Wanted to share this message I shared with the congregation today. I thought it would be of benefit to our students, faculty and friends of FBC. I appreciate all of your prayers and assistance as we continue to expand the ministry of FBC, and see it become an even greater tool for the FGRMC & beyond.
Resolving The Issue Of Indifference Job 38:1-11 The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?—when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped'?" A lack of knowledge is a crippling affliction when it comes to your faith walk. Job questioned God’s intent, His love. Job wondered, was God blind, did He not see what was happening? God then responded not answering his questions, but challenging his faith. God was waiting for him to realize something, and had confidence in Job that he would persevere. What did He want Job to understand? That He believed in him and that he was an overcomer. He hadn’t abandoned him, but He was working something special out through him. When God did show up, He wiped the tears from his eyes and showed his benevolent love, we soon then read that Job received double the blessings he had previously. Plus, God revealed through his trials those whom were his friends, and gave a fresh revelation to Job about who God is, and how He operates. God didn’t abandon Job, and He was not indifferent toward him during his entire struggles at all. He was there all the time! Mark 4:35-41 When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” The disciples thought Jesus didn’t care if they perished. That He just lay there asleep and was blind toward the circumstances all around them. However, when He woke up! He was not unaware, He was not afraid, He was not dismayed, and gave them a lesson about faith in Him that we cherish to this day. God is not indifferent toward us at all. He is in the boat, but He wants to see what you will do with that deposit of faith He has given to you. Do You Recognize Whose Got Your Back? I remember one day when a bunch of neighborhood kids were picking on me and started to hit and curse me. Three boys just were putting a whooping on me. Then my brother Steve showed up. All of a sudden boldness came over me, and I got up one more time. We were still outnumbered it would seem, but without even throwing one more punch, the bullies ran away. Not even one punch. Amazing! We had overcome, I was not alone. The enemy was defeated without another blow. I Challenge You Brother And Sister In Christ. Don’t try to take on the whole world! Start with taking on that family issue unresolved, that racial issue at work, that hate you see exposed in someone’s life, the hurting children in your neighborhood, the need for a better education opportunity in someone’s life. Don’t get discouraged looking at the problems of the world. Look unto the author and the finisher of our faith, the God who spoke all things into existence. For when you put your faith in Him and and allow yourself to be anointed by the Holy Ghost. There is no obstacle you can’t tackle. No job you can’t do. No mountain you can’t move. For my God is the God of the impossible, who wants to work through you. Martin Luther King, Jesus of Nazareth. Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and so many more. They all made a difference. They drew a line in the sand and said NO MORE! God is going to turn this around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if I am the only one standing up right now, with God on my side I am a movement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amen, Amen.
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For those listening in the the CGMF Prayerline Daily. We have been reflecting upon a series we teach at Covenant of Grace to new members and old. It is from the Shepherd's Trilogy by Phillip Keller, and it talks about the Good Shepherd and intimacy with God.
Our readings have taken us to chapter twelve in the second book " A Shepherd Looks At The Good Shepherd. " We are talking today about " One Flock Of One Shepherd. " We have a new and fresh message on the CGMF Prayerline daily. Hope you will take the time each day to call in and get your fresh bread for the day. To listen in call the CGMF Prayerline at 712-432-8399 and use the Conference number 584684. Then hold to be placed in conference and the message will play. |
Reverend Patrick Vossen,
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