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
Monday, September 7, 2009
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
Monday, August 10, 2009
Faith Works - Originally Mailed 8/10/2009
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:14-18
FAITH WORKS
The statement works both ways. Faith means get to work. And working your faith builds your faith.
When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we need to remember that we are called into a kingdom as full citizens, not as refugees. We aren’t supposed to just keep camp until Jesus comes; we each have work to do.
And that work is important on two fronts. There are people around us who need what we do. And our own faith grows because of the work we do.
We can’t earn God’s favor. That was given to us freely because of Jesus’ sacrifice and it is our individual opportunity to accept it. But we are expected to work…not for acceptance but for growth. Would you want to live in a community where no one worked? How would you eat? Clothe yourself? Where would you live? How would you live?
Any doctor will tell you that proper diet and exercise are the basics to having a healthier body and that you need both. You can get fat off a good diet if you don’t exercise. You can work yourself to an early grave if you don't eat properly.
The same is true spiritually. Feast on the Word of God. It is nourishment to your spirit. But, don’t just take it in. Make the Word work in you and through you. Don’t just read about faith, operate in it. And don't try a work without the Word.
If you are currently a part of a church body that has active ministries and you are not involved, please add some exercise to your faith diet. If you are involved but not growing, check your diet; you might be feeding on the wrong things.
Start the cycle..faith works faith works faith works faith….
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Lifeline Notes is a weekly mailing to encourage the Body of Christ through the Word and reflection. You are encouraged to share this email.
To subscribe to this mailing, please send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.
Fellowship Church
455 Hwy 138 Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:14-18
FAITH WORKS
The statement works both ways. Faith means get to work. And working your faith builds your faith.
When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we need to remember that we are called into a kingdom as full citizens, not as refugees. We aren’t supposed to just keep camp until Jesus comes; we each have work to do.
And that work is important on two fronts. There are people around us who need what we do. And our own faith grows because of the work we do.
We can’t earn God’s favor. That was given to us freely because of Jesus’ sacrifice and it is our individual opportunity to accept it. But we are expected to work…not for acceptance but for growth. Would you want to live in a community where no one worked? How would you eat? Clothe yourself? Where would you live? How would you live?
Any doctor will tell you that proper diet and exercise are the basics to having a healthier body and that you need both. You can get fat off a good diet if you don’t exercise. You can work yourself to an early grave if you don't eat properly.
The same is true spiritually. Feast on the Word of God. It is nourishment to your spirit. But, don’t just take it in. Make the Word work in you and through you. Don’t just read about faith, operate in it. And don't try a work without the Word.
If you are currently a part of a church body that has active ministries and you are not involved, please add some exercise to your faith diet. If you are involved but not growing, check your diet; you might be feeding on the wrong things.
Start the cycle..faith works faith works faith works faith….
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Lifeline Notes is a weekly mailing to encourage the Body of Christ through the Word and reflection. You are encouraged to share this email.
To subscribe to this mailing, please send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.
Fellowship Church
455 Hwy 138 Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Well, AM I my Brother's Keeper?...Originally Mailed 8/3/2009
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4:9
Well, Am I My Brother's Keeper?
There are so many lessons in this telling of Cain and Abel. I am struck by the snarkiness of Cain’s answer, which gets right to the heart of the kind of relationship he personally had with God. But that’s not what I’m to share with you today. Some other time, perhaps.
Today, we are exploring the answer to that question for ourselves. Are WE our brother’s keeper?
Especially, but not exclusively, in the US , we take a lot of pride in being independent. We like to think of success as being something we reach alone. We boast and viciously protect our freedoms. Some claim the right to be unproductive with the same vigor that others put in to trying to own everything in the world. You can be almost anything you want to be in this country. If you’re willing to do what it takes, you can literally do anything you want. But do we really do it alone?
There are times when we mistake pride for independence. There is nothing wrong with interdependence. A finger is always a finger, but it is much more useful attached to a working hand, arm and body than it will ever be by its self.
Jesus poured out his life that we would be one even as he and the Father are one (John 17:22). He wanted us to be interdependent, as a body is. Not beaten into compliance under a tyrrant, but becoming a single, well functioning unit.
Services like the military, firefighters, police officers, hospitals, each of these works best when everyone is focused on the same mission and performs his or her assignments to the best of their ability. I may not want the housekeeper to do my surgery in the hospital, but I want my room to be clean and my bed made just like I want my surgeon to be focused and skilled. Different offices, different administrations, same body.
We as a body of believers are responsible to and for each other. We do not act alone. We were grafted into one vine, responsible for our own fruit, sure, but also responsible to the whole plant. If you flourish, so do I. If I fall short, so do you. One body, many members.
Be careful, dear one, when pride comes between you and your brother. That’s part of the lesson of Cain and Able too. Pride can keep you from so much, but most importantly, it can drive you from your purpose and from the very presence of God. Lay down your pride before it puts you down. After all, even non-believers understand that pride goes before a fall.
Are we our brother’s keeper? Yes. We are. And our brother is our keeper. And we are all kept by the Master.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:9-11
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. If you wish to be added to the list, please send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 Hwy 138
Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Well, Am I My Brother's Keeper?
There are so many lessons in this telling of Cain and Abel. I am struck by the snarkiness of Cain’s answer, which gets right to the heart of the kind of relationship he personally had with God. But that’s not what I’m to share with you today. Some other time, perhaps.
Today, we are exploring the answer to that question for ourselves. Are WE our brother’s keeper?
Especially, but not exclusively, in the US , we take a lot of pride in being independent. We like to think of success as being something we reach alone. We boast and viciously protect our freedoms. Some claim the right to be unproductive with the same vigor that others put in to trying to own everything in the world. You can be almost anything you want to be in this country. If you’re willing to do what it takes, you can literally do anything you want. But do we really do it alone?
There are times when we mistake pride for independence. There is nothing wrong with interdependence. A finger is always a finger, but it is much more useful attached to a working hand, arm and body than it will ever be by its self.
Jesus poured out his life that we would be one even as he and the Father are one (John 17:22). He wanted us to be interdependent, as a body is. Not beaten into compliance under a tyrrant, but becoming a single, well functioning unit.
Services like the military, firefighters, police officers, hospitals, each of these works best when everyone is focused on the same mission and performs his or her assignments to the best of their ability. I may not want the housekeeper to do my surgery in the hospital, but I want my room to be clean and my bed made just like I want my surgeon to be focused and skilled. Different offices, different administrations, same body.
We as a body of believers are responsible to and for each other. We do not act alone. We were grafted into one vine, responsible for our own fruit, sure, but also responsible to the whole plant. If you flourish, so do I. If I fall short, so do you. One body, many members.
Be careful, dear one, when pride comes between you and your brother. That’s part of the lesson of Cain and Able too. Pride can keep you from so much, but most importantly, it can drive you from your purpose and from the very presence of God. Lay down your pride before it puts you down. After all, even non-believers understand that pride goes before a fall.
Are we our brother’s keeper? Yes. We are. And our brother is our keeper. And we are all kept by the Master.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:9-11
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. If you wish to be added to the list, please send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 Hwy 138
Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
There is Power, Power,....Originally Mailed 7/27/2009
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
There is Power, Power, Wonder Working Power….
This passage from Ephesians is what we say as a benediction at our church. I hear it every Sunday and I have read and written it countless times. But, as the Word often does, something new jumped out this past weekend at prayer.
“According to the power that worketh in us”…wow. God can and is able to do beyond anything we ask or think…according to the power that works in us. We set the tempo, or the depth of our relationship to the Father. Our Savior reminded us of this dynamic in the relationship all the time. “THY faith has made the whole” “according to YOUR faith, be it unto you”, “He was moved by THEIR faith.”
Through salvation, we have a relationship. But it is our faith toward the Father that determines the quality of the relationship. It is up to us.
Small faith? Small relationship. Big faith? Big relationship. Intermittent faith? You get the idea.
Child of God, how is your faith? The power is already in you. That became available to you as soon as Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem when his hour had come. But, you have to let the power work in you. YOU have to choose to accept that you matter to God. You are not kept like a pet, but you have an actual, living, breathing relationship with the Most High God and it is a real as the relationships you have with those you hold most dear.
It’s up to you. He will do…based on your faith.
Matthew 9:28-29
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
There is Power, Power, Wonder Working Power….
This passage from Ephesians is what we say as a benediction at our church. I hear it every Sunday and I have read and written it countless times. But, as the Word often does, something new jumped out this past weekend at prayer.
“According to the power that worketh in us”…wow. God can and is able to do beyond anything we ask or think…according to the power that works in us. We set the tempo, or the depth of our relationship to the Father. Our Savior reminded us of this dynamic in the relationship all the time. “THY faith has made the whole” “according to YOUR faith, be it unto you”, “He was moved by THEIR faith.”
Through salvation, we have a relationship. But it is our faith toward the Father that determines the quality of the relationship. It is up to us.
Small faith? Small relationship. Big faith? Big relationship. Intermittent faith? You get the idea.
Child of God, how is your faith? The power is already in you. That became available to you as soon as Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem when his hour had come. But, you have to let the power work in you. YOU have to choose to accept that you matter to God. You are not kept like a pet, but you have an actual, living, breathing relationship with the Most High God and it is a real as the relationships you have with those you hold most dear.
It’s up to you. He will do…based on your faith.
Matthew 9:28-29
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro , GA.
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Alton Watkins, Pastor
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