Fully Persuaded

Judges 11:30-31King James Version (KJV)

30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

Fully Persuaded

Have you ever bargained for something you already owned?  Probably not.  What would be the point?  If it's yours, you shouldn't need to barter or bargain for it.

Jephthah is an interesting man in the Book of Judges.  He was an outcast from his family because his mother was a working girl.  Despite his humble beginnings, he grew up to be a 'man of valor' and when his father's other children found themselves in dire straits, they called on Jephthah to lead the armies to victory.

Jephthah took and interesting approach to challenge the kingdom that was threatening the Israelites. He sent word to the king of the Ammonites, detailing the many times that God had gone before the children of Israel to remove the enemies.  Basically, he told the Ammonite king, you're arguments is with God, not us.  But, the enemy king did not heed the words and war was on.

Then, Jephthah did something unusual.  He made the vow recorded above.  Now, whether is was done from a point of arrogance or doubt, I'm not sure.  But, it was interesting that after sharing all this history with the Ammonite king that he felt the need to 'bargain' with God by offering to sacrifice whatever walked through his door if he returned victorious.  The tragedy was that first through his door following victory was his daughter offering congratulations.  She later honored her father's vow.

We should be fully persuaded that God is with and for us.  Time after time throughout His word, this sentiment is stated and restated.  And as if that wasn't enough, He offered His own Son as a perfect sacrifice to seal the promise in blood as proof that His word toward us was true.

Beloved, God loves you.  Not some far off, pie in the sky, isn't that a nice thing to say love, but a real, tangible, in your face, everyday kind of love.  God's love toward us is deep, pure and very much a part of our everyday lives.  He wants us with Him forever...not just in the ever after, but starting right now for forever.  It's a love that is genuine and available for the receiving. 

We don't have to bargain for this love.  We don't earn this love.  We receive this love.  We honor this love by following what Micah said (He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? - Micah 6:8).  Follow His teachings and commandments, receive the fullness of His mercy and grace and walk with Him...not against or ahead of Him, but with Him in humility, open enough to receive from Him with the expectation of good and not evil.  Tender before Him, with all the respect that a loving father deserves.

Our God is truly an awesome God, Who has withheld nothing and no one on our behalf.  His love for you and me is full and sweet.  Don't bargain for it.  Just take it in.

Romans 4:20-5:2King James Version (KJV)

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 8:35-39King James Version (KJV)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This year, be fully persuaded.  Peace. 

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.  

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

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

A More Excellent Name

Hebrews 1:1-4

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

A More Excellent Name

This passage may be familiar to many of you, either from previous study, or because it was referenced in our Sunday School lesson yesterday.  

Verse four stood out to me.  It's one of those kinds of statements that show up often in the Word, where something that is already superlative is taken higher...more than a conqueror, greater works than these, Name above all names, and this more excellent name.

The writer was referring to Jesus, the Son of God, Who is given a station above the angels by His relationship with God, the Father.  He has, by relationship and inheritance, been given a MORE excellent name.

And, beloved, so have we.

Because of the sacrifice of Christ, born into sin, yet sinless, having done all that the Father had sent Him to do, despite obstacles, death threats and attempts, abandonment - because of all this, we too inherited this 'more excellent name'.

Galatians 4:4-7King James Version (KJV)

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

So we, as joint heirs, have this more excellent name.  No disparagement to anyone's family name, but in Christ, that excellent name is made more excellent.  

In Jeremiah's account about the potter's wheel, the broken vessel was made again into a new vessel that pleased the potter...not repaired, but new, again.

Here is the real gift of Christmas.  Adoption into a more excellent name with full restoration as a son, not a servant.  There are lessons to learn, chores to do, rules to follow as in any family, but THIS family has a name above all names.  A name above cancer, debt, poverty, depression, loneliness, grief, anxiety, pride, jealousy, and any other name we can conjure.  

This Christmas, get a new name.  And if you've already been adopted in, embrace the family ways and be new again another.

Jeremiah 18:1-6

18 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,

2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

In the name of Jesus, a more excellent name indeed, may God continue to bless you.  And a very Merry Christmas.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.  

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

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

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - Fellowship Church Where Passions Become Reality Because You Are A Chosen Generation

And Yet Stand...

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

And Yet Stand...

Beloved, be encourage.  The Word of God is true;  it's true in good times, bad times, high times, low times, times of clarity and times when nothing makes sense.  His Word is true.

That promise you received?  True.  The healing that seems illusive?  True.  My God shall supply all my need?  True.  I will never leave you or forsake you?  True.  Every word is true.  Every promise is true.  Every principle, every statement, everything that each of us has received of God it true.

So, when faced with anything that exalts itself against God, just remember, God is true.

Peace and steadfastness.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

10 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.  

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

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

Stand

Ephesians 6:11-13

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand

There are some verses in the Bible that even the unsaved just know.  For God So loved....I can do all things....I Am That I Am, In the beginning....Some of the Word has managed to cut through the noise and pollution of the world and just become interwoven with our society.

The verse above is another one of those, though it's usually phrased having done all to stand, stand therefore.  It brings a picture to mind of facing down whatever has come against us.  Like the soldier on the battlefield refusing to yield despite insurmountable odds.  Or the parent who refuses to give up on a wayward or sick child.  Amazing courage from the depths of our being.  I am grateful that God restores, restrengthens and renews in those circumstances.

But what about less dramatic, but equally as destructive circumstances?  Those little battles that we all face.  The ones that seem too insignificant to even consider as a battle.  Not studying the Word of God.  Shirking on our responsibilities to a ministry...just every now and then.  Indulging our appetite for that 'thing' we know we're not supposed to have...be it food, drug, entertainment, or people.  These aren't really worthy of the attention of God, are they?

They are.  And we can see the result of ignoring these little things all around us.  Consider the forts of old that withstood battle after battle...or the pyramids in central Mexico as well as Egypt.  The great structures built when one civilization dominated another.  Many of these structures remained in tact for hundreds of years, only to be brought down by a breach of integrity that started as a leak, or a lodged seed, or a small crack.  Or even the strength of a man can dissolve into nothing by the presence of a tumor the size of a walnut.  The Ebola virus does nothing until it gets inside the body.  Then, just its presence has the power to throw a whole nation into panic.  Something too small to be seen by the naked eye can make the most powerful nation on earth run in fear.

As children of God, we have nothing to fear that comes from the outside.  The things that truly destroy us start from the inside and often start small.  It is these things that we are called to attend.  We must be diligent about what we take into our Spirit because it will affect what comes out.

Dear ones, no matter how hard the struggle may be over that 'thing', if it hinders our relationship with God, it has to be attended.  There is nothing that we're are asked to lay aside that isn't met with exceeding abundance when we walk in obedience.  After all, we have not resisted to blood on that thing (Hebrews 12:4).

Fall is a time of glorious color and change.  For many people, this is their favorite time of year.  For others, it can be a time of loss and stress.  Whether you welcome this time of year with gladness or disdain, I encourage you to focus on what's really important.  Not on what's coming at you, but on what's coming out.

And, having done all to stand in the face of depression, and sickness, and loss, stand therefore.  Having done all to stand in the face of lack, and desperation and falling self worth, stand therefore.  Having done all to stand in the face of anything that exalts itself against God, including our own pride, stand therefore.  God will avenge Himself.  And His thoughts toward us are for good and not evil, to give us an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).  

And knowing that the end result is victory, as it always is with God, just stand.  

I love you and I'm praying for you.

Psalm 146

146 Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. TheLord looseth the prisoners:

8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:

9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.  

 

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

 

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

 

Fellowship Church

Where Passions Become Reality

Because You Are a Chosen Generation

455 Hwy 138 W. Suite C

Jonesboro, GA 30238

Between GA Hwy 85 and US 19/41

Across from EJ Swint Elementary School

Church Website - Fellowship Church Where Passions Become Reality Because You Are A Chosen Generation