Beginnigs and Endings

John 1:1-5

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

²The same was in the beginning with God.

³All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

⁴In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

⁵And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Beginnings and Endings

Beginnings and endings matter. The Word starts with "In the beginning" and ends with "Amen." How things start and how they end matter to God and should matter to us. We like to think that it's not how you start, it's how you finish, but the truth is, if you don't start sometime, you can't finish.

We will end 2010 and the first decade of this century in a few days. How are you planning to end this time? Are you planning on ending it drunk? Kissing strangers in the street? Do your plans warrant and amen or a 'so let it be' at the end? What about the beginning of 2011? Are you planning on starting this year without any changes?

Loved ones, give yourselves one more Christmas gift this year, this decade and next year. Give yourself Christ. He has made Himself available to you and has gathered the gifts of redemption, salvation, and the favor of God, all tied up with a ribbon of His blood. To gain these gifts, you need only receive. However, you can bring Him the gifts of a yielded spirit, a contrite heart and obedience. That would be just what He wants for His birthday.

That's a great recipe for ending the year. It's also a great one for beginning. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Begin your new year, new decade, new life with the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word of God is Jesus Christ Himself. Get the beginning that is worthy of an amen. Worthy of being sealed with the very Name of Jesus, in His blood.

At Fellowship, we will end this year with a New Year's Eve service at 9:30 PM followed by a breakfast. I hope you will join us, especially if you are reading this and you do not have a church to go to Friday night.

But, more importantly, I hope you will join us on Sunday, January 2nd. It's the first Sunday of 2011. It's the first Sunday of a new decade. For some of you, it may be the first Sunday of your salvation.

Our pastor issued a challenge that we contact everyone we care about, and encourage them to be with us on January 2nd. If you are a member of Fellowship reading this, please be there. I care about you. If you are not a member of Fellowship, or any other congregation, please be there. I care about you. If you are a member of another congregation, please be THERE. We all have assignments in Christ, and it is important that we start off each day, each year in place. Be in your place. You never know how the Father intends to use you, but you're of no use if you're not in place.

If you do not know your place, your assignment in Christ, we have room for you at Fellowship Friday night, Sunday morning and all throughout 2011, 12, 13.....

Happy New Year! Happy New Life!!

Romans 12:1-2

¹I 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.

²And 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.

Revelation 22:12-17

¹²And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

¹³I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

¹⁴Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

¹⁵For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

¹⁶I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

¹⁷And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message.

Previous Lifeline mailings are posted on a blog at www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com and can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link.

For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 Hwy 138, Ste C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Abide!

Luke 2:8-18

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Abide!

There were these shepherds. They were doing what shepherds are supposed to do; they were tending to the flock. By being where they were supposed to be, doing what they were supposed to do, they became the recipients of a tremendous blessing. Their obedience to their calling, their occupation..their assignment put them in the position to be the announcers, the callers, the evangelists of Christ's arrival.

The shepards were blessed because of their obediance. I can imagine in my mind some slovenly shepherd who just didn't feel like being on that hill that night watching sheep. My imaginary slackard probably didn't believe his co-laborers when they told him the news the next day. He missed the whole thing because he wasn't in place. He wasn't doing his job. He wasn't heeding his calling. He didn't abide.

You've heard the call. You've accepted your duty. Yep, it can get dull. Yep, it can get tedious. And at busy times of the year, like this one, it's even possible that it can become a burden. Who wants to watch sheep in the rain?

A dedicated shepherd, that's who. One who has chosen to abide and not just 'hang out' for a time.

What you've been given to do is yours. And its okay that you don't "get it" sometimes. Just keep doing what you're supposed to do, and you'll be blessed for your obedience. And, other's will be blessed by your obedience. Chose to abide.

Shepherd your calling. Good days, bad days, rainy days and hot days. You may be witness to a life changing event, just like those shepherds, abiding in the field over 2000 years ago who beheld the Christ as a child with their own eyes. Now that's a Christmas present worth waiting for.

Abide in your field.

