A Plea for Faith

I've been looking at the devistation in Japan with keen interest. I have a friend who lives in one of the affected cities. I haven't heard from her. We aren't as close as we once were. Time and distance will do that to a friendship. Language barrier makes it even more taxing. But, here I sit with everything she or her family might need, and I can't get in touch with her.

I didn't know anyone in Port-Au-Prince. I didn't have any people in New Orleans. No friends lost on 9-11 or in the Oklahoma City explosions. But I know someone in Japan, and I want to worry.

But I can't.

I was seaching for scripture today (note, I said "I") to write about how we should be connected to these events. Just because we don't know anyone doesn't mean we should be apathetic about the bombings in Libya or the fires that plagued Russia last summer and may well repeat this year. I (again, I) was feeling very self righteous about my plea for everyone to concentrate on how world-engaged I was.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for correction.

As I looked for the passage in Luke about even sinners love those who love them, but we should love those who don't love us, I was directed to two special places:

Psalm 5:11 (King James Version)
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Romans 8:28 (King James Version)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Our minister yesterday, Min. Ron Watkins, talked about 'let not your heart be troubled' - the encouraging command Jesus gave His disciples (then and now) about what lay ahead recorded in John 14. I was too pre-occupied to let it sink in until today. Or, inkeeping with the message, it was a planted Word that sprouted today, on time and in place.

The funny thing about faith and favor is that it can only be demonstrated during times and seasons when we shouldn't have it. It's easy to claim faithfulness when all the bills are paid, the kids are well behaved, and you're admired on your job. You can claim it, but that's not really faith.

Faith is facing the 3:00 AM phone call and calling out in Jesus' name that everything will be alright when the evidence is to the contrary. Favor is finding out at 8:00 AM it is.

Faith is walking into a meeting with your boss when they laid off the people to your left and your right. Favor is coming out of that meeting promoted, not fired.

Faith is knowing that the loved one you're praying for really is going to be ok, even when you can't reach them. Favor is getting a phone call from them confirming it, despite the complete lack of cell service.

Faith pleases God. Favor is often the demonstration of that pleasure. Jesus Himself was moved by faith...real faith...not lip-service faith, but crawl on the ground to touch the hem of His robe despite the risk of being stoned, faith. And everyone who came (comes) to Him with that kind of faith leaves whole, healed and renewed.

So, chose to activate faith. You know favor...you're the recipient of it daily, whether you realize it or not. But, loved ones, walk with me in faith. Encourage mine when I need it, and I'll do the same for you. Let's move out of worry, fear and anxiety and walk in faith, joy and expectation. Let's give all to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly, even more than we ask or think...

I worried last night. I worried this morning as I looked at pictures on the news. I'm done worrying. I thank God for each of you and for His favor in my life, in your life and in the lives of all we love and call friends.

John 14:27 (King James Version)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Not my peace, but the very peace of Jesus.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.  Feel free to share this message.

Previous Lifeline mailings are posted here and can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. 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, Ste C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Distractions

Psalm 63


1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;


2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.


3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.


4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.


5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:


6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.


7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.


8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.


9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Distractions

The phone(s), the emails, the texts. Television, billboards, the radio. The kids, the spouse, new friends, old friends, teachers, family, church folk. Everyone wants your attention and they want it now.

Finding some down time, some quiet time gets harder and harder. I can remember spending hours as a kid alone. I am an only child, and I was a latch-key kid. I lived in a small town where I could explore the woods behind our apartment freely, without fear of, well of anything. I got to spends hours just being along. I could sit outside for hours and just listen to things. Now, seems like the only alone time I get is in the car (and then only if I can't find a good radio station).

Driving in this morning, I was looking at the sunrise and remarking to myself how beautiful the colors were. The Holy Spirit gave me a picture of God painting each new day with careful consideration of color, light, shadow and balance. All for pure enjoyment.

I love Atlanta in the springtime, when the Bradford Pears, Flowering Cherry trees and Redbuds all bloom at the same time. The jonquils and hyacynths pop up before we've had our last snowfall. There's a myriad of colors that look even better against a gray, rainy sky. Yet, as a biologist, I know that these colors serve no real purpose as far as the life of the plant is concerned. God made them beautiful simply for our enjoyment.

What's my point? De-distract.

Give yourself some time alone, with the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself the priviledge of being consumed just for a moment by the beauty that surrounds you. It was placed there for your enjoyment and should be taken in every once in a while. How else will you hear when God speaks to you?

Moses had to turn aside and consider the sight of the burning bush. Ezekiel found himself in a desert watching dry bones live again. John was in exile on the isle of Patmos when Heaven and the Lamb were revealed.

The Holy Spirit used David's Psalms to remind us time after time that we have to get away and meditate on God. Remember, your advisary just wants you to take your eye off God. He really doesn't care what you do, so long as you don't do God's will. A distraction is just as good as shifted devotion in his eyes.

Focus. Pull in. Ask, seek, knock. Taste, feel and know. Allow the Holy Spirit to have His way with you by making yourself available to Him.

My pastor makes a keen observation. Your will is yours - the Lord gave it to you. Our Father WON'T violate it, and your advisary CAN'T. So chose to lay yours at your Father's feet.

This Spring, let the new life be yours. We're ready to fill our garden at Fellowship. Won't you come be one of our choice fruits?

1 Kings 19:11-12


11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:


12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Peace.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message.

Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. 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, Ste C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Every Valley

Isa 40:4  
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: valley shall be exalted and every mountain and every hill shall be made low:

Every Valley

I had occasion this week to fly over the rocky mountains on may way to a conference. It was a beautiful day for flying, the skies were clear and I could see out, down and up for miles. I was over Lake Meade when the Holy Spirit dropped this verse in my heart.

Every valley shall be exalted. Even the vast depths of Lake Meade will be made table flat because God said so. In addition to what happens to the earth, the Holy Spirit had me consider my own personal valleys.

I have lived life long enough to have a collection of memories and experiences that I'm not proud of. Bless the Lord, the guilt is gone, but there are some real results, real harvests from seed I am sorry I sowed. Some of it, everyone can see. Some of it is in the valley.

We all have valleys in our lives. They are places that don't always get a lot of light. They are the areas we don't like to deal with because they don't fit real well in our new, born again image of ourselves. Sometimes we visit this characteristics we left in the valley, but we don't drag those things up to the top of the mountain where the light is, cause, you know, the Lord might want us to do something with it.

Loved ones, the Father said EVERY valley would be exalted. That's not just the lowly being lifted, that is also a warning call to those of us who need to clean out our valleys. That thing you try to ignore is the very thing Jesus wants to deal with. He said that He is strong where we are weak. And He loves us. He is ready to work that thing out, lovingly and finally IF we'll let Him.

Your valley will be exalted. The time to start cleaning it out is now. Fill your valley instead with the water of the Word. That way, when the ground comes up, the Word will go out, like water from a dam.

Jesus wants the whole you...not just the you that goes to church.

Peace.

Isa 40:10-11  
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong [hand], and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward [is] with him, and his work before him.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.

What Is Love?

John 15:12-13
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

What is Love?

I had an excellent converstation with some friends a couple weeks ago. Actually, it was Valentine's Day and we were talking about love. The conversation centered around the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemming. We were debating if what was between them was really love. One of my friends made a statement that stuck in my spirit when she said "love is subjective."

Is it? Is love subjective or is it an absolute? That's a hard question when you think about it. Websters' and every other dictionary defines 'love' but is love really left up to the individual to define?

You may not see making dinner as an act of love, but of obligation. But, if you are the recipient of a home cooked meal after you've worked hard all day, it may well be the highest expression of love at that moment.

So, maybe love is even beyond subjection, but can be conditional too. See, it can get really complicated if you start analyzing it too much.

So I asked the Holy Spirit, what is love? The Word defines greater love, it tells us how Jesus define's love (John 14:15 - keep my commandments, John 21 16-17 - feed my sheep), and even gives a whole chapter on what love in action looks like (I Corinthians 11).

So, what is love?

Love denies self in the preference of others. The others may be closely related or completely unknown, but its a forward moving thing. In it's purest form, it is that which is done solely for the benefit of someone else.

You can define love by a personal standard. You can limit it to just how you feel towards the people close to you and everything in your daily life can be just fine.

But, if you hunger for the real, pure essence of love, I challenge you to define it by the standard Jesus set through His life. Can you love enough to keep His commandments? Can you love enough to feed His sheep, not yours? Can you love enough to deny your own desires and plans in order to enhance the life of those around you? The ones who love you and the ones who do not?

There is love, there is greater love and then there is SO love.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Maybe you don't subscribe to this email. Maybe you receive if from someone who's been trying to get you to go to church. Maybe you're one of my friends on Facebook who do not believe in Christ as the Son of God. Perhaps you read this message and choose to think I and the person who sent this to you, are just a couple of crazy fanatics who need to get a real world view of life. And that's just fine.

Love is subjective. So, I subject my love for you to Christ. I choose to love according to His standard.

There is no greater love than the love of Christ because He laid down His life for friends. There is no real life outside of Christ. Everything else is just a counterfiet. Everything else is a poor imitation of the real and the true essense and expression of love. This is the love I want for you. And this is the love I'll keep preaching about and writing about and sharing as long as I have breath available.

Do you know Him? Oh, taste! You'll see that the Lord is good.

You already know Him? Then show Him how much. Feed His sheep.

Looking for a pasture to work? Look around. Need some sheep feeding instructions? Come to Fellowship. We hold classes weekly.

I John 3:1, 16-18
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Love.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.
Feel free to share this message.


Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. 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, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

Who's After Your Heart?

Acts 13:22


And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Who's After Your Heart?

Ah, it's Valentine's Day. The office is full of candy and flowers. Different people are walking around wearing red and sharing cheerful greetings. It's actually one of my favorite holidays. What's not to like? Chocolate! Flowers! People in good moods, talking about love!



And with all this excitement about hearts, the Holy Spirit made it clear that even in this commercial holiday, it still comes back to Jesus.



David was not only a descendant of Christ, but a forerunner. He was not a perfect man. He stole a man's wife. When he was old, they put a young woman in his bed to make sure he was dying. No, he wasn't Jesus, but they held a similar character trait...they were both after the heart of God.



How did they demonstrate this longing? They sought to do the Father's will in its entirity...the things they should do and the things they shouldn't.



What a testimony! What a compliment! To be known to God, the Creator of all things as someone who is after His heart! That's an amazing thing and a blessing that you cannot earn. It has to be given. You can strive to work for someone's affection, but THEY have to be the one to acknowlege it as sincere.



Sound like a bad love story. I encourage you to look around. There is Someone of pure heart, with motivations only to your benefit Who is longing for you. Yes, dear ones, Jesus, the very Son of God, His Beloved is seeking your heart. And what He wants to do with your heart is even more amazing. He wants to give your back to your Father, your Creator, your very Source.



He doesn't have flowers for you. There's no candy. No, His gifts are more precious...His very blood. His entire life and everything He had available in an earthly body. He gave all He had, for your heart.



He's after your heart. Are you after His?



Romans 10:6-9

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.



For Valentine's Day, I pray that you received the very love of Christ.



Evg. Stephanie Robinson



Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.
Feel free to share this message.


Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link.

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, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor

Have a Worthy House

Matthew 10:11-14 (King James Version)
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Have a Worthy House

In today's passage, Jesus sent his disciples out on a mission. He sent them to the 'lost sheep of Isreal' to tell them that the kingdom of Heaven was at hand (Matthew 10:5-8). He instructed them to take nothing and to stay only where they were welcomed in 'worthy' houses.

He gave the disciples a test to identify these worthy houses. He told them to use their peace as the standard...if their peace came upon the house, stay. If not, leave and don't think anymore of it.

Have you ever been in a peaceful house? You know...those friends or family you visit and you instantly feel at home. The physical place may be disheveled and noisy, but there is a sense of acceptance and peace as soon as you walk in the door. Then there are those houses you can walk into that are finely appointed, and well ordered but you find yourself anxious to leave. There's no peace in that house.

Beloved, we are challenged today to consider our houses. Not just the place of our addresses, but a more personal house. Paul shared in his first letter to the Corinthians that our bodies are the 'temple of the Holy Spirit' and reminded us that we have been bought with a price and are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So the question remains, is there peace in the house?

John recorded in his 14th chapter that Jesus left His peace with us. His peace. The very peace of God.

Jesus didn't get nervous when there were thousands to feed. He didn't lose sleep over people needing healing. He didn't even worry when Satan himself was among the disciples. Judas' disobedience was necessary for Him to complete His work.

This peace Jesus left us is perfect peace because it isn't dependent on the behavior of man. It rests in God Himself. By being a willing vessel, Jesus placed his complete dependence in God. God, therefore, was responsible for all Jesus' earthly needs including encouragement when He needed it.

By being totally yeilded to God, we, like the children we care for, become totally dependent on God. He, in turn, has the responsibility to meet all our needs. If I depend totally on God, then my coming, my going, my mission, where I sleep, eat, it all becomes God's business to handle. This is the peace Jesus left for us.

How wonderful is that? To be in the complete care of the Most High God. THE Creator of the universe; HE who spoke into nothing and created everything; HE who after giving man a free will created a perfect path to redeption through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, His own Son. This is who cares for you. This is who knows the number of hairs on your head, who puts breath in your lungs, food on your table, a song in your heart, and peace in your house.

I bid you peace worthy of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:23-27
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.
Feel free to share this message.


Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. 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, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

I Don't Speak Mayan

Matthew 24:3-4

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

I Don't Speak Mayan

As my son and I rode home from worship service, he informed me that the end of days was coming next year. We talked about what the phrase 'end of days' meant to him and I asked him where he got his date information. I knew he was refering to the billboards proclaiming a certain date as the end of time or the resurgent interest in the Mayan calendar predictions, thanks to that movie that came out a while back.

Dear ones, I don't own a Mayan calendar. I don't speak Mayan and I can't read Mayan. I have read about the Mayans and frankly, the world ended for many of their enemies when the Mayans invaded. There were people offered in sacrafices who's worlds ended pretty abruptly. And, if I remember my history correctly, there were probably some Mayan people who thought the world ended when their empires started collapsing in the 7th and 8th centuries.

I also know that every era of time has had people who called for the end of the world and yet, we're still here.

Jesus said no man nor angel knows the end. Only the Father (Matthew 24:36) knows for sure. Our real point of focus, according to Jesus, should not be on how or when the world will end, but on what we do while we're here.

Two encouragements: First, read all of Matthew 24 especially with your young people. You might be ignoring it, but they are being bombarded with 'evidence' that the world is ending somwhere between May 21st this year and December 31, 2012. When you're young, this can be the cause of alot of unnecessary anxiety. As Jesus taught, there will be definite signs prior to His arrival, which could be at anytime, but not one moment before His Bride (the Church) is prepared.

Second, consider your life and the lives of those you love. Are you prepared? Are they? Do you know Christ as Savior and Lord? Have you believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth? Have you been bold about your beliefs or ashamed? Will you be found wanting or working if He comes today? Tomorrow? In a century?

We are not supposed to shirk our responsibilities and act as though tomorrow is the end. We are also not supposed to carry on riotously as if the end will never come. As in all things created by God, there is a balance. There's an old saying: Plan like you'll live forever; Love like you'll die tomorrow. It carries some wisdom. Plan for your future with your health, your wealth and most importantly your soul. Set an inheritance for your children's children that gives them food and shelter, no doubt, but also a legacy of Christian service and life in Christ. Let those you love know it daily. Never leave them in doubt about your depth of feeling.

Follow hard after the leading of the Holy Spirit in all that you do and say. His leading will result in an incredible inheritance for your children's children and will lead you squarely into your eternal destiny in Christ. Following Him fulfills the other.

I don't own a Mayan calendar, but the Julian one I follow says today is January 24th, so this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Blessings and peace.

Psalm 118:21-29

21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message.

Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. 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, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor