What's Your Name?

Genesis 41:45

 ⁴⁵And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

What's Your Name?

We discussed the chapter noted above in our Sunday School Lesson this weekend.  We were talking about success as it pertained to Joseph's life.  For those unfamiliar, I encourage you to read it, but the short version is here is a cherished son, who offended his older brothers, was sold into slavery and announced dead to his father, falsely accused of rape and thrown into a foreign prison unjustly.  Joseph had a talent...a gift from God.  He could interpret dreams with profound accuracy.  His gift got him in trouble with his brothers.  It also brought him before the king, and made him more valuable in the king's eyes.

So, on that day that Joseph went from forgotten prisoner to the second in command of Egypt, one of the many gifts given to him was a new name.  And Egyptian name that conferred citizenship.  In our Sunday school class, our teacher made the distinction that he was no longer, Joseph the Hebrew, but Zaphnathpaaneah, the Pharaoh's second in command.  He was also given an Egyptian wife, the daughter of a high priest

Changing names isn't unusual in the Bible.  God Himself changed the names of several people...Saul to Paul, Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel. We know of name changes.  Hadassah became Esther  (Esther 2:7).  Most people can rattle off Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah as easily as they can Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 1:7).  

What's as interesting as when God changes a name is when He doesn't. We don't know Joseph as Zaphnathpaaneah.  We don't know Daniel as Belteshazzar.  Naomi wasn't able to change her name to Mara despite her best effort.  What God endorses cannot be changed, not matter how vigorous the effort.

It's because God calls us who we are.  It doesn't matter what the world tries to label us with.  In Joseph's case, not only did Pharaoh want to change his name, but his lineage. The motivation was positive, but the desired result would have been the same; complete assimilation into Egyptian culture. Just as the world does for us today.

But we aren't called to assimilate.  We are called out as a peculiar people, separated unto God.  A royal priesthood. There are different expectations of royalty.   We have different expectations for our President than we do for our neighbor.  Oh, of course there are some expectations in common...but you might not flinch to see your neighbor pick up the newspaper in his or her robe....when was the last time you saw a sitting US President, or any member of their families in a robe out in public?

its not easy being different from the crowd. It takes courage to stand out, to accept being held to high standards.  But this is our calling.  This is our inheritance.

When we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are grafted into this lineage, this priesthood, this royal family.  We are who God calls us to be, no more and no less.  We have a destiny in this walk and we are expected to fulfill it according to God's will.

What's your name?  When God calls your name, what does He say?  You're not a joke.  You're not a mistake.  You are here on purpose, with a purpose.  Its a purpose that's bigger than you.  It's a purpose that is as important in the Kingdom of God as everyone else's purpose.  Someone somewhere is waiting on your obedience.  They are blessed because of it.  They bless someone else when they experience it.

Its a new year.  Now is as good a time as any to know your name.  If you are a part of a ministry, press in and hear they name God calls you...and move with it.  If you are not a part of a ministry, we have room for you at Fellowship.

If you have never confessed Christ as Savior, just believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you shall be saved (Romans 10:9).  Then join us at Fellowship where will join with you in calling out your name...as God calls you.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

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 tofellowship_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 30238

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Getting to Jesus

Matthew 2:7-8

 ⁷Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

 ⁸And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Getting to Jesus

I have the great fortune of sharing the word of God yesterday at Fellowship.  Much of that message came from this same chapter.  Further down after the three wise men are introduced, we see the devious side of Herod.  As these strangers searched for a king from a king, Herod said, 'when you find this Child, let me know so I can worship Him.'

Its a practice many of us still do today...we try to get to Jesus through someone else's experience...'My grandmother prays for me'...'my Pastor has a relationship with God, so I'll go to him instead of seeking for myself'....'I'll get sister so-and-so to pray for Dad.'

Its absolutely true that other people can lead us to the Savior, but we have to meet Him and have a relationship with Him all by ourselves.  It wouldn't be very smart to try to have a marriage to one person by always going through another person, but we do it to God all the time.

Dear ones, as you prepare to welcome in 2012, resolve to have a personal relationship with Christ.  Instead of focusing on changing your weight, or breaking an old habit, put some weight into your discipleship.  Get in the habit of following the Holy Spirit.

I invite you to start this Saturday at Fellowship.  We will welcome in the new year with a special service, starting at 9:30 PM.  Any and all are welcome.  If you do not know Christ as your Savior, or understand how to be a disciple, please come.

Start 2012 with new eyes, a fresh walk and with a heart after God.  Get to know Jesus for yourself.

Philippians 2:5-13

 ⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

 ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 ⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

 ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

 ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 ¹²Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 ¹³For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I hope to see you there.

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 tofellowship_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

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men

Listed below is a reprint from last year. It seemed appropriate after the events yesterday morning of the ending of the Iraq War. That war just ended, thank the Lord. But the war between humankind and God was ended a long time ago. Won't you enter into this peace?


Merry Christmas!

From Monday, November 29, 2010

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!

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

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Restoration

Ezekiel 36:35-36
35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.

Restoration

There's little sadder to me than an empty house. Driving around Atlanta, its easy to see the scars of our nation's current economic situation. You can find whole neighborhoods that are more abandoned than occupied in pockets all around the city and surrounding suburbs. Those empty houses, boarded and barren were probably once filled with raucous families. There once may have been tv's in every room, toys scattered on the floor, curtains, pets. Or maybe they were occupied by a meticulous couple with nothing out of place. Kitchens once bristled with activity. Now, they are empty, cold. Wasted even.

It's an all too common metaphor for our lives. We come here full of potential. Most of us probably had celebrated arrivals into loving families. Then, somewhere along time, life throws in some ditches and curve balls and we find ourselves feeling as empty and purposless as one of those abandoned houses.

But there is hope.

There is no life wasted beyond the reach of God. He can make a life not only prosperous, but Eden-like, abundunt, lush, full and sustaining. There is no condition that we can reach that is a challenge for God. No depth of sorrow. No distance. No hardness of heart. Nothing in our lives is beyond the capabilities of a God Who loves us so much that He would bring a Son into the world just to have Him bear what we could not (John 3:16).Brokenness is just a good beginning for God.

There is one potential hinderance, however. It all rests with our acceptance. We have to be willing to believe and receive that God is, well, God. We have to be willing to accept Christ's sacrifice and Lordship. We have to be willing to accept that in all our understanding there are thoughts, ways, and purposes that are bigger than we are.

Perhaps you find yourself at one of those stages in life where it feels like you've lost everything. Perhaps you've moved away from the very thing you felt like you were here to do. Perhaps you feel like you've lost everything and you have no hope.

May I share a hope with you? If we feel like we've lost it all, then we have nothing to lose in trusting God. Just give yourself over to Him and watch what He does with wasted land. The Psalmist said we'll be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in season (Psalm 1:3).

At the beginning, God spoke into darkness and light happened. Won't you let Him speak into your darkness? His light is marvelous.

We often share stories of restoration at Fellowship. We look forward to hearing yours.

Joel 2:21-27


21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

My Christmas wish for you? Restoration.

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

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Delighting the Lord

Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Delighting The Lord

It's Christmastime! My son is already compling a multi-volumed list of things he wants for Christmas. The malls are crowded. The internet is humming today as people shop online during their 'breaks' at work. It's the most over-marketed time of the year again.

Ok, that last line might have been a bit much. Goodness knows I love holiday shopping and parties too. But that doesn't change the fact that we can loose sight of what Christmas is really about.

This passage from Jeremiah listed above really touched me this morning. When we consider the time of year, and some of the specific happenings this year, Occupy protests, civil disobedience, productions of excessive wealth, a time when people can't afford to be sick - literally...its very humbling to consided the word recorded...in understanding and knowing the Lord as He is, we delight him.

Isn't that the point of all those wrapped gifts that will soon populate the bottom of our decorated trees? To delight the receiver? Let's face it, that box of socks and underwear a child receives, not matter how desperately needed, isn't the one he or she talks about back at school. They talk about the gift that brought delight. Not just children, either.

As holiday plans come together over the next few weeks, I encourage all of us to consider how we might please our Lord. Loving mercy, doing justly and walking humbly with God are our basic requirements (Micah 6:8). We talk alot about how we can delight ourselves in the Lord, but how can we delight Him? By putting Jesus at the top of our gift giving list this year. Afterall, its only fair. He gave everything for you and me.

Isaiah 1:11
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

Matthew 17:5
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.

Hear Jesus. That's what the Father wants for Christmas. That's how to delight Him.

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

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

What We Can Bear

Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

What We Can Bear

It's not unusal for people to say good things that aren't actually in the Word. One that comes to mind is 'God helps those who help themselves.' Nice thought, but it isn't scriptual. I've always heard that saying, that God never puts more on us than we can bear. To be honest, I've never found that passage. Not saying it isn't there...just saying I don't know (yet) where it is. What IS scriptual is that the Lord willingly bears our burden.

It may in fact be true (and I welcome the reference) that the Lord never gives us more than we can bear. But we do it to ourselves. We take on more than we are equipt to handle all the time. Furthermore, if we are believers in Christ, we have a sworn enemy who would like nothing more than to watch us be consummed to the point of death with the cares of this world. You don't have to be very old to know that living will bring unbearable burdens.

But Jesus said that His burden was bearable. (Matthew 11:30)

We are spiritual beings when we're born again. This weekend, at our anniversary services, the evangelist talked about this new state of ours. It only stands to reason that the weapons formed against us would be spiritual too. They just manifest sometimes in the physical.

Friend, take an inventory. Are you heavy laden with cares? Do you have a smorgasboard of debt, family, job, school, health issues weighing you down? Does it sometimes seem like you're back is about to break with what you're carrying?

If so, then cast your burden to Jesus. He spread His arms out wide and is ready and willing to carry them. He even had His hands nailed to a tree to ensure they'd stay up under the weight. Just take His burden instead. It's light. But, you have to put on a yoke to pull it. That yoke keeps us in His path. It sort of insures that He does the driving. That's the catch, if you're looking for one. His burden, His will.

But its nice to feel light again. Trust me. I know.

We'd happily yoke up with you at Fellowship. We're walking the same way.

Matthew 11:28-30
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 is light.

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

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Sound the Shofar! Blow the Trumpet! Great is the Lord! We're Still Here!

Isaiah 54:17

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.

Sound the Shofar! Blow the Trumpet!  Great is the Lord!  We're Still Here!

This passage is the rally cry for our church anniversary this Sunday.  We are about to wrap up our fifth year in ministry and open our sixth.  In those five years, we have been seen some weapons formed specifically against us.  There have been snares and outright open attacks aimed directly for our ministry....and we're still here.  Bless the Lord!

We've heard from people why our ministry would not succeed....and we're still here.  Great is our God!

There have been challenges.  There have been trials.  But, the Lord said His Word would accomplish what He said it would do (Isaiah 55:11).  This is the Word our church was established by, through and on.  We're still here.  Hallelujah!

I hope you will join us this Saturday for our very special services at 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM, November 20th.  Our special guest church is Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church from Dayton, Ohio.  But it's your presence that will truly bless the day.

And, maybe, just maybe this can become your anniversary too.  The anniversary of when you accept Jesus as Lord...or maybe the anniversary of your rededication?  Perhaps we can celebrate you're accepting your calling and vocation in Christ?  Whatever you commit to in Christ, we will celebrate with you at Fellowship.

Please come.  God is great, and greatly to be praised!

 

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

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor