knowing this was God’s will for his life. David continued to fight against the King’s enemies. Often when we are faced with opposition. We tend to neglect our duties and responsibilities that are given to us. We must keep in mind that we are to exhibit that we are responsible to almighty God. According to I Corinthians 6:18, we must flee temptation and sinful lusts. This is seen in Genesis when Joseph flees from the sexual advances from Potiphar’s wife. Paul reminds us in I Corinthians that when those temptations come there is always a way of escape. As a child of God, after His own heart, we must flee from temptation the very moment we are advanced. The Lord will never allow anything to happen to His children without also providing the deliverance that is needed. When David was being pursued by King Saul’s servants, David flees to his house and shares Psalm 59:1-2, Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. The main thing for us in handling an enemy is to maintain a daily, consecrated prayer life. David did not think that he had enough courage and strength to handle this trial on his own. He didn’t complain to God that the situation wasn’t fair. He sought God knowing that deliverance is available in God alone. Remember, God gives His best to those who leave the choice to Him. In I Samuel 19, David’s enemies are awaiting outside his house to kill him. In I Samuel 19:16, David reaffirms his confidence that God will get the victory. We handle the enemy by faithfully fulfilling our duties and increasing our dependence upon God above all others. In Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Our God is omnipotent and omnipresent and He can strengthen and supply any need for any trial we will ever face. PRAYER: Father, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Strengthen me that I may stand fast in the evil day and to trust in Your Word, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 2 Priorities for a Powerful Prayer Life (Matthew 14:22-23)
Matthew 14:22–23, And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Jesus was very popular. The crowds sought Him out! Everyone wanted to be with Him! Masses of people followed Him for various reasons. They either wanted to hear Him, or ask Him a question, or get Him to heal a loved one. From daylight to dusk Jesus was sought. When the crowd knew He was in town, they found Him. Jesus never had a moment alone to be with the Father, unless He made it happen. It is very important that we spend time alone with God. Perhaps every one of us struggles at times when it comes to making time for prayer. The subject of prayer has been has written about thousands of time to make one more confident and consistent in time spent with the Lord. A Quiet Place. The first priority is establishing a quiet place that is free from distractions. When you want to pray, where do you go? Do you have a special place where you enjoy some quiet time? The Scottish pastor, Thomas Brooks said, “The power of religion and godliness lives, thrives, or dies, as closet [private] prayer lives, thrives, or dies. Godliness never rises to a higher pitch than when men keep closest to their closets.” Your prayer closet is one of the most important places you’ll go to every day. Since we all have busy lives we have to adjust to what works best. Personally, I feel the best time and place would be early in the mornings in a quiet secluded place at home. However, for some it may be at a restaurant, coffee shop, or office cube. A Quiet Period. The second priority is having a specific time. Having found a quiet place, we also need a quiet, committed period of time. Despite our best plans, there are times when life gets chaotic. This may mean scheduling a specific time of day in which you talk with the Lord. Although we can take our cares and burdens to the Lord at any time, if we are committed to a consistent prayer life and scheduled time, it will help. For some it will be harder than others to find a quiet hour. This means we may have to sacrifice things that maybe pleasant and profitable. The most important appointment you make every day is the one you make with God. Find a quiet place and a quiet time where you can spend time alone before God. These are priorities to a powerful prayer life along with an effective personal devotion. Jesus always found time to spend with the Father. Since prayer was such an important part in the life of Jesus, how much more important is it to us who are broken and sinful? Time alone with the Lord will be the most comforting time in your day. Prayer, Lord, I humbly ask You to graciously grant me a heart that desires to pray. Forgive me, I’ve just been struggling with fear and doubt that has troubled the peace I have from You. I commit myself to prayer and I am casting these things Your way right now. I’m choosing not to worry about them anymore because You will deal with them under the authority of Jesus’ name, Amen If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Honor God…and He Will Honor You (I Samuel 2:30)
