Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Breaking Open, Breaking Through


2 Samuel 12
1And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.

Breaking Open, Breaking Through

There are times in our lives where our character is tested. These times come differently to all of us, but they come to each of us. And for some, they come often. Of course, maybe that's just me.

It is easy to cast these seasons as a test of our faith. But, as followers of Christ and believers that He is Lord, we have to get honest with ourselves and see what they really are; a challenge to our character.

David was a man after God's own heart. God Himself had chosen David to rule over Israel. He had annointed him, protected him and prepared him to be king and be the named sovreign for the earthly lineage of Jesus. God took a personal interest in David's life.

But, David wasn't Jesus. He was flawed as we all are flawed. He made lots of mistakes just as we do. He made one that was so egregious that the correction came swiftly and directly from God. Through Nathan, God showed David a flaw in his character. This revelation brought David to a peculiar place. His response to the revelation was confession (II Samuel 12:13) and intercession (II Samuel 12:16).

David didn't lose faith. He didn't doubt God or His power. He literally went outside of the covering of God's protection and guidance and let his desires and his will get ahead of God's. It was a flaw in his character, that part of himself that was separate from God that failed him. Not his faith.

That is why we had to have Jesus as THE example. We needed a role model, a character study in order to understand the difference between our carnal nature and what it looks like to walk in agreement with the Father while still in this earthly body.

Dear one, the faith that was planted in you the day you accepted Christ shall never fail you. One faith, one Lord, one baptism. That's more than a promise, it's a fact. But, to get to that next level, to move more deeply into Christ, you will have to let Him break up the character flaws your spirit was re-born in to. Like that fallow ground talked about so much in scripture, you have to be broken up so new life can come forward.

We will face challenges to our character. We will have to come to grips with those parts of ourselves that we hide from everyone. Nothing done or thought is beyond the reach of Christ and therefore will not go ignored. But, when you're faced with these truths, remember that you are in the hands of the Father...you matter deeply to Him. He isn't correcting you to bring you down, but only to bring you up to Him.

Let Him break you open and bring you..the real you...the born again you out.

Peace.

Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.



Sis. 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