Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit...

2 Timothy 4:1-5

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

"Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit" is an old song that even non-belivers know. You would be an odd one out if you spent anytime in a church or school choir before 1990 and didn't perform that song at least once in your choral career.

It came back to me this weekend when I was asked to enter into a fast. Immediately my flesh rebelled. Now, my flesh has learned to use the language of the church when it rebels. I could hear in my head "Well, this can't be a proper fast. It doesn't feel like the Spirit is calling for a fast."

Funny thing about feelings. They can be terribly powerful, driving even. But we couldn't really call ourselves spiritually mature if we don't recognize that even when the 'feeling' is positive, it is still based in the flesh and not in the Spirit.

We are called to be 'instant, in season and out of season'. This has as much to do with getting beyond our feelings as it does timing. Afterall, obedience means doing a thing as directed...not when we feel like it.

Ecclesiastes teaches us that there is a time for everything. The timing may not 'feel' right, but it is still time. It might be inconvenient for the rain to start during your picnic, but it is time for the rain. Losing someone is never easy, but, eventually, we lose loved ones because it's their time to go. The disciples didn't feel like going through Samaria, but Jesus knew he had an appointment with a woman who would be at a well around noon on the first day. Lazarus wasn't 'feeling' anything at all, but at the voice of the Savior, he got up.

It is a privilidge to feel the Spirit move in your life. Anytime you feel Him move, you should pray, shout, do something. But, we can't rely on feelings alone (and at times not at all). In growing, we have to move out of obedience. We have to step out because the timing is right, even when we are scared or unsure. Peter walked on water because the Lord bid him to come, not because he 'felt' like he could do it.

If you must be motivated by one of your senses when it comes to the Holy Spirit, please let it be your hearing. Move when you hear the Spirit says move and in the way the Spirit directs, even if you don't feel like it.

Peace.

Sis. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.
The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com.

Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 HWY 138 Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

How To Reach the Masses

1 Samuel 3:7-10

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

How to Reach the Masses

The account of Samuel is such a rich lesson. From his devoted mother Hannah, through Eli to his relationship with Saul and David, Samuel is a wonderful prophet to study. Today, it's actually Eli and his impact on Samuel to consider.

In the passage above, Samuel is still a child in the service of the priest, Eli. Though young, he is literally receiving a calling from God, but, as the scripture attests, he "did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed" to him.

Eli was old and failing at this point in his life. He had not done all that he should do as a priest and as a father. Yet, despite his shortcomings, he was still attuned enough to recognize the child's calling. Eli didn't call him; the Lord did. But through Eli's relationship with God, though rocky at times, he was able to assist the boy in recognizing what was happening and gave him some direction to ensure that Samuel understood what was happening.

Dear ones, this is who we should be to the lost. We can't save anyone. No one will gain eternal life through someone else's relationship with Jesus. Yet, as we develop in Christ, we are supposed to grow in our God conscieousness. We are supposed to be able to hear the Lord and recognize His work, even when He's not talking to us. We can't bring anyone to salvation, but we sure should be able to point out what's going on and assist those who are hearing a call but aren't sure how to respond. I may not be able to save you, but I can tell you about a Savior who saved me.

Like Eli, we need to be versed enough to know the call, to hear the voice, yet humble enough to let the intended person answer.

You can't save anyone. Jesus saves. But, when you hear Him call, even if it isn't your name, make sure to point out that the Lord is speaking, so we all can listen.

Afterall, there is wisdom in the song..."How to reach the masses, Jesus gave the key...If I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me."

Lift Him up, saints.


John 12:28-32

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Peace.
Sis. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com.

Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!
455 HWY 138 Suite CJonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Loving Beyond the Labels

Luke 10:25-29

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?


Loving Beyond the Label

We all know the 'suppose to's.' We know we're supposed to take care of our families, we're supposed to be polite to people, we're supposed to work hard and make a good living. We all know them, but we all fall short in one way or another.

Consider the lawyer in the passage. He correctly interpretted the laws and the prophets in a quick, concise sentance. Yet, he wanted clarification from Jesus. "And who is my neighbor?" He wanted to know to whom he was 'supposed to' give this great love.

We spend alot of time classifying and categorizing the people around us. We have work friends, church friends, family friends, aquaintances, and often, sometimes an act of wisdom, we don't let the groups mix. Not everyone in your life needs to know about your crazy Uncle Bob. But can we love beyond the labels? Can we actually love someone who is essentially 'no one' to us?

After this question by the lawyer, Jesus offered the parable of the Good Samaritan who offered aid and comfort to someone who was 'no one' to him. Jesus used this to demonstrate that everyone is someone to somebody, if only to Jesus.

Dear ones, we ARE the Body of the Living Christ. Everyone should be someone to us. The people we pass on the street, the people who annoy us in traffic, the people who talk in the movie theater. They are all someone to someone and should be someone to us.

Your Uncle Bob might be crazy, but he's still your uncle. Well, that person standing on the corner with the sign about 'will work for food' might just be a scammer, but he's still a person.

The call is simple. Love everyone. You are not responsible for meeting their needs, but you are responsible for remembering that they are a person, capable and in need of love.

Love your neighbor. Who is your neighbor? Anyone worth the blood of Jesus. I think that about covers it.

Peace.

Sis. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com.

Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where your passions become relality
because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Dare to Believe God!

DARE TO BELIEVE GOD is a motto written on the wall in our church. It is part of our congregation's history. One of the speakers from our Men's Conference used it as his topic yesterday. I can't seem to get passed it today.

For those of you who were unable to make any of the sessions, I am sorry for the opportunity you missed. Some things just have to be witnessed. However, much of what was said is encapsulated in this passage below.

Dear brothers and sisters, there is so much for us in this relationship with Christ that we would be foolish to ignore it or to willingly put anything between ourselves and God. Listed below is all of Malachi 3. I encourage you to read it, meditate on it and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Hear what He has to say to you and for you. Then act on what you learn.

Sometimes, the best message is the one you get from God directly, not through anyone else.

Don't believe me? I dare you to try Him.

Peace.
Sis. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is http://www.fcchosengernation.com/.

Previous Lifeline mailings are posted on a blog at http://www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com/ and can also be reached through the church website on the Lifeline link.

Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com

Fellowship Church
Where your passions become relality
because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Malachi 3
1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

2But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

3And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

4Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

12And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

13Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?

14Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

15And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

16Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

17And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Happenings and Newness

We're having a men's conference at Fellowship this weekend. It starts Friday, April 16th (tonight) at 7:30 PM and continues tomorrow, Saturday April 17th at 1 PM. Tonight is just for the fellas only, but tomorrow, women are invited to join in.

You can find out more information by going to the church website at www.fcchosengeneration.com and clicking on the link at the top for the conference.

And yes, we have a new church website. It will link to this blog and, as time moves forward, be an interactive spot to find out what's going on at Fellowship, how you can participate and how you can reach us.

Fellowship Church

Where Passions become Reality

Because YOU are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

Check us out!
Peace.

He Is Still Risen!

Matthew 28:6-9

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

He Is STILL Risen

Christ rose from the grave once and for all just as He was born once into the world. All that He said He would do has been done. The only untold part of the story is what YOU will do with the relationship.

He is alive. He is real. He has risen. Easter may be over as far as the world is concerned, but every day is your opportunity to experience ressurection power in your life because He lives.

Face tomorrow.

Let go of all fear.

He holds tomorrow, know it.

Life is worth the living just because He lives!

Hallelujah!!

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Peace and Victory!!

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

The Choice is Yours...But the Consequences?

John 17:20-23

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.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

The Choice is Yours...But the Consequences...are Ours

Earlier today, I got one of those calls that no one ever wants to get. A friend called to tell me that his son had been killed.

As the shock took hold, I found myself not believing it was true. This wonderful young man was gone.

Gone before his life really got started. He wasn’t a gang banger living a violent life. He wasn’t out rough housing or in the wrong place at the wrong time. He wasn’t driving recklessly or drinking. He was riding his motorcycle home. He was struck by a driver who didn’t see him.

Now, this message could be a plea to take a second look for cyclists and pedestrians. It could be, but it isn’t. It could be a plea for you to pull over before you read that text message. It could be, but it isn’t. It could be a plea for you to remember that the kids are in their seat belts and the cup is already spilled so you reaching back isn’t going to change anything. It could be. It isn’t.

This message is about the car driver and the choice he or she made. I don’t know why that driver didn’t see this young man and his friend on the motorcycle. All I know is that the car driver made a choice to turn without absolutely ensuring the way was clear. And that choice impacted the driver’s life, my friend’s life and even your life.

Dear ones, as the Body of Christ, we are connected. The choices you make affect the whole body. Any decision you make for or against your purpose and calling in Christ has an affect on everyone else, no matter how insignificant the decision may seem to you. Just as this driver’s choices changed so many lives, so do yours.

I’ll give you a less severe picture…ever notice that when you have a headache, your whole body is affected? Your feet don’t hurt, but you don’t feel like walking. Your eyes are fine, but you’d prefer to keep them closed. You don’t want to hear anything loud or high pitched. Your body just doesn’t work right, even though it’s just your head that hurts.

Still not convinced? Ok, try this. Tie your toes together for a day and see how easy it is to walk. Spend one day chewing your food on just one side of your mouth. Put in earplugs and go through your day. Again, you might accomplish all that you set out to do, but a singular, relatively minor change will have an affect on every action you take and it will change how you get things done.

Christ prayed to the Father that we would be one even as He and the Father are one. To function best, we need every single member of the Body operating according to the Master’s plan and design. Otherwise, we move along hobbled; less effective.

I don’t know what this young man’s calling and purpose in Christ was to be. I don't understand why this happened, nor do I blame God. I do receive that all things, even wrong things, do work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I also know that my ways and thoughts are not God’s and that His are well beyond me. Some things truly are beyond words and human understanding.

But, after reading this, you might take a moment to take that second look in the rear view mirror to make absolutely sure nothing and no one is coming. You might wait until you park to read that text message. You might keep your hands on the wheel instead of trying to grab something behind you. All of those would be good outcomes and could spare the life of someone else’s child. Maybe your child. Maybe mine.

Or, you might even decide today…right now…that you’ll stop fighting your calling in Christ and you will take your rightful place in your destiny and you’ll set in motion a series of effects that you may never fully comprehend until you step into eternity. Only God knows how many lives your decision for Him could impact.

Will you make that choice? Will you choose Christ and His will over your own? Or will you stick with the idea that it really doesn’t matter much since it only affects you…even though you know that’s not true.

If you are reading this, then my decision to yield has affected you. Who will your decision affect?

Joshua 24:14-15

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Peace.

Sis. Stephanie Robinson

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