Psalm 91
1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Christ has come! Salvation is at hand! God has sent His Son. Good Will Toward Men on Earth! The Savior, the Lamb of God, His Only Begotten Son has come. He has been launched into His calling and has chosen to come, die and be resurrected for you, for me! Hallelujah!! Merry Christmas!

From Numbers 6:24-26
24The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message.


Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men

Luke 2: 9-14
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. For Liturgical congregations, there is a set of sermon topics that are preached each Sunday leading up to Christmas...the Mass celebrating the Birth of Christ. Hallelujah!

The passage above is familiar to most believers and even non believers. In The Charlie Brown Christmas Special, Linus stands on stage and recites verses 1 through 14 of Luke 2, aka The Christmas Story. We read it at our house before opening any presents and before any other celebration on Christmas Day. I was thinking about these verses as I was listening to a recording of a choir singing Glory To God from Handel's Messiah when the Holy Spirit dropped this revelation in my heart.

Peace on Earth. War didn't end with with Christ's birth. Well, let me restate that. War between men didn't stop with Christ's birth. The war that ended was between us and God. It was a war we could not win. Yet, with Christ's coming, God declared peace. We could know the Father and His Son crucified and have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because peace was declared by God toward mankind because of Christ.

And more than that, through Christ, God's good will came towards us. This is why Jesus is Emanuel, God with us. Not just physically with us, but for us, in agreement with us, offering and enriching life towards us. Wow! Think about that when you're faced with a struggle. Think about all that ended over 2000 years ago when Jesus, the Christ chose to come to Earth as a baby and be delived up as a Lamb to the slaughter as sacrafice for you. With Him, He brought the Peace of God and God's good will into your life.

It is the beginning of the Christmas season for the world, but as a believer, it is Christmas everyday. Everyday we're here, we enjoy the peace of God and His good will toward us. Further, we have the expectation of this same favor throughout eternity with Christ, the Ressurected, Risen King of Glory.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).

Won't you receive this wonderful Gift? Won't you walk in the fullness of this Gift? You do not have an enemy in God. He declared peace, and made a personal, everlasting sacrifice and sealed the deal in Blood. The very Blood of Christ. It is a precious and invaluable Gift that will last an eternity. It will never tarnish. It will never break. And it's yours for the receiving.

Luke 12:29-32
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

You've got a Present waiting!

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message.


Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

For Whom do you Work?

Exodus 1:15-21
15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?
19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.
20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

You Work for Whom?

The passage above sets the scene for Moses' arrival. The Children of Isreal had prospered in Egypt since the time of Joseph. They had been fruitful and they multiplied, greatly. So much so in fact, that the Pharoah became intimidated by their numbers. He, in his wisdom (he thought), issued a decree to the Hebrew Midwives that they should kill all the male Hebrew children as soon as they were born. The daughters could live because they could be given to Egyptian men in time and birth good Egyptian children. It was a bloodline thing.

But, the Hebrew Midwives, the Bible testifies, feared God more than Pharoah. They didn't see the work they did as something to the community or even to the earthly king. They didn't even see their work as a service to the children they helped to usher into the world or the mothers who depended on their wisdom. Their work, in their eyes was worship, service, a ministry to God.

For whom then do you work? Do you work for checkbook? Do you work for your ambition? Do you work for your family? I put to you that all of the work we do, whether paid or voluntary, should be done as unto God. Whatever capacity you have, whatever talents you possess, whatever good is in you, they all came from the Father (James 1:17) so the fruit, the outcome of that labor belongs to God first, everyone else second.

If you are a member of Fellowship, please remember that we have a church conference coming up on December 4th at 11:30 AM. This is part of our work as a body and as individuals. We owe our Master some fruit.

If you are not a member of Fellowship or any other church home, or if you do not know Christ as your personal savior, you are invited to join us in our work. Your salvation, your discipleship, your growth are why we're here and we are anxious to "be about our Father's work." Won't you come?

Colossians 3:23-24
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

What am I thankful for? You. Happy Thanksgiving.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message.


