AM Message 4/28/02

#1 · April 28, 2002, 6:17 am

Quote from Forum Archives on April 28, 2002, 6:17 am
Posted by: jmichaelwalls <jmichaelwalls@...>

THE DETERMINATION OF A CHRISTIAN
Acts 20:24
Introduction: This passage is the final words to the Ephesians elders
from the lips of the Apostle Paul. There are great many truths found in
these words. He gave the elders words of exhortation. He gives them words
of warning especially with the false brethren that try to sneak into the
local church.
He tells them those tender words that came from his heart. He gives them
20/20 vision in verse 20. He shows them exactly what a pastor and not a
hireling does.
This brings me to my text today. It is those first seven words in this
verse that shows his determination. "But none of these things move me" I
want to be a blessing to you today with some thoughts on the
determination of a Christian.
Is this thought that none of these things move me a new theme of Pauls?
No, it is not. Lets look at a few other places.
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As
it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, 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."
1 Corinthians 15:58
"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."
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not
destroyed"
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is
made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,
in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
2 Timothy 1:12
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
These are just a few verses of some ninety verses that cross-reference to
our text. Paul was not just bragging. He was telling us about his stand
of life.
As a matter of introduction, I want to tell of some areas that did not
move Paul. Before proceeding on, this is not a brag session on my part. I
used to tell folks that I would never let things move. Today with many
less hairs and a few gray ones, I now say by the help of God, I will not
allow things to move me.
My pastor, who led me to Christian, thirty years ago this coming month,
lost his wife in death a few years back. Preacher Cutlip and Dreama were
married for thirty years. After she died, he went into a depression that
lasted for some time. He made some bad decisions. I was sitting across
the table from a missionary and Brother Gail. This missionary said he
would not get depressed if his wife died. I made this statement "Your
wife has not died so you do not know how you would react or act." So only
by the grace of God, I will not be moved by these things either.
Darkness did not move Paul. There were times that the will of God was not
crystal clear to Paul. In fact, it may have been dark, but Paul would not
allow the darkness would not move him. There are times that the darkness
of not knowing the end of Gods will for our lives makes it difficult to
go on by we should do like Paul and not allow that darkness to move us
out of Gods will.
Discouragement did not move Paul. Paul was no super Christian with a red
"S" on his chest. Things had to discourage him at times like it does us.
One thing that I know about Paul is that if he wore pants, he would put
them on the same way I do I, one leg at a time. But he did not stay in
the path of discouragement.
Demons did not move Paul. The young lady possessed of the demon in
Philippi did not move Paul. In fact, her deliverance opened the door to a
new church beginning in Philippi. Satan and his crowd did not like the
work that Paul was doing for the Lord.
Disobedient believers did not move Paul. If anything, Paul was moved to
help disobedient believers in his epistles. Each of his epistles deals
with disobedience in some form or fashion that we face today. Disobedient
believers seem to be abounding in the church today. I am speaking of the
church as a whole now, not necessarily our church.
I have hear people say that they prayed about certain situations that is
completely contrary to Gods word. There go the way that they want
instead of what Gods plain word says on the subject. Proverbs 14:12,
16:25
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death."
Departing brethren did not move Paul. In his final letter to Timothy,
Paul mentions several names. It broke his heart that they had departed
but he did not get moved from the path of blessings but was broken over
these people that I think some of his last prayers were that these folks
would get right with God. He did not want them to stand before God in
their backslidden condition.
This past year, our church took a real growth spurt at the beginning of
the year. Our attendance actually doubled. We went from twenties to the
forties at times. Then some folks left. I was moved to the place that I
was ready to leave. But I did not leave and we are seeing God bless us
again. We have had some new people coming to replace those folks. We have
been blessed with good music again. It is a real blessing to have some
one whom can play both piano and flute. Now someone who can also play the
guitar. What a blessing this has been!
Destruction did not move Paul. We have seen a lot of destruction in these
past months. One of the first thoughts that hit my mind was that my
oldest son is a Marine. The destruction of New York and the Pentagon
filled my mind with terror that he might have to go to war. But Paul was
not moved but destruction around him. When the ship was destroyed by the
storm, he was not moved to quit. In fact, he used this as another
opportunity to lead others to Christ. Folks saw God alive in Pauls life
in the times of destruction.
Death did not move Paul. In fact, he really looked forward to it in some
ways. He was struck between a rock and a hard place so to speak. He
wanted to go home and be with Jesus. On the other hand, he wanted to be
with the folks he led to Christ. I wonder at times if when he had his
head taken off, if he said these words "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"
like he had heard Stephen said on the day Paul witnessed Stephens death.

Disease did not move Paul. We are not sure what disease affected Paul.
Some thinks it was his eyes by what we wrote in several places. I am sure
that he was plagued with arthritis. He was imprisoned in damp dungeons. I
know that at my age, I feel some arthritis in my hands and other places
at time especially in the cold weather. Think how much more would it
affected him. He had been beaten on several occasions. Those areas would
have been weakening by time and injury.
If these things did not move him, what kept him on course? I want to give
you a few thoughts on his determination.
I. HE HAD A SOLID CONVERSION.
Acts 9:1-6
"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him
letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined
round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard
a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he
said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he
trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And
the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told
thee what thou must do."
Paul knew that he was saved. He knew that he had eternal salvation. He
did not want to go back to the old life of dead religion. All his works
under the law were dead. All his sacrifices for sin were dead. All
fastings and tithing under the law was dead.
When he met the Master on the road to Damascus, his life changed. His
desires changed. His direction in life was certainly changed. His
determination was changed. He was determined to go forward for the Lord.
He led more people to Christ in his ignorance when he was first saved
than most of us do on purpose in our entire lifetime.
This conversion kept Paul from moving. If your conversion does keep you
from being moved by every thing or anyone, then it may be that you never
got saved or you are just very immature in your Christian life.
II. HE WAS STANDING ON GODS WORD.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God"
I encourage you to personalize scriptures. Let me do so for you today to
show how Paul was able to stand and not be moved.
Psalm 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
My God is my refuge. My God is my strength. My God is my very present in
my trouble.
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for
the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee,
nor forsake thee."
My Lord is my God. My God is he that goes with me. My God never fails or
forsakes me.
Psalm 34:4,6,15,17
"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
"This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all
his troubles." "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears
are open unto their cry." "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and
delivereth them out of all their troubles."
III. HE HAD SONGS IN THE NIGHT.
Acts 16:25
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and
the prisoners heard them."
Job 35:10
"But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night"
I do not know what songs Paul and Silas may have sung but it may