Monday, December 20, 2010

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

1 comment:

  1. stephanie, may i tell of our free SPREAD THE WORD TALK WITH THE LORD program to inspire daily talks with the lord on our everyday life questions our blog posts are being usedv free for sermons and discussion groups 3-6 friend groups meet monthly. our song lyrics now used free for choirs, g; hubbard p.o. box 2232 ponte vedra fl 32004 http://talkwiththelord.blogspot.com/ see our GIFTS FOR THE LORD post now.

    ReplyDelete