Lifeline can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

It's Time

Proverbs 24:30-34
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

It's Time

I’m from the Midwest originally. Ohio , specifically. It wasn’t unusual when I was a kid to see abandoned orchards when we drove around the rural parts of the state. Old fruit orchards, usually apples, could be spotted easily among the other forest trees or in overgrown fields. The fruit trees, despite their gnarled forms and vine coverings would all be in a row. Their branches would be about the same length, showing that they had spent years being carefully pruned. Yet, there they would be, broken, bowed, with some limbs on the ground. What was most remarkable was that they would rarely have fruit. Oh, there would be the errant apple or two, but they would be small, sour, unfit for consumption.

I was reading the above passage in Proverbs and the image of those fruitless fruit trees came to mind. They had been abandoned for whatever reason and without the meticulous care they received when they were part of an orchard, they stopped doing what they were designed to do…namely produce good fruit.

Dear ones, we are known by our fruit. The work we do produces the fruit we’re known by. No, salvation isn’t earned by works, but fruit is. Like those trees, we only produce our best fruit when we’re tended by the Master Gardener. We can expect to be pruned, cut back, propped and prodded, but all with the aim of producing our best fruit. It’s not a big deal when a weed or misplaced seed shows up in our garden as long as we realize that Our Gardener will remove it. Well, as long as we let Him.

Those trees had no say in their tending or their abandonment. They were at the mercy of the orchard master. We are not trees. We have a choice as to whether we will submit to our Master’s pruning or not. Even though we confess Him as Lord, we still have to choose daily to submit to His will through obedience, study and worship. How's your fruit? Would you want to consume it? Would you be joyful to bring it before The Master?

Have you been called to a work? Have you been called to be still, but you’re still moving? Have you been called to prayer, but you’re too busy? Have you been called to worship? Have you been called to salvation?

The time to answer your calling is now. The time to move forward in what you have been designed to do is now. The time for salvation is now, not tomorrow. Not next year. Not when you work things out. The time is now.

It is my prayer that you chose the path of wisdom The Holy Spirit outlined through the author's proverb. Choose to be alive and working in your calling and not a weed-choked field of missed potential and ill-spent time.

It is a season of celebration at Fellowship. We are rejoicing in the 4 years behind us as a ministry and excited about the centuries in front of us as we move into our fifth year. Please make plans to share this time on Sunday, November 20th during our regular morning service at 11:30 AM and at a special service at 3:00 PM. We are redeeming the time and would love the honor of redeeming it with you. We are open, you are welcome.

Or, do you have the time?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Hallelujah!
Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Change the Season

Judges 6
1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,
8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

Change the Season

My sister shared part of today's passage with me in response to seasonal attacks. Like the Children of Isreal, many of us in the Body of Christ suffer seasonal attacks in our bodies, our minds and even our spirits. Maybe it seems like November and January always bring financial strife. Sickness seems to show up every time the weather changes. For some reason, your child always becomes a challenge in the fall. Isn't it strange how crime seems to increase in the summer? Layoffs seem occur at the job the same time of the year. Why is it the pastor is always talking about money in July?

Dear ones, these are examples of seasonal attacks. The same thing, every year, without fail. But what we need to do is stop preparing to weather the attack and instead, line up behind the Warrior who's been chosen and equiped to win the battle.

The Children of Isreal in this passage were given a cautious, strategic warrior in Gideon. He confirmed and re-confirmed his approach to make sure he was following God's will going into battle. He knew from his life's experience that the Midianites and the Amalekites were vicious foes and if he was going to defeat them, he had to be completely convinced that God was on his side. He knew he had victory before he even recruited the first fighter. His faith in his calling changed the seasons for his people from that point forward. His obedience ended the seasonal attacks.

Precious brethern, our Savior knew He had victory before He even came to Earth. He knew that the plan was going to be successful and suffered through it with this prize in mind. He knew that the challenge before Him would change the season of separation from God for us forever. His obedience would destroy every curse, remove the penalty of sin for every believer, and would usher a change of eternal destinations for everyone who believes in Him.

