Trouble in Your Way? Stay in the Ship

Acts 27:31



31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Trouble in your Way? Stay in the Ship

This story in Acts is very good. Paul had warned his captors not to sail when they did. They left based on their experience and knowledge of the sea, and found themselves in a terrible, ship-killing storm.

It's hard to convince someone who's an expert at something to change their mind, especially if you don't have credentials or experience equivalent or better than theirs. Timothy ran in to this when Paul encouraged him to 'despise not thy youth'. Sailors are no exception. Those who have sailed know the sea. They've seen the sea's moods and states. They take pride in recognizing the signs of storms and calms. They usually learn this stuff the hard way, so they are comfortable in their knowledge and experience.

So, when some non-sailing preacher comes along touting that he knows something they don't, that wicked combination of pride, experience and spite gets together and makes it impossible for them to do anything but what THEY know. Later, they found out that the preacher was right. They didn't understand WHOM he knew.

Trouble comes from alot of different sources. When it's time for maturing eagles to leave the nest, the parents 'trouble' the nest to make it uncomfortable for them to stay. When the waters at Bethsaidia were 'troubled' healing happened, if you got in 'trouble' first. Then there's the kind of trouble these experienced, salty sailors found. Storms that seemed set on capsizing the ship and killing all onboard. The kind of trouble that overwhelms you with its size and capacity for destruction. The kind of trouble that comes from tornadoes, fires, floods, loss of income, divorces, sicknesses, deaths.

The natural thing to do is to get as far away from the touble as possible. But God isn't natural. He says stay.

When we belong to God, He accepts responsibility for our well being. That's not just when we're obedient, but all times. There are some problems we bring on ourselves, like these sailors who left port despite the Godly instruction to stay. We spend more than we make. We do things to our body that weaken or destroy it, both inside and out. We keep company with people and things that detract from our best selves. We set sail in waters that appear fine, but are unsafe up ahead. And the Lord keeps us.

Even when the trouble is of our own doing, we have safety in the ship. The natural tendency will be to run away and hide, but salvation is in the ship. Paul recorded that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, them that are called according to HIS purpose (Romans 8:28). That means the good things, the things from God, and the things that we pull into the picture. They all work together for our good.

Our trouble is no challenge to God. Only our willingness to trust Him...obey Him. These are the real challenges...the real mountains.

So, dear ones, speak to your mountain. Only tell it that you are choosing to trust God. Tell your storm that blow as it may, you're staying in fellowship with God and that you choose to believe Him over the wind. Tell the flood waters that your spiritual house is built on the solid rock of Christ and you shall not be moved. Tell your sickness that you were already healed by His stripes and that no matter the symptoms present, it had no authority in your body today. When temptation and disobedience come to call, tell them you're busy praising and praying to God. You'll see them another time.
Jesus told us not to be surprised when troubles come. He said He was persecuted, so we would be too. When we accept salvation, we become the sworn enemy of God's advisary. That old rascal can no longer win our soul from God, so he focuses on keeping us as far away from our calling as possible. And usually, with trouble.
There's an old song, 'Trouble in my Way...I hafta cry sometimes'. But remember, even it ends with 'Jesus, He will fix it, afterwhile.' It's okay to cry. Just remember to cry out to God.

Psalm 27:5 (The Whole Psalm fits...)


5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

At Fellowship, we have room in our ship for you.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages. Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Highway 138 W, STE C

Jonesboro, GA 30236

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Cross Post from Through His Eyes...

Today's entry is a cross post from the blog I keep of my son, Myles' inspired words...

I Pray the Lord My Soul to Keep

I was fussing at Myles today.  He had done something wrong and tried to hide it only to have mom discover the hidden deed.  As his punishment, he had to clean up the mess he'd made and take the trash out.  Where we live, the dumpster is a bit of a walk, even for a newly minted 10 year old.

It was getting dark when he left with the trash.  We are on the upper floors of our building, so it is my habit to stand on the balcony and watch over him as he walks to the dumpster, especially if its dark out.  The first time he went by himself, he asked me to do this (not that he had to).  Today, as I yelled 'I'm here.  I've got you.' from the balcony,  he answered 'It's okay, Mom.  When you can't see me, I've got God. I'll be ok.'


Psalm 121

 ¹I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

 ²My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

 ³He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

 ⁴Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

 ⁵The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

 ⁶The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

 ⁷The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

 ⁸The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Yes, dear boy.  I know you do.

Come Up Higher

Exodus 24:12
And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

Come Up Higher

Several times, Moses was called not only away from the people, but up into the presence of God. God would require that Moses pull away, above the day to day workings of the camp in order to give instruction, to commune with Moses. Remember, when Moses first stopped to see a bush that burned without being consumed, he was up on the mountain, away and above.

John recorded in his gospel, that Jesus said 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me' (John 12:32). Perhaps we need to get a little higher when we lift Him.

If I'm standing in a hole, and I lift a light, the light will shine over more of the hole, but unless you're in the hole with me, no one else will probably see the light. Now, if I take that same light and get up on a hill, that light can be seen for miles around.

Dear ones in the Lord, we may need to take a cue from Moses and get up a little higher. Get up above the day to day life. We have responsibilities, of course. But a major responsibility of walking in Christ is to get up and away from time to time so that the Lord can talk with us, one on one. So He can show us who we are to Him.

He's not very concerned about our past. He sees us differently than we probably see ourselves. He's focused on our truth where we may be tied up in our facts. By coming up and away, we give Him the room to take our binds of our experiences and our limitations off and heal our sight so we can see our truth despite our facts.

But, we have to come to Him, where He is.

When Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus was laid, the scripture testifies that Jesus didn't go in, but instead called Lazarus out. The children of Isreal were called out of Egypt. Peter testified that we have been chosen, that we are a royal preisthood who were called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

Even when the Lord walked the earth, people came to Him. Very rarely does the scripture testify where Jesus went to someone. They met Him where He was. They followed where He went. Some crawled through the dirt just to touch Him. Others cried out from the side of the road just for His mercy.

Loved ones, its time to come up. It's time to get a little higher so we can show forth His glory from a hill and not a hole. I encourage you to lay down that burden that keeps you from coming higher. Set it aside and come up to the Master. Ask Him what to do with it, and then do that. Even if He says let it go. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more. Whatever she had done in the past, it was time to leave it behind and move on and go a little higher.

The Master is waiting. Won't you come up? We'd be honored to show you the way at Fellowship.

Isaiah 1:18-20
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Higher living!

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message.

The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Highway 138 W, STE C

Jonesboro, GA 30236

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Offered to All, Received by Few

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.


Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Offered to All, Received by Few

If I paid all your bills, forever, would you accept? I've already contacted every creditor you have. I've paid the bills. All you have to do is endorse, acknowlege, Yes, Stephanie paid the bills. They have the money, but they can't credit it to you until you endorse my action with your acceptance. If this were true (and I wish I could do it for each of you), would you accept?

The relief by that action would be temporary, but it would have a daily impact on your life. You would probably tell me about what you can do now that you are unburdened from owing anyone any money. You'd probably work to maintain a friendship with me, even if it was just at Christmastime and on my birthday...you would stay in touch. You might even look to see what I was doing and join in on my activities because you'd probably figure I must have something exciting going on if I could make enough money to free you of debt, and yet had enough compassion to do it for you and everyone you know. I think my action would spark your interest. I'd hope so.

I suppose it's possible that some of you might not endorse my action. You might feel like it's a joke and doesn't deserve attention. Some of you may believe it, but just choose not to accept. Some may accept and choose not to know another thing about me, even though my action changed tyour entire life.

I can't give any of you this gift. But, I can give you another. Your debt has been paid in full. Jesus paid every bit of your debt to God for your righteousness. When God sees you, He looks at you the same way He looks at Jesus when you accept that Jesus paid your debt. He sees you as His.

Will you accept? It's an act of faith. It's a lifelong...no...eternity long comittment, but it has an immediate, permanent affect on your life. I hope that you will accept, that you will learn more and that you will seek out a friendship with Jesus, beyond His birthday.

This is my message today...accept His gift. He is the Gift.

John 3:14-18
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Gift of Peace to you.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages. Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Highway 138 W, STE C

Jonesboro, GA 30236

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Suffer the Children

Mark 10:13-16
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Suffer the Children

School started today in my son's district. Same for several other counties in our area. Some children went back last week. Some won't start until September. Others never stopped since they go year round.

Yet, what about their spiritual development? Is going to church enough? What do they know about the Christ you serve? Do they see what Christian service looks like?

No, we aren't to be ruled by our children, but they do have important lessons to teach us about humility, receiving, joy. And yet, we...not just parents, but anyone who knows a child, are responsible for their well being...physical, mental and spiritual. What they come to know, they come to know through us.

Jesus litteraly embraced children. I'm moved in particular by the image in verse 16 above - And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Not just a passing word or a pat, but an embrace. And these children took in all that He gave.

Jesus told us they are an example to us of how to receive the Kingdom. Then, He showed them how the Kingdom gives. In being 'Christ-like', we should strive to do the same.

Whether you're a parent, a relative or just a friend of a child, remember they are looking at you to live the example of what they learn and hear about in church. Children are often great little lie-detectors, but that doesn't mean they know how to follow truth. That's our job. We should pursue truth for our own salvation, but know that our efforts help make the path clear for them.

