Genesis 13:14-17
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
Waiting for Issac
The passage from Genesis records the second time God promised to bless then Abram with a kingdom. God said his descendents would be as the dust. As the story progresses, we know that Sarai made arrangements to give Abram a child by her servant Hagar in order to help her husband's vision come to pass.
I used to have mixed feelings about the story of Ishmael and Issac, particularly as it relates to their mothers, Sarai and Hagar.
First, there's Hagar who was an Egyptian slave girl given to Abram (he wasn't Abraham yet) as hush money. Remember, Abram had passed of Sarai as his sister to the pharaoh who tried unsuccessfully to seduce her. Pharoh was so offended that he almost took this “good man’s” wife that he said…”take all this and just get out of here so I won’t be cursed.” Hagar was likely among the goodies.
Poor Hagar! She had to learn the customs of these foreigners. And ultimately, she was sent to the old man of the tribe, possibly without knowing what was going on, in order to get pregnant. Then, when she did do what was supposed to do, she was punished for having an attitude about doing well.
Then there’s Sarai, the beautiful elder wife of this very wealthy man. Sarai was the original “sexy senior citizen,” when we meet her, but she was also the barren first wife of a very rich man. By the standards of the time, Sarai was a failure. Sarai had to put up with this ungrateful little Egyptian girl who had the nerve to get cocky about doing what was assigned! You can almost hear Sarai thinking "She’s treating me badly AND IT WAS MY IDEA! I hate her."
What a mess! No wonder wisdom finally prevailed and we got rid of polygamy. Could you imagine?
But even through all this, God kept assuring Abram that he would be the father of many nations, and to prove it, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham…which literally means “Father or Chief of a multitude" God also changes Sarai’s name to Sarah or "princess", so she’d know how she plays in this arrangement.
With this personal guarantee from God even after Ishmael is born, it is still years before Issac shows up fulfilling God’s promise. And almost as soon as the promised child arrives, God lets Abraham and Sarah know that it is time to put Ishmael out.
I used to think that this was so cruel. Hagar and her son had no say in what had happened to them and now they were being thrown out of the camp. Hagar played her part as directed in the plan that “seemed like a good idea at the time.” She did what her mistress told her to do and now she was going to be punished…banned from her new home and her child’s father.
But I understand now that Ishmael had to go. Ishmael represented those actions in our lives born out of impatience and lack of faith. They end up being distractions from the perfect will of God.
If Ishmael had stayed, Abraham’s natural pride for his first-born son would have distracted Abraham from the glory of God’s promised child. He would have put his energy into Ishmael, and loss sight of Issac. In our own lives, those things we aquired outside of our relationship to God can often block out our own Issac, Jesus.
Child of God, there are still Ishmael's in the camp. They are like silk flowers that look right, but they don't grow and they don't produce fruit.
Maybe your Ishmael is a relationship that brings you no joy…no peace…you thought it was love, but love is patient, kind, longsuffering and all you're getting out of it is the longsuffering part. There is no peace, no joy, nothing positive. It’s the wrong relationship. Put Ishmael out and embrace Issac.
Maybe your Ishmael is a job you took because the money was good. Now you get up every morning hating what lies ahead. We’re supposed to be salt and light in our walk, but when you get to that job you’re more like stuff and vinegar. You can’t witness because “you hate those people.” You knew deep inside that you weren’t supposed to take that job. Put Ishmael out, and embrace Issac.
Perhaps you're sitting under a ministry with a leadership you don’t trust, a vision you can’t see and you’re starving spiritually because you haven’t been fed in years. No growth means no fruit. Put Ishmael out and focus on Issac.
You know every plot line on every show on tv between 6 PM and 11 PM. You blow up your TiVo because you try to record Mad Men and True Blood every week, but you wonder why you can’t seem to get a breakthrough when you pray. You're distracted. Put Ishmael out and focus on Issac.
We have our Issac! He is here…He is Christ Jesus…He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by Him. Your Ishmael will only keep you from focusing on Jesus…the promised One…the perfect One. God has a perfect will for each of us, in all areas of our lives – but we won’t find it until we fully trust and fully obey and take God at his word.
Romans 9:8
That is, they which are the childen of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promis are counted for the seed.
