Walk the Talk (I John 2:6)
I John 2:6, He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. A June 21, 1974 article that appeared in Christianity Today was about Christians in the Soviet Union. A former criminal, Kozlov, who later became a church leader, wrote of life in a Soviet prison. Here is what he stated: Among the general despair, while prisoners like myself were cursing ourselves, the camp, and the authorities; while we opened up our veins, our stomachs, or hanged ourselves; the Christians (often with sentences of 20 to 25 years) did not despair. One could see Christ reflected in their faces. Their pure, upright lives, deep faith, and devotion to God, their gentleness and their wonderful manliness became a shining example of real-life for thousands. These Christian prisoners imitated the life of Jesus Christ. They walked or lived as the Lord did. John speaks again of the lifestyle of the Christian, dealing now with the walk of the believer. He states that if you say you abide in the Lord, then you need to behave like Him. This word “abideth” means “to dwell, to reside, to remain, to continue to exist or to live, to persist.” If a person claims to have a relationship with the Lord, then that person’s talk should match their walk. He or she needs to walk, or live, as Jesus lived. This is an important aspect of reaching people for Jesus Christ. We are the lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16), now that He has ascended into Heaven. The Christian life is a walk (Ephesians 2:10; 4:1, 17; 5:1, 8, 15; Colossians 1:10; I Thessalonians 2:12). The priority of the Christian's life is to walk as Jesus Christ walked. Being a Christian is not a part-time deal. It is a consistent way of life. We need to be realistic and admit that no Christian will ever be perfect, on this side of the grave. However, we do have a priority to walk as Christ walked. The priority of Christ's life was to obey the perfect will of God. What a testimony we would have if we would simply set our hearts to love and do the will of God. When we walk as Christ walked, in obedience to the Word and will of God, we please Him. Jesus showed us how we should live in total dependence on the Father and in complete submission to His will, no matter how difficult. Following Jesus’ example is not meant to be optional for Christians; it is to be a way of life (Acts 11:26) that boldly identifies with Christ (Mark 8:34) and reflects His character. This is not entirely possible without spending time in God’s Word because that is the one place where we actually see what Jesus would do. By studying God’s Word for ourselves and praying that God would help us apply it to our lives, we invite the Holy Spirit to guide us in Jesus’ steps and develop His character in us (John 14:25-26; 17:12-15). To walk as Jesus walked means that our lives should be characterized by daily dependence on God, submission to Him, and obedience to His will. Everyone who claims to abide in Christ should have the same focus and direction, not to act in independence from God, but in total dependence on Him. John is saying, ‘if we say we know Jesus we need to show that we know Jesus.’ John gives the requirement for abiding in Jesus. We are to live as He lived. Our walk and our talk ought to coincide; what we say with our lips ought to be consistent with the way we live our life. We cannot live like Jesus if we do not know Jesus. God’s not interested in how high we can jump, but how straight we can walk when we hit the ground. We should not live to please ourselves apart from God, but to do the things that are pleasing to Him. Our hearts desire should be, wherever He is I want to be, whatever He’s doing I want to do, whatever He’s saying I want to say, wherever He’s going I want to go! Are you abiding in Jesus? Do you remain in Jesus? Are you continuing with Him? How do you measure up? Are you walking as Jesus walked? Points to Ponder: In our Christian life we daily face the decision will we live for Jesus and follow Him or will we live for self. God wants us to show that we know Him to this world. We need to let the world know that our walk lines up with our talk. We will seek to please Him by our thoughts, words, and deeds. While we will never perfectly walk as Jesus walked, it should be our constant aim and effort to do so. Questions to Consider: Are you giving evidence that you know God by the way you are living? Do you have the assurance from the Lord? Is the love of God being perfected in you? If you have never accepted Jesus as your Saviour, would you trust Jesus today? Would you begin to walk daily as He did? PRAYER: Father, You have reminded me that our relationship goes two ways—You abide in me and I abide in You. Continue, Lord, to develop the fruit in my life that demonstrates Your indwelling power. Deepen my reliance on You by leading me into increased expressions of Your Word applied in and to my life. Thank You for abiding in me, Lord Jesus. In Your strong 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
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It’s By the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:11)
Revelation 12:11, And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. In the 16th century, when King Philip II of Spain, an arch-Roman Catholic, came against the Protestants of Holland, sending the Duke of Alva to slaughter them, Spanish troops went house to house throughout Rotterdam searching out Protestants and killing them. In this one particular house, a handful of men, women, and children heard the soldiers approaching. They heard the pounding of doors, the screams of victims, and the marching of feet coming toward them. Terror gripped their hearts. But a young man suddenly got an idea. He took a goat in the house, killed it, and swept its blood under the doorway out onto the street. When the soldiers reached the house, they saw blood flowing under the door, and, assuming their fellow soldiers had already taken care of the job in that house, they went their way. That family overcame that adversity by blood—but Christians have and will continue to overcome Satan's attacks, slander, temptations, and persecutions by the blood of the Lamb of God! Herbert Lockyer wrote, “The precious blood of Christ is the grounds and the means of victory. Through His blood, we have boldness before God, which, in turn, produces boldness before men.” For we find in this verse the sources of the saints victory. Exodus 12:12-14, 22–23, For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. All of us are born under a death sentence because of sin. We are sinners both by nature and by choice, and we deserve the punishment of Hell. But in His grace, mercy, and love, God prepared a way for our salvation before the world was created. Romans 5:9, Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. The shed blood of Jesus Christ forms the foundation of our justification. God will judge sin, but because of the justification stemming from the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we will be saved from the judgment of sin and from going to hell. Every good thing that we receive from God has its foundation in the purchase of our redemption through the blood of Christ. Far more precious than any treasure of earth, the blood of Jesus provides the atonement for sin that no other sacrifice could provide. Hebrews 10:4, For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Give God the glory and thanks for all of the wonderful benefits you have received because of the precious blood of Jesus. No other issue is more important in your life than the issue of knowing Jesus because your relationship with Christ will determine where you will spend eternity. A newly married couple had invited members from their two families to a Sunday dinner. The guests were seated around the table. All desired to be at their best. As the rich, brown gravy was being passed, one young lady accidentally tipped the bowl and it spilled. With a large brown blotch on the immaculately clean linen tablecloth, the hostess quickly and skillfully scraped up the gravy and spread a napkin over the spot. The meal went on as if nothing happened. The napkin did not take away the spot. It merely covered it so the dinner and fellowship could continue. To the unfortunate young woman who had spilled the gravy, however, the white napkin was a constant reminder of her faults and accident. In the same manner, the Old Testament sacrifices at the Temple covered the sins of the Israelites, but they were also a constant reminder of their sins. The day after the dinner, the tablecloth was washed and the spot was taken away. So by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, believers are washed from their sins in His blood. There is no napkin to remind of sin. John said in Revelation 1:5b, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I thank You for sending Jesus, Your only begotten Son to shed His blood to pay my sin debt. He gave His all for me and has allowed me access to You in Heaven. Help me to share this joy I have with others. 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 Men of Courage (Daniel 3:16-18)
Daniel 3:16-18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Two boys entered the dentist's office. One of the boys said, "Doc, will you pull a tooth right this minute?" The dentist replied, "You don't need any gas or Novocain?" The boy said, "Nope! Just one big yank!" The doctor replied, "Sure! That's what I call being brave and courageous. Now show me the tooth you want pulled." The boy turned to his little brother and said, "Come here Jimmy and show the Doc your tooth." We are brave for others, but struggle sometimes to have our own courage. These three Hebrews had genuine courage and confidence in the Lord. They knew that their God was able to save them from the fiery furnace. In fact, they were casting themselves upon the Lord to rescue them. But even if the Lord chose not to deliver them, they still would not betray Him. The minds of the three Hebrew men were made up! These men had genuine courage and faith. They would not bend, bow, budge or break. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. God wants us to make up our minds to live for Him! We need to make that decision now before we are tested. Trials will come. Our attitude should be that of Job 13:15, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. These three young men faced the ultimate test of their faith. They either had to disobey the Lord or disobey the king. And their decision was a matter of life or death. Their first loyalty belonged to the Lord. They loved and believed in the Lord and knew Him in a very personal way. From the earliest days of childhood all three of these young men had made the Word of God the center of their lives. When our faith is tested, we must continue to trust the Lord. Even if the test is a matter of life or death for us, we are never to deny the Lord. We must entrust the keeping of our souls totally into God’s hands. No matter how strong the temptation or how difficult the trial, God expects us to continue to believe and trust Him. Our faith is not to waver or collapse, but rather to remain strong. Through faith, we can overcome all the tests and trials of life. We will never know the true strength of our faith until it is tested. Prayer: Father in Heaven, I know strength and help comes from You. Thank You for giving me courage under fire when serving You gets hard. Help me to continue to stand for You in life’s fiery trials. 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 Getting Up After a Fall (Psalm 37:23-24)