Suffer the children to come to Jesus. Make the way plain, and the path clear. If you don't know the way, we have maps and "JPS" (Jesus Positioning Systems) at the ready at Fellowship that we'd be happy to share. It doesn't matter where you are in your life, your walk, or your growth. Just come.

Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden isl light.

Praying for peace in your schools, as wel as peace in your hearts.

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

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Gifts of the Spirit

We started this study in our Disciples Class last Wednesday night at Fellowship. We are exploring the gifts of the Spirit for the next few weeks. However, one point kept coming up in the discussion and promises to be repeated.

Verse 11 in the passage above says 'But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.' All things as the Father commands. He does it at His own will. That's that part of this fellowship we have through Christ with God that is most important for us to remember...as HE wills. We have no control of when the gift starts, stops or what happens as the gift operates. That's God's business.

The posture of a disciple is yeilded, open. Like the lump of clay in Ezekiel, we are subject to the Master's shaping and firing as He wills. The purpose of our 'shape' is determined by Him, not us. Same for how we're used. Can you imagine if you reached into your cabinet for a pitcher, and it somehow refused the iced tea you were trying to put in it because it thinks it was made for only milk? You'd throw it out. It wouldn't be fit for your use if the pitcher somehow got to decide how it would be used.

Is your vessel yeilded? Are you open to what God has for you? Are you ready to receive, regardless of what He presents? Jesus left Glory and found Himself debased, beaten and killed...just as the Father designed. In return, His Name is above all names and His inheritance is all who would believe on that Name. His obedience redeemed me. It redeemed you, if you've received it.

God blesses whom He will. He is God. He is Master. He is Creator. He chooses how He will use those who serve Him. He chooses when and how the Holy Spirit will behave for Him. Our call is to obedience, humility and reception of all that He offers from assignment to grace.

Won't you choose to receive from God? He has nothing for you, except His best.

I invite you to learn more about these precious gifts during our study on Wednesday nights at 7 at Fellowship. I also hope you'll join us for service Sundays at 11:30 if you are not already involved (yes, involved, not just attending) another church family. We're growing, but there's always room for you.

Romans 12:1-5
1 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.
2 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.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Peace.

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

Seeing Through His Eyes

John 4:9-10

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Seeing Through His Eyes

The Woman at the Well is a familiar account among most believers. Jesus meets this woman and she tells the whole city to come see Him.

There were so many reasons this encounter was odd. No one gathered water at noon. It's the Middle East...it's hot and lugging water is hard work even when its cool. Jews didn't talk to Samaritans. Men didn't talk to women who weren't related to them. Jewish men had no dealings with Samaritan women in public.

Yet, here they were.

It wasn't Jesus' teaching at the well that compelled her to evangelize the city, however. Jesus saw her in a way she'd never seen herself. He saw who she really was, not what she was. And He wanted to give her something precious...Himself.

This woman knew her situation. She wasn't a well respected woman. If she was, she would have gathered water in the cool of the day with the other women. She accomodated how others felt about here by staying out of their way. She didn't bother Jesus when he lounged at the well because He was Jewish and she wasn't. He wasn't a man of her klan so there was no need for interaction, from her perspective. She was prepared to be ignored. She expected it and was comfortable in it. She knew her facts.

He knew her truth.

Jesus isn't intimidated by our facts. He isn't concerned about our backgrounds, our family history, our situations. He knows things about us we haven't even thought about. And He sees us in that truth.

We all go through conditions, seasons, experiences that may temporarily alter who we think we are. Maybe a divorce brings a feeling of failure. Loss of a loved one ushers in dispair. Sickness walks hand in hand with depression. Perhaps lonliness drives us into an illicit relationship. These are real conditions. But they are not who we are.

Jesus sees us for WHO we are...not HOW we are.

Loved ones, receive the lesson still being taugh through this bold woman. Who we are isn't determined by how we are right now. Who we are is best seen through the eyes of our Lord. He sees past our condition. He sees past our dissapointments, our weaknesses, our troubles and wants us to see what He sees. He has enough grace to accomodate whatever we think we can't bring to Him. He's prepared to wash it away with His very blood.

Paul encouraged us in his letter to the Philipians, chapter 2, to 'let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus'. We should strive to see others in the same love that Christ sees them. They way to do that is to start by seeing Him, and then seeing ourselves the way Christ sees us.

Seeing as He sees. Being one with Him. Loving as He loves. Being like Him...Christ like...Christian. This is our walk.

Won't you walk with us, at Fellowship?

John 17:20-26
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

New eyesight, and peace.

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