Poverty and Strength

Proverbs 10:15

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Wealth and poverty are interesting.  They are as much mental states as they are material states. When someone is secure in their situation, it doesn't matter how much actual money they may or may not have.  Their sense of peace gives them strength, regardless of their bank balance.  Whereas someone could have the wealth of Midas, but if they're expecting it all to go away, they have no wealth.  Their poverty mindset feeds their eventual destruction.

I have a friend who is an advocate for the poor and homeless.  He does tireless work which is good because the problem seems to get worse from day to day.  He recently posted the following:

It is a common condition of being poor...you are always afraid that the good things in your life are temporary, that someone can take them away, because you have no power beyond your own brute strength to stop them.

Those of us who may have come from meager or modest means an probably feel the truth in the statement "afraid that good things in your life are temporary."  That perpetual anticipation of the other shoe dropping permeates every action when you've grown accustomed to 'not having'.  It's that poverty mindset at work even when by all measures you're no longer poor.  

The Holy Spirit showed me that this can even infect our spiritual lives.  

It is a stressful condition when you feel like you have to keep a death grip on everything and everyone to keep from losing them or it.  It's exhausting.  And when your strength is exhausted, the expectation is that it will all go away.  

Not so in Christ. In Christ, receiving is the real strength...not struggling to keep from losing but yielding to the will of the Father to have it all.

Loved one, when it comes to Christ, be encouraged.  Our Savior said that He would be with us always (Matthew 28:10) and that He would not leave us comfortless (John 14:18) and that we would receive power (Acts 1:8).  All of this is given, and given freely to those who will follow.

Its been a hard fight.  You may have worked and scraped for everything you have.  You may feel it's an insult to God to ever expect anything that you haven't worked, sweat and bled for. But, He already did the sweating and the working and the bleeding for you...for me.  

2 Corinthians 8:9

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

The hard work of our salvation and our restoration to the Father has already been done.  We don't work to keep the Father's love.  Our charge is to open our hands and our hearts and receive from the Father through the Son.  The work that we do then is because of the Father's love; a love that we can never lose...we can only refuse it.

Jesus already did the work to keep you.  Won't you let Him?

John 10:27-30

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

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.youarechosen.net) 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 an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

No Fear

2 Timothy 1:7

⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

When the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write these words to Timothy, he was encouraging this young pastor in his ministry and in his calling.  The press and criticism and non-compliance of the people did and can get to be much on a young pastor.  Whenever we are walking in our callings, regardless of the type of calling, the walk, the press, they can all get to be heavy.  The enormity of the task can be overwhelming.  It can be downright scary.  So, we need to be encouraged along the way.

If you have been born again in the Body of Christ, then the spirit of love, power and a sound mind is your birthright.  Fear is not from God.  Moving in the things of God may make us fearful, but when we are following after the will of God in our lives, then we should not give room to the fear.  It's not part of the will.

That is not to say that things don't look scary.  It is perfectly reasonable to be afraid of the task that God has called us to.  I can imagine that walking across the Red Sea bed looking up at walls of water was overwhelming.  I'm certain that getting tied up and thrown into a burning furnace would have buckled my knees.  Being thrown into a den of lions wouldn't have brought out my brave side.  But, when we move in the will of God, we need to learn to shut out the fear and sometimes, shut out reason and take it on faith.

There is an old adage that says if you're going to pray, don't worry and if you're going to worry, don't pray.  While trite, it gets at the point.  If we are walking in the will of God, why are we worried?  We may not know the details of the deliverance, just as Moses didn't when he and the nation reached the shores of the Red Sea.  But, he knew that God had promised deliverance.

Beloved, whatever you're facing today, face God first.  Be in His presence and assured of His will for your life.  His hand on your situation should be as real to you as the situation itself.  If not, seek Him more than the problem.  The deliverance may manifest in something that a person does, but it will originate at the hand of the Father.

When Jesus prayed before His crucifixion, He prayed that we would have His peace and His joy.  He knew we would face turmoil and opposition, so instead of praying persecution away, He prayed that we would have peace and joy.  And His prayers are answered.

Today, and everyday, in your walk in Christ, peace.  After all, you and I have been give a spirit of love, power and a sound mind.

The peace of God to you.  And no fear.

2 Timothy 1:13-14King James Version (KJV)

¹³ Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

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.youarechosen.net) 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 an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Favor

John 17:13-21King James Version (KJV)

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

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.

Here is the favor that applies to all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior...Jesus, himself, prayed to the Father on your behalf and on my behalf.  He prayed that we would have His joy fulfilled in our lives.  Jesus himself prayed for us to be kept, by God.  He prayed that we would be sanctified through the truth.  All these things, and more, Jesus prayed on our behalf.

All this, because of a profession.

And if that's not enough expressed favor;  if that still feels too far away, God Himself expressed it first.

John 3:16-17King James Version (KJV)

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.

Today, beloved, walk in the favor of God.  All was sacrificed to give it to you.  Such a precious gift should be received with the same love with which it was given.

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.youarechosen.net) 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 an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Smell the Rain

Hosea 6:1-3King James Version (KJV)

6 Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

You know that rain?  The shower that comes up and cools everything off?  That one that feels perfectly refreshing?  So much so, you just want to go outside and walk around in it and soak it all in?  That rain.

That rain is refreshing anytime.  But, when you haven't had rain in a long time, you get to the point where you're looking for it...anticipating it...longing for it.

There are times when the Word of God comes in like a storm.  It clears out debris, breaks off old growth. It stirs up the muck that has settled into bad habits in our lives.  And when it passes through, we're forced to do storm clean up and repair, throwing out things we may have thought we needed but in fact were just in the way.

There are times when the Word comes and its just a cloudburst.  It whets our appetite for brief moment, causing us to set aside whatever care we were obsessing over and gives us the freedom to reset priorities.

Then, there's times when we've experienced what feels like a spiritual drought.  When it seems like we've only received enough from Heaven to get by, but not enough to produce anything, let alone a harvest, when, at last, the sky changes, and the wind comes and you can smell the rain.

You can smell the rain.  This isn't a cloudburst.  This isn't a storm.  This is that gentle, soaking rain that saturates everything above and below.  This is that Word of God that changes the deserts in our lives to a carpet of blooms.  The one that takes a creek and makes it into a river.  This is THAT rain.  The one you've been waiting for.  The one that you didn't know you needed until you could smell it coming.

Loved ones, feel the rain.  Let it permeate and saturate everything in and around you.  Let it wash away the dust and feed the seed that have been planted in your life.  Accept the rain and let it wash over you.

Put off whatever was between you and God.  Let the wounds be tended and enjoy that the morning was prepared just for you. Let His Word soak in and bring forth what's new and wonderful.  Just let the Lord come as a former and latter rain in your life.

Smell that?  The rain is coming.

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.youarechosen.net) 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 an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

And Suddenly

Luke 2:13-14King James Version (KJV)

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.

And Suddenly

Spring happened in our part of Georgia yesterday.  It's a rather amazing thing.  It happens every year pretty much the same way.  We have a few weeks of cold, miserable, wet weather.  Nothing as foreboding as what has befallen most of the northeast and midwest this year, but just nasty, cold weather.

Then, after one or two warm days in late February or early March, the most remarkable thing happens.  All of the Bradford Pears trees seem to burst open in a flurry of white flowers, almost at the same time.  On Sunday morning, they were mostly still in bud.  But by Monday morning, the flowers had opened and were fully extended in the sunlight.  It's a beautiful sight.

The way it happens always brings the scripture above to mind.  Where there was a single flower, or just one tree in half bloom, then SUDDENLY, a multitude, lifted toward Heaven, praising God and glorifying Him in the best way they can.

When the very trees can praise Him, then how much more we?

So, whatever is on your mind today, no matter what highs or lows you're experiencing right now, I encourage you to join me and the trees, and the flowers that are all coming with Spring and rejoice!  God is Great!  Glory to Him in the Highest.  Because, on earth, we have peace with the Father because of His Son and His good will is toward us because of His Spirit!!

Luke 19:36-40King James Version (KJV)

36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Peace to you.  Glory to God!

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 an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fully Persuaded

Judges 11:30-31King James Version (KJV)

30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

Fully Persuaded

Have you ever bargained for something you already owned?  Probably not.  What would be the point?  If it's yours, you shouldn't need to barter or bargain for it.

Jephthah is an interesting man in the Book of Judges.  He was an outcast from his family because his mother was a working girl.  Despite his humble beginnings, he grew up to be a 'man of valor' and when his father's other children found themselves in dire straits, they called on Jephthah to lead the armies to victory.

Jephthah took and interesting approach to challenge the kingdom that was threatening the Israelites. He sent word to the king of the Ammonites, detailing the many times that God had gone before the children of Israel to remove the enemies.  Basically, he told the Ammonite king, you're arguments is with God, not us.  But, the enemy king did not heed the words and war was on.

Then, Jephthah did something unusual.  He made the vow recorded above.  Now, whether is was done from a point of arrogance or doubt, I'm not sure.  But, it was interesting that after sharing all this history with the Ammonite king that he felt the need to 'bargain' with God by offering to sacrifice whatever walked through his door if he returned victorious.  The tragedy was that first through his door following victory was his daughter offering congratulations.  She later honored her father's vow.

We should be fully persuaded that God is with and for us.  Time after time throughout His word, this sentiment is stated and restated.  And as if that wasn't enough, He offered His own Son as a perfect sacrifice to seal the promise in blood as proof that His word toward us was true.

Beloved, God loves you.  Not some far off, pie in the sky, isn't that a nice thing to say love, but a real, tangible, in your face, everyday kind of love.  God's love toward us is deep, pure and very much a part of our everyday lives.  He wants us with Him forever...not just in the ever after, but starting right now for forever.  It's a love that is genuine and available for the receiving. 

We don't have to bargain for this love.  We don't earn this love.  We receive this love.  We honor this love by following what Micah said (He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? - Micah 6:8).  Follow His teachings and commandments, receive the fullness of His mercy and grace and walk with Him...not against or ahead of Him, but with Him in humility, open enough to receive from Him with the expectation of good and not evil.  Tender before Him, with all the respect that a loving father deserves.

Our God is truly an awesome God, Who has withheld nothing and no one on our behalf.  His love for you and me is full and sweet.  Don't bargain for it.  Just take it in.

Romans 4:20-5:2King James Version (KJV)

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 8:35-39King James Version (KJV)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This year, be fully persuaded.  Peace. 

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 an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.