Monday, July 18, 2011

Look Beyond the Hills

Psalm 121
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. \
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Look Beyond the Hills

I lost an aunt a week ago Sunday. We gathered as a family and celebrated her life last Friday. This was one of the passages read at the service. One of her sons, my cousin Terry Stephens, expounded on this passage. He is an associate pastor in Minnesota. His is a very fortunate congregation.

There is nothing and no one on Earth who can do what God can do. We can, as the song says, search all over but we still couldn't find nobody (pardon the grammar) greater than the Lord. No matter how high the hill, how deep the sea, there is none greater than God.

And He is your Keeper, your Shepherd, your Preservation, and thanks to the sacrifice of His Son, your Savior.

My Aunt Betty made her choice years ago about whom she would serve. Nothing said Friday afternoon could either enhance or detract from her choice to serve Christ. The question is, when you look to the hills and see the storm gathering in the distance, will you be swayed by the coming storm or know that your help comes from the Lord Who will not suffer your foot to be moved? Will you rest knowing that He will preserve you from all evil, or cower in the face of your enemy?

It's a simple, yet profound choice with eternal consequences. But more importantly, it's your choice. You have to make if for yourself and no one else.

Look beyond the hills. Look beyond what you know to Whom you're known by.

Look to Christ.

Matthew 17:1-8
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Peace and clarity.

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 W, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor