Restoration

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

Restoration

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

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

But there is hope.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joel 2:21-27


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

My Christmas wish for you? Restoration.

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Highway 138 W, STE C

Jonesboro, GA 30236

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Delighting the Lord

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

Delighting The Lord

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

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

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Highway 138 W, STE C

Jonesboro, GA 30236

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

What We Can Bear

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

What We Can Bear

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Highway 138 W, STE C

Jonesboro, GA 30236

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

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

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Highway 138 W, STE C

Jonesboro, GA 30236

770-573-9339

Alton Watkins, Pastor

A Blessing for My Sister...

Psalm 40:11-12

11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

A Blessing for My Sister, or Rather The Blessing of My Sister....

Proverbs 3:27 instructs us not to withhold honor to whom it is due. This tribute has been a long time coming and it is now due.

One faithful reader of this blog is my sister. A little over nine years ago, she was invaded with by a cruel and relentless murderer. This evil intended to be the definer of her life. What the evil didn't understand was my sister is a disciple of Christ.

Evil is what God is not. It is not omnipresent. It is not omnipotent. It has to steal power from us to be effective. The evil that set upon my sister has been chewing away at her very life's blood with the intent of not just killing her, but killing her joy, her vibrance and her outlook on life along the way.

It failed.

My sister, who gave her life to Christ years ago, became a disciple of Christ long before the evil showed up. She had chosen not just to accept salvation but to press in to fellowship and relationship. She believes God and takes Him at His word.

When the evil showed up, all it could take was her physical strength. When it sought her joy, she met, fell in love with and married an amazing man. When it sought her vibrance, she and her husband became foster parents. When it sought her outlook on life, she became one of the prayer warriors covering her pastor.

Evil is ever present. The enemy seeks to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus reminded us to not fear those who could kill the body, but Him who is able to destroy both the soul and the body in Hell (Matthew 10:28). My sister chose to reverence Him, and not the other.

And my life, and the lives of everyone who's had the pleasure of her company are better for it.

So, this is a blessing for my sister because my sister is a blessing. Whether the evil takes her body from us or not, she cannot die. She settled that a long time ago, and lives a life faithful to that decision. I hope you have too.

It doesn't matter what the evil's name is. We all have our own evil to confront. My pastor reminded us recently that when we accepted Christ, a contract was put out on our lives. Our job is to remain vigilant, watch, fight and pray so that we can avoid, or like my sister, contain the evil in its place. Apart from Christ, this is a fruitless effort. With Christ, we've already won.

This evil did not and does not define my sister. Instead, it provides a dark background on which the light of Christ shines even brighter. Like the dark matting of a fine museum peice, my sister's life is all the more brillinant despite the evil's presence.

How shall your life be framed? Will you be consumed by the evil that so easily besets us, or run the race with patience and perserverence? (Hebrews 12:1).

Choose to run. Run with Christ. There is no finish without Him. Starting lines and aid along the raceway are available at Fellowship.

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

I love you, Cyss.

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

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