Resist feeding the “flesh children”, those ideas birthed outside of your relationship with God. Flesh can only produce more flesh. God is Spirit and Spirit produces Spirit.
Call out your Ishmaels. If your Ishmaels involve other people, consider that you might be their Ishmael.
When you put your Ishmaels out, you can focus on the Perfect One and He brings all of the promises and blessings of God. Can your Ishmael really top that?
Are you really so committed to that idea…that person…that activity that it means more to you than your eternal life? It means more to you than being found blameless before God?
Behold, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
Don’t miss Issac for Ishmael.
Peace.
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this mailing, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
So, Why Do We Live This Life?
Psalm 19:7-11
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
So, Why Do We Live this Life?
Every Child of God asks themselves that question once, twice or maybe many times in their journey. There is so much going on in life. It can get complicated so fast. It's easy to to find yourself in a place where it makes more sense to question than to have faith.
But in the midst of all of it...kids, jobs, family, money, relationships,...God is still God.
He doesn't change. The Psalm reminds us that His law is perfect, and it revives the soul. It says His precepts bring joy to the heart and light to darkness.
Could you use some light? Some joy? A revived spirit?
So, whatever 'it' is for you...whatever 'it' is that's making your life complicated...whatever is driving the questions, the answer begins, ends and is filled with God. Apart from Him, that really is darkness you're feeling.
So, Why Do We Live this Life? Re-read the verses. That's why. Still not convince? Here's the rest of the story...
John 3:16
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.
Peace.
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this mailing, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 Hwy 138 Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
So, Why Do We Live this Life?
Every Child of God asks themselves that question once, twice or maybe many times in their journey. There is so much going on in life. It can get complicated so fast. It's easy to to find yourself in a place where it makes more sense to question than to have faith.
But in the midst of all of it...kids, jobs, family, money, relationships,...God is still God.
He doesn't change. The Psalm reminds us that His law is perfect, and it revives the soul. It says His precepts bring joy to the heart and light to darkness.
Could you use some light? Some joy? A revived spirit?
So, whatever 'it' is for you...whatever 'it' is that's making your life complicated...whatever is driving the questions, the answer begins, ends and is filled with God. Apart from Him, that really is darkness you're feeling.
So, Why Do We Live this Life? Re-read the verses. That's why. Still not convince? Here's the rest of the story...
John 3:16
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.
Peace.
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this mailing, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 Hwy 138 Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, September 14, 2009
If Lovin' You is Wrong...
II Samuel 6:20-22
20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
'If Lovin' You is Wrong, I Don't Wanna' be Right'
To get a modern take on this passage, think back to the late 80's, early 90's when Lady Diana Spencer became the Princess of Wales. She was often in trouble with the Royal House because she didn't 'behave' as expected. She would hug people, and go places royalty didn't usually go. She wasn't wrong. She just wasn't acting like royalty.
More recently, think of all the excitement that happened when Mrs. Obama put her arm around the Queen of England in a photo. Again, it wasn't something you were supposed to do with royalty.
Michal was Saul's daughter. She was a princess. Though Saul had a humble background, he had been king her whole life. All she knew was a life as royalty. She learned at an early age that a princess behaves in a certain way. Some behaviors were acceptable as a member of the royal family and other things were not.
When David, her husband, became king and was able to secure the return of the ark of the covenant, he was over come with joy "And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod." (II Samuel 6:14). He was almost naked, out in public, leading the 'parade.' Michal was embarrased by this behavior. It was not right, in her mind, for a king to behave this way.
What she didn't understand was that it wasn't right in David's mind for him not to behave this way. David, though a subject of Saul as long as Saul was king, answered to a higher...no, THE higher king.
David had been in a love affair with God long before he met Michal. He had been intimate with God, pouring his heart out in times of triumph and in times of fear. David is described as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).
David couldn't give God less than all he had, and made sure that his wife understood that he would behave this way and worse if that's what the situation required. Being 'right' before men can never compare to being 'righteous' before God.
I didn't mean to be trite quoting a song title when talking about loving the Lord, but this one fit. I am amazed, and frankly embarrased how in my own life the voice of the Holy Spirit can be drowned out by the ever present 'but what will people think if I do that?'
