Jesus Christ…Our Peace (Ephesians 2:14)
Ephesians 2:14, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…” Two painters were in a contest where each said they could paint a picture of peace. One painter painted a sunset with the sun going down over the calm water. It all looked very nice and the picture had a very calming effect. The other painter painted a picture of a fierce storm. In it, the sky was dark and there was lightning, thunder, and dark clouds rolling overhead. The picture showed the waves crashing against the rocks. Things looked fairly chaotic. But in the corner of the painting, at the bottom, were two big stones with a bird in the middle of them. The bird was singing. Now that's peace. Peace is where God's calm and His tranquility overrule your concerns. He has not only made peace and proclaimed peace, but Christ is our peace. A wall in the Jerusalem temple prevented Gentiles from entering, but the cross removes such barriers, granting Jews and Gentiles equal access to God. Jesus Christ is the reconciler between Jew and Gentile. He has “broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” In the Temple, at Jerusalem, there was a wall in the Temple court partitioning off the area in which Gentiles were allowed. Christ has eliminated the barrier between Jew and Gentile in the church. The law shut up everyone under sin. It is impossible for sinners to earn a righteous standing before God through the keeping of the Law (Galatians 3:19-24). God’s holy law created a barrier between sinners and God. Jesus Christ broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, which created enmity between the Jews and the Gentiles. The wall of separation has been removed between Jewish and Gentile believers through Jesus Christ. Jesus removed these barriers by fulfilling the requirements of the Law. Christians are no longer living under the Law. They are living under grace. God's standard of holiness is still revealed in the Law, but Christ fulfilled this standard. In Him, we have salvation and are declared righteous. This verse takes our minds back to the veil of the Temple that separated man from the holy of holies where God dwelt. This veil was torn in two the very moment that Christ died (Matthew 27:50-51). Christ not only made peace, but He is our peace. Peace can be found only in one place, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, because He alone can deal with our inherent sin problem. If you are in Christ and I am in Christ, then He, Himself, becomes the source of peace between us. “Without justification it is impossible to have real peace. Conscience forbids it. Sin is a mountain between a man and God, and must be taken away. The sense of guilt lies heavy on the heart and must be removed. Unpardoned sin will murder peace. The true Christian knows all this well. His peace arises from a consciousness of his sins being forgiven, and his guilt being put away... He has peace with God, because he is justified.”—J.C. Ryle 1) Christ is our peace with God. There was a wall of partition separating us from God: our sin and guilt. But Christ came in human flesh to reconcile a holy God and His sinful people. In order to do so, He established righteousness for us, such as God’s law required, and satisfied the justice of God against us by pouring out His own life’s blood unto death as our Substitute. By His great atonement, the Son of God has taken away the sin which separated God and His chosen people. By the power of His Spirit, through the preaching of the gospel, the Lord Jesus Christ has persuaded us who believe to be reconciled to God. He is our peace, because He has reconciled God to us by His blood and reconciled us to God by his grace. 2) Christ is our peace with one another. He has made all believers one in Himself. Coming to Christ in faith, we are united in heart and purpose with all other believers. Faith in Christ destroys all those distinctions of the flesh which alienate sinful men: race, social standing, education, etc. In the kingdom of grace there is neither black nor white, male nor female, rich nor poor: but Christ is all, and in all. ‘He is our peace,’ because we are one in Him. 3) Christ is our peace within ourselves. When Christ rules in a man’s heart, He causes that heart to be at peace. It is written, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7). He is our peace because He brings peace to the heart. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the Prince of Peace and all the ways He brings peace to my life. Thank You first for establishing peace with me by allowing Your Son to settle all the debts and offenses that would have prevented me from ever knowing You. Thank You for the peace of Your presence and power in my life that overcomes all obstacles and draws me to 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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Honesty and Humility (Proverbs 12:19; 29:23)
1. Honesty Proverbs 12:19, “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Honesty and truthfulness will produce a long-lasting reputation. However, a lying tongue brings only short-lived benefit. Whatever advantage which might accrue from lying quickly evaporates as the truth is eventually made known. In contrast, truthfulness and honesty have long-term benefits. Being truthful and honest with others is important in achieving your goals. You may deceive people to get what you want, but you won't keep what you got. Once the word gets out that you are a liar and cheat, you won't get it again. You won't achieve anything except failure. Too often people have burned bridges, ruined their reputation leaving them to change jobs, careers, and locations. Coming home from work, a woman stopped at the corner deli to buy a chicken for supper. The butcher reached into a barrel, grabbed the last chicken he had, flung it on the scales behind the counter, and told the woman its weight. She thought for a moment. "I really need a bit more chicken than that," she said. "Do you have any larger ones?" Without a word, the butcher put the chicken back into the barrel, groped around as though finding another, pulled the same chicken out, and placed it on the scales. "This chicken weighs one pound more," he announced. The woman pondered her options and then said, "Okay. I'll take them both." He was caught! Honesty and truth show a person with integrity. People with integrity beckon the trust and admiration of people. God demands that we be honest in all of our dealings. With His blessing and favor, what we are able to acquire through honest effort will be enough. Even if you are convinced that no one will ever discover your scheme, God will know. It is far better to live with transparency and honesty. That is how you build a business and good relationships with others. 2. Humility Proverbs 29:23, “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Other than love, humility is the most taught character trait in the New Testament. What does it mean to have a humble attitude? Humility causes you to see yourself from God's viewpoint and acknowledges God's grace and work in your life Humility gives you an accurate view of yourself. The smaller you become, the more room God has to work in your life. D.L. Moody said, "God will send no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." When we are full of ourselves, we are giving God no room to work within us. Pride prevents you from progress. Humility prepares us to fulfill our purpose. Have you ever chosen to not ask for help just to save face? Pride can prevent us from asking for help and making progress by telling us we are fine to stay in the same place. Do you have humility? D.L. Moody said, "A man can counterfeit many graces and character traits, but it is difficult to counterfeit humility." One man tried to counterfeit his humility when he said, "Only my great humility keeps me from telling you how truly wonderful I am." Pride always backfires. It deceives one into thinking he is better than he is. It exalts oneself and eventually brings them down. He that exalts himself shall be abased. It is inevitable. In contrast, true humbleness of spirit brings promotion. This leads to success and achieving your goals. The world’s way is to exalt oneself. God’s way is to be humble. It eventually brings promotion. God will test your humility and whether you have a servant's heart. Luke 14:11, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." A true test of servanthood is if I act like one when I am treated like one. A humble person remains the same person in all circumstances: whether you’re put down, exalted, humiliated, or honored. If a person has a humble servant's heart, there will be no limit to what they can accomplish if they are unconcerned with who gets the credit. If you have a humble spirit, it will help you to be teachable, reachable, reasonable, and sensible. Humility leads to honor. James taught this same truth. James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” Do you want to be honored? If so, then you need to have humility. Points to Ponder:
Questions to Consider:
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Psalm 145:2, “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” David committed himself to praise God. He vowed to not let a day pass by in which he did not pause to praise His Redeemer and Saviour. That vow remains as a lesson for the people of God to this day. One cannot go wrong praising God. This is a commitment to praise God for eternity. What is worth noting is that eternity will not be long enough to adequately praise God. God is the One Who is to be praised. Don’t be ashamed to praise the Lord to others. Don’t be embarrassed to tell unbelievers what God has done for you. Our society seems to think this is a bad thing to do and that it would be injurious to some people if we praised God. But, in truth, it will be very injurious to those who do not want to praise Him. Praising God for all that He has done will draw you closer to Him. You will sense His presence in your life. When the Christian praises God, he can take circumstances that discourage and defeat him and turn them into victory. For example, on the eve of Hurricane Michael, Pastor John Blount of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Panama City stayed in the church and helped shelter 25 people who stayed in two bathrooms and a small closet. The next morning, he began to access the damage to the building that was built in 1955. He walked in the auditorium and viewed the wreckage. He noticed the church Bible was still intact with minimal water damage to a few of the pages. He saw the blue sky and said, “God is God”. On Sunday morning the sun was shining down on the members. They lost their building, but not their faith. We too, can pick ourselves out of the wreckage of life by trusting in the Lord and rising above our circumstances. How can we truly praise God in the midst of severe trials? Our joy and praise enable us to endure. Hebrews 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” 1. A Voluntary Praise: We must make the choice to come into the presence of God and praise Him (Psalm 100:4). We only have ourselves to blame if we fail to praise Him. 2. A Virtuous Praise: Those that are pure and heart will have a good relationship with God and praise Him (Matthew 5:8). Rather than having a sour spirit filled with protests, have a sweet spirit filled with praise to the LORD. 3. A Victorious Praise: As we bear fruit for the LORD others will see our praise to His goodness (Psalm 145:2). Every day George Muller practiced this prescription of praise. He acknowledged that “the business of every day is first of all to seek to be truly at rest and happy in God”. When a heart is in obedience and submission to the Lord and His Word, praise will abundantly flow naturally. We should offer up to the LORD songs and praise during worship in the church. However, may we also show forth our praise to Him outside the church in public. May we show our devotion to God and live in a way that truly brings honor and praise to Him in all we say and do. Our very lives should be “as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable and well pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1; Philippians 4:18). Praising God for His blessings each day is a great way to start the day and express your gratefulness. You get your focus on the positives in your life instead of the negatives when you do this. You see that which is good instead of dwelling on that which is bad. Learning to rejoice and praise the Lord in difficult circumstances is one of the keys to overcoming frustration and worry because it directs your focus from your losses to the Lord. It creates an attitude of joy in your heart. One day we all will stand before the LORD. Above all things, I desire to hear, ‘’Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Praise for the Lord has a strengthening effect upon us and others around us. Psalm 95:2, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” Praising the Lord will help us to be firm in our faith and trust in Him. In 1853, a missionary society discussed the closure of a station in Ongole, India, because only ten people had been won to Christ in fifteen years. These Christians made up a single church which someone called the "Lone Star" of India. Samuel Smith, author of the U.S. national anthem, "My Country Tis of Thee," was a member of this mission board. As he contemplated this matter, he was moved to write the following bit of verse. Shine on, Lone Star, in grief and tears, and sad reverses oft baptized; Shine on amid thy founder's fears, Lone Stars in Heaven are not despised. The next day he read this poem to his colleagues and they unanimously voted to continue the work. Because of this decision, God moved in mighty power. Thirty years later the Ongole church had grown to 15,000 members! May God help us to offer sacrifices with both our lips and our lives. Prayer: Father in heaven, help me trust in You and praise You, no matter how dark the storm rages. I desire to have hope in You in the midst of the storm. 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 Complete Dependence on God
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding, and in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” Faith isn’t faith as long as it’s holding onto a branch. One day on a hiking trip, a man fell off the edge of a cliff and began the 800-foot drop to the bottom. He thought it was all over for him until he grabbed a tree branch which stopped his fall. Hanging on for dear life, he cried out for help, “Is anyone up there?” There was no response. The seconds turned into minutes. The branch was sagging beneath the hiker’s weight. The tree’s roots would only take so much more strain before they gave way. When it seemed the poor hiker couldn’t hold on any longer, he heard a voice: “I am God. Do you trust Me?” “Yes, Lord. I trust You. Can You help me, please?” God answered, “Yes, I will help you. But first, You must let go of the branch.” The hiker was silent for a moment. Then he shouted back, “Is anyone else up there?” There is, perhaps, nothing more difficult than releasing our grip on a “branch” The hardest part is not knowing how the landing will turn out. We’re so used to holding onto these manufactured securities in life. Relationships, jobs, families, friends, bank accounts, retirement savings, and even our plans for the future. But God can’t help us until we are willing to let go of these things and completely trust Him. Each of us are clinging to a branch of one kind or another. Your branch might be your job, a relationship with a friend, the stock market, your health, credit score, or your home. All branches will eventually fail us, but His hand will never let us go. When we walk, we put one foot in front of the other, leaning all of our weight on one leg for each step. That is dependency. When we admit our complete need for God, we are on the way to answered prayer. Today, God is asking you to let it go and trust Him. When we are trusting Him, we are in the safest of all places. You might not see how the landing will turn out, but God can. He has promised to keep you safe. The reality is that everything we have and everything we do is a result of God’s grace, and if we are unwilling to admit that it is all Him and not us, we should not expect His help. All through history God has chosen and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on Him made possible the unique display of His power and grace. He chose and used somebodies only when they renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources. The pride in each of our hearts delights in self-confidence and boasting and hates to admit our complete need for God. Points to Ponder: Put the faith you already have into action. Determine that you will trust in the Lord, regardless of the circumstances that will come. Questions to Consider: Are you making every effort to trust the Lord in every area of your life? What are some areas in your life your faith is lacking? PRAYER: Father, Help me to trust You in everything! Help me in those times when I notice just how weak and insignificant my trust is! I welcome You into every facet of my life, Lord, so that no matter where I am and what I am doing, behind it all I am trusting You in everything. For You alone are worthy of my trust. 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 Noah (Genesis 6:5, 9, 11)
Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:9, “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:11, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” In the days of Noah, the human race had become so wicked. People were completely depraved in their sexual morality, and the earth was filled with violence. The people had abundant evidence of God’s goodness, however, they turned away from their knowledge of God and toward their own pleasures. God had had enough (Genesis 6:3-7). Only one man found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man who faithfully walked with God and was obedient to His instructions (Genesis 6:22). Because of his faith in God, he was justified. Though the world around him was absolutely corrupt, Noah was basically without blemish before God. Noah was a just man. Noah preached in a day when “the wickedness of man was great in the earth” (Genesis 6:5). The Scriptures reveal Noah being just, being perfect (entire or without blemish), and walking with God. The corruption and violence of man caused God to send a world-wide flood. However, in God’s mercy, He sent Noah, a preacher of righteousness, to warn and plead with the people for 120 years, while the ark was being built. Noah must have stood out in the world in that day, building an ark when it had never rained. But what made him stand out more was his walk with God (Genesis 6:12). Noah was a man who walked with God and preached right living. Noah preached for 120 years and, apart from his family, he never had one convert (I Peter 3:20). However, the Bible calls him a man of faith (Hebrews 11:7). He was a preacher of righteousness (II Peter 2:5). His righteousness did not come by his own works, but through his faith in God’s Word. Though the people of that day were wicked, corrupt, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5, 11), Noah practiced righteousness. He preached against immorality and the sin of that day. He preached repentance for the ungodly men to turn back to God. He did that which was right as a principle and of habit. The preaching of a generation determines the morals of the next generation. God considered Noah on of the three most righteous men in history as recorded in Ezekiel 14. When tempted to lie, he told the truth. When tempted to steal, he was honest. When tempted with immorality, he determined to be pure. When tempted to lose his temper and curse, he held his tongue. When tempted to become bitter or jealous, he maintained a right spirit. When it seemed easier to not put the Lord first, he refused. When he realized another in need, he sought to help him. When directed by God to begin a task no one else in human history had ever done, Noah took God at His Word and obeyed. In a world filled with mockers and skepticism, Noah had unwavering confidence in God’s Word. In that day, God planned to destroy the population of the wicked world. His plan was to send a world-wide flood upon the earth to such a degree that all would be drown. God called Noah to build an ark where his family and two of every species of animal of the earth would be saved. Every day Noah labored on the ark was a call to repentance and a declaration that judgment was coming. Just as those in the days of Noah ignored the warning and rejected the message that would save them. Jesus warned us of making the same mistake (Matthew 24:37-39). Noah believed God, when He warned him of the impending judgment. Noah took God at His Word and simply did what God said to do. Though it took Noah 120 years to accomplish the construction of the ark, he persisted. Some take God at His Word and in due season are blessed of God (Proverbs 28:20; I Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9). We are called to study His Word, to be faithful to the things of God, witness, walk in love, and love one another. Today, God still has His faithful men who stand firm and preach and teach His Word (Titus 2:12). Noah went against the high tide of sin. Despite the mocking and ridicule Noah received, he kept on building the ark until he completed God’s plan. There were many rooms, or compartments, within the ark to hold room for the people of that day to escape the judgment of God. Just as there was one door (Genesis 6:16), so there is only one way to God, that is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Once the ark of the door was shut, it was too late to enter in. Until spared, he paid a dear price for it, and so must we as ambassadors for Jesus. Like Noah, our faithfulness to God’s Word will be contrary to everything the world stands for. But every time we see a rainbow, it reminds us of His faithfulness. No amount of righteousness on man’s part can gain eternal life (Titus 3:5). Righteousness after salvation is an act of obedience and desire to know God. Salvation does not excuse the responsibility to live righteously (Romans 6:15). Righteousness is conforming our hearts and lives to God’s divine law. Paul told Titus, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). Point to Ponder:
Question to Consider:
PRAYER: LORD, my desire is to please and honor You in my daily walk with You before others. I know that there is not one thing that I ever perform or ponder that is concealed from You. As You examine my heart, help me to live a life of holiness, honesty, and humility. I ask for strength, patience, and wisdom as I aim to practice Your Word. 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 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.” 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!” 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! God’s Word is likened to a spiritual scalpel. The word sword here is more in the sense of a scalpel used for surgery 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 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. The difference between a surgeon and a butcher is a surgeon uses the scalpel for restoring and healing, whereas that butcher uses the cleaver for slaughtering. 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. We face much difficulty in our life, and we will face many trials as we walk on this earth. The Lord has the power and desire to comfort us during any trial we face (II Corinthians 1:3-4). R.A. Torrey taught that one way to fullness of power was to be full of the Word of God. What does the Bible have the power to do? The power of God's Word produces courage and helps us live for God and take a strong stand for what is right. We who love God understand firsthand how great the Scripture is. It has worked in our heart and we have never been the same since. The Bible is our spiritual lifeline and brings us the essential spiritual nourishment we need to live for God. Our relationship grows deeper with Jesus when we get in the Word of God and apply it to our life. Without Scripture we have no direction from God and will wander in the wilderness spiritually. The Bible is our foundation and this is what we build our life on. 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 Transformation…Becoming More Like Christ (Romans 12:1-2)
Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” A young boy visited his grandfather’s butterfly farm and was amazed at what he learned. His grandfather showed him the cocoon’s and explained to the young boy about the transformation process (egg, larva [caterpillar], pupa [chrysalis], butterfly). The grandson noticed a particular cocoon where a butterfly was struggling to get out. While his grandfather was not looking he took a small twig and released the caterpillar from its tight quarters. A beautiful butterfly sprang forth in life but quickly fell to the ground and died. The young boy tearfully asked his grandfather why the butterfly didn’t survive? The grandfather said, “You let him out too soon. His struggle is what makes him strong. If he does not fight his way out, he will not have the strength to survive” What went wrong? The struggle the butterfly went through to escape its cocoon was necessary to force blood into its wings so it could fly. Without it, the butterfly couldn’t survive. God is willing to do whatever it takes to make us more like Christ. Trust Him through it. Taking us through suffering, not out of it, is one of the primary means that the Spirit uses today in bringing us to God. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in life is to never sell my struggles short. They may be uncomfortable. They may cause great pain. But they always do me more good than harm. This is God’s purpose behind the struggles we face in life. Without them, we couldn’t survive. I will even go a step further and say that without them, we can’t thrive in the Christian life. We must learn to patiently endure them instead of looking for an easy way out. That is the way to fly. God provides everything for the transformation. Just like a caterpillar, a believer’s transformation begins in the mind as the Word of God compels dying to self, shedding our will, and submitting to God’s will. Though process-time varies, you can be assured your chrysalis is a work protected by your Creator and transformed for His glory! It is our travail that gives way to our triumph. Too often we ask the Lord to release us from our burdens, when in reality, those very burdens are being used by God to develop patience, devotion, and strength. It is the struggle that makes us strong. Keep fighting and believing your way through; on the other side you will break forth in liberty and freedom from that adverse circumstance as a beautiful testimony of God’s transforming power and grace. PRAYER: Father, teach me that I may know how to be more Christlike that I may please You and that You would be glorified. I know that I will never accomplish this without the Holy Spirit. So, right now I yield to Him. 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 Missing the Mark (Romans 3:23)
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” During the 2004 Olympics, archer Matt Emmons was one shot away from a gold medal. He was competing in the 50-meter three position rifle event and he was in perfect position to claim victory. He didn’t even need a bulls-eye; all he needed to do to win was to hit the target to win the gold. However, standing in lane two, Emmons took a shot and nailed it, however, he hit the target in the third lane. He hit the wrong target. He missed his mark. As a result, he received zero points and landed in eighth place. You see, like Emmons, we all have “fallen short of the glory of God”. We have all missed the mark from time to time. We were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Yet, from the entrance of sin and its darkness (Genesis 3), we have fallen far short of our Creator’s glory. Doing good works is honorable, but not good enough when God expects and demands perfection. The righteousness of God is demonstrated throughout the Scriptures. Yet, because of the corrupting presence of sin, we have fallen far short of His righteousness and His glory. Every person born into the human race since the fall has been under a death sentence. No matter how good or moral a person may be, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). We needed deliverance from death, but our righteousness could never be equal to the task. The best person, no matter how hard he or she tries, will still come short of the glory of God. Someone may say, "I'm as good as any person who goes to your church." That may be true, but God doesn't grade "on the curve"; He demands 100% righteousness. True, some come closer than others, but all will come short. But in the midst of our imperfections, weaknesses, and fatal mistakes, stands a Saviour who reminds us of His righteousness. We do not have to be perfect because He is perfect. Our standing is in Christ, therefore, we must stand in Him. Through Him we become the righteousness of God. I do not have to always be “on target” because through Him I have already won the gold. Jesus, being perfect and sinless, had nothing for which to atone, so His perfect righteousness was available to be our deliverance. He did not just cover our sins but He removed them and replaced them with His righteousness so that we could be delivered from death. What a wonderful truth! That Jesus would actually bare your sins upon His own body and suffer the crucifixion for you. You will stand before God as though you have never sinned, not because you’rel sinless, but because of your account. We had a debt that we owed to God that we could not pay (Romans 5:12). He who knew no sin became as sin that we who knew no righteousness could be made the righteousness of God in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21). He would place all of His righteousness upon my record so that I might be viewed upon by God as having the righteousness of Christ. Now that’s a loving God! Do you realize all that you will miss if you reject Christ as your Saviour? PRAYER, Father I thank You for Jesus who paid the sin debt that I owed and could never repay. Although I strive to live righteously, I still fall short of perfection; I thank You that my standing is “in Christ” and His shed blood has washed my sins away. 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 Be Still, Be Strong, Be Sure, and Be Secure in the LORD (Isaiah 40:28-31)
Isaiah 40:28-31, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. [29] He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. [30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: [31] But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” The word "wait" means "to look eagerly for something or someone; to hope or expect." The flavor of this word indicates persistence. Eagerness or expectation provoke persistence. David talked often about “waiting on God.” He said he was waiting on God all day and desired that none that waited on God would be ashamed (Psalm 25:3). Over and over again we read of David waiting on God. To wait on the LORD is to trust Him. Waiting on God is essential to trusting Him. David was pleading for God to lead him. All day, we should be in the habit of waiting on God. We should be looking eagerly for what God is going to do, how God is going to lead us, what God is going to teach us. Psalm 25:5, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Shortly after starting her perfume business, Estee Lauder realized she had to persuade a cosmetics buyer to place her products in many stores throughout the country. At 9 A.M., Lauder was in the offices of the American Merchandising Corporation, waiting to see Marie Weston, the cosmetics buyer. Since Lauder had no appointment, she was advised to come back another day. "I don't mind waiting," said Lauder. "I'll wait until she has a few free moments." Salespeople came and went. At lunchtime, the receptionist said Weston's schedule was so full that getting in to see her was impossible. Again, Lauder was told to come back later. "I'll wait a little longer," she persisted. Hours passed. At 5:15 P.M. Marie Weston came out of her office. She looked at Estee Lauder in disbelief, then admiration, and said, "Well, do come in. Such patience must be rewarded." Weston was impressed with Lauder's cosmetics, but there was no room in any of the stores. Come back later, she was encouraged. Of course, Estee did. Soon, Weston found room in several stores. Business began to boom. The Estee Lauder name became famous in the world of cosmetics because she was persistent in waiting. Psalm 112:7-8, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. [8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.” The word "fixed" in Psalm 112:7 means "to be firm, stable, or established." In Psalm 112:8, the word "established" means "to lean upon, to rest, to refresh or revive." The psalmist was not overwhelmed by fear and anxiety in times of trouble because his trust was in the Lord and not in himself, or in outward circumstances. Our stability and rest come from putting our security in Christ. The one who fears God will not fear circumstances or people because his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord. We, too, are to be persistent in waiting on God when we need His strength and serenity. This is not easy for many people because they tend to be impatient or reliant on something else for their strength. God wants us to be persistent in being still and waiting on Him to direct our lives and provide for our needs. In spite of our fears and worries, God wants us to be persistent in trusting Him. Our trust, our sureness or security is solid and stable when it is placed in the Saviour. When we put our trust in the Lord, it gives us stability and serenity. Life is never easy nor fair. There will be problems and hardships. But no matter how bad things get, we serve and trust a God who has overcome. We must determine to press forward in spite of the obstacles, knowing God can use them to accomplish an even greater purpose through us. Take heart and don’t lose sight, for God can demonstrate His power through your perseverance. Questions to Consider: · In what parts of your life are you practicing endurance? · What is your plan for walking close to Christ right to the end? Points to Ponder:
Prayer, Lord, Help me lean on You with everything I’ve got, living out my faith in You one day at a time. 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. 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 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, 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 on 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. Satan is defeated by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is power in the blood (Ephesians 1:7; I John 1:7; I John 4:4). Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace…” I John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” There are three occasions when sprinkling with blood is mentioned in the Old Testament.
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 |
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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