For your seasonal attack, consider what you put ahead of Christ. Whatever comes in your life before Christ must be put back into proper order. Then, align yourself behind The Warrior who has already proven victorious. Christ defeated death, Hell and the grave for you. He subdued all of your enemies before you were born. He removed anything that would keep you from having a relationship with Him and with the Father and the Holy Spirit. All of your curses, debts, failures, sicknesses have been answered - the ones behind you as well as the ones ahead of you. But to realize this victory, you must follow Christ. You must follow His leading and submit to His will.

Make no mistake, attacks will come. Some would even argue that the more you submit, the greater the attacks. But if Christ truly is your provider, your protector, and the author and finisher of your faith, then don't worry about how fierce the attack is. When you are on the team that has already won, it doesn't matter how intense the battle is; victory is yours. Fight the fight; go headlong into the battle. Others around you may not understand when you bring all your energy to the fight, but do it with victory as your focus, knowing that whatever comes, you've already won. As Christ leads, you cannot fail because He has already succeeded.

Will you join the winning team? Will you break your cycle of seasonal attacks by aligning yourself behind Your Warrior? Will you enter the battle guarenteed of victory, or will you continue to prepare to be denied? Will you continue to prepare for defeat?

Choose victory. Choose assurity. Choose Christ.

At Fellowship, we've made this choice. We welcome the opportunity to help you make it too. We want to walk with you through your battle, ready to apply balm when needed, to fight with you if necessary, but mostly to encourage you that no matter how dark the night, you are not alone and your dawn in Christ is as assured as your very name.

Isaiah 54
11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Hallujah! Jesus is Alive! Death has lost its victory and the grave has been denied! Jesus lives forever! He's Alive! He's Alive!
He is the Alpha and Omega! The First and Last is He! The curse of sin is broken! We have perfect liberty!
The Lamb of God is risen! He's Alive! He's Alive! Hallelujah! Jesus is Alive!!!

A new season of victorious living to you!
Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message.

Previous Lifeline mailings are posted on this blog and can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link.

For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Get Your Inheritance!!!

Ephesians 1:3-14
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Get You Inheritance!!

Inheritance has a limited definition in our society. We think of it only as money or posessions left from one generation to the next. Although that is an accurate application, it falls short in scope.

We inherit more than things from our parents, grandparents and before. We inherit their name. We inherit their reputation. We inherit lifestyles, mindsets, habits - good and bad. We inherit most of our being from our ancestors. Just as our children will inherit these traits from us.

One of the many amazing things about the Word of God is how it speaks to the physical and the spiritual at the same time. We can all understand the practical advantages of having good parents who provide for their children physically as well as emotionally. We strive to be those parents to our own children. Yet, if we work hard to be those kinds of parents, how much more God?

Your life in Christ isn't just for you. It sets up an inheritance to your children's children of a connection to God. It sets a foundation for all who come after you to know Christ and Him crucified for their sins. They inherit this lifestyle just as Suzie has Grandma Janie's eyes or Bobby looks just like Uncle Joe when he runs. Your obedience, subjection, service allows the very blood of Christ to flow through your family...even those who will be born long after your service is completed.

Proverbs 13:22 says that a good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. Through Christ, your spiritual inheritance is set for your to receive. He lived a life as both human and Holy so that YOU could inherit the Kingdom of God. Adam squandered your inheritance. Jesus set the record straight and became "the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase posession, unto the praise of his glory."

Dear ones, your inheritance isn't defined by the possesions you have or your family has here on earth. It has been arranged in Heaven and is yours for the believing. Won't you get your inheritance? Won't you set a new inheritance for your children's children? Won't you receive that which has already been set aside for you? Receive it in fullness? Receive it as it was meant to be given, not as it has been parsed down through misinterpretation and deception over the year. Get your inheritance! Give your life fully to Christ.

Not your Sundays. Your everydays. Not your church clothes, but your whole being. Not your highs only, but your highs, your lows, and your in betweens. Give them all to the One who gave all for you.

Get your inheritance!!!

Peace and salvation.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Battling Through

Battling Through

There's a program going on around the country right now. Several famous, and not so famous people are recording video messages to the victims of bullying to remind them that "It Gets Better". The gist of the messages is encouragement to those who are bullied because they are different. The program began in response to several publisized suicides committed by young people who thought it might not get any better. These messages are a touching outcry by those who made it to those who are still going through.

Jesus did the same thing for us.

Dear ones, it gets better. The advisary may be like that bully in your face, in your finances, in your faith, but it gets better. It's hard to think of victory when you're distraught and bruised, but it gets better. It isn't a 'in the sweet by and by' get better, but a real, live, here and now get better.

As a matter of fact, if you belong to Christ, it got better 2000 years ago. Just remember when your bully shows up, resist him. He'll flee (James 4:7). Remember that you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). Remember that weapons meant to hurt you can't (Isaiah 54:17). And that this battle isn't your's, it's the Lord's (2 Chronicles 20:15). And on, and on, and on.

But don't remember all this to tell your bully. Remember this so you can believe it. Say them over and over to yourself, because faith comes not just by hearing, but by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Your bully knows this is true. That's why he repeats what's wrong with you, your family, your friends, your money, over and over again. You counter by repeating the Word of God to yourself, over and over again. And before you know it, you'll find yourself mid-praise on the other side of through.

It gets better. It really does. Know Christ and Him crucified, and it starts getting better immediately. Grow in discipleship, and it gets better everyday. Come by Fellowship. We'd love to walk though with you.

Ephesians 1:15-23
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Peace and victorious living!

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Say THE Name

Ephesians 1:15-23
15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Say THE Name

Yesterday, I had the good priviledge to preach a message called 'Say My Name.' The reference for the message was from Genesis 32 (the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord) and from Genesis 2:18 where God brought the animals to Adam and whatever Adam called them that became the name of the animal. The message dealt with answering your calling.

Whether from fatigue or by divine appointment, I didn't give the whole message. The scripture above is the other part, or say THE Name. Jesus, as a name wasn't uncommon. There were many boys before and since the birth of Christ who were named Jesus.

But who gives the name and who receives the name matters.

My pastor isn't my pastor because he decided to open a church. He is my pastor because God called him to that role and he accepted the name. Other people have the same name, but not the same role. His role is unique to his calling and the lives his obedience has impacted. Same with every other pastor, evangelist, apostle, prophet and teacher who has been called by God to service. Common names, unique applications.

Then there is this Jesus. This One Man. The Only Begotten of God Himself. This Jesus Who is Alpha and Omega, the Morning Star, Wonderul, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace. His name became Emmanuel, God with Us despite being a common, ordinary name because of Who gave it to Him and Who He is.

Say THE Name, that Name above all Names. That Name at which every knee should bow, and every tongue confess His Lordship. He is Christ the King. He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

Don't know what I'm talking about? Then you need to come see what's been written about and for you by the Author.

Know what I mean, but don't know why I'm so excited about it? Then perhaps your faith is unfinished in its construction. You need to spend time with the Finisher.

Know what I'm talking about and why I'm excited but you feel far removed? Then come see about this Man, this Jesus. You're still His.

Whether you know, don't know or feel lost, we have room for you at Fellowship.

Ephesians 1:3-14

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The rest was too good not to share. Hallelujah!

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Ephesians 4:8, 11-13

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Gifts to the Church

Paul taught us in Ephesians that Christ left gifts for the church. Like a good bridegroom who presents his bride with a rare gem as an engagement token of his pledge, so Christ has left His Bride, The Church, gifts of His pledge. His gifts include apostles, teachers, evangelists, prophets and pastors.

Last week, we talked about our responsibilty as belivers; that is to honor our calling in Christ, because we are all ministers. But like all organized bodies, different parts have different roles.

In the role of pastor at Fellowship, we are richly blessed. Our pastor, Alton Watkins, has a heart after God and a deep devotion to his congregation. All this combined with a solid foundation in the Word makes him a warrior and champion in his calling. In his wife, Dossie, we have a teacher of profound depth and humility. She exudes her lessons in her walk, giving us a tangible example of Godly womanhood that is rarely equalled.