I Samuel 2:30, Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. A profound principle, which extends to this day, remains - those that honor the Lord will be honored. Those who have little regard for Him and His precepts will receive little esteem from Him. God blesses those who honor Him, and at the least, withholds His blessing from those who ignore Him. Leaving his young son in boarding school in Great Britain was the hardest thing Rev. James Dunlop Liddell, Scottish missionary to China, had ever done. But Eric thrived like a hare in the highlands. He studied hard. He loved sports, particularly rugby. He joined a Bible study, faithfully attended church regularly, and became a member of the Crusader Christian Union. He also began his lifelong habit of early morning Bible reading and prayer. Eric advanced to the university, joined the track team, and won races like a thoroughbred. Every week he brought home more prizes and trophies until he soon ran out of storage space. His legs became a Scottish national treasure, and all the world followed him to the 1924 Olympics. All the while, Eric’s Christian life continued on the fast track as well, and his newly-found fame gave plenty of opportunities for preaching and witnessing. At the Paris Olympics, his faith was put to the test when his chosen venue, the 100-meter race, was scheduled for Sunday. Eric, who didn’t believe in competing on the Lord’s Day, opted out. In spite of pressure and criticism, he instead entered the 400-meter run that was on a different day, as the world watched and wondered at this unusual young man. In his dressing room just before the race, Eric unfolded a small bit of paper that had been given to him by the team masseur. It read: “In the old book it says ‘He that honors me I will honor.’ Wishing you the best of success always.” Eric knew the verse very well. It was I Samuel 2:30. He smiled and made up his mind that, win or lose, he would honor God and that he did. I Samuel 2:30 played an important role in the life of Eric Liddell. He and the Lord had honored each other. He won the gold medal. His time that day was 47.6 seconds. He set a new world record. The Lord had blessed him with speed like a stallion. Points to Ponder: God places great merit on faithfulness. He is looking for men and women faithful to Him (Proverbs 20:6; I Corinthians 4:2). Honor God and He will honor you and your faithfulness to Him. Questions to Consider: Are you faithful, or a failure, in obedience to the Lord? Are you honoring the Lord with your life? How will you choose to honor the Lord today? PRAYER: Lord, I want You to know how important You are in my life, so I come to You now, giving You the first portion of my day. Help me to honor You in attitude and actions today. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Joy of Justification (Romans 3:24)
Romans 3:24, Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Two brothers were spending their Saturday doing their chores, when the younger brother accidently knocked over a can of paint saturating most of the garage floor. When the older brother witnessed it, he told the younger brother, he would not tell their father if the younger brother mowed the lawn from now on. The younger brother was at first reluctant, but agreed. After a week the younger brother told his older brother that he would no longer mow the lawn. The older brother was quick to remind his younger brother of the agreement and that he would go to their father immediately. The younger brother said with joy, “Fine! I have already told dad, and he forgave me.” Justification is the redemptive act of Jesus Christ at Calvary, whereby He declares the repentant and believing sinner free of all guilt and entitled to all the blessings and responsibilities of the kingdom. Justification is that spiritual blessing whereby God removes the filthy garments of our own "good" works, pays the debt of our sins, and argues our case as defense attorney, with the resulting verdict—not guilty, entirely by the grace of Jesus Christ. If the judge acquits me, who can condemn me? If the highest court in the universe has pronounced me just, who shall lay anything to my charge? God has already announced the verdict; the person who has faith in Jesus stands acquitted. Now, we are declared righteous by the One to whom there is no further appeal (Romans 5). There are several reasons being justified brings a believer joy. Here are three. 1. Justification frees us from the fear of judgment as it relates to condemnation and the penalty of death (John 3:17-18; Romans 4:3-4). When we are justified by faith, our iniquities are forgiven, or sins are covered; and it is all done by God imputing righteousness without works. Satan loves to bring our past sins up to us. He looks for opportunities to accuse us and to haunt us with our past (Revelation 12:10). He is aware if he can consume us with guilt that he can conquer our service to the Lord. We have been fully forgiven and there is no more any condemnation (Romans 8:31-39). 2. Justification cancels out our enormous debt that we would never be able to pay. Again, imputation means a debt is owed; one is unable to pay, but the debt is satisfied when another steps in and pays the account on behalf of the debtor. If you will go to the LORD and take Christ righteousness (which is perfect) He will accredit it to your account. So, when you stand before God, you will stand before God as though you have never sinned. Not because your sinless, but because of your account. 3. Justification clothes us with robes of righteousness (I Peter 2:22; II Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ does not only deliver us from the pollution of sin by cleansing us; but God placed your sin upon Christ on the cross. Jesus placed your sins on His account and clothed you with His righteousness so that when you stand before the Father, He will see you as justified. Prayer: LORD, thank You for being the God that justifies. Thank You for Your gift of forgiveness of all my sins. Help me to live like someone who is truly clean and forgiven! 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 Imitators of Christ (I Peter 2:21-25)
I Peter 2:21-25, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. A minister filling in for a teacher of a Sunday school class asked, "What do you think Jesus was like?" Doubtless the pastor expected an answer like: He was a good man; He was a poet; He was a carpenter; He was like God. But no. One little boy raised his hand and replied, "I think Jesus was like my Sunday School teacher." Think back to the time when you were a kid. Back when you had a childhood hero and you followed their every move. You wanted to be like them when you grew up. When it comes to being an example, there is no greater example than the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did no sin. He lived His life free of sin. Humanity had never witnessed prior to Christ, nor since, anyone who lived life, in it’s entirety, free of sin. He never once had to seek forgiveness because He had missed the mark. He lived the life that God demanded that we never could. When Adam fell in sin, that fellowship was broken and the curse of sin was passed on to every succeeding generation. Sadly, each of us were born under the curse of sin and were separated from God because of it. God is holy and righteous and He cannot condone, or approve, of sin. His holiness demands that sin be atoned and reconciliation be made. At salvation we were born into the family of God. We have been given the name of Christ and are charged to bear it among men. Jesus never once knew what it was like to wander from the ways of God, or violate His holy ordinances. Peter reveals that all believers have an obligation to follow after the Lord and live as it pleases Him. The name Christian literally means "a follower of Christ." Christ has left the example that we are to copy. We are to strive to live our lives just as He lived His. People are to change, not Christ (Hebrews 13:8). It is not the business of the church to adapt Christ to men, but men to Christ. We have been called to live a life that honors the Lord in all that we do, even if that involves enduring suffering for His sake. We are to mimic and imitate every detail. Now I know that we will never achieve that level of perfection, living above sin and in perfect communion with the Father, but we are charged to strive for that. As Christians, we ought to live and look more like Jesus today than we did when we were babes in the faith! As believers, we are to mature as we grow in the faith. Our overall purpose is to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ by obeying His command to make disciples of all nations. PRAYER: Lord, You have given us the example to follow, help me to walk in Your way. I know that the closer and longer I identify with You I will face ridicule and encounter sufferings. Help me and strengthen me that I may reflect You in my life. 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 Manifestation of God’s Love To Us (I John 4:9-10)
I John 4:9-10, In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. No one disputes that Jesus Christ suffered. But the idea that His suffering was necessary—that He had to suffer has often been the subject of scorn from those who have criticized and ridiculed Christianity through the centuries. It is also what sets Christianity apart. Many, for example, show respect for the person of Christ, but see the cross of Christ as a stumbling block and regard Christ’s atonement through suffering as foolishness. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we purposefully stand in this ridicule and embrace the cross of Christ. This perfectly illustrates I Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” Jesus suffered to pay for the sins of mankind. I John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” It wasn’t enough for Him to die. Jesus had to pay a debt. The payment was necessary. Jesus suffered to satisfy the demands of God’s wrath. As much as God loves you, He hates your sin with a holy, burning hatred that we cannot comprehend. The only way that He could embrace you was to get someone else—someone perfect, to pay for it. Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus suffered to purchase the opportunity for our sins to be forgiven. No longer do we have to carry our sin around. We can be forgiven. God laid all of our sinfulness upon Jesus as He willingly suffered and died upon the cross. The debt was paid, opening the door to my forgiveness and yours. Jesus suffered to provide the way to eternal life. To get a gift, you must receive it (Romans 6:23). Have you? Do you know that Jesus is the gift of eternal life? His suffering has made that gift possible. That’s the Gospel; that’s the whole subject. Jesus paid for the sins of mankind. He suffered to buy our forgiveness. So the question remains—are you carrying around the burden of your sin and the wrong that you’ve done. Forgiveness. I tell you—it’s Good News!
Prayer: Father, You sent Your only Son to pay for the debt that I owed. Why You did that is hard to comprehend. Jesus Christ did nothing wrong, and I can’t seem to stay away from sin! But Your love is greater than my sin. What an amazing gift You have given me. Thank You for bringing me into a relationship with You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to never forget the debt Christ paid for 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 Power of a Godly Testimony (I Peter 3:15-16)
Peter 3:15-16, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” Sometimes conflict is unavoidable, even between godly people. The Apostle Peter found himself in the middle of conflict quite often. Sometimes it was a consequence of his mistakes. At other times, conflict caught him by surprise. Looking over in Acts 11, the Jewish Christians contended with Peter because he ate with uncircumcised Gentile converts. Peter didn’t retreat when called upon to give an answer. Instead, he rehearsed to them the sequence of events God used to lead him to embrace his convictions. He explained how his vision from God, the witness from the Spirit, and the witness of God’s Word worked together to confirm God's will in this matter. Peter had no choice but to faithfully obey. After his response, his challengers could say nothing against him. Peter didn’t have to say anything to answer his Christian critics. He could have smiled and kept his mouth shut, allowing the Word of God to speak for itself. But this apostle had a testimony and he wasn’t about to let anyone intimidate him from sharing it. When Peter gave his answer he presented a compelling, yet humble, argument which convinced his critics that he had done right to follow God. He dared to be faithful to the truth he had experienced for himself and God blessed his efforts. We should be ready to answer questions about the Lord, our salvation and the Gospel for others. We are to be ready to openly share the hope we have in Christ based on the Word of God, how to be saved and why we know we are saved. We should know Scriptures that will enable us to show a lost person how to come to the Lord and why the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of the world. When Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives each crisis becomes an opportunity to witness for Him. The idea is to have the Lord GOD always upon our hearts so that when opposition, or persecution, arises for being a Christian we might properly respond. In other words, we need to be always primed and ready to testify of Christ. Salvation may come quietly but we must not remain quiet about it. At the age of five, Hannah made an insightful statement about her newfound faith. She told her mother, “I think Jesus has moved out of my heart.” With curiosity and concern, her mom asked where Hannah thought Christ had gone. She replied, “He has moved to my throat, because all I want to do is tell people about Jesus.” We too should be constantly witnessing. I recently read a staggering statistic concerning soul winning that convicted me and challenged me to witness and testify more. “Only one person is reached for Christ for every 85 church members in America.” Our church has planned times of soulwinning for people to go out and present the gospel to others. I believe this is important because scheduling soulwinning helps us fulfill this important obligation. But there are many other times when an opportunity may arise and we need to be alert and take advantage of each one of those. Perhaps you have recently been challenged about your Christian convictions. Your family can’t understand why your kids are well-mannered and submissive to your authority. They can’t figure out why you always seem so happy. There is something different about you and they’re curious to find out what it is. Are you prepared to tell them? You have a testimony and God wants you to share it. Prayer: Lord, I know that You gave us a command to share the Gospel and our faith. And I know that You want me to share my testimony. Though at times it may not be the easiest, or even the popular thing to do. Give me the courage I need and help me to be faithful. Help me to realize the importance of sharing my faith, being a faithful witness, and the importance of having a godly testimony. Please help me to be alert so that I do not miss an opportunity to give the Gospel to someone. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com God’s Spiritual Scalpel (Hebrews 4:12)
Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Gaylord Kambarami, the General Secretary of the Bible Society in Zimbabwe, tried to give a New Testament to a very belligerent man. The man insisted he would roll the pages and use them to make cigarettes. Mr. Kambarami said, “I understand that, but at least promise to read the pages of the New Testament before you smoke it.” The man agreed, and the two went their separate ways. Fifteen years later, the two men met at a convention in Zimbabwe. The Scripture-smoking pagan had been saved and was now a full-time evangelist. He told the audience, “I smoked Matthew, and I smoked Mark, and I smoked Luke. But when I got to John 3:16, I couldn’t smoke anymore. My life was changed from that moment.” The Bible is more than just words on paper? Gipsy Smith told of a man who said he had received no inspiration from the Bible although he had “gone through it several times.” “Let it go through you once,” replied Smith, “Then you will tell a different story!” God’s Word is likened to a spiritual scalpel. The word sword here is more in the sense of scalpel used for surgery rather than a long sword. The emphasis is not upon the length of the blade, but upon the razor sharpness thereof. It is quick—living. It is also powerful in that it is effective and effectual. God’s Word has the surgical sharpness to pierce deeper than our mind and into our heart. The Word of God can accomplish so much in our lives if we simply take the time to open it and be receptive to what it has to say. God’s Word surpasses logic and psychology. It pierces directly to the human heart (our spirit) just as the surgeon’s knife goes to the marrow. Let’s consider our body for an example. Within the leg is the bone which is not visible even as our mind is not physically visible. However, even deeper still is the marrow just as our spirit {or spiritual heart} resides at the deepest level of human existence. Scripture is like a scalpel wielded by God to perform spiritual surgery. In conjunction with the Holy Spirit, the Word of God cuts through the sin and darkness of the human heart to restore spiritual health and vitality for Christ. Without the Word, we are as good as dead. God’s Word, however, eliminates the disease of the human heart and breathes life where there is death. Prayer: Lord, I know that Your Word has the power to transform my life. Forgive me for the times I have just skimmed over Your Word rather than planting it deep in my heart. As I take it into my heart and get it deep into my soul, I ask You to use Your Word to release its power in my life! In Jesus name I pray. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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