Posts Tagged ‘short messages’

God anointed Elisha with a double portion of the anointing that Elijah had. This was God’s seal of approval on Elisha’s life. But before God anointed him thus, he had been tested.

As in the case of all true servants of God, Elisha too was called to the ministry while he was faithfully doing his secular duties.

“Elijah found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him.”(1 Kings 19:19).

Thereafter, Elisha spent many years doing menial jobs for the prophet Elijah. He was known as the one “who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”(2 Kings 3:11b).

He did not seek great things for himself, but God had great plans for that young man.

Before Elijah went up to heaven, Elisha had to be tested. And so Elijah told Elisha to stay on in Gilgal, while he himself went on to Bethel. Elisha refused to stay back and was determined to go with Elijah. At Bethel, Elijah again tried to shake off Elisha by saying that he had to go to Jericho; but Elisha stuck on like a leech. Finally, at Jericho, Elisha was tested once more in a similar way. Again, Elisha passed the test of persistence and accompanied Elijah to Jordan. It was thus that he got the double portion of the anointing – God’s best for his life (2 Ki.2:1-14).

What is the message here for us? There are various stages in our spiritual development at which God tests us to see whether we are satisfied with what we have already received or whether we will press on to God’s highest.

Gilgal stands for the place where our sins are forgiven.

“The Lord said to Joshua, `Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.”(Josh. 5:8-9).

Many Christians get thus far and stop there.

Some press on till Bethel (meaning ‘the house of God’) – which stands for fellowship with believers in the family of God.

“And Jacob called the name of that place Bethel. Then Jacob said, `This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house.’” (Gen. 28:19,22).

Some stop here.

But a few go still further to Jericho – which stands for the manifestation of the supernatural power of God.

“The people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat… and they took the city (of Jericho).”(Josh. 6:20).

This is as far as most Christians ever go.

Very, very few go all the way to Jordan – which stands for identification with Christ in His death, as symbolized in baptism.

“Then Jesus arrived at the Jordan, coming to John, to be baptized by him.”(Mt. 3:13).

Very, very few are willing to walk the way of the cross – “the new and living way that Jesus has inaugurated for us through His flesh.” (Heb. 10:20).

But it is these few, who are wholehearted enough to press on to total death to self, who receive the double portion – God’s best.

All of us are being tested today, as to what stage we will stop at.

He who has ears to hear let him hear.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.

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There was a school with a class of students no teacher had been able to handle. Two or three teachers had been run off from this school in one year by the unruly students.

A young man, just out of college, heard about the class and he applied to the school. The principal asked the young man, “Do you not know what you are asking for?

No one has been able to handle these students. You are just asking for a terrible beating.”

After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said, “Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge. Just give me a trial basis.”

The next morning the young man stood before the class. He said to the class, “Young people, I came here today to conduct school. But I realize I can’t do it by myself. I must have your help.” One big boy, they called Big Tom, in the back of the room whispered to his buddies, “I’ll not need any help. I can lick that little bird all by myself.”

The young teacher told the class that if they were to have school, there will have to be some rules to go by. But he also added that he will allow the students to make up the rules, that he would list them on the blackboard.

This was certainly different, the students thought!

One young man suggested “NO STEALING.”

Another one shouted “BE ON TIME FOR CLASS.” Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board.

The teacher had then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rules. “Rules are no good unless they are enforced,” he said.

Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that was pretty harsh, so he asked the class if they would stand by this punishment. The class agreed.

Everything went pretty good for two or three days. Then Big Tom came in one day very upset. He declared that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students, they came to the conclusion that little Timmy had stolen Big Tom’s lunch. Someone had seen little Timmy with Big Tom’s lunch!

The teacher called little Timmy up to the front of the room. Little Timmy admitted he had taken Big Tom’s lunch. So the teacher asked him, “Do you know the punishment? Little Timmy nodded that he did.

“You must remove your coat, then,” the teacher instructed. The little fellow had come with a great big coat on. Little Timmy said to the teacher, “I am guilty and I am willing to take my punishment, but please don’t make me take off my coat.”

The teacher reminded little Timmy of the rules and punishments and again told him he must remove his coat and take his punishment like a man.

The little fellow started to unbutton that old coat. As he did so, the teacher saw he did not have a shirt on under the coat. And even worse, he saw a frail and bony frame hidden beneath that coat. The teacher asked little Timmy why he had come to school without a shirt on.

Little Timmy replied, “My daddy’s dead and my Mother is very poor. I don’t have but one shirt, and my mother is washing it today. I wore big brother’s coat so’ to keep warm.”

That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back the ribs sticking out, the spine protruding against the skin. He wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back and without even a shirt on. Still, he knew he must enforce the punishment or the children would not obey the rules. So he drew back to strike little Timmy. Just then Big Tom stood up and came down the aisle. He asked, “Is there anything that says I can’t take little Timmy’s whipping for him?”

The teacher thought about it and agreed. With that Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped and stood over little Timmy at the desk. Hesitatingly the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange reason, after only five licks that old rod just broke in half. The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob.

He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room. Little Timmy had turned and grabbed Big Tom around the neck, apologizing to him for stealing his lunch, begging his forgiveness. Little Timmy begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would love him till the day he died for taking his whipping for him.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus took our whipping for us, that He shed His precious blood on Calvary so that you and I can have eternal life in Glory with Him? We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren’t you glad He loves us that much?

Most people’s troubles come from too much time on their hands and not enough on their knees…

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God’s Plan for My Life
Living by Faith
by Cooper Abrams

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (NIV)
Romans 1:17

The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The reason is these animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.

Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us.

Our message today is God’s Plan for my life – addressing the matter of a person growing in Jesus Christ.

God has a plan for each of our lives. Whether we live the best life we can, or accept something less depends on first… receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior and then growing to maturity as we live by the word of God. Then the progression of spiritual growth which makes God plan for our lives possible. The vital matter of letting Jesus Christ be the Lord of our lives. It is a matter of being a disciple of Jesus and letting Him guide us through life. We then are filled by the Holy Spirit God’s will for our lives is accomplished daily.

Let’s look at faith’s part in living God’s will for our lives. Our illustration of the African impala points to the fact that many people never really grow much in the Lord. They fail to realize that we are to live by faith. However, the illustration has a flaw… the impala will not jump where he cannot see. The Christian does not have that problem, because God does not tell us to take a “leap into the dark” either. God’s word explains to us the ways of God, His instructions to us on how He works in us. He tells us in clear terms what is right and wrong for us. He gives clear principles to guide us through any situation that we encounter in life.

So biblical faith is not jumping where we cannot see, but jumping or better living as God has told us. We can jump 30 foot fences in faith and land safely on the other side. Or, we can live small dull little lives… held within the little fences of our lack of faith.

I. A person who is “born again” starts a new life similar to that of a newborn infant.
A. Seven rules that promote good health in babies can be adapted and applied to a Christian’s spiritual growth.
1. Daily Food. Take in the “pure milk of the word” through study and meditation.
2. Fresh Air. Pray often or you will faint. Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.
3. Regular Exercise. Put into practice what you learn in God’s Word.
4. Adequate Rest. Rely on God at all times in simple faith.
5. Clean Surroundings. Avoid evil company and whatever will weaken you spiritually.
6. Loving Care. Be part of a church where you will benefit from a pastor’s teaching and Christian fellowship.
7. Periodic Checkups. Regularly examine your spiritual health.
B. All of these things are vital to living a spiritual life and accomplishing God’s purpose for you life. BUT… they all have an element that is much deeper. They all must have a vital element, which without, they all are dead and will fail. That element is biblical faith.

1. There is a catchy phrase that says, “If God said it I believe it, and that settles it”. If that is your attitude of trust towards God and His Word, then you are obeying the Lord, and bringing Him honor and glory. You will grow and live a wonderful life.

2. On the other hand, some express a different attitude. Some read the Bible, know that is what God has said and yet respond by saying, “God, you have a good thought, I appreciate it, but you don’t understand my circumstances”.

Some profess to believe Phil. 4:19, which says “…my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

However, when things are not exactly convenient or the going gets tough, as it will, many become anxious lose sight of God’s presence. Some just continue on doing little or nothing and really going no where. Some panic, and begin to question their salvation and God’s promises.

Both responses are human. But in Christ we can overcome just being human. We have the supernatural power of God to encourage, guide and strengthen us. To be anxious or to panic is human, but it is not an act of faith. When anxiousness and panic and uncertainty come, in the believer’s life…faith should immediately take over.

That means we then do what the Bible says to do… we obey God and He then takes over.

John 5:10, says “he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar”.

In this message “What is God’s Purpose for My Life,” I believe the most important message is the foundation of finding and living God’s will for our lives. God has a purpose and that purpose is found in with biblical faith. Without faith Hebrews 11:6 says “it is impossible to please God.”

I wonder how many of us would honestly see ourselves somewhat like the farmer in a story I heard. The story is told of an old farmer who proudly and frequently described his Christian experience to his friends saying… “Well, I’m not making much progress, but I’m established!” What he was saying was that he was not growing or accomplishing much for Christ. He was established is true… but being established for what?

One spring when he was hauling some logs, his truck’s wheels sank down to the axles in mud. Try as he would, he couldn’t get the truck out. Frustrated, he sat down atop the logs, viewing the dismal situation. He was trying to figure out what next to do…

Soon a neighbor who had always felt uncomfortable with the farmer’s worn out defeated testimony came along and greeted him. He chuckled to himself and could not resist the opportunity to respond the farmer’s silly past statement.

He smiled and said… “Well, brother Jones, I see you’re not making much progress, but you must be content because you’re well-established!

This reveals the problem. Some look upon their situation and are content with it. Others give up and do nothing. I think most of us accepts that we should grow in Christ.

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