Tag: lord
THE BLESSING OF THE FAITHFUL
GENESIS 5:24 AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD AND HE WAS NOT: FOR GOD TOOK HIM.
ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD 300 YEAR’S.
HE RECEIVED TWO REVELATIONS, HE NAMED HIS CHILD METHUSELAH, WHICH MEANS, WHEN HE IS DEAD THE FLOOD WILL COME.
THE OTHER REVELATION IS RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF JUDE.
JUDE 14 AND ENOCH ALSO THE SEVENTH FROM ADAM, PROPHESIED OF THESE, SAYING, BEHOLD, THE LORD COMETH WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS.
HE SAW THE RETURN OF JESUS, THE MESSIAH WITH AN INDEFINITE NUMBER, ENOCH INCLUDED.
ENOCH WAS FAITHFUL TO GOD, HE WALKED WITH HIM 300 YEARS, AND GOD BLESSED HIS FAITHFULNESS.
NOAH PREACHED AND BUILT AN ARK, FOR 120 YEARS NOAH WAS FAITHFUL TO THE LORD, TO PREACH HIS MESSAGE,ONLY EIGHT WAS SAVED FROM THE JUDGEMENT. NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYE’S OF THE LORD.
GOD IS AN ALL SEEING EYE, HE HAS GREAT GRACE OR ENDURING POWER FOR THE FAITHFUL.
GOD HAS BLESSINGS FOR THE FAITHFUL.
MOSES WAS CHOSEN BY GOD TO DELIVER THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM EGYPT.
MOSES FIRST ATTEMPT LOOKED LIKE A FAILURE, BUT GOD HAD PLANS FOR MOSES.
MOSES HAD TO FAITHFULLY WAIT ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE DESERT. IT KIND OF LOOKED LIKE GOD HAD FORGOTTEN HIM. GOD WAS GROOMING HIM FOR HIS ASSIGNMENT.
GOD ALWAYS HAS A BURNING BUSH FOR THE FAITHFUL. HE CAME AFTER MOSES AND BLESSED HIM WITH HIS PRESENCE. MOSES BECAME WHAT GOD HAD ORGINALLY INTENDED HIM TO BECOME GOD’S MAN FOR THE HOUR.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS, BE FAITHFUL TO GOD AND WAIT ON YOUR VISION.
HANNAH WAITED ON GOD AND GOT A SAMUEL. ANYTHING GOD HAS FOR US IS WORTH WAITING ON. A BLESSING WILL OVERTAKE US IF WE ARE FAITHFUL.
JOSEPH HAD A DREAM, BUT HE HAD TO WAIT. FROM REJECTION, TO THE PIT, TO BE A SERVANT, TO BE AN INMATE IN PRISON, TO THE SECOND IN AUTHORITY IN THE GREAT KINGDOM OF EGYPT.
GOD TOLD ABRAHAM HIS SEED WOULD BE CARRIED INTO ANOTHER NATION, AT THE TIME ABRAHAM DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A CHILD. BUT ABRAHAM WAITED ON GOD WITH FAITHFULNESS, AND HERE WE SEE GOD FULFILLING THE PROPHECY. JOSEPH THE CHILD OF JACOB, IN EGYPT.
GOD DOESN’T FORGET HIS PROMISES. THE FAITHFUL ALWAYS WIN. THE FAITHFUL ARE ALWAYS BLESSED.
WINNER’S ARE LOSER’S THAT NEVER QUIT. CHAMPIONS ARE PEOPLE THAT NEVER GIVE UP, REGARDLESS OF HOW ROUGH IT GETS AND HOW BAD IT LOOKS THEY JUST REFUSE TO QUIT.
DAVID WAS ANOINTED KING BY SAMUEL, BUT HE HAD TO ENDURE SAUL TRYING TO KILL HIM.
DAVID NEVER QUIT, AND NEVER TRIED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. WHEN GOD SEES THE FAITHFUL, HE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN IN HIS TIMING AND NOBODY CAN STOP IT.
DON’T GIVE UP, THE FAITHFUL ARE ALWAYS BLESSED.
THE BRUISED REED
SOMETIME BACK, THIS PHRASE, BRUISED REED, CAME INTO MY SPIRIT AND KEPT COMING OFF AND ON UNTIL I SEEMED TO FORGET IT.
BUT SHORTLY AFTER, MY LORD SPOKE TO ME IN MY TIME WITH HIM, TO MEDITATE ON THIS AND KEEP THINKING ABOUT IT UNTIL HE OPENED IT UP TO ME.
I AM SURE MANY SERMONS HAVE BEEN PREACHED ABOUT THE WORD “REED” CONCERNING THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD, BUT I SENSED HE WANTED TO SHOW ME MORE CONCERNING HURTING PEOPLE, WHETHER SAVED OR UNSAVED.
SO, THIS IS THE MESSAGE. I WILL SHARE IT WITH YOU AS HE OPENED IT UP TO ME.
REED IS MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES MORE THAN BRUISED, BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING SAID, WE WILL LOOK AT BOTH MEANINGS AND HOW THEY ARE USED.
BRUISED MEANS, CRACK IN PEICES; CRUSH; DICOURAGE; OPPRESS; STRUGGLE TOGETHER.
REED MEANS (BY RESEMBLANCE), A ROD FOR MEASURING; SHAFT; TUBE; STEM; CANE; REED;CALAMUS (A SLENDER, CLIMBING PALM PRODUCING CANES); A STALK.
ISAIAH 42:3 – A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND THE SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH: HE SHALL BRING FORTH JUDGMENT INTO TRUTH.
I GET FROM THIS SCRIPTURE, THAT THE BRUISED AND BROKEN; THE CRUSHED, DISCOURAGED, AND OPPRESSED STRUGGLING SOUL IS NOT WORTHLESS TO THE LORD.
MANY TIMES WE MARK PEOPLE OFF AS NO-GOOD; BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT RELATIVE YOU LOVE DEARLY WHO IS AWAY FROM THE LORD? OR WHO IS GOING THROUGH THE MOST HORRIBLE TIME IN THEIR LIFE? DO YOU MARK THEM OFF? NO! YOU TRY TO HELP THEM. YOU PRAY FOR THEM, AND HOPE THEY WILL GET HELP OR CHANGE.
WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THEM TO CHANGE. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WORTHLESS SOUL WE THINK IS USELESS TO THE LORD, OR EVEN ONE WHO HAS HURT YOUR FAMILY TO THE PLACE THAT YOU WISH THEY WERE DEAD? WHAT ABOUT THEM?
JUST AS GOD FORGIVES US, WE HAVE TO FORGIVE THEM BEFORE BITTERNESS SETS IN AND MANY ARE DEFILED (HEBREWS 2:15).
HOW WE ACT AFFECTS THOSE WATCHING OUR LIVES.
AS WE APPROACH THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD, WE NEED TO BE MUCH IN PRAYER CONCERNING THAT PERSON IN OUR FAMILY WHO CAUSES THE MOST TROUBLE, AS OUR FAMILIES COME TOGETHER.
MANY TIMES THEY ARE FEARING THEMSELVES, HOPING THEY DON’T SAY THE WRONG THING, AND WISHING THEY WERE DEAD, SO THEY WON’T EVEN BE IN THE PLACE TO CAUSE TROUBLE.
THEY SOMETIMES ARE DEALING WITH THEIR OWN SECRET PAIN AND WE JUST SEE THEM AS A BIG PROBLEM WE WISH WOULD JUST RESIGN FROM THE FAMILY OR GO AWAY.
FAMILY GATHERINGS SHOULD BE A TIMES OF PEACE AND JOY. SO WHAT DOES A PERSON DO WHO DREADS FACING THAT PERSON WE DISLIKE SO MUCH? WE ARE ALL AFFECTED!
SEARCH YOUR HEART. MAYBE YOU ARE THE ONE WHO CAUSES THE PROBLEM BY YOUR UNBELIEF, YOUR LACK OF TRUST THAT GOD CAN HANDLE ALL OF THIS, AND YOU BEGIN SPREADING YOUR CONCERNS THROUGH-OUT THE FAMILY.
EVENTUALLY, A FIRE IS STARTED, AND ALL ARE CONCERNED, AND EVEN DREAD THE GATHERING. THIS SHOULD BE A TIME OF LOVE AND HEALING.
BEGIN NOW. PRAY FOR THAT PERSON YOU DISLIKE.
THEY COULD BE THAT SMOKING FLAX JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT HERE, …AND THE SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH…
IF JUDGMENT COMES UPON A PERSON, GOD IS THE ONE WHO WILL DO IT. NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY, THEY STILL HAVE SOMETHING IN THEM THAT GOD LOVES. THERE MAY NOT BE A FIRE THERE, BUT THERE IS STILL SMOKE THAT REPRESENTS THERE COULD BE A FIRE IF YOU PRAY FOR THEM; AND GOD, IN TURN, KINDLES THAT FIRE, AND MAKES THEM INTO WHAT HE WANTS THEM TO BE.
JAMES 3:8,9a,10,19,25 –
…AND IF YE FULFILL THE ROYAL LAW ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF, YE DO WELL:
BUT IF YOU HAVE RESPECT OF PERSONS, YE COMMIT SIN…
FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.
WHEREFORE, MY BELOVED, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH:
FOR THE WRATH OF MAN WORKETH NOT (DOES NOT PRODUCE) THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.
BUT WHOSO LOOKETH INTO THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, AND CONTINUETH (OR LIVES) THEREIN, HE BEING NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER, BUT A DOER OF THE WORK, THIS MAN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIS DEED.
JESUS DIED FOR THAT PERSON YOU DISLIKE SO MUCH.
NO MATTER HOW WORTHLESS OR USELESS IN THE WORLD’S SIGHT, EVERY PERSON IS IMPORTANT AND WORTHWHILE TO GOD.
ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU THE ROOT OF THEIR PROBLEM. TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM, EVEN IF THEY ARE DEAD WRONG ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL. DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DOING, BUT PRAY THEY WILL SEE THEM THROUGH GOD’S EYES LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO DO.
MATTHEW 12:9-20 – AND WHEN HE WAS DEPARTED THENCE, HE WENT INTO THEIR SYNAGOGUE:
AND, BEHOLD, THERE WAS A MAN WHICH HAD HIS HAND WITHERED. AND THEY ASKED HIM, SAYING, IS IT LAWFUL TO HEAL ON THE SABBATH DAYS? THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM.
AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHAT MAN SHALL THERE BE AMONG YOU, THAT SHALL HAVE ONE SHEEP, AND IF IT FALL INTO A PIT ON THE SABBATH DAY, WILL HE NOT LAY HOLD ON HIM, AND LIFT HIM OUT?
HOW MUCH THEN IS A MAN BETTER THAN A SHEEP? WHEREFORE IT IS LAWFUL TO DO GOOD ON THE SABBATH DAYS.
THEN SAYETH HE TO THE MAN, STRETCH FORTH THINE HAND. AND HE STRETCHED IT FORTH AND IT WAS WHOLE, LIKE THE OTHER.
THEN THEN PHARISEES WENT OUT AND HELD COUNCIL AGAINST HIM, HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM.
BUT WHEN HE KNEW IT, HE WITHDREW HIMSELF FROM THENCE: AND GREAT MULTITUDES FOLLOWED HIM, AND HE HEALED THEM ALL;
AND CHARGED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE HIM KNOWN:
THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,
BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BLOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED: I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW JUDGMENT TO THE GENTILES.
HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND A SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUEINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.
HERE WE SEE BRUISED REED MENTIONED AGAIN WHERE JESUS QUOTES FROM ISAIAH 42:3.
JESUS IS SO GENTLE THAT HE WILL NOT BREAK A BRUISED REED, NOR QUENCH SMOKING FLAX. WHAT OTHERS WOULD TREAD UPON OR CAST INTO THE FIRE, HE WILL STOOP AND PICK UP AND SAVE; WHAT OTHERS WILL CRUSH AND QUENCH IT’S DYING SMOKE, AS THE REMNANT OF A TAPER, HE WILL NOT QUENCH; BUT WHERE THERE IS LIFE, HE WILL GIVE LIGHT, AND WHILE THERE IS LIGHT HE WILL SUSTAIN IT. HIS TREATMENT OF THE BELIEVER WHO IS THE WEAKEST, AND, SO TO SPEAK, LEAST ALIVE, IS MARKED BY LONGSUFFERING AND GENTLENESS.
WHEN THE MAN CAME INTO THE TEMPLE WITH THE WITHERED HAND, JESUS KNEW IF HE HEALED HIM ON THE SABBATH DAY, HE WOULD BE CRITICISED BY THOSE, HIS ENEMIES, WHO WERE JUST WAITING TO TRAP HIM.
JESUS KNEW WHAT HIS ENEMIES WOULD DO, BUT HE HEALED THE WITHERED HAND ANYWAY.
IF ONE PERSON ACTS LIKE JESUS AT YOUR FAMILY GATHERING THIS YEAR, IT WILL INFLUENCE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME, BUT IF THAT REBELLIOUS PERSON WHO CAN’T FORGIVE, STARTS SOMETHING, DO LIKE JESUS DID, DON’T EVEN TRY TO DEFEND YOURSELF. LET THEM SAY WHAT THEY WILL, AND GET BUSY IN ANOTHER ROOM. SOMETIMES SILENCE BRINGS CONVICTION. NO ONE CAN HAVE A HOT ARGUMENT WITH THEMSELVES ALONE.THEY WILL LOOK FOOLISH!!!
IF ANYONE KEEPS LOOKING STEADILY INTO GOD’S LAW FOR FREE MEN, HE WILL NOT ONLY REMEMBER IT BUT WILL DO WHAT IT SAYS, AND GOD WILL GREATLY BLESS HIM IN EVERYTHING HE DOES. (JAMES 1:25 LB).
MERRY CHRISTMAS!I HOPE THIS WILL BE YOUR BEST EVER. MAY THE SAVIOR LEAD YOU AND ME THROUGHOUT THE THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL OF LIFE.
WAIT
THERE IS MUCH ABOUT “WAITING” IN THE SCRIPTURES.—-MOSTLY ABOUT WAITING ON GOD. OUR MANNER OR METHOD OF WAITING IS AS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AS THE BLESSINGS ATTACHED. TOGETHER WE WILL STUDY SOME OF THESE. THE TITLE OF TODAY’S MESSAGE IS “WAIT”.
OUR SCRIPTURE READING IS FOUND IN ISAIAH 40:29-31, AND VARIOUS VERSES OF THE PSALMS.
WHEN WE THINK OF WAITING, IN THE NATURAL, IT “GOES-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN”. NONE OF US LIKE THAT WORD. WE ARE SO USED TO FAST FOODS AND QUICK SERVICES. —-WE MOVE QUICKER AND FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME! SO, SOMETHING IS WRONG. WHAT IS IT?
IS IT JUST THE WAY IT IS? OR IS IT OUR FAULT?
IF YOU’RE LIKE ME (AND I ASSUME MOST ARE), IF YOU HAVE ANY EXTRA TIME AT ALL, YOU FEEL GUILTY NOT TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING WORTHWHILE, SO YOU FIND SOMETHING TO DO. BUT IT’S NOT JUST THE NATURAL MAN THAT SUFFERS IN THIS BUSY LIFE. IT’S OUR RELATIONSHIPS: WITH GOD; WITH FAMILY; AND WITH FRIENDS.
WHEN WE GROW OLDER AND WEAR-OUT OUR BODIES IN THIS FAST “GET-IT-DONE” SOCIETY, WE WILL HAVE TO SIT A LOT, AND DO SOMETHING WITH OUR HANDS: BECAUSE WE HAVE ABUSED OUR BODIES WITH “GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE NOW! ALL OF IT!”
DON’T GET ME WRONG, I KNOW SOME ARE SLOTHFUL AND NEVER GET ANYTHING FINISHED. I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE. BUT MY MESSAGE TODAY IN NOT JUST CONCERNING TAKING SOME TIME TO REST OUR BODIES AND MINDS, BUT WAITING ON GOD: RESTING IN HIM.
ISAIAH 40:31 – THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES, THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.
IF THERE’S A WAY TO RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. WELL LOOK AT THE PRECEEDING VERSES (29,30) – HE (GOD) GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT; AND THEM THAT HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASETH STRENGTH. EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY, AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL.
SO IT IS, THAT GOD IS WHERE WE GET OUR STRENGTH.
LIFTING WEIGHTS AND EXERCISING IS GOOD TO STRENGTHEN OUR MUSCLES, BOT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US STRENGTH IN OUR BODIES, AND PEACE OF MIND, AT THE SAME TIME. THE LACK OF PEACE AND HOPE, CAN MAKE THE STRONGEST WEARY.
MANY HAVE GREAT PLANS, IMPORTANT PLANS, BUT IF THEY DON’T WAIT ON GOD TO LEAD, THAY JUST RUN IN CIRCLES AND NEVER GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED.
ISAIAH 40:31 (AMPLIFIED) – BUT THOSE WHO WAIT FOR THE LORD (WHO EXPECT, LOOK FOR, AND HOPE IN HIM) SHALL CHANGE AND RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND POWER; THEY SHALL LIFT THEIR WINGS AND MOUNT UP (CLOSE TO GOD) AS EAGLES (MOUNT UP TO THE SUN); WALK AND NOT FAINT OR BECOME TIRED.
THIS IS A VERY FAMILIAR VERSE WITH MOST PEOPLE, BUT DO WE REALLY COMPREHEND IT’S CONTENT, –IT’S MEANING?
THE LORD’S STRENGTH IS A STRENGTH UNFAILING. HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT—-HE INCREASES STRENGTH. HE WHO IS NEVER WEARY STRENGTHENS THOSE WHO ARE TIRED, AND UPON HIM, THAT IS OF NO MIGHT, HE LAVISHES POWER.
THOUGH AGE AND VIGOR BE AT THEIR PRIME, EVEN YOUTHS AND YOUNG MEN FALL (V.30). NATURAL STRENGTH AT IT’S BEST CAN BE EXAUSTED, BUT NOT THE SUPERNATURAL. THEREFORE, THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD IN THE EXPECTANCY OF FAITH, RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE; THE EARTHLY; AND FIND GRACE FOR DOGGED PERSISTENCE.
“FOR THE FAITHFUL, THERE IS NO FAILURE; AND FAITH KNOWS NO WEARINESS.”
IN VERSES 28-29, WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF “STRENGTH FOR HOLY LIVING”. GOD PROVIDES STRENGTH; STRENGTH IS RENEWED BY WAITING ON THE LORD; AND GOD ADJUSTS THE SUPPLY OF STRENGTH TO THE PRESENT NEED.
ISAIAH 64:4 – FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD MEN HAVE NOT HEARD, NOR PERCEIVED BY THE EAR, NEITHER HATH THE EYE SEEN, O GOD, BESIDE THEE, WHAT HE HATH PREPARED FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM.
HE HAS TO BE WAITED FOR. IT IS QUITE TRUE OF HIM THAT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING FOR US; BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT HE IS OFTEN A LONG TIME IN THE WORKING OUT OF HIS PURPOSES.—-BUT HARDLY NEVER HAPPENS OVER-NIGHT.
THEN, BECAUSE MAN CANNOT GET WHAT THEY WANT DONE QUICKLY, THEY FOOLISHLY BEGIN TO THINK GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT DO IT FOR THEM, THEY FAIL TO SEE GOD’S GOODNESS. SO THE POINT OF IMPRESSION MAY BE: THAT IN ALL THE REVIEWS WE CAN TAKE OF THE PAST: —-GOD HAS SURELY BROUGHT TO PASS GOOD THINGS; EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN LONG IN THE WORKING, IT IS A MATTER OF TRUSTING HIM, TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.
THAT IS HARD FOR US TO COMPREHEND, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND US, HAVE PROMISED US THINGS THAT NEVER COME TO PASS, EVEN THOUGH WE WAITED AND WAITED FOR THEM.
ONE SAD EXAMPLE IS, AND ORPHAN WHOSE PARENTS PROMISED TO COME SEE THEM AND TAKE THEM OFF FOR THE DAY. – I KNOW A LITTLE GIRL WHO SAT ALL DAY ON THE ORPHANAGE STEPS, WITH HER LITTLE PURSE, WAITING FOR THAT PARENT WHO NEVER CAME.
IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO THINK ON A REALM LIKE THIS, THAT WAS A NEGATIVE REALITY—-BUT WE HAVE PROMISES FROM OUR GOD THAT HAVE ALREADY COME TO PASS FOR US; BU WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE MANIFESTATION.
WHAT A LONG TIME OF WAITING AND PREPARATION BEFORE GOD MANIFESTED HIS SON; BUT …IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME…JESUS CAME, TO SAVE THE WORLD.
WE ARE NOW, WAITNG FOR HIS RETURN. WHILE WE ARE WAITING, LET US ALL REMEMBER, THAT WHEN WE SEE JESUS EARTH’S TRIALS WILL SEEM SO SMALL. ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS DEAR FACE, ALL GLORY WILL ERASE. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL, WHEN WE SEE CHRIST.
LUKE 12:36,37 – AND YE YOURSELVES LIKE UNTO MEN THAT WAIT FOR THEIR LORD, WHEN HE WILL RETURN FROM THE WEDDING; THAT WHEN HE COMETH AND KNOCKETH, THEY MAY OPEN UNTO HIM IMMEDIATELY.
BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING: VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE WILL GIRD HIMSELF, AND MAKE THEM TO SIT DOWN TO MEAT, AND WILL COME FORTH AND SERVE THEM.
MOVER AND SHAKERS
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
My husband has a name for those who get things done. He calls them “Movers and Shakers.” These are people who know what they have to do, and do it. Many are still waiting for lightening to strike, to get them going. I see those who wait for somebody to tell them what to do.
On the other hand, there are those who are always busy. These are the one’s you know you can depend on when the going gets rough.
These are the one’s, that can do just a little bit more when asked.
If you want somebody to do something, ask someone who is already doing something
Keep in mind, I am not criticizing those who move slow; it happens to be my nature too. A slow mover can move slow, but not be slow to move. This kind of mover can still be going at the end of the day, when the fast mover has run out of steam. We all know, though, some are just lazy. These are the one’s, who watch while someone else is doing it.
I never liked watching, I always wanted to get my hands into it.
Are you like that? Sometimes, people see this as taking over, but at least were doing something. The other evening, I was listening to a train horn blow near my home, I said to the Lord, “That train sounds so lonely.” The Lord answered me this way, “Well, it’s going somewhere, and it’s doing something”.
Turn with me to Mark 1starting with verse 16:
Today, we are going to be studying about some movers and shakers in the New Testament.
Now as He (meaning Jesus) walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway, they forsook their nets, and followed Him.
And straightway they forsook their nets…. Straightway is defined as immediately.
I can almost see them now, Simon and Andrew, busy, casting their nets into the sea for a catch. —- Jesus, who had just come out of His forty days of fasting and being tempted of the devil, in the wilderness, was on a mission, to collect some of the most rugged men, to follow Him, to be His companions for three years.
I don’t recall Jesus calling any who were not already doing something.
You might ask, “When is God going to call me, or give me something to do?”
My answer is, when you bloom where you are planted!
There is much to do in the kingdom of God. Get busy, take the initiative, find something to do. Ask.
Simon and Andrew were quick to respond. They left what they were doing, and followed Jesus, but not until they received the call, did they leave their business behind. Jesus had a plan for their lives and when the call came, they went, but they still had to be taught how to minister.
God has a plan for your life, but you need to stay busy, and seek Him daily, to find your intended place of service, your destiny.
In verse 17, Jesus said, … Come ye after Me….
Don’t take off and try to do it yourself; but …follow Me…and I will make you to become fishers of men. (I will shape you into, I will do construction on you, until you are fishers of men.)
I will teach you, and train you, I will spend time with you, and give you an opportunity to watch how I do it, and I will allow you “On-Hands experience”.
What would it be like if they decided to “go it on their own without the proper training? I can see them now—- Trying to do it by themselves: running here and there, exhausted, without much success.
Verse 19 —- And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were on the ship mending their nets.
James and John, had already pulled in their catch for the day, and were mending them, when Jesus arrived.
Verse 20 —- And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with hired servants, and went after Him.
There’s that straightway word again, which means immediately.
And immediately He called them.
Jesus knew, through fasting, and spending time with the Father, what His Father had instructed Him to do, and He wasted no time.
Jesus called His disciples immediately, and they responded immediately.
They must have said, “Dad, we’re out of this kind of fishing business; here are some men to help you. We know what our purpose is. We must follow Jesus.”
Now look at verse 21 —- And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Jesus had a ministry of His own, but He went to Church, He and His four disciples or learners went with Him.
Verse 22 —- And they were astonished at His doctrine (or teachings): for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
They were amazed at the knowledge of Jesus and His authority, and we know the anointing makes the difference, but what was
Mark talking about when he
wrote…not as the scribes…? There were several things that caused His teaching to differ from that of the scribes. There was no lack of self-assertion or self-assurance in their teaching; but their words did not carry weight. Their teaching was based chiefly on tradition; but neglected judgment and mercy and faith. Christ’s teaching, on the contrary, was eminently or completely spiritual. Also, He practiced what He taught, unlike the scribes. They had religion, Jesus Had relationship with the Father.
Verse 23 —- And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Now, this was big-time. I can see these four new disciples, standing their amazed when this unclean spirit, who was the “strongman”, began to scream out.
Verse 24 —- Saying,… (now the demons are talking)…Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God.
The strong-man, this unclean spirit, is the leader of the demons in this man. In verse 23 we read …an unclean spirit…singular; and then we read in verse 24, …Let us alone…plural, This proves
It shows the immediate effect of our Lord’s preaching. This man was possessed by these demons, and the anointing of our Lord caused the demons to manifest in His presence.
In real truth, the preaching of Jesus has already thrown the whole world of evil spirits into a state of excitement and alarm.
The powers of darkness are beginning to tremble. They feel that One greater than Satan has appeared, and they ask, …What have we to do with Thee?…Why are You trying to drive us out of our possession? We have a right to take possession of sinners.
Verse 25 —- And Jesus rebuked Him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Jesus didn’t toy with these demons like so many think they should now, He just told it to shut-up and get out of there.
This demon was fearful, but defiant.
Look at the next verse, verse 26 —- And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
He didn’t want to come out, but he had no choice, he had met a power stronger than his; much stronger;, no comparison; he had to come out, and he came out screaming. It no longer had control of this mans vocal cords; no longer could the demon talk.
Verse 27 —- And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.
They were actually saying, What is this new revelation?”
This gave more indication, or a sign, that this must be the promised Messiah, the true God; for He alone by His power could rule the evil spirits.
I believe, this is what they were discussing among themselves.
Verse 28 —- And immediately His fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
We could go on in this Chapter, in verse 31, where Jesus took Simon’s mother-in-law by the hand, lifts her up, and immediately the fever left her.
What follows is, healings and deliverance’s, every where He appears.
I read in a commentary, there are approximately 10 times where straightway or immediately is found in this first Chapter of Mark, but the most important event or outcome, is that we get a new revelation of what Jesus was like. There is no way we can know it all, but we can learn as we study and follow our Savior.
Until next week.
FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART II
IN CONTINUING, “FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART I”, I FIND MYSELF STILL IN A PRISON, BUT THIS IS A STATE INSTITUTION CALLED PERRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, INSTEAD OF FEDERAL.
A GOOD FRIEND, WHO WAS ONCE AN “ACQUAINTANCE IN CRIME”, ZEB OSBORNE, WAS ON THE YARD AS A PRISON MINISTER, AND WE STARTED TALKING OLD TIMES AND OUR PAST.
I NOTICED SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT HIM. HE NEVER MENTIONED HE HAD GOTTEN SAVED, OR THAT I WAS ON MY WAY TO HELL.
I THOUGHT HE HAD A POSITION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, SO I ASKED HIM TO HELP ME GET TRANSFERRD TO A BETTER INSTITUTION. HE DID, AND I WAS TRANSFERRED TO DUTCHMAN, AND THEN TO GOODMAN WHICH WAS AND IS A MEDIUM SECURITY INSTITUTION.
I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT THE TIME, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DRAWING ME INTO THE CHURCH SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS. ON MARCH THE 12TH, 1986, LIBERTY MINISTRIES CAME TO STEVENSON INSTITUTION FOR A CHURCH SERVICE THAT NIGHT.
I RODE IN THE PRISON TO STEVENSON CHURCH SERVICE MANY TIMES. WHEN THE ALTER CALL WAS MADE, I WOULD WANT TO GO DOWN TO THE ALTER, BUT MY HANDS WOULDN’T LET ME TURN LOOSE OF THE PEW IN FRONT OF ME. BUT THIS NIGHT, I LET GO, AND GAVE MY HEART TO JESUS.
WHEN I DID, THERE WAS DEFFINATELY A CHANGE IN MY LIFE. THE LORD PUT A HUNGER FOR HIS WORD IN MY HEART. WHEN I RETURNED BACK TO GOODMAN, AFTER THE SERVICE, I TOOK A PAPERBACK BOOK AND STUCK IT IN THE BLINDS TO CAUSE AN OPENING IN THE WINDOW FOR THE STREET LIGHT TO SHINE THROUGH. THIS WAS SO I COULD READ MY BIBLE. I READ MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN AND A PORTION OF ACTS.
SOMEHOW, I KNEW GOD HAD MORE FOR ME.
WHEN I WENT BACK TO CHURCH, MARCH THE 21ST, LIBERTY MINISTRIES WAS THERE AGAIN. PASTOR ROY PORTER JUST HAPPENED TO BE PREACHING ON THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST, AND I RECEIVED THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST THAT NIGHT. AND I TELL YOU, LIFE DON’T GET ANY BETTER THAN BEING SAVED AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY GJOST.
THINGS REALLY STARTED CHANGING IN MY LIFE. I WAS GOING UP FOR PAROLE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, SO I PRAYED ABOUT IT. MY FRIEND ZEB OSBORNE, SPOKE ON MY BEHALF AT THE PAROLE HEARING. THEY TOLD HIM HE WOULD NOT BE MAKING PAROLE. SO HE CAME OUT AND TOLD ME THAT NEWS, AND I TOLD HIM, “I DON’T ACCEPT THAT.” THEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GOD BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD. I ANSWERED THEIR QUESTIONS. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY GAVE ME MY PAROLE!!!
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS WAS NOT MY FIRST TIME TO ASK THE LORD IN MY HEART: I WAS WAITING A NEW TRIAL FOR BANK ROBBERY, WHILE I WAS IN JAIL. I WAS READING THE BIBLE, OCCASIONALLY. THERE WERE NO PREACHERS COMING IN, SO I MOSTLY JUST READ. I THOUGHT I HAD GIVEN MY LIFE TO THE LORD, BUT IT WAS LIKE ALL THE TIMES I ASKED THE LORD TO HELP ME, AND I’D NEVER DO IT AGAIN, BUT I DID DO IT AGAIN.
I WAS JUST WANTING HIM TO HELP ME OUT OF A SITUATION.
IT’S WHAT YOU HEAR ABOUT A LOT, “JAILHOUSE SALVATION.” IT DOESN’T STICK. YOU ARE STILL ON YOUR WAY TO HELL, I’M SORRY TO SAY.
BUT IT HAS TO BE THE REAL DEAL.
WHEN I GOT OUT OF PRISON, GOD REALLY STARTED MOVING I MY LIFE. SOMEONE WAS PAYING FOR MY COLLEGE TUITION AT ERSKINE THEOLOGICAL SIMINARY. I WENT ONE SEMESTER AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD EXPELLED ANOTHER STUDENT WHO WAS WORKING ON HIS MINISTRY LISCENSE FOR PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST, AND I KNEW IT WASN’T THE PLACE FOR ME TO BE, SO I LEFT.
I WAS AT HOME ON MY KNEES PRAYING AND WORSHIPPING AND ASKING GOD TO SEND A COMPANION IN MY LIFE. I HAD NOR MORE THAT GOT THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH, THAN I HEARD A KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR. IT WAS MY EXWIFE. WE HAD BEEN DIVORCED 14 YEARS. SHE WAS SAVED, AND LIVING FOR THE LORD. WE SHORTLY REMARRIED. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I WAS PRAYING AND ASKED THE LORD FOR A SON: THREE WEEKS LATER I FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT. IN ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS, I FOUND OUT IT WAS A BOY. GOD IS GOOD.
GOD PLACED ME IN A MINISTRY OF GOING BACK INTO THE PRISONS TO MINISTER TO THE INMATES OF ALL AGES.
GOD HAS TAKEN ME TO PLACES I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD GO. I HAVE MINISTED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. WHAT A JOY IT HAS BEEN TO SEE PEOPLE GET SAVED AND HEALED.
I HAVE A TRIP COMING UP JANUARY 2011 TO GO BACK TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. I NEED YOUR PRAYERS.
I AM OPEN TO GO INTO PRISONS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER COUNTRIES AS THE LORD LEADS AND PROVIDES.
O HOW WONDERFUL IT IS FOR YOU IF JESUS IS IN YOUR HEART!! AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW JESUS, YOU CAN ASK HIM TO COME INTO YOUR HEART AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE. REALLY MEAN IT AND HE WILL COME IN. IT WOULD BE THE GREATEST THING YOU COULD EVER DO.
FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART I
THIS IS AN UNUSUAL TITLE FOR A TESTIMONY, BUT I’VE LIVED AN UNUSUAL LIFE.
MY NAME IS CHARLES SELLERS, FORMALLY KNOWN AS C.A. SELLERS.
BEING A SHARECROPPER’S SON, AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT A SHARECROPER IS, IT IS TAKING CARE OF ANOTHER PERSON’S LAND. YOU CAN LIVE THERE AND PLANT FOOD ON THAT PROPERTY.
IN OTHER WORDS, MY FAMILY WAS POVERTY STRICKEN.
MY DAD LEFT MY MOM WITH 6 CHILDREN, WHEN I WAS 4 YEARS OLD. SO ME AND MY SIBLINGS HAD NOTHING. WE HAD NO CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, NO BIRTHDAY PARTIES; NOTHING NORMAL CHILDREN ENJOYED. EVEN OUR CLOTHES WERE HAND-ME-DOWNS.
IT WASN’T MY MOM’S FAULT, IT WASN’T MY FAULT; IT’S JUST THE WAY IT WAS.
PROBABLY, IF THERE WAS ANYONE TO BLAME, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY DAD.
BUT THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY WITHIN ITSELF.
MY DAD DIED WHEN I WAS 9 YEARS OLD. MY MOM HAD HIS BODY BROUGHT HOME. WHILE HE LAID IN HIS COFFIN IN OUR LIVING ROOM, I WAS AT MY FRIEND’S HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, AND STOLE SOME MONEY THAT WAS LAYING ON HIS AUNT’S DRESSER.
AT THAT MOMENT, I STARTED A LIFE OF STEALING.
OVER THE YEARS, I’VE STOLEN EVERYTHING FROM BICYCLES TO ROBBING BANKS. I SPENT MOST OF MY LIFE LOCKED UP.
I’VE DONE TIME IN 8 FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS. SOME, LIKE TERR HUNTA, ATLANTA FEDERAL PENN., LEWISBURG FEDERAL PENN., ASHLAND KENTUCKY CORRECTIONAL INST., PETERSBURG VIRGINIA FEDERAL FORMITORY, TALAHASSIE (FLORIDA) CORRECTIONAL INST., LOUIVILLE KENTUCKY CORRECTIONAL INST.
ALSO, I’VE DONE TIME IN 7 STATE INSTITUTIONS, STARTING AT HOMESVIEW TO PERRY CORRECTIONAL INST., AND SEVERAL MORE.
I REMEMBER AND INCIDENT WHEN I BROKE IN A SCHOOL AND THE POLICE SHOWED UP. I CLIMBED OUT A WINDOW, AND WAS RUNNING ACROSS THE ROOF. THE ROOF RAN OUT AND I DROPPED DOWN 2 STORIES TO THE GROUND, ROLLED, AND KEPT ON RUNNING. FOR THIS ONE, I NEVER GOT CAUGHT.
BY LOOKING OVER THIS EVENT AND MANY MORE IN MY LIFE, I NOW REALIZE, GOD HAD HIS HAND ON ME.
I’VE BEEN SHOT; I WOKE-UP OUT OF A THREE DAY COMA BY FOOD POISONING, AND FOUND MY LIVE-IN GIRL FRIEND WAS DEAD. THE DOCTORS SAID IT WAS NATURAL CAUSES, BUT I BELIEVE SHE ALSO HAD FOOD POISONING.
AS MY LIFE PROGRESSED, I FOUND MYSELF DOING THINGS I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER DO: LIKE SHOOTING DRUGS IN MY VEINS, UNTIL I DESTROYED EVERY VISIBLE VEIN IN MY BODY; AND TAKING UP A GUN AND ROBBING BANKS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. THIS WAS A LONG WAY FROM STEALING BICYCLES AS A CHILD.
I GUESS YOU COULD SAY I WAS NOW IN THE BIG TIME: SELLING DRUGS, ROBBING BANKS, BUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS LIFE STYLE TOOK ME FURTHER THAN I WANTED OR PLANNED TO GO, AND COST ME MORE THAT I WANTED TO PAY. YOU SEE, THE COST WAS MY FREEDOM, THE SUFFERING OF MY FAMILY, AND ALWAYS LOOSING EVERYTHING AGAIN AND AGAIN, AS I WOULD REPEATEDLY GET ARRESTED AND CONVICTED, AND SENT BACK TO PRISON.
A LIFE IN PRISON WASN’T EASY. WHEN I STARTED OUT IN REFORM SCHOOL, I HAD TO DIG 10 FOOT DITCHES, 18 INCHES WIDE, WITH A 10 FOOT SHOVEL. I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVE NEVER SEEN A 10 FOOT SHOVEL, BUT BELIEVE ME THEY HAD THEM.
I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AT THIS TIME.
WHEN I TURNED 15, I WAS SENT TO THE NATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON DC. BELIEVE ME, THIS PLACE WAS “HELL”. I WAS IN A FIGHT ALMOST EVERY DAY. WHEN THEY WOULD PUT ME IN LOCK-UP, THEY WOULD STRIP ME OF ALL MY CLOTHES, AND PUT ME IN A SMALL TILED ROOM. THE TEMPERATURE IN THE ROOM WAS THE SAME AS IT WAS OUTSIDE. SO CAN YOU IMAGINE DECEMBER AND JANUARY? HOW COLD IT GETS IN DC?
I COULDN’T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS PLACE, SO I PLANNED MY ESCAPE AND CARRIED THROUGH WITH IT. AS I CLIMBED THE FENCE SURROUNDING THE INSTITUTION, THEN BARBED WIRE BROKE AT THE TOP OF THE FENCE, AND I FEEL 10 FEET, AND JUST KNEW I WAS GOING TO GET CAUGHT, BUT NO ONE SAW ME BREAK OUT OF LINE GOING BACK TO THE DORM FROM THE GYM.
WE WERE SURROUNDED BY GUARDS. IT WAS AT NIGHT, BUT NOBODY SAW ME.
I MADE MY WAY TO A RAILROAD TRACK, AND THERE WAS A SLOW MOVING TRAIN. I JUST KNEW IT WOULD TAKE ME A LONG WAY FROM WHERE I WAS AT. I DIDN’T CARE WHERE IT WAS GOING AS LONG AS IT WOULD TAKE ME AWAY FROM THERE. WELL I JUMPED IN THE OPEN DOOR OF THE BOXCAR, AND THE TRAIN KEPT ROLLING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES; IT STOPPED, AND HERE CAME A TOW MOTOR IN THE BOXCAR I WAS IN, TAKING OUT PALLETS OF FREIGHT. I GOT OUT OF YTHE BOXCAR AND FOUND MYSELF IN DOWN TOWN DC.
TO SHORTEN THIS, I MADE IT BACK TO SOUTH CAROLINA, WENT TO CALIFORNIA, CAME BACK TO SC AND GOT CAUGHT. I WAS OUT FOR 2 MONTHS, AND THEY PUT ME BACK IN THE STRIPP-CELL AGAIN, NAKED. THEY THEN TRANSFERRED ME TO ASHLAND KENTUCKY.
THIS IS NOT THE END OF MY STORY: BUT HOW I CAME TO THE LORD, AND WHERE I AM NOW WILL BE IN “FROM PRISON TO THE PULPIT PART II”, COMING UP NEXT.