Psalm 37:23-24, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. My favorite cereal is Honey Nut Cheerios. I like Honey Nut Cheerios not only because it tastes good, I also like it because you can’t sink the Cheerio no matter how many times you try. It keeps resurfacing to the top. You’re not defeated by getting knocked down in life, you’re only defeated when you refuse to get back up. The righteous may fall, but they will get back up. The question is not whether we ever fail, but whether we get back up when we do. You cannot be defeated by the enemy; you can only lose by giving up. Don’t let defeats or setbacks discourage you. Instead, commit yourself to standing firm and not giving up no matter how tough things get. God will be faithful and just to guide and direct our steps (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6). God delights in the path of the righteous. Even as a parent delights in the steps of an obedient child, so does our heavenly Father (Psalm 11:7). Though the righteous may stumble along the path of life, they will be kept from falling into the abyss. God will grab you and lift you back up with His hand (Psalm 37:17; 63:8). Every parent has grabbed their toddler as he or she was about to fall. God has promised the same for the righteous. Failure is not final with God. God is willing to give those who fail a second chance to serve Him. Many of God’s best servants experienced some failure in their lives. Those who came back to God were given another great work to do. Witness Jonah in the deep; Elijah (I Kings 19:1-4); Peter (John 18:15-27); Mark (Acts 15:36-41). Though met with trouble, God providentially preserved them. Here are some promises to keep in mind when you fall short of your expectations: Your steps are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). When you fall, you will not be utterly cast down because God is upholding you with His hand (Psalm 37:24). The rock of your strength and your refuge is in God, not yourself (Psalm 62:7). God has begun a work in you which will continue until you get to Heaven — you’re a work in progress (Philippians 1:6) God’s grace is sufficient for you (II Corinthians 12:9). God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). One of the best things you can do is learn to see yourself as God does. He loves you no matter how many times you fall. Remember this, and you will keep moving forward, no matter how many times you fall. Prayer: Father, it’s so obvious that I am quite an ordinary sinner when I look at my life. It’s comforting and convicting to know that godly people can fall so far, and yet, You never give up on us. Help me to see areas of my life where I am prone to fall. Forgive me when I do and help me get back in line with Your will for my life. Never let me lose my sense of dependence on You. Keep me pressing on as I follow in Your Son’s steps, realizing it is Your plan to use my time here to grow me into someone more and more like Him. Your will be done, Father, 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 Lord, Deliver Me from Distractions (Colossians 3:2)
Colossians 3:1-2, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Ever since man fell into sin in the garden (Genesis 3), people have had trouble staying focused. The world we live in today is in an era of unprecedented distraction. Since you’re already reading this on some electronic device, I don’t need to expound. There will always be distractions and opportunities to turn away from what we are supposed to be doing. One of the devil’s most effective tactics is not to get us to sin outright. Instead, he gets us to turn aside from what is truly important and focus on things of little importance. If we are not careful, we can find that we have succeeded to stay busy without getting anything accomplished. Jesus never lost sight of the pivotal purpose for which He came into the world. Every day of His life was spent on things that truly counted. This is the pattern that we should be following day by day. Focus leads to success. When we stay focused on what is important, we can accomplish great things for God. Where we focus our minds and hearts today counts forever. The very essence of what we believe to be true about the world hangs on where we direct our attention. One of the important and practical issues in the Christian life is where and how we set our minds. Regardless of how hard it may seem, you really can control your thoughts. To put it in terms of Colossians 3:2, we set our minds either on “things that are above” or “things that are on earth.” Setting our minds does not mean we only ever think of God and heaven, but it does mean that as we engage in our earthly callings such as our family, at work, in the world — we don’t mentally turn our backs on Him. All of us set our minds on something and you will set it somewhere — or if you leave it alone, it will go somewhere. Questions to Consider: · What is distracting you from being focused on the Lord? · If there was one change you made to your daily routine or thought life that could help your eyes stay fixed on Jesus, what would it be? Prayer: Father, I confess I’ve allowed myself to be distracted, and I don’t want to be anymore. Please forgive me, give me a clear sense of Your calling on my life. Help me to stay focused and attentive on serving You. Give me the strength and self-control I need to fix my eyes on You so I can learn what You want me to learn and be who You want me to be. You are worthy of my full attention. I want to hear Your voice. Whatever it takes, Lord, help me to pursue only what You call me to do, and deliver me from distractions. 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’s Greatest Gift to Us (Galatians 4:4-5)
Galatians 4:4-5, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. When a mule's mind has been made, it takes a whole lot of persuading to get him to "unmake" it. A farmer had a mule he owned for many years. Over that time, he picked up on the mule's stubborn streaks. He got so good, he could see a stubborn streak coming and going. He also learned how to get the animal's attention: whenever it acted up, he beat it on the head with a wooden board until it decided to obey him. One day, another farmer stopped by to return some borrowed tools. He watched the farmer hit his mule on the head and said, "Well, it looks like you've figured out how to fix his problem." The farmer said, "I just know how to get his attention. He hasn't been cured yet." When God wanted to get the world's attention, He didn't beat us over the head with a board. He gave us His law so we would know that we were sinners who fell short of perfection (Galatians 3:24-25). The law showed us that our hatred was murder, and our covetousness was idolatry etc. It got our attention in a way nothing else ever could. God is also merciful. Not only did He get our attention, but He also provided a cure for our problem. Paul wrote that God sent Jesus "to redeem them that were under the law." He was talking about each one of us. By ourselves, we could not be restored to a relationship with Him. But God wanted us to be freed from sin and to live in harmony with Him. So He sent Jesus "that we might receive the adoption as sons." He sent His Son to die and shed His blood to pay for all of our sins, so we could go to Heaven. Once we get saved, God starts to work in our lives to help us be like Christ. God loves you and wants a personal relationship with you. He wants you to be part of His family. It is His gift and it is available to each of us. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Saviour, that person is adopted into the family of God. The implications of this new sonship include eternal life and cleansing from all sins. God has provided this assurance in His Word. There’s no doubt about it, Christian. When you put your trust in Christ, you’re in the family — for good. Don’t second-guess it. Don’t doubt it. Just live like it. Has God been trying to get your attention lately? Maybe you heard a preacher give an invitation to put your trust in Christ. You were convicted about your sins, but you never accepted Christ as your Saviour. Get the matter settled today, once and for all. God doesn't try to get your attention to hurt you, but to get you to receive His cure. Won't you trust in Christ right now? Prayer, Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You that I could be adopted into Your family. Thank you for being my Father. In His name. Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Lord, I Will Praise You In This Pain (I Peter 1:6-7)
I Peter 1:6-7, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: The Bible gives reasons for rejoicing in the midst of our afflictions. We can consider suffering to be beneficial. Clearly, Peter could hardly contain his joy as he wrote to his scattered flock. We can easily identify with such high spirits if, like Peter, we review all the blessings we have in Christ. Joy is normal to the Christian. But in this same passage Peter reminds his readers that, "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations" (I Peter 1:6). 1. PAIN (ROMANS 5:3-4) The reason the Bible instructs us to rejoice in our sufferings is because of what sufferings can produce. In Romans 5, Paul explains that we rejoice in our sufferings, “but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Suffering produces endurance and a Christlike character. Suffering teaches us patience and endurance, especially as we press closer to Christ through the reading of His Word. Through afflictions we learn more deeply "the fellowship of his sufferings," as Paul put it (Philippians 3:10). 2. PERPLEXITIES (II CORINTHIANS 4:8) The pressures of life have a way of developing endurance in us, and this endurance can be exercised only when we are placed under pressure. The very trials we dread are thus used by God to strengthen us. II Corinthians 4:8, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” Troubles exposed Paul’s weakness, but at the same time, God showed His strength through Paul. 3. PERSECUTIONS (I PETER 4:12-14) Peter also saw that our afflictions are opportunities to participate in Christ's sufferings (I Peter 4:12-14). “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” Questions to Consider: Are you in the midst of trials and perplexities? Do others notice your joy in spite of your suffering? Points to Ponder: God often performs His greatest work through our suffering. How we respond to our sufferings speaks volumes of our faith in God in the trials. PRAYER: LORD, thank You for helping me to see that there is a purpose for pain I endure. I understand that You are using hard times to refine my conduct and my character. I accept this trial as from You and for my good rather than resisting it. I can trust You because You love 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 Flourishing in Faith (Jude 20-21)
Jude 20-21, But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. As we learn the Bible and understand its truth, we are strengthened, we grow, we mature, we are built up. Without the Scriptures there is no growth. Without the Word there is no maturity. Without the gospel nothing of eternal good will last. Like the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, it is vital that we daily ingest and digest God’s Word and its truth. The thought of building is to strengthen. We are to strengthen, or build, our faith (II Peter 1:5-10). We are never to cease or stand still spiritually. We must always be growing. A growing believer is a healthy believer. These verses have been referred to as “The Believers Building Program”. We are to build on a solid foundation (I Corinthians 3:12; Psalm 127:1; Luke 6:48). We are to build cooperatively (Ephesians 2:22). We are to build on the Word (Acts 20:32). We are to build by preaching the Gospel (Romans 15:20-21). We are to build by praying in the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 14:15; Romans 15:30-33). As believers, we must take the initiative to grow spiritually (II Peter 3:18). I’m grateful and very blessed that the Lord has allowed me to pastor a wonderful church where His people love Him, His Word, and others. If we are not growing as a Christian, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We need to have the craving to be a better Christian and be willing to take the sacrificial steps to make that a reality. When we talk about dedication to a task or goal, we must ask ourselves how badly do we want to achieve this? Paul was very focused on serving God with his life (Philippians 3:13-14). We need to be focused completely on our service for God and our relationship with him. Too often God is treated as a low priority and many other things often interfere with serving God. When we are really motivated it is amazing what we can do. When I was in Bible College, a quote was stated that I have remembered more than any other, “What you do with the Bible determines what God will do with you”. It has been my life’s desire to read it, study it, obey it, and apply it. My desire has been to serve the Lord, love Him, and to find and finish the course He has set me on. Acts 20:24, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. I’m truly thankful the Lord has given me a faithful help meet who has never hindered me from following Him. Jesus loved us enough to give His life for us on Calvary. It is our responsibility to identify with Him! We live in a day when more and more are refusing to identify with Him or make mention of His name. It is time for God's people to publicly identify with their Saviour and Lord! The imminent return of Jesus Christ motivates us to live a holy life and promotes the purity and separation of the church from the world (Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13). If we knew for certain the Lord would return tomorrow, we would have lived much differently today. Well, the truth is He just might come tomorrow. Live each day as if it might be your last. We have no guarantee of another day and there is still so much to be done. David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry and he faced harsh opposition from his Scottish brethren. He ministered half blind. In his personal diary, he wrote, “Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie but the tie that binds me to your service and to your heart”. Question to Consider: Do we inspire anyone else by the way we live, love, and labor? Point to Ponder: His perseverance provokes me to keep on serving the Lord in spite of my oppression and affliction. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I know I’m a work in progress, but thanks to Jesus, I’m not the man I used to be. I need Your help, as I continue to learn from You, lean on You, love You and look for 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 Know (John 9:25)
John 9:24, Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? In John 9:25, we see the hopeless and helpless state of blind man until Jesus came his way. He gave a report that his sight had been restored by our Lord touching his eyes. He said, “one thing I know”. He knew that once he was blind and he knew who caused him to see. That was enough! We all can relate to this man. I have never experienced physical blindness, but there was a day when I was blinded to the things of God. We are all born in sin, blinded to the things of God. You are in one of two classes today; you have either been healed of that spiritual blindness or you remain blinded by sin, not seeing the need for Jesus. The hard-hearted Pharisees were intent in having Jesus declared a sinner. They wanted to make sure the He was not credited for this miracle. With intimidation they interrogated him numerous times attempting to get him to deny his testimony and to discredit Jesus. The Pharisees even went so far as to get his parents involved. The healed blind man was put on the spot not just by the Pharisees, but even by his parents, but he stood firm in his testimony. The healed man would not fall into their trap of words. He simply yet soundly said, “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.” Proverbs 29:25, The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. The Pharisees snare backfired upon them. Rather than incriminate Jesus, the man clearly verified and glorified Jesus’s divine power. They claimed that Jesus was a sinner. It is ironic that when the healed man gave Jesus the glory, he was giving God the praise. Praising God and calling Jesus a sinner is a great contradiction. These critics want the man to glorify God but not give credit to the One Who healed him. However, it is impossible to glorify God and not honor Jesus Christ. In John 9:25, the Pharisees tried to get the beggar to change his story. He gives God all the glory for what happened in his life even though the unbelieving Pharisees interrogate him. God can take opposition and turn it around for His glory. In John 9:27, the blind man had already told them how he was healed and Who did it. He cleverly turned their interrogation into an opportunity to inspire them to want to know more about Jesus Christ and become a disciple. He saw the hand of God in his own life. He was confessing his personal experience, he once was blind, but now he could see. But he could answer one thing: his own personal experience. Just like a child, he did not know the theological terms nor how to express the nature of Jesus, but he did know one thing: Jesus had delivered and saved him from blindness. Jesus was telling His disciples that there is a purpose to this man’s suffering. It served a larger purpose! From the time the blind man met the Messiah, he will never be the same again. This man stood up and gave one of the most amazing defenses of Jesus ever recorded in the Bible! As a result, this man has received more than just physical sight. He obtained the eye of faith! This man was used by God to be a witness not just to the hard-hearted Pharisees, but to the whole world! There are some things we don't know, but, you don't have to know all the answers when you are telling people about the Lord. Tell others how Jesus Christ changed your life. If you see the things of God, you know who caused you to see. Like the blind man, you lay all praise at the feet of Christ. If you know this one thing, you know enough. Today, with all that is happening throughout the world and with the prophetic Scriptures in God’s Word, one would be spiritually blind to not see that Jesus is coming soon. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20). Points to Ponder: How we respond to Jesus Christ will determine where we spend eternity. There is no middle ground. You are either saved or lost. You have either accepted what Christ has done for you or you have rejected it. I urge you to come while the Lord is near. He may not pass by your way again. Questions to Consider: Have you taken time today to worship Jesus? What are some things in your life that might hinder this opportunity? Have you experienced hated by the world because of your testimony for Christ? Have your closest friends or relatives failed to support your stand for Christ? Did you stand firm? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I’m grateful for the physical sight I have and I am blessed for the spiritual sight as well. However You choose to display Your glory within me I accept Your plan. As this blind man’s sight was restored gradually, I understand, that You may choose to progressively reveal Your purpose in my life, rather than at one time. 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 Recipe for Revival (II Chronicles 7:14)
II Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Whenever you see the number 40 in the Bible, it indicates there is a period of probation, a period of testing, or a period of trials. This verse contains 40 words. The number 40 is scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments. Samuel, Solomon, and David each had a 40 year reign. Moses spent 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years in the wilderness. Jacob waited until he was 40 years old before he took a bride. Jonah went to Nineveh and gave the Ninevites a 40-day probation period to repent of their sins. Ezekiel lay on his right side 40 days as protest against Judah. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness and afterward He was tempted by the devil. He died, rose, and spent another 40 days on planet Earth before He caught the cloud to go back home. The recipe for godly blessing is here pronounced. The focus is of God’s people, specifically Israel. However, the principles surely apply by extension to any people or church of this age. Seven elements are noted. 1. The verse begins with If; that is possibility. 2. My people; that is personal. God’s people are children of God. 3. Which are called by my name; that's paternal. 4. Shall humble themselves; that's preparation. This is where solving our problems begins. Pride causes so much trouble. Pride will keep one from confessing his sins and will cause them to spend an eternity in hell. 5. Pray; that's power. When trouble comes, the best thing to do is pray. Many go to the bottle and get drunk or to the needle and get high on drugs. Such action only makes their troubles worse, but prayer is a different story. 6. Seek my face; that's a privilege. Seek God’s face. Not many are seeking God today. You can tell this by what they choose to do on Sunday rather than attending church. Few are interested in God and do not seek Him through His Word or prayer. 7. Turn from their wicked ways; that's progress. Turning from our wicked ways does not mean to legalize evil by making laws to allow evil conduct to exist without justice in society. It does not mean to excuse our sins because everyone else is doing it. Nor does it mean to belittle the seriousness of evil. Forsaking our sin means to stop doing evil. All the confessing in the world will not do any good if you do not stop your evil conduct. When these are met, then God promised to … 8. Then will I hear from heaven; that's procedure. God would hear their prayer, 9. Forgive their sins; that's pardon. Our greatest need is Divine forgiveness. 10. Heal their land; that's prosperity. This refers to sending rain and restraining plagues. The judgment upon the land will be removed and the land will recover from Divine chastisement when people turn from their iniquity unto God. If you want to be a candidate for revival, then this is the invitation. You can experience true revival and true power in your church. PRAYER: Father, I know revival is real and it is possible. If there is ever a time I have needed to repent that time is now. You would rather pardon than judge, therefore, I set my heart to seek You, forgive me, have mercy on 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 |
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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