Child of God, the answer is 'What will God think if you don't?' Jesus said if we deny Him before men, He would deny us before his Father (Matt 10:33). As believers, we must make the choice. Our will is free, but the consequences are real and clearly defined.
I encourage you to take up David's example and enjoy the freedom you have to worship. Tune out anything in your life (because it's different for all of us) that seeks to drown out the Holy Spirit. This isn't a call to anarchy...its a call to obedience. Because if lovin' Jesus is wrong, is that really the 'right' you want?
Peace.
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this mailing, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
'If Lovin' You is Wrong, I Don't Wanna' be Right'
To get a modern take on this passage, think back to the late 80's, early 90's when Lady Diana Spencer became the Princess of Wales. She was often in trouble with the Royal House because she didn't 'behave' as expected. She would hug people, and go places royalty didn't usually go. She wasn't wrong. She just wasn't acting like royalty.
More recently, think of all the excitement that happened when Mrs. Obama put her arm around the Queen of England in a photo. Again, it wasn't something you were supposed to do with royalty.
Michal was Saul's daughter. She was a princess. Though Saul had a humble background, he had been king her whole life. All she knew was a life as royalty. She learned at an early age that a princess behaves in a certain way. Some behaviors were acceptable as a member of the royal family and other things were not.
When David, her husband, became king and was able to secure the return of the ark of the covenant, he was over come with joy "And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod." (II Samuel 6:14). He was almost naked, out in public, leading the 'parade.' Michal was embarrased by this behavior. It was not right, in her mind, for a king to behave this way.
What she didn't understand was that it wasn't right in David's mind for him not to behave this way. David, though a subject of Saul as long as Saul was king, answered to a higher...no, THE higher king.
David had been in a love affair with God long before he met Michal. He had been intimate with God, pouring his heart out in times of triumph and in times of fear. David is described as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).
David couldn't give God less than all he had, and made sure that his wife understood that he would behave this way and worse if that's what the situation required. Being 'right' before men can never compare to being 'righteous' before God.
I didn't mean to be trite quoting a song title when talking about loving the Lord, but this one fit. I am amazed, and frankly embarrased how in my own life the voice of the Holy Spirit can be drowned out by the ever present 'but what will people think if I do that?'
Child of God, the answer is 'What will God think if you don't?' Jesus said if we deny Him before men, He would deny us before his Father (Matt 10:33). As believers, we must make the choice. Our will is free, but the consequences are real and clearly defined.
I encourage you to take up David's example and enjoy the freedom you have to worship. Tune out anything in your life (because it's different for all of us) that seeks to drown out the Holy Spirit. This isn't a call to anarchy...its a call to obedience. Because if lovin' Jesus is wrong, is that really the 'right' you want?
Peace.
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this mailing, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, September 7, 2009
Freely Loved
Hosea 14:1-4
1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
Freely Loved
When we confess Christ as Savior and Lord, we are restored to God. It really is that simple. We become to God as Adam was before the fall (I'm not leaving out Eve, but before the fall, they were one flesh...the same name. Check it out).
He ‘heals our backsliding’ and ‘loves us freely.’ It’s a pretty incredible thing to consider being loved freely by God.
Have you ever loved someone, freely? Loved them in a way when you really didn’t care how they felt about you. You just gave and showered and did for and lavished on that person for the pure joy of doing it? If you are capable of that kind of selfless adoration, that level of unquestioned devotion, how much more God?
There are 2 conditions of salvation through Christ: confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). That’s it. That’s the entirety of salvation. But, oh what this simple confession reveals.
What lies before you is the opportunity to deepen and cultivate the relationship. Once you confess, God through Christ is all in. There is nothing under heaven that would be denied to you. But, you have to be open and willing and yielded to the Lordship of Christ.
I guess the real question becomes, can you be open and yielded and willing to be loved freely? Are you able to prosper in all undertakings as led by the Holy Spirit? To posses all of the land given to you, wherever you place your foot? Would you be willing to give up the idols you’ve made with your own hands for…for…well, frankly, for God?
My pastor is fond of telling the story about how two boys tried to fool an old wise man. One of the boys held a bird behind his back and the other asked the old man if the bird was dead or alive. Their plan was to kill the bird if he said alive or to let it live if he said dead.
The old man considered and answered “Whether the bird lives or dies is in your hands.”
We often make the mistake of seeing eternity and service to God as a form of indentured servitude or through the lens of loss. We spend too much time and energy on the “don’t do this” and “can’t do that” and “gotta give up these” that we’ve been presented with all our lives. Like those boys, we see the result as something that is done to us. We don’t realize how much of the relationship is in our hands.
If you are in relationship with Christ, you are loved freely and completely. What you take in from Christ is up to you, not Him. He has made ‘all’ available. If you settle for crumbs and scraps, for a relationship that is anything less than intimate, that’s on you, not Him.
And even if you haven’t confessed Christ, the offer and opportunity are the same. The fullness of salvation doesn’t change over time. You don’t have to go through some kind of 12 step program to get to Jesus. The season of availability is limited only by the number of breaths you take. Of course, like a 401K, there are benefits to getting in early, but the offer remains the same. You simply confess and believe. Then receive the love given freely.
Peace.
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this mailing, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
Freely Loved
When we confess Christ as Savior and Lord, we are restored to God. It really is that simple. We become to God as Adam was before the fall (I'm not leaving out Eve, but before the fall, they were one flesh...the same name. Check it out).
He ‘heals our backsliding’ and ‘loves us freely.’ It’s a pretty incredible thing to consider being loved freely by God.
Have you ever loved someone, freely? Loved them in a way when you really didn’t care how they felt about you. You just gave and showered and did for and lavished on that person for the pure joy of doing it? If you are capable of that kind of selfless adoration, that level of unquestioned devotion, how much more God?
There are 2 conditions of salvation through Christ: confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). That’s it. That’s the entirety of salvation. But, oh what this simple confession reveals.
What lies before you is the opportunity to deepen and cultivate the relationship. Once you confess, God through Christ is all in. There is nothing under heaven that would be denied to you. But, you have to be open and willing and yielded to the Lordship of Christ.
I guess the real question becomes, can you be open and yielded and willing to be loved freely? Are you able to prosper in all undertakings as led by the Holy Spirit? To posses all of the land given to you, wherever you place your foot? Would you be willing to give up the idols you’ve made with your own hands for…for…well, frankly, for God?
My pastor is fond of telling the story about how two boys tried to fool an old wise man. One of the boys held a bird behind his back and the other asked the old man if the bird was dead or alive. Their plan was to kill the bird if he said alive or to let it live if he said dead.
The old man considered and answered “Whether the bird lives or dies is in your hands.”
We often make the mistake of seeing eternity and service to God as a form of indentured servitude or through the lens of loss. We spend too much time and energy on the “don’t do this” and “can’t do that” and “gotta give up these” that we’ve been presented with all our lives. Like those boys, we see the result as something that is done to us. We don’t realize how much of the relationship is in our hands.
If you are in relationship with Christ, you are loved freely and completely. What you take in from Christ is up to you, not Him. He has made ‘all’ available. If you settle for crumbs and scraps, for a relationship that is anything less than intimate, that’s on you, not Him.
And even if you haven’t confessed Christ, the offer and opportunity are the same. The fullness of salvation doesn’t change over time. You don’t have to go through some kind of 12 step program to get to Jesus. The season of availability is limited only by the number of breaths you take. Of course, like a 401K, there are benefits to getting in early, but the offer remains the same. You simply confess and believe. Then receive the love given freely.
Peace.
-Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this mailing, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, August 31, 2009
Have You Considered My Servant, Job?
Job 42:7-8, 10-12a
7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:
Have You Considered my Servant, Job?
Can we talk about Job for a minute? His losses were significant but remember (or better yet, re-read) that it started with a proposal…a dare really. God asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job?” God used Job and his family to show not Satan, but us something really important.
“God knows my heart” is often a convenient Christian excuse when we come up short. Our “get out of jail free” card. And it’s true…He DOES know our hearts…even those parts that that we don't know well ourselves.
God knew Job’s heart. Before He even considered entertaining Satan’s boasts, God knew what Job would do. And in the end, it was Job’s integrity under immense pressure that sustained him and put him in a position to intercede for the very men who were taunting him. Job was served by men for being a faithful, albeit proud, servant of God. God knew his heart. Also notice, that at the end, Satan isn’t even mentioned.
Like most of the Old Testament, the Book of Job is a wonderful example of Jesus with a slight adjustment. Job’s suffering was put on him because of his integrity. Jesus chose to suffer because of His.
Our precious Savior left Heaven, leaves the presence of God and the attendance of angels to suffer on our behalf. No matter what was thrown at Him (or pulled from Him for that matter) He endured. And, when it was finished, He took His seat at the right hand of the Father to intercede on our behalf. We have relationship with God Himself because of the sacrafice and intercession of Jesus Christ. God knew His heart.
The cycle continues. There are sufferings that come into our lives that may in fact be wanton attacks or trials or tests…the source isn’t as important as the outcome.
God knows your heart. He knows what you have in you and what He's made available around you to get through those tough times in your life.
God knows your heart and He knows what needs to be purged out in order to make you fit for kingdom use.
God knows your heart and He knows that when faced with trials you’ll be left with nothing but your integrity. He knows how that experience will strengthen YOU and your trust in Him.
God knows your heart and He knows how to put you in place with more than you had before your struggle and in a position to provide a conduit, a path, a prayer of intercession on behalf of those who would accuse and oppose you. He knows how to make your experience a light of hope to someone lost in their own personal darkness.
God knows your heart.
The mother in me hopes that you never have to go through the suffering and pain that’s talked about in Job. But, I’ve lived long enough to know that trials come. The saint in me prays sincerely that when you find yourself in the press of life, be encouraged, dear one, in knowing that you are kept.
Even in the midst of the pressure and the burning, if you have confessed Christ as Savior, you are kept by God. Hold on to your integrity and your hope and your faith. You will be restored. You are still as precious to God as any newborn is to a family.
God knows your heart. The question is do you know His heart and do you know that you’re in it? Do you know you've been considered?
Peace.
- Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this, email at fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:
Have You Considered my Servant, Job?
Can we talk about Job for a minute? His losses were significant but remember (or better yet, re-read) that it started with a proposal…a dare really. God asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job?” God used Job and his family to show not Satan, but us something really important.
“God knows my heart” is often a convenient Christian excuse when we come up short. Our “get out of jail free” card. And it’s true…He DOES know our hearts…even those parts that that we don't know well ourselves.
God knew Job’s heart. Before He even considered entertaining Satan’s boasts, God knew what Job would do. And in the end, it was Job’s integrity under immense pressure that sustained him and put him in a position to intercede for the very men who were taunting him. Job was served by men for being a faithful, albeit proud, servant of God. God knew his heart. Also notice, that at the end, Satan isn’t even mentioned.
Like most of the Old Testament, the Book of Job is a wonderful example of Jesus with a slight adjustment. Job’s suffering was put on him because of his integrity. Jesus chose to suffer because of His.
Our precious Savior left Heaven, leaves the presence of God and the attendance of angels to suffer on our behalf. No matter what was thrown at Him (or pulled from Him for that matter) He endured. And, when it was finished, He took His seat at the right hand of the Father to intercede on our behalf. We have relationship with God Himself because of the sacrafice and intercession of Jesus Christ. God knew His heart.
The cycle continues. There are sufferings that come into our lives that may in fact be wanton attacks or trials or tests…the source isn’t as important as the outcome.
God knows your heart. He knows what you have in you and what He's made available around you to get through those tough times in your life.
God knows your heart and He knows what needs to be purged out in order to make you fit for kingdom use.
God knows your heart and He knows that when faced with trials you’ll be left with nothing but your integrity. He knows how that experience will strengthen YOU and your trust in Him.
God knows your heart and He knows how to put you in place with more than you had before your struggle and in a position to provide a conduit, a path, a prayer of intercession on behalf of those who would accuse and oppose you. He knows how to make your experience a light of hope to someone lost in their own personal darkness.
God knows your heart.
The mother in me hopes that you never have to go through the suffering and pain that’s talked about in Job. But, I’ve lived long enough to know that trials come. The saint in me prays sincerely that when you find yourself in the press of life, be encouraged, dear one, in knowing that you are kept.
Even in the midst of the pressure and the burning, if you have confessed Christ as Savior, you are kept by God. Hold on to your integrity and your hope and your faith. You will be restored. You are still as precious to God as any newborn is to a family.
God knows your heart. The question is do you know His heart and do you know that you’re in it? Do you know you've been considered?
Peace.
- Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe to this, email at fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, August 24, 2009
Do We 'Get' Grace?
II Corinthians 12
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Do We 'Get' Grace?
“My grace is sufficient.” That pearl shared through Paul is so potent and powerful. And so easily overlooked. One of those phrases we say so that people know we’re Christians, but do we really get it?
This confession from Paul reminds us of his humanity, sure, but of God’s grace more importantly. We don’t earn anything from God…not even favor. It is all given at the Lord’s will, not ours. That’s the beauty of this relationship.
There are expectations but they are designed to deepen the relationship from our side. The Lord is already 'all in' this relationship. The expectations I mentioned are the practices that usher us into being ‘all in.’ They don’t change God’s mind…they change ours.
And, the Lord understands that it is a process. That our love for Him grows during the walk, even when we come up short. The more we realize that there is nothing…NOTHING…in our lives that can separate us from the love of God, the less we focus on what we’re doing wrong. And, consequently the more we focus on doing the Lord’s will in our lives.
Dearest, whatever it is that you think is too awful or that keeps you too weak to be ‘all in’ with your relationship with God, it is no match for His love and grace.
What you see as a weakness, a flaw, a hindrance, God sees as an opportunity to demonstrate His strength through you. But are you willing to trust Him with your weakness? You believe Him for abundance, can you believe Him for acceptance?
He’s not looking for you to be perfect…His love and grace bring perfection to you. But when you know you’ve come up short, His grace is sufficient.
II Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
- Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
For questions or to subscribe to this, email at fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Do We 'Get' Grace?
“My grace is sufficient.” That pearl shared through Paul is so potent and powerful. And so easily overlooked. One of those phrases we say so that people know we’re Christians, but do we really get it?
This confession from Paul reminds us of his humanity, sure, but of God’s grace more importantly. We don’t earn anything from God…not even favor. It is all given at the Lord’s will, not ours. That’s the beauty of this relationship.
There are expectations but they are designed to deepen the relationship from our side. The Lord is already 'all in' this relationship. The expectations I mentioned are the practices that usher us into being ‘all in.’ They don’t change God’s mind…they change ours.
And, the Lord understands that it is a process. That our love for Him grows during the walk, even when we come up short. The more we realize that there is nothing…NOTHING…in our lives that can separate us from the love of God, the less we focus on what we’re doing wrong. And, consequently the more we focus on doing the Lord’s will in our lives.
Dearest, whatever it is that you think is too awful or that keeps you too weak to be ‘all in’ with your relationship with God, it is no match for His love and grace.
What you see as a weakness, a flaw, a hindrance, God sees as an opportunity to demonstrate His strength through you. But are you willing to trust Him with your weakness? You believe Him for abundance, can you believe Him for acceptance?
He’s not looking for you to be perfect…His love and grace bring perfection to you. But when you know you’ve come up short, His grace is sufficient.
II Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
- Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
For questions or to subscribe to this, email at fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, August 17, 2009
How Does Your Garden Grow? - Originally Mailed 8/17/2009
Luke 8:14-15
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
This is a familiar passage, but let's take a closer look. In both cases, fruit grows…it’s just that the ground in verse 14 also supports the cares and pleasures of the world, which keep the fruit from reaching perfection. The fruit started. It didn't become perfect.
When we accept Christ, and re-establish our relationship with God, He immediately starts working on our hearts. He has to break up our fallow ground…drought scarred and blighted from the years we spent separated from God. He has to nourish our hearts...cover it with the Blood of Jesus to restore it to its proper state…water with His Word…remove sticks and stones from past hurts and years of neglect. After a while, the soil of our hearts starts to smell like the ground does when you're out in the country after a rain…that sweet smell that fills the air. That’s what good soil smells like. It will support anything you plant. Good seed. Bad seed. Good soil will grow anything…including wrong things.
Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Dear one, be careful what gets planted in your fields. You have to be careful about what you take in…what you focus on…who you focus on. Paul said in Philippians 4:8-9:
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Focus on cultivating that “precious fruit”...
James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Saints, we will grow what we sow. If you plant mistrust, jealousy, envy, backbiting, slothfulness, conceit, expect a harvest of the same thing. If you sow good seed…tithing, longsuffering, patience, mercy, compassion, kindness, reaching out to the poor, sick and afflicted…bearing one another’s burdens, sharing one another’s joys…spreading the good news about Jesus Christ…you can expect a pleasant harvest!
So, here's the question...What are you growing in your garden? Would you want to eat the fruit growing there?
Does the fruit of your life look good on the outside (go to church, sing in the choir, praise and shout), but when you cut it open, is the inside mushy or rotten?
Or maybe your fruit is good, but you tend to pick it before it ripens…refusing to let patience have its perfect work…you get too involved in areas outside your calling, or beyond your maturity.
Maybe your fruit is good and ripe…too ripe as a matter of fact. Instead of grapes, you’re growing raisins. Your vines are full of fruit rotting without being picked, while you sit there, offended, refusing to take your place in the ministry and fulfill what the Lord has called you to do?
You might have good, ripe fruit, picked in season, but banged and bruised from being tossed around because you’ve got one foot in the Kingdom of God and the other in the world.
Or maybe you don’t have any fruit because you’ve never opened yourself up to have your soil prepared…you haven’t given your heart to the keeper so that he can prepare your heart and sow good seed.
The Gardener is waiting.
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA. These weekly notes as well as information about what's happening at Fellowship are sent out by Evangelist Stephanie Robinson.
Previous Lifeline mailings are posted on a blog at www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com.
Feel free to share this message. For questions, email at fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
This is a familiar passage, but let's take a closer look. In both cases, fruit grows…it’s just that the ground in verse 14 also supports the cares and pleasures of the world, which keep the fruit from reaching perfection. The fruit started. It didn't become perfect.
When we accept Christ, and re-establish our relationship with God, He immediately starts working on our hearts. He has to break up our fallow ground…drought scarred and blighted from the years we spent separated from God. He has to nourish our hearts...cover it with the Blood of Jesus to restore it to its proper state…water with His Word…remove sticks and stones from past hurts and years of neglect. After a while, the soil of our hearts starts to smell like the ground does when you're out in the country after a rain…that sweet smell that fills the air. That’s what good soil smells like. It will support anything you plant. Good seed. Bad seed. Good soil will grow anything…including wrong things.
Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Dear one, be careful what gets planted in your fields. You have to be careful about what you take in…what you focus on…who you focus on. Paul said in Philippians 4:8-9:
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Focus on cultivating that “precious fruit”...
James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Saints, we will grow what we sow. If you plant mistrust, jealousy, envy, backbiting, slothfulness, conceit, expect a harvest of the same thing. If you sow good seed…tithing, longsuffering, patience, mercy, compassion, kindness, reaching out to the poor, sick and afflicted…bearing one another’s burdens, sharing one another’s joys…spreading the good news about Jesus Christ…you can expect a pleasant harvest!
So, here's the question...What are you growing in your garden? Would you want to eat the fruit growing there?
Does the fruit of your life look good on the outside (go to church, sing in the choir, praise and shout), but when you cut it open, is the inside mushy or rotten?
Or maybe your fruit is good, but you tend to pick it before it ripens…refusing to let patience have its perfect work…you get too involved in areas outside your calling, or beyond your maturity.
Maybe your fruit is good and ripe…too ripe as a matter of fact. Instead of grapes, you’re growing raisins. Your vines are full of fruit rotting without being picked, while you sit there, offended, refusing to take your place in the ministry and fulfill what the Lord has called you to do?
You might have good, ripe fruit, picked in season, but banged and bruised from being tossed around because you’ve got one foot in the Kingdom of God and the other in the world.
Or maybe you don’t have any fruit because you’ve never opened yourself up to have your soil prepared…you haven’t given your heart to the keeper so that he can prepare your heart and sow good seed.
The Gardener is waiting.
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA. These weekly notes as well as information about what's happening at Fellowship are sent out by Evangelist Stephanie Robinson.
Previous Lifeline mailings are posted on a blog at www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com.
Feel free to share this message. For questions, email at fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
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