What's God's is God's

Daniel 5:3-6

³ Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

⁴ They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

⁵ In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

⁶ Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
 

What's God's is God's

My son had to read the story of the 'Handwriting on the Wall' recently for school. There was a synopsis in his book but it wasn't very well written, so we opened the book of Daniel and began reading the true story.

As we were reading, the Holy Spirit led me to hone in on the verses above and I was drawn to follow up on this misuse of the vessels. Even in the world, the idea of 'reading the handwriting on the wall' is a pretty common story. We've come to interpret it as understanding that when something forboding is about to happen, we should be able to read the signs. This is where this story rested with me for a long time.

But this time, for the first time for me, the emphasis was not on what Daniel read on the wall, but why Belshazzar, the king was in trouble in the first place.

His crime was not only that he stole the holy vessels out of the temple, but he defiled them by using them for purposes other than in worship of the one true God. The Word testifies that God is a jealous God. He would not tolerate this king's arogance in misusing vessels that had been sanctified for holy use. If He is that protective of things, how much more protective do we think He would be over us? The one's for whom He sacrificed His only begotten Son in order to redeem?

Jesus told the disciples directly, and us by recording, that after He left His earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit would come and dwell within and among us. Paul reminded us in his letters to the Corinthians that we were bought with a price and our bodies are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We belong to God and we are sanctified (or set aside) for the use of worshipping God. We are God's, and He is concerned about how we keep HIS vessel.

If we have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, we belong to God. So, it is on us to honor the contract. Yes, we still have thoughts and desires and dreams and plans and ideas. But, it is our duty to examine each and every one of them and decide to yeild to the will of the Father. Some things may over lap. Others may have to wait. And others may have to be put down altogether. This is what is meant by presenting our bodies as 'living sacrifices' (Romans 12:1-2).

Dear ones, it's time to read the handwriting on the wall in our own lives. Consider where we've taken these vessels of God. What we've done with them. Some reports we'll gladly share. Others aren't worthy of daylight let alone the blood of Christ. BUT, with new mercies every morning, there is a new opportunity to be obedient today. There is a new opportunity to move into discipleship today. There is a new opportunity right now to stop whatever has been done in darkness and to move into His marvelous light.

Let's walk in the light.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Romans 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 John 1:5-7

⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

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

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com/

Feeding His Sheep

John 21:16 - He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Feeding His Sheep

Now that February is upon us, chances are good that resolutions set a few weeks ago got left in the polar vortex.  It's funny how those things seem so important on January 2 are all but forgotten come January.  My theory is that we focus so intently on what's wrong that we lose sight of the benefits of what's right about our plans to make changes.

Even when we train pets, we focus on positive rewards rather than punishing the negative behavior.  Oh, there's a time for correction, but to get consistency in behavior, every descent trainer will tell you to use rewards, not punishment.  But, when we set out to lose weight or break a habit in our own lives, as soon as we come us short, we punish ourselves.  We start that inner conversation about how we'll never get there or never stop doing 'that'.  We feed the wrong and not the right.

When Jesus was talking to Peter about how he could show his love for the Master, Jesus told him to 'Feed my sheep.'  Beloved, we can get so caught up in the outside work that we can lose sight that WE are also His sheep and need to be fed too.

There's a simple principle about survival; what's fed lives.  When we come to Christ and focus our discipleship efforts on fixing what's wrong, we're actually feeding the wrong.  I offer this challenge to feed the Spirit and not the carnal man.  When we hone in on the goodness of Christ, on the privilege and benefit of following Him and walking in obedience, the empty rewards and hollowness of that 'stuff' we do that's against God will show up in such amazing contrast that, in time, we won't even be able to tolerate it, let alone entertain it.

Jesus showed us an example of this in the parable about the tares and the wheat.  When the enemy sowed tares in the good crop of wheat, it was tempting to spend the time and the energy pulling out the tares.  But the master farmer knew that you might destroy the wheat by doing that.  He said, let the tares grow with the wheat and when the harvest comes, we'll separate them then.

So, after focusing on dedication, now lets focus on growing the wheat; growing the good things of Christ.  The 'whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, has virtue or any praise - these are the things we should think on, grow, feed (Philippians 4:8).  Don't let the tares have more attention than they deserve.  Because, when it comes time to harvest, they will be consumed.

Love Him?  Feed His sheep.  Don't know Him?  Come to Fellowship and we'll introduce you.

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.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. 

The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. 

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com

(Re-) Dedication

2 Samuel 12:18-23

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

(Re-)Dedication

When we go through the King James version of the Bible, you don't find the word 're-dedication' but I can see it in the passage above.  I come back to this passage often in my own study and especially when the issue of re-dedication is brought up.

In the account, David has stolen the wife of one of his captains.  When she comes up pregnant, David has the captain killed in battle.  The story is more complicated than what I've just recounted and I hope you'll choose to go back and read the full telling.  

Anyway, when his scheming and plotting are uncovered, God reminds David of just how much he had been given and what the cost will be for his selfishness and other crimes.  The baby's life is part of the penalty.

As I said, this is the passage that comes to  my mind whenever churches or individuals start talking about re-dedication or re-dedicating back to God.  Mostly because of how David handled this situation.  David had  the perfect situation where he could hide his own self pity in the justifiable grief of losing his son.  No one would have known that he would have been feeling sorry for himself.  Everyone would have assumed that he was just grieving the baby, not his own misconduct.

But David, who's heart was focused on pleasing God even when his mind and body had other ideas, didn't wallow in self pity at what he had done.  Once the child was gone, there was nothing to do but go back to serving God;  he had to go back and be the king God had designed him to be regardless of what had transpired and what he had done.  And that is re-dedication at it's essence.

Part of the problem with sin especially for the believer is that the guilt can be crippling.  When we picture the reward of our disobedience in the light of the sacrifice of Christ, it is easy to be so consumed with self-pity over what we've done that we become paralyzed.  However, we have to remember, like all good soldiers, that the mission is still the important thing.

Beloved, we need to be more like David.  When we are disobedient (and let's face it, anything against Christ is disobedience), let's just stop.  Let's not give in to the guilt, but let's not try to justify our disobedience either.  Just stop.  Turn.  Get back to obedience.

Will there be consequences?  Yep.  Will they be unpleasant.  Yep.  We reap what we sow and God chastens whom he loves.  But, that statement works for obedience too.  When we sow obedience, we reap the rewards of obedience.  And aren't they worth some temporary grounding?

Leave guilt and shame and self-pity with the sin.  The penalty has been paid and we've been forgiven.  The time is now and the day is today to choose, like David, to get up, clean up and go on in the purpose and plans of the Father.  It isn't always easy, but it is always right.  There is nothing in disobedience that even compares to the rewards of obedience.  Nothing.

So, I invite any who choose to join us at Fellowship this Sunday to dedicate or re-dedicate yourselves back to God.  Join us in laying aside selfish desires and guilt and shame and picking up the yoke of an obedient walk.  We'll walk with you and encourage you as we all follow Jesus.  Won't you come?

John 10:22-30

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

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

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

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

30 I and my Father are one.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. 

The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. 

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com

Seeing Ourselves New

Change, as the saying goes, is difficult sometimes.  There are times in our lives when we welcome change, but it's still hard.  When moving from student to worker, it's hard to get used to the new schedule and working EVERY day (even in the summer!!). There's a transition when going from dating, to engaged, to married that takes time for both people to adjust.  Going from being totally independent to being a couple isn't always easy.

This transition is true in our discipleship.  When we accept Christ as Savior AND Lord, we accept the guarantee of eternal salvation, and His Lordship over our lives.  We start a walk of submitting our own will, desires, goals and objectives to His.  Sometimes, they are the same.  Sometimes, they are quite different.  The growth in accepting Him as Lord is bending toward Him when we differ.  And it can be difficult, especially at first.

The Book of Hosea has many stark lessons about transition.  A Godly prophet was directed by God to take the known harlot, Gomer, as his wife. Not long after they married, Gomer went back to the lifestyle she had before she was a wife.  Her title had changed, but she didn't see herself any different than before.

Far too often, that fits our walk in Christ.  We accept Him, we get excited about serving Him, but eventually, we fall back into the habits and lifestyle we led before we came to Christ.  Change is, after all, difficult.

We have to come to a point of recognition not only of who Christ is, but who we are in Him.  Athletes and successful business people talk about visualization often.  They offer that you have to see yourself as successful in order to reach a level of success.  It's a true principle that applies spiritually as well as physically.

If we always see ourselves are unworthy sinners, we never aspire beyond that point.  It becomes to easy to remain in the familiar.  Recognizing sin isn't the same as living in it.   Jesus said we are new creatures when we are born again.  We are called joint heirs with Christ, His Bride.

Once we accept the name, we need to move to accept the role...the position.  When a couple marries, they are no longer girlfriends or boyfriends but spouses....husband and wife.  They are a family within themselves, with or without children.  A whole new entity that didn't exist until they came together and offered vows before God.  Now, the challenge is to bring the behavior and lifestyle to match the titles. 

As we accept Christ, we become part of the Bride of Christ.  We are no longer our own, but His.  And He is ours.  The passage below shares where Hosea confronts Gomer in her wanderings.  God uses the comparison that He is no longer Baali - or 'my lord' but Ishi - 'husband' or 'champion'.  This is the intimate level where God wants us to be.  He already sees Himself.  The challenge is for us to accept Him and ourselves at that level.

Lay down the past.  Embrace the gift of the the present...the relationship...the fellowship.  It's time to see ourselves new.

Hosea 2:14-20

¹⁴ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

¹⁵ And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

¹⁶ And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

¹⁷ For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

¹⁸ And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

¹⁹ And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

²⁰ I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.

Peace and acceptance to you today.

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 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - http://www.fcchosengeneration.com