I hope you will join us as we celebrate this wonderful couple's fourth anniversary in the ministry this Sunday, October 17th at Fellowship Church. We have a full day of events planned:
At our regular 11:30 morning service, Minister Ronald Watkins will bring the word.
We will have a light lunch after service catered jointly by Zen Catering and Calico Catering.
At 3:00 PM, we will have a special service honoring our Pastor and First Lady where I will share a word from God.
Cake and refreshments will be served following the special service.
Please make plans to join us for either or both services. We look forward to celebrating this special couple with you. However, whether you are able to make it or not, share a word of encourgement with them to help build their faith in their walk.

If you have no idea what would spark this kind of admiration for a pastor and first lady because you do not have a church home, or where you attend, your pastor is a stranger, then I encourage you to come to Fellowship. We are a ministry that takes roles and callings seriously. We take relationship seriously. We take salvation and discipleship seriously. And we would welcome the honor of introducing you to and walking with you through all of this. Seriously.

Proverbs 3:27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Peace and Joy be with you!

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Really? All Things? Really. All Things.

Philipians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Really? All Things? Really. All Things.

Ah, the battle cry of the believer. I can do all things!! We say it all the time. But do we believe it? Do we know what ALL really means?

When Paul wrote this line in his letter to the Philipians, he was in captivity. As Saul, he had been a favorite of the priests as a persecutor of the Church. He was a Pharasee with his own disciples. Here, as Paul, a man so changed by his salvation experience, his name changed; here he sits in a prison, a societal outcast, defending a practice that as a Pharasee, he had once killed followers to prevent its spread. Yes, Paul had learned that he could indeed do all things, including living as a humble servant with the same grace he showed as a celebrated leader.

Our discipleship journey crosses hills and valleys. Like the travels our Savior took throughout Judea and Galilee, we can expect mountains and canyons along the way. We may be praised as we enter one phase of our life, and find ourselves in isolation in the next. And our call is to know that regardless the of the circumstances, we can do all things through Christ. We can abase, and we can abound. We can be the lead, the middle, the tail end or even the left out. We can do whatever The Father needs us to do because when we move in obedience, we move through Christ.

We make this our call when we are challenged. I encourage you dear friends to also make this cry when you feel like the work is beneath you. Whether the Holy Spirit leads you to the pulpit or to the nursery, make this your battle cry. If the call is to preach or to vacuum the church after service, make this your battle cry.

Whatever the Holy Spirit leads you to do, you can do through Christ. The practice, whatever it is, will strengthen you. And honestly, your obedience and willingness to yield are matters of life and death, eternally speaking (Matthew 25:46).

If you are making this journey without leadership, or the support of a church family, please visit Fellowship. If you haven't started your journey, we would be honored to help you get started.

Matthew 25:31-46

³¹When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

³²And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

⁴¹Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

⁴²For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

⁴⁴Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

⁴⁵Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Peace that passes all understanding be with you!

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com.

Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 Hwy 138, Ste C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Good Measure

Luke 6:37-38
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Good Measure

These two verses from Luke are quoted all the time by non-believers as well as believers. The thing is, most people leave out that there is a colon and not a period between the statements.

From Dictionary.com
co·lon[koh-luhn] 1. the sign (:) used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes; or to separate groups of numbers referring to different things, as hours from minutes in 5:30; or the members of a ratio or proportion, as in 1 : 2 = 3 : 6.

Ok, so what Sis. Stephanie. There's a colon. Other than being a grammar nerd, what's your point?

My point is Jesus was telling us that good or bad, righteous or unrighteous, our works, our thoughts, our words produce results, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. Other people relate to us based on how we relate to them. This short passage is another example repeated throughout the Bible that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:6-8).

What we have to keep in mind as believers in Christ resurrected is that we not only reap, but we reap bountifully because our hearts have been turned from stony, unproductive ground into rich, life affirming soil by the Blood of Christ.

Dearest, when you consider your life in Christ, does it seem like you feel things more deeply? You care more now when you do something wrong than you used to? You're more sensitive to how people treat you? That isn't coincidence. That's an intentional result from being grafted in with the Savior. Good or bad, what we take in produces fruit; abundantly.

So, as you move through your days, remember what you take in, what you speak, what you feel gets multiplied in your life. If you need a picture of this, remember that a single kernal of corn produces a stalk full of corn cobs full of corn kernals. How much more can your words, work, actions, thoughts produce if you a part of the very Body of Christ?

My advice? Galatians 5:16 and Philipians 4:8.

Speak, give and think life. Speak, give and think faith. Speak, give and think encouragement. Study how Jesus spoke (speaks), gave (gives) and thought (thinks). Speak to Him, and you'll know what to say, do and think. And you will be joyful and grateful for the harvest you reap.

Need to know how to get that started? I look forward to meeting you at Fellowship. We know where to get good seed; straight from the Father's hand.

Philippians 4:4-13
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Peace that passes all understanding be with you!

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com.

Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Can't Lose Shoes

Deuteronomy 29:1-9
1 These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. 2 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;
3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
4 Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.
7 And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:
8 And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

Can't Lose Shoes

This is an affirmation that is used alot in my family. It is meant as a lighthearted victory cry of how good God is in our lives. As you can see, it's even Biblical, though when it was coined, we weren't being that deep. See, we went on a trip...we couldn't find a pair of shoes we thought we had brought...when we got home, they were in the suitcase already. That event birthed "Can't lose shoes". We were so well cared for that we couldn't even lose shoes. And we weren't the first.

The Children of Isreal were brought out of slavery and destitution to a land rich with provision. They spent 40 years on their journey from being slaves to being free. They whined, they cried, they took things in their own hands and fashioned idols and corrupted priests. They tried to kill Moses more than once. They were pleaded for by Moses more than once when God said that He would destroy them.

Yet, they were provided for all along the way. Even their shoes lasted over time on the rough terrain of the desert. Nothing wore out. Food came fresh in the morning. There is no record of devastating conditions from the weather, only from their behavior. From the temperature to the daily provision, including enough so that they didn't have to gather on the Sabbath, everything was provided.

Dear ones, we, like the children of Isreal, can't lose shoes. Most of them only related to God through Moses or Aaron and didn't have a personal relationship. Yet, through the sacrafice of Christ, we have a personal, face to face relationship. We are grafted into the very body of Christ. We are related by The Blood.

So, consider, as life challenges you, if the children of Israel, without benefit of direct relationship couldn't even lose shoes, how much better cared for are you as part of the Bride of Christ?

Give your life completely to Christ. If you haven't confessed Him, confess. If you haven't gotten to work in your calling, get to work. If you haven't given all of your life, give it all. If you need help getting to this point, join us at Fellowship. We know that in Christ, you won't even be able to lose shoes.

Psalm 91:1-12
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Peace and encouragement.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

So, Just Where Are You Taking the Lord's Name?

Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

So, Just Where Are You Taking the Lord's Name?

We use the Baptist Sunday School Quarterly at Fellowship Church. If you use it as well, then you know the lesson yesterday was about the diety of God as expressed through the first part of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 1-18, Deuteronomy 5:4-22). We were talking about what it means to take the Lord's name in vain.

Of course, we focused on the careless habit we can get into of throwing around the name of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the same way we use the words 'shoot', 'darn', and 'oh my gosh'. This habit is irreverent. We would never use our parents names in a careless explitive (Oh my Shirley! Tom Messiah!) because these are real people and it's silly to throw their names around like that (I apologize to any one out there who may be named Jimmey Cricket). Yet, we have to think about giving this same deference to the name and character of our Savior, our God.

But, the Holy Spirit dropped something in me that I couldn't get away from. The practice is falling out of fashion now, but there was a time that whenever a woman married, she automatically took her husband's name as her own. It wasn't unusual and at one time the highest form of respect, for her to be known almost entirely by his name (Mrs. John Wilson).

Dear ones, the Church of Jesus Christ is the very Bride of Christ. Other people call the followers of Christ "Christians" or Christ-like or little-Christ. We are literally known by His name. We take His name when we accept salvation.

And oh, the places we take that name.

We take the name of Christ to our jobs, to our family gatherings. We take the name of Christ everywhere we go. We take His name into every activity we practice; the ones we're proud of and boast about...and we take the Name to those actions we don't want anyone else to know about.

We have to ask ourselves when we look at where we go and what we do, have we taken His Name in vain?

Have we taken His Name and then insisted on behaving the same way we did before we were known as Christ's? Have we taken His Name and then walked in disbelief, faithlessness, broken-heartedness and sickness? Have we taken His Name and then see church as only a social obligation that is actually in place to benefit our business careers or dating opportunities?

Matthew 7:22-23
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Or, have we taken His Name and chosen to follow after the Holy Spirit? Have we taken His Name and looked to be not only grafted in, but disciples eager to learn of Him? Have we taken His Name, His yoke, His cross and His Way?

Isaiah 62:1-5
1For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
2And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
3Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
5For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

(By the way, the verse defines Hephzibah and Beulah)

If you've taken the name, do not take it in vain. Take it in fullness, life and truth.

If you've not taken the name or if you haven't open yourself up to the fullness of His Name, then you are welcome at Fellowship. We will introduce you, encourage you and work with you in your growth. We look forward to having you do the same for us.

Revelation 21:9
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.


Peace.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Are You All In, or Is This Just a Hook Up?

2 Samuel 13:1-2, 10-17
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

Are You All In, or Is This Just a Hook Up?

The reference above is to one of the saddest episodes in David's life as a father. One of his sons, Amnon, forces himself on David's daughter (his half-sister), Tamar, and then throws her out of his house. He refuses to take her as his wife or care for her. She lives out her life in disgrace with her brother, Absalom. And, as the scholars know, two years later, Absalom kills his brother to avenge his sister and runs from his father in fear.

Amnon wanted the benefits of relationship with Tamar, but he wasn't willing to honor the comittment side. He wasn't willing to ask for her to be his wife. He wasn't willing to care for her after he had used her. His callousness and selfishness cost him his life. Though this is a harsh example, it is a clear representation of how we can misuse, or flat out ignore our responsibilities in our relationship with Christ.

Oh, we want the benefits...the favor...the protection...the assurance. Heaven is mine because I confess Him as Christ. Favor is mine because He loves me. I call out to the Lord and He will hear and answer my prayer, because He loves me. All of this is true. But, God's goodness does not superceed our responsibilities in Christ. And ignoring the responsibilities in Christ is costly (Luke 13:24-27).

Dear ones, Jesus is not interested in a 'friends with bennies' relationship with us. He gave all freely, but as an example. As He gave all, we should give all.

1 Peter 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

His love is true. His faithfulness is true. Patience, longsuffering, kindness, all true. His sacrifice was a gift. However, we are not in this walk simply to benefit. If that were true, then salvation wouldn't be necessary because God loved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). No, we are saved for relationship.

Examine where you stand with Jesus. Do you seek to 'take His yoke upon you and learn of Him' (Matthew 11:29)? Are you walking along side, staying in line with His precepts and practices? Are you learning of Him, from Him, about Him?

Or, is this just a 'bennie' situation for you? Do you do church 'cause it's the right thing to do? Do you feel like you've done God a favor because you said grace before eating? You dropped a little money in the offering plate, so you and 'The Big Guy Up There' are square? Consider Hebrews 10:30-31 anytime you feel like you've done God a 'solid'.

Jesus set the example of how we should walk; in peace and in service, with all the benefits AND responsibilities of relationship.

Jesus gave it all. All to Him, I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.

All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live. I surrender all.

John 13:12-16
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

We teach Jesus and Him crucified at Fellowship. We focus on building our relationship in Christ. If you don't know Christ, come to Fellowship. If you are not in a church body, or if you are not moving into relationship with Jesus where you are right now, I encourage you to come to Fellowship.

Peace.
Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor