Raising the Dead

Side Note...For the first time in over a year, I was not able to send the message out from the email list noted below.  Hmmmm...isn't that curious?  Be Blessed.

John 3:10-15
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
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.

Raising the Dead

I learned yesterday that I can, and have been raising the dead. No, this isn't some Halloween joke.

See, the thing about being born again, is that we really are re-born. And just as we come here as a physical baby, grow, and live a physical life, we have this spiritual birth, growth and life when we accept Christ.

'Well, duh, Sis. Stephanie...that's pretty much Bible 101.' I know. But I learned an incredible lesson yesterday. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that I've been raising the dead....the things that were dead in my life keep coming up, because I'm raising them.

Our pastor challenged us yesterday to get rid of those 'old things' that we've been doing to ourselves that, well, basically are killing us. He reminded us that when we accept Christ, our advisary issues a contract to take us out. And, whenever he can, he tries to convince us to do it ourselves. Think about it.

I know I do things that are contrary to a full life in Christ. And when I think about why I still do these things, my mind starts the condemnation speech we sometimes do...I'm not really dedicated....this life in Christ thing isn't real....

That's when the Holy Spirit stepped in and said, 'You're raising the dead.'

When we are born again in Christ, we have new life. Paul recorded in his second letter to the Corinthians that old things are passed away. Not 'passed away' as in they went they're way off into the distance. But, passed away like that euphamism we use to say someone has died.

But being born into this resurrection power as we are, we keep bringing those old things back to life.

Loved ones, and especially those of you of the Body of Christ, I encourage you to accept that power of Christ in you and to understand that is brings life...to all things...good and bad things. That is why we are charged to be careful about how we speak, where we go, what we think and with whom we spend our time. Its not about restriction. Its about respecting power and understanding how it works.

Just think of what we could do if we focused all that energy we give to ressurecting our old life into obedience? What would happen if we actually got up each morning, dying to self and living for Christ as a choice? As a real direction in life? Wow! Its pretty amazing when you think about it. Especially when its as close as a choice.

I don't know what's on your list. I don't want to know what's on your list. That's between you and the Lord or me and the Lord...no one else need be involved. But I do know that God loved you and me enough to send Jesus so we could have access to this life, this everlasting, power of Christ, greater things that these, life that Jesus spoke about.

So, try not to resurrect that life you had before Christ. Try not to resurrect old habits that take you away from His presence, His will, His love. Embrace the new life you and I were given in Christ.

Don't know Christ? We'll introduce you at Fellowship. We lift Him up high. You'll see Him right away.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Newness.

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

Moving On From Here


Luke 15:18-24
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Moving on From Here

I love the story of the prodigal son. It applies in so many areas of life...our own lives...definitely my life.

This weekend, I was in Ohio joining in the celebration honoring the pastor of my home church. He's retiring as pastor after 42 years. Not from ministry, but as pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, Ohio.

The gathering had the atmosphere of a reunion. Many of us who had attended a nearby college attended this church when we were students. I was baptized there. Most of the membership has been at the church for years, but some of us just passed through. Many of us stayed in touch even though we had moved to other places.
'
So here we all were, gathered and hugging, sharing stories and exchanging addresses. I had lived in Newark for a while after graduation. I became godmother to a baby girl while I was there. Then, after I moved, I had lost track of her and her mother. I was recalling this episode at the table, when I said 'Someone needs to point out Sidney to me'. The young woman standing behind me said 'I'm Sidney'.

In that instant, I knew everything I had done wrong in my assignment as her godmother. Here stood this lovely young woman, about to start her own education. I had done what I could when I was close, but when I moved away, and communication got complicated, I had just let her slip away.

But, in Christ, there is a here and a now.

Like the son in the story, I can't make up for what has passed. I wouldn't even want to try. But, what I can do is admit my shortcomings, pick up and move on.

This is the forgivness Jesus paid for. They kind of forgiveness that is readily available and needs only be received. He never says 'now, go back and relive your life without mistakes'. He says only, go and sin no more. All the rights and priviledges and yes, responsibilities of relationship are always just on the other side of forgiveness. They have to be received, not earned.

We know that we reap what we sow. But that doesn't mean we cannot be forgiven. Whatever it is that stands between us and the life God intends is only accepting forgiveness away.

Will you receive the forgivness that's been so lovingly attained for you?

I found my goddaughter. My responsibilities to her are just as real today as they were 18 years ago when I held her in my arms and promised to see to her wellbeing and her life in Christ. I look forward to moving on from here.

I also look forward to you moving on from there, wherever that is for you. Receive the forgivness of Christ and go forward. Directions available at Fellowship...no charge.

Philippians 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

No matter where we are, we can always go forward in Christ.

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

Born (again) Free

Acts 22:27-28
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

Born (again) Free

If you're north of 40, chances are as soon as you read the words 'born free' a certain song starts ringing through your brain. That's the sound track for today's message.

This is an interesting exchange between the centurion and Paul. The chief captian became a Roman citizen because he bought the priviledge. Paul was born a Roman. There was a difference between someone who became Roman and who was born Roman. Blood, it would seem, matters.

If you were born American, you were born with freedoms not universally enjoyed in the earth. There are countries where being of two different cultural groups makes you invalid, illegal. Where being born female makes you a target for abuse. Where being born poor condems you to a life of poverty with no opportunites to change. These are just a few of the many freedoms simply being born in this country, or to a parent from this country you are automatically afforded.

With those freedoms, its easy to get a little cocky. Americans have a reputation in other countries of being obnoxious tourists. We're reputed to be arrogant and boistrous when we go to new places, because we walk with such confidence and expectation.

As believers in Christ, we are born again free. Just like being born American, there are freedoms, rights, priviledges afforded to us just because of the re-birth. But THESE freedoms, rights and priviledges are WAY beyond anything accorded to citizenship in a country. And just like that American citizen example, we are supposed to be assured in our relationship in Christ and all that the relationship holds.

Imagine, walking through your life with the confidence that everything you do would work? Walking with the assurity that you could not fail. Meeting every challenge, every obstacle with success as the destined outcome.

How would you walk if you knew that you could strut through what you want to do most and it would work? Would you march, or would you take small, sheepish steps? Of COURSE you'd move with strength and confidence because that's what security and assurity does.

Security is a patent hallmark of relationship. That expectation that the other person will 'be there' whether that other person is a parent, a spouse, a friend, is something that we all count on. It's one of the reasons why we trust that person with our heart.

Born again into Christ brings security, assurance, confidence, righteousness, holiness and all with enteral life with the Father. This relationship is a blood one...THE Blood relationship that matters most in our lives. It's not a step, it's not via in-laws. An honest to goodness blood relationship that lasts forever.

Dear ones, you are born again free when you confess Christ. You are grafted into the body of Christ and of essential importance to Him.

And He will 'be there' no matter what you do. No matter where you go. When we accept Him as Lord, nothing fails. We yield our will to His, and all things work.

So, embrace the song. Be born-again free.

Ephesians 1:3-6

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Free!

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's in Your Hand?

Exodus 4:1-2
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.

And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

What's In Your Hand?

Look to the Lord. Now, look at your hands. Now, look back to the Lord.

If you're an internet junkie, like I am, you'll recognize that paraphrased line from a stream of web ads that crossed over to television. Truth is, God Himself wrote that copy eons ago with Moses. It's a great formula for us to follow.

When we read about Moses' confrontation with his destiny with God, we discover that Moses, once gung-ho about freeing his brothers and sisters from the tyranny of Pharoh, is hesistent when God finally tells him, 'It's time.' Moses, who was raised in the palace of Pharoh as one of the king's sons, suddenly can't find his voice. He can't see how he can be used for such a great task.

Moses knew who he was. He knew his destiny. But, out in the wilderness, up on a mountain, looking at a burning bush and hearing the voice of God, he felt weak, helpless and hesitant.

Any of us who have come face to face (or face to voice) with our callings in Christ have found ourselves in the same predicament. That passion inside that burns like Moses' bush...constant flame but never consumed. Seems like that 'thing' never goes out, no matter how much we ignore it. No matter how far in life we may seem to get from it, it always comes back...brighter...more intense. But once we come before the Lord with it, we don't know how to start.

God said, 'What is in your hand?'

Beloved, there is nothing we are called to do...there is no passion placed inside that God is not willing to meet. In church settings, we'll use the phrase 'author and finisher of our faith' and it's true (Hebrews 12:2). God authors the passion. He will complete and refine the work. But we have to choose to begin the work, the walk, the answer to the call.

We have to start with what's in our hands.

So what is it? What is it that you've been made to do? Is it teach? Then teach. Are you a singer? Sing. Is it a hairdresser? Then do the darn thing.

But start. Start with what's in your hand. Start with what has already been given to you by your experiences, your training, your innate talent. Start. But start in the right direction. Don't start for material gain. Don't start for fame. Start toward your calling. Start by giving your gift back to the Lord...the Author...the Creator. Give it back to Him and He will complete the task through you.

And you know what? That passion? It's your ministry. It really is. All of us who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sin, have a ministry. It may not involve a collar or a pulpit one day a week, but it is a ministry. You and I and our callings in Christ are just as important and necessary in the work of the Church as any pastor or deacon. (Romans 12:4)

It takes many roles to create a vibrant community. Doctors and lawyers are as necessary as janitors and sanitation workers. Nurses, artists, teachers and barbers all fill important roles. The community isn't viable if any are missing. Just like your own body, it takes a lot of different parts to make the whole thing work well.

Embrace the passion. Turn aside, or rather, inside, and take a look at that burning passion...that calling...that ministry and turn it over to the Lord. Then start. Start with what you have. What you need to do it is His business. And He's willing and able to meet the need, if we just start.

Ephesians 1:3-13


3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Abundant, productive, passion following peace to you! (hint...it's in your hands)

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

Come to Jesus

Deuteronomy 30:11-15

11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Just Now

We recently observed the tenth anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 here in the United States. The day was full of prayers, rememberences and special ceremonies honoring those who died that beautiful Tuesday morning, ten years ago in Washington DC, New York City and in that field in Pennsylvania. For the most part, the memorials were solemn and respectful.

But as I mentioned, they were full of prayer.

It doesn't amaze me that people turn to prayer in a time of sorrow, loss or fear. It's a perfectly reasonable thing to do. When faced with what hurts, we reach out to the highest form of help. A child will reach for a parent when they are in pain; not a toy or another person, but their parent. A country will look to the highest levels of government when there's a crisis. Very little was spoken immediately after Katrina hit about the local response...everyone wanted to know what then President Bush was going to do about the chaos. So, when our soul hurts, its only logical that people reach out to the highest power in soul living - to God.

When we are laid bare by life, we know where to go for answers, healing and comfort. We have no pretense about falling to our knees and crying out for God. We don't wonder where authority is. We know. And when stricken, we cry out. God Himself told us that the Word is very close...It is written on our hearts and is in our mouths.

I'm amazed how once we feel better, we turn away. The 'problems' with God start to show up. See, we have no problem with God perse. Our troubles only show up with the whole Jesus factor. But there is where our logic breaks down.

If God is God when we are at our wits end. If He is the only source when we have nothing left, then He also has to be God in our abundance and with our obedience. That's what sovereign means.

If we wish to live comfortably in the United States, we accept that there are rules to follow. Barack Obama may not be who you voted for to be President, but he IS the president right now. You can't go and serve another President because you disagree with him. If you own a small business in this country, there are rules and regulations that apply to your business. You may not like them and you can certainly work to change them, but you don't get to choose which ones you want to obey without consequences.

And that's in a democracy. God is King.

I want you to cry out to God when you're in despair. I want you to know that there is Someone bigger than yourself and your circumstance. I also want you to know that He has laid out a plan for salvation, relationship and fellowship and it goes through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except by Him. (John 14:6)

In our good times, and our bad times. In our obedience and our disobedience. In our doubt and our clarity, all roads to the Father pass through the blood of Jesus.

No matter what we're going through in our lives right now, come to Jesus. He's not a panacea to make us feel better. He's the way, truth and life to make you and I perfect before God. Coming to Jesus doesn't make the situation magically better. Coming to Jesus makes us better able to withstand everything that rises up against us.

The song goes...come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus just now, just now.

Come to Jesus. Come to Fellowship and we'll introduce you, and we'll walk with you as you move from relationship to fellowship.

Come to Jesus, just now.

John 10:1-9
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

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 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

Be Ye Comforted

Psalm 119:49-56
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

Be Ye Comforted
Seasons are just that...seasons. Periodic...cyclic in nature...they come, they go. Each may seem familiar, but none are exactly the same.

We know weather seasons. You don't have to look at a calendar to know autumn is close in Atlanta. Leaves are changing from green to bright vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. The mornings are cooler and the heat of the day doesn't hold the same level of opression it did in late July/early August. Same temperature, different season.

And this Fall promises to be similar, but not the same to last Fall. We can't expect the same conditions this September 12th as a year ago on this date. Each season has the same framework, but the specifics vary.

This is true for the seasons in our lives as well. Maybe you're smack dab in the middle of a season of prosperity and abundance. Like the best spring and summer of your memory, you're experiencing only gain. That's wonderful and I pray it continue for you as long as the season may.

And yet, you may be in a season of utter loss. Loved ones have left. What you once considered immovable in your life - your job, a marriage, your sense of self - may be crumbling away as you read this. Its a season. A mean one, but a season nonetheless. Like Winter into Spring, it will pass.

The Lord is far too often blamed when there is loss in our lives. He is far too often ignored when there is abundance. But like rainfall and sunshine, Ecclesiastes reminds us that to everything there is a season. Our job is not to focus on the abundance or lack, but to know that God is still God, no matter our particular circumstance at the time.

And sometimes, that's not easy. What's really amazing is that it can be just as hard during a season of plenty as in a season of loss. Time after time, the children of Isreal were chastised for how they prospered and forgot about God. Then they would find themselves in captivity, crying out as though God had forgotten them. Things haven't changed much, have they?

Dear friends, the word today is to be comforted. No matter your season, God is still there. He still cares. He is as invested in our loss as He is in our gain. He is concerned when we cry - even if the cause is of our own doing. He's concerned when we cheer so that we do not take our faith off Him and place it on ourselves, lest we fall. That's the essence of that 'so loved' in John 3:16. It isn't a love based in obedience or works. Its a love that comes from the very depths of His heart. It's real love. It's complete love. It comes from God, toward us and always toward us...even when we don't return it.

Whatever your challenge, your state, I pray you know the comfort of the Lord God. That you feel His very presence in all that you do. That you receive all that He has available to you. That every need is met, the ones you know you have and the ones you don't realize that you have.

I pray that if you do not know this 'so love' personally, that you will come to know it, and know it fully. That if you do not believe that our God 'so loves' you, that you will be open to receive Him fully. I also pray that if you do know His love, that it will move you squarely into the calling He has placed on your life and that you will lay aside any hesitation, fear or obstacle that is keeping you from it.

I pray all of this for you, and myself, in the name of Jesus.

Please know that you are always welcome at Fellowship when you need a church body that will support you, no matter what your season may be.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Peace. Comfort. Joy. Mourning into dancing. Abudance now into supply later.

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

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