Monday, January 4, 2010
Seeing with Fresh Eyes
Psalm 23:1-6
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Seeing with Fresh Eyes
Ever look at something so much that you stop really seeing it? Maybe its the route you take home or the way you make your coffee in the morning. Maybe it's that report you've been working on for so long that your eyes start glossing over any spelling mistakes because you just aren't looking at the detail any more.
It’s easy to become so familiar with something, or even a person that we stop seeing what’s really there. And then, one day, you look at that book or watch that movie or see something in that person that you never noticed before. You're seeing with fresh eyes.
Psalm 23 is familiar to most of us. Plenty of people have it memorized. Frankly, there are those who do not know Jesus who may be able to quote this passage.
Today, I am led to encourage you to see with fresh eyes. Meditate on the Word of God. Don't just read the Word like it's a competition to get to the end. Let it resonate in your spirit. Give the Spirit the time and the space to reveal things to you.
What's written below may help get you started, but please, let the Holy Spirit lead you. You may start seeing things you never noticed before.
The Lord is my shepherd
A shepherd takes care of their charges. The Shepherd is responsible for the care, feeding and safety of the herd. Everything that happens to the herd is the responsibility of the Shepherd. Where they go, what they eat, where they rest, the young, the old. Everything.
I shall not want
Because Jesus is my Shepherd, I want for nothing. Food, rest, companionship. Nothing.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
Even my rest is His concern. Because I have no want, I can rest in the presence of plenty. I find peace all around.
He leadeth me beside the still waters
Even what is unknown to me, what lies beneath the surface, is of no concern because my Shepherd leads me.
He restoreth my soul
I live in wholeness. If I find myself damaged by life or my own disobedience, He restores me.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake
Walking with my Shepherd, He takes me to places where He is glorified. It doesn’t matter what else is around, because He is leading me where righteousness is and it’s His reputation at stake, not mine.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
It doesn’t matter what the situation looks like. He is leading me. I might feel the coldness of death, but I have nothing to be afraid of. It might be dark in the valley, but my Shepherd has me. I have nothing to fear.
For thou art with me
I am not alone. And I am not without a leader or guidance, or comfort. I can expect only to be cared for because He is my Shepherd.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
Even if my fears get the best of me, or if I feel like I know better, my Shepherd will use His staff to correct my wrong doings or to pull me out of danger. There is no place I can go where he cannot reach me. There is no hole I can fall into where He cannot pull me back.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
Favor isn’t fair. It’s given at the Hand of the Master and at His will. He can do whatever He chooses for whomever He chooses. It isn’t based on my behavior, but only on my relationship to Him. And, again, it’s His reputation, His name that He honors, so should He choose to do me an honor to show my enemies that He is God, it is His prerogative to do so.
Thou annointest my head with oil
My Shepherd sets me aside for His own use. I’m not just another one…I am His, sanctified. I glisten from His glory. He coats me with His fragrance infused oil so that I even smell like Him.
My cup runneth over
Whatever the Master has poured into me, there is more than enough. His mark on me isn’t just for my knowing, it is for all to see. He places His mark on me in such a way that there is no denying that I am His.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
You cannot find darkness in a room full of light. When you go out at noon, it’s hard to find a shadow. Goodness is in the light because my Shepherd is Good. Mercy is in the light because my Shepherd is merciful.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
I am His. I am a child, not a stranger. He has grafted me in, so my home, my dwelling place is with Him and in His presence. To know the Son is to have life eternal.
Hallelujah!!!
Sis. Stephanie Robinson
Lifeline is the evangelistic ministryof Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.
Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, December 28, 2009
A New Mind
Phillipians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
A New Mind
People oftem make resolutions at the beginning of a new year. This week, we stand at the threshold of a whole new decade, so I'm sure that gym memberships are being considered and people are buying supplies to finish that novel, that addition on to the house or swearing that this is the year that they finish that degree.
If those are the things on your heart, I pray that you find the passion and the discipline to complete them. But in all your acheivements and ambitions, remember to put on the mind of Christ. Nothing you do without Him will satisfy. And through Him, anything is possible.
Happy New Year!
John 17:19-21
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
A New Mind
People oftem make resolutions at the beginning of a new year. This week, we stand at the threshold of a whole new decade, so I'm sure that gym memberships are being considered and people are buying supplies to finish that novel, that addition on to the house or swearing that this is the year that they finish that degree.
If those are the things on your heart, I pray that you find the passion and the discipline to complete them. But in all your acheivements and ambitions, remember to put on the mind of Christ. Nothing you do without Him will satisfy. And through Him, anything is possible.
Happy New Year!
John 17:19-21
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Gift
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Gift
This is the week. Some folks are hustling and bustling around trying to find that last present; that special item, that perfect gift that will make some loved one's heart melt with joy. Others finished their gift shopping and making months ago and are just looking forward to the big day. It's fun to give and it's fun to receive.
Dear ones, have a wonderful Christmas celebration. But in all your getting, get life.
I know I've said this before, but the Spirit compells me to say it again. We EARN the results of sin, but life eternal through Jesus Christ is a GIFT of God. We must learn to receive the gift with all of its benefits and responsibilities.
Let your heart melt with the joy of relationship with the Father through the Son. Be warmed by the feeling of walking in your destiny as you follow after the Holy Spirit. Get energy from moving in the passion that was written into your being before you were born.
If you don't get anything else for Christmas, get life.
1 John 5:11-15
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
On earth, peace, good will toward men!
Merry Christmas!
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Gift
This is the week. Some folks are hustling and bustling around trying to find that last present; that special item, that perfect gift that will make some loved one's heart melt with joy. Others finished their gift shopping and making months ago and are just looking forward to the big day. It's fun to give and it's fun to receive.
Dear ones, have a wonderful Christmas celebration. But in all your getting, get life.
I know I've said this before, but the Spirit compells me to say it again. We EARN the results of sin, but life eternal through Jesus Christ is a GIFT of God. We must learn to receive the gift with all of its benefits and responsibilities.
Let your heart melt with the joy of relationship with the Father through the Son. Be warmed by the feeling of walking in your destiny as you follow after the Holy Spirit. Get energy from moving in the passion that was written into your being before you were born.
If you don't get anything else for Christmas, get life.
1 John 5:11-15
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
On earth, peace, good will toward men!
Merry Christmas!
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, December 14, 2009
Just Go On and Praise Him!
Psalm 145:1-3
I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
Just Go On and Praise Him
It's an odd thing that at what should be a very happy time of year, many people are hurting and depressed. Maybe families aren't as close as they should be. Maybe you have a loved one serving overseas who won't be home for Christmas. Maybe you've experienced a loss this year and the joy of the season just seems to intesify your pain. Someone may feel completely alone.
There is a song that was popular on contemporary Christian stations that said "Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance."
Child of God, I encourage you not to wait until the shakles are removed. Just go on and praise Him. As Paul and Silas showed us, sometimes you have to praise your way out of shackles (Acts 16:25-26).
Go on and praise Him. I know it's hard, but that's why Jeremiah and Paul wrote of the 'sacrifice of praise' (Jeremiah 33:11, Hebrews 13:15).
No matter what 'it' is, Jesus is still the Way, the Truth and the Life. 'It' will pass, but Jesus and His love for you will be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
I dare you to praise Him. I dare you to take Him at His Word. I dare you to look at your situation, the hurt, the lack, the unfulfilled promises and say to your spirit "Despite all the evidence to the contrary, I will believe God."
I dare you to start right now, right where you are and choose to be faithful. I dare you to start to believe God. We have on our wall at church "Dare to Believe God!" Go on. Praise Him. I dare you.
Need help finding what to praise about? Here's a list of a few good reasons to get you started:
Isaiah 53
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
On Earth, Peace, Good Will Toward Men!
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
Just Go On and Praise Him
It's an odd thing that at what should be a very happy time of year, many people are hurting and depressed. Maybe families aren't as close as they should be. Maybe you have a loved one serving overseas who won't be home for Christmas. Maybe you've experienced a loss this year and the joy of the season just seems to intesify your pain. Someone may feel completely alone.
There is a song that was popular on contemporary Christian stations that said "Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance."
Child of God, I encourage you not to wait until the shakles are removed. Just go on and praise Him. As Paul and Silas showed us, sometimes you have to praise your way out of shackles (Acts 16:25-26).
Go on and praise Him. I know it's hard, but that's why Jeremiah and Paul wrote of the 'sacrifice of praise' (Jeremiah 33:11, Hebrews 13:15).
No matter what 'it' is, Jesus is still the Way, the Truth and the Life. 'It' will pass, but Jesus and His love for you will be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
I dare you to praise Him. I dare you to take Him at His Word. I dare you to look at your situation, the hurt, the lack, the unfulfilled promises and say to your spirit "Despite all the evidence to the contrary, I will believe God."
I dare you to start right now, right where you are and choose to be faithful. I dare you to start to believe God. We have on our wall at church "Dare to Believe God!" Go on. Praise Him. I dare you.
Need help finding what to praise about? Here's a list of a few good reasons to get you started:
Isaiah 53
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
On Earth, Peace, Good Will Toward Men!
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, December 7, 2009
Do You See What I See?
Matthew 2:1-2
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem ,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Do You See What I See?
There are some profound testimonies in songs and hymns. The hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” was written by a man who lost his children in a tragic accident. The pain that poured out of him was sweetly intermixed with pure praise for God who comforts and strengthens. ‘No matter what happens, it is well with my soul.’
Christmas carols are no exception. In “Oh Holy Night,” there is the line ‘Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.’ Isn't that a wonderful word picture? He appears and your very soul suddenly knew it's worth. What a great way to explain conviction.
In ‘What Child is This?’ there is a verse that isn’t sung often. But the chorus reminds us of why He was born:
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through.
His blood be spilled for me, for you.
Hail, Hail, the Word made flesh.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
And yes, there is even a deep message in “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Now, I know that this song is probably on many people’s list of 'most annoying Christmas Carols' along with “The Little Drummer Boy” and “The 12 Days of Christmas”. They are long songs that get over played every year.
But, on that night over 2000 years ago, there were three men of wisdom and education who looked to the skies and found something remarkable. They saw a marker up in the heavens that led them to a King that they knew they had to worship.
A group of stinky sheep herders, shepherds, also saw the same marker in the sky. They heard and saw a host of angels who couldn’t contain their joy. Those angels sang out that the ‘Son of God had come bringing peace and good will toward men.’
The men of means and the men of no means saw the same sign and responded. They brought what they had, their material treasures, their sheer adoration and they came. They came to see this Child, and when they left His presence, they spread the news in the streets and in the palaces.
A lot of people saw that star. Anyone who looked up into the sky saw the star. But they didn’t see what these people saw.
When Joseph and Mary brought the Child to the temple to have Him blessed, a lot of people saw the Child. Everyone who saw them saw the Child. But only Simon and Anna saw Him for who He really was (Luke 2:25-38).
Today, there are signs and testimonies all around us. There are acts of favor from the Lord. They happen out in the open in front of all people, but only some people see.
There are praises and thanks going forward. There are gifts offered and received. The invitations to come and feast are being sent far and wide. The Word is being preached in fullness. God is being worshipped in Spirit and in truth, but everyone doesn’t hear.
Do you see what I see? Do you hear what I hear? Do you know what I know? Do the people in your life know, see, and hear what you do? Have you really seen? Heard? If you have seen and heard, what will you do with the revelation?
The Gift has been given. He is yours. Whatever is between yourself and the Savior, I encourage you, dear one, to lay it aside so you can fully see and hear and know. This year, receive the gift of relationship. Then pass it on to someone else.
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Peace and Merry Christmas.
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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem ,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Do You See What I See?
There are some profound testimonies in songs and hymns. The hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” was written by a man who lost his children in a tragic accident. The pain that poured out of him was sweetly intermixed with pure praise for God who comforts and strengthens. ‘No matter what happens, it is well with my soul.’
Christmas carols are no exception. In “Oh Holy Night,” there is the line ‘Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.’ Isn't that a wonderful word picture? He appears and your very soul suddenly knew it's worth. What a great way to explain conviction.
In ‘What Child is This?’ there is a verse that isn’t sung often. But the chorus reminds us of why He was born:
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through.
His blood be spilled for me, for you.
Hail, Hail, the Word made flesh.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
And yes, there is even a deep message in “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Now, I know that this song is probably on many people’s list of 'most annoying Christmas Carols' along with “The Little Drummer Boy” and “The 12 Days of Christmas”. They are long songs that get over played every year.
But, on that night over 2000 years ago, there were three men of wisdom and education who looked to the skies and found something remarkable. They saw a marker up in the heavens that led them to a King that they knew they had to worship.
A group of stinky sheep herders, shepherds, also saw the same marker in the sky. They heard and saw a host of angels who couldn’t contain their joy. Those angels sang out that the ‘Son of God had come bringing peace and good will toward men.’
The men of means and the men of no means saw the same sign and responded. They brought what they had, their material treasures, their sheer adoration and they came. They came to see this Child, and when they left His presence, they spread the news in the streets and in the palaces.
A lot of people saw that star. Anyone who looked up into the sky saw the star. But they didn’t see what these people saw.
When Joseph and Mary brought the Child to the temple to have Him blessed, a lot of people saw the Child. Everyone who saw them saw the Child. But only Simon and Anna saw Him for who He really was (Luke 2:25-38).
Today, there are signs and testimonies all around us. There are acts of favor from the Lord. They happen out in the open in front of all people, but only some people see.
There are praises and thanks going forward. There are gifts offered and received. The invitations to come and feast are being sent far and wide. The Word is being preached in fullness. God is being worshipped in Spirit and in truth, but everyone doesn’t hear.
Do you see what I see? Do you hear what I hear? Do you know what I know? Do the people in your life know, see, and hear what you do? Have you really seen? Heard? If you have seen and heard, what will you do with the revelation?
The Gift has been given. He is yours. Whatever is between yourself and the Savior, I encourage you, dear one, to lay it aside so you can fully see and hear and know. This year, receive the gift of relationship. Then pass it on to someone else.
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Peace and Merry Christmas.
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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, November 30, 2009
Promises, Promises
Luke 1:26-38
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Promises, Promises
I know it may seem a bit early to talk about the Christmas story, but this is more than a holiday message.
Although so many things stand out in this passage, one that pricked my heart this week is that even though the Holy Spirit hadn’t yet come on Mary to conceive the Christ Child, the promise of Christ was already fulfilled.
Christ had been prophesied since Eden. His name had been mentioned, the place of His birth, even the throne of His inheritance had all been put in place. Further, His forerunner and disciples were already being birthed and raised so that they could be in place. Even Saul of Tarsus was being birthed into his Pharasee home so that he could later become Paul. It was all arranged and set into motion. All of the pieces needed before Jesus’ arrival and after His crucifixion were all set in place before Mary ever said, ‘be it unto me.’
My dear believer, we can learn from Mary to accept the promise as fulfilled at God’s word. When He says it is done, it is done. We need to trust that He is putting everything in place. And, even when we need a little encouragement, there are signs.
Whatever it is you’re looking for, if God spoke it into our lives, if the Holy Spirit has confirmed it, we know what the Son is making intercessions on our behalf. We can go ahead and expect it. When you see flowers on the tree or on the plant, you expect fruit when its harvest time. It’s okay to prepare for the harvest because you have the promise of the flowers heralding it.
A promise is a promise. The harvest season for whatever it is may be ahead of us, but ‘be it unto me, according to thy word.”
Luke 2:9-11
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
On earth, Peace, and Good Will Toward Men!
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Promises, Promises
I know it may seem a bit early to talk about the Christmas story, but this is more than a holiday message.
Although so many things stand out in this passage, one that pricked my heart this week is that even though the Holy Spirit hadn’t yet come on Mary to conceive the Christ Child, the promise of Christ was already fulfilled.
Christ had been prophesied since Eden. His name had been mentioned, the place of His birth, even the throne of His inheritance had all been put in place. Further, His forerunner and disciples were already being birthed and raised so that they could be in place. Even Saul of Tarsus was being birthed into his Pharasee home so that he could later become Paul. It was all arranged and set into motion. All of the pieces needed before Jesus’ arrival and after His crucifixion were all set in place before Mary ever said, ‘be it unto me.’
My dear believer, we can learn from Mary to accept the promise as fulfilled at God’s word. When He says it is done, it is done. We need to trust that He is putting everything in place. And, even when we need a little encouragement, there are signs.
Whatever it is you’re looking for, if God spoke it into our lives, if the Holy Spirit has confirmed it, we know what the Son is making intercessions on our behalf. We can go ahead and expect it. When you see flowers on the tree or on the plant, you expect fruit when its harvest time. It’s okay to prepare for the harvest because you have the promise of the flowers heralding it.
A promise is a promise. The harvest season for whatever it is may be ahead of us, but ‘be it unto me, according to thy word.”
Luke 2:9-11
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
On earth, Peace, and Good Will Toward Men!
-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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
Monday, November 23, 2009
New Ruts
Romans 12:1-3
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.
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.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
New Ruts
In Sunday School yesterday, we talked about ruts. If you take the same path over and over again, you’ll form a rut in the ground. That rut is fine as long as you always go the same way. But, if you need to go a new direction, you’ll have to expend some effort to get out of the rut and take a new path.
We can get into a rut where it seems like we keep making the same mistake over and over again. The sad part is, the longer we take to get out of the rut, the deeper it can get and the harder it is to get out of it. But, if the practice is a good one, it is just a difficult to get out of so it's harder to do wrong.
Our brains actually make paths for the things we do most often. For example, when you practice something repeatedly, whether its language, music, sports, writing, your brain builds a path that forms a kind of rut in your gray matter. This makes it easier for the nerves to talk to each other so the thoughts or functions happen faster.
This is why someone who is constantly practices a foul shot can perform it with ease. Or when you memorize something, you can recall it years later. There is a brain rut that makes the action almost second nature. And, like a rut in the road, it takes more effort to change the behavior…it’s easier to follow the rut.
These ruts in our brains from what we think about most is why it is so difficult to change our thinking. This is what the Holy Spirit was getting at when He inspired Paul to write today’s verse.
“transform by the renewing of your mind,…”
Dear ones, renewing our minds means getting new ruts. We’ve got to spend the energy it takes to get out of what we’ve learned from the world over all these years and make ourselves and our minds available to what the Spirit is trying to teach us.
The good news is that the process is the same. We didn’t learn to be negative, downtrodden and selfish overnight. It took time and concentration. So, with time and concentration, we can learn to speak life, have a mind a Christ, see with our Spiritual eyes, follow after the Spirit so we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
When we were born again, we gained a new nature…no longer a slave to human nature, we took on a spiritual nature. As we nurture our spirit with the Word of God, fellowship, prayer, study, working in our calling, we allow that spirit to grow and flourish. We build ‘ruts’ of following after the Holy Spirit.
Soon, it will take effort to doubt God. You’ll have to fight to be unsure of God. You’ll have to choose to operate in the things of the world.
When you build new ruts, trusting God will come as easily as, well, riding a bike.
Phillipians 4:6-9
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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.
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.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I am thankful to God for the privilege of use. I pray that you have been and will continue to be as blessed by these messages as I am in sharing them.
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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
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.
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.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
New Ruts
In Sunday School yesterday, we talked about ruts. If you take the same path over and over again, you’ll form a rut in the ground. That rut is fine as long as you always go the same way. But, if you need to go a new direction, you’ll have to expend some effort to get out of the rut and take a new path.
We can get into a rut where it seems like we keep making the same mistake over and over again. The sad part is, the longer we take to get out of the rut, the deeper it can get and the harder it is to get out of it. But, if the practice is a good one, it is just a difficult to get out of so it's harder to do wrong.
Our brains actually make paths for the things we do most often. For example, when you practice something repeatedly, whether its language, music, sports, writing, your brain builds a path that forms a kind of rut in your gray matter. This makes it easier for the nerves to talk to each other so the thoughts or functions happen faster.
This is why someone who is constantly practices a foul shot can perform it with ease. Or when you memorize something, you can recall it years later. There is a brain rut that makes the action almost second nature. And, like a rut in the road, it takes more effort to change the behavior…it’s easier to follow the rut.
These ruts in our brains from what we think about most is why it is so difficult to change our thinking. This is what the Holy Spirit was getting at when He inspired Paul to write today’s verse.
“transform by the renewing of your mind,…”
Dear ones, renewing our minds means getting new ruts. We’ve got to spend the energy it takes to get out of what we’ve learned from the world over all these years and make ourselves and our minds available to what the Spirit is trying to teach us.
The good news is that the process is the same. We didn’t learn to be negative, downtrodden and selfish overnight. It took time and concentration. So, with time and concentration, we can learn to speak life, have a mind a Christ, see with our Spiritual eyes, follow after the Spirit so we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
When we were born again, we gained a new nature…no longer a slave to human nature, we took on a spiritual nature. As we nurture our spirit with the Word of God, fellowship, prayer, study, working in our calling, we allow that spirit to grow and flourish. We build ‘ruts’ of following after the Holy Spirit.
Soon, it will take effort to doubt God. You’ll have to fight to be unsure of God. You’ll have to choose to operate in the things of the world.
When you build new ruts, trusting God will come as easily as, well, riding a bike.
Phillipians 4:6-9
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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.
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.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I am thankful to God for the privilege of use. I pray that you have been and will continue to be as blessed by these messages as I am in sharing them.
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, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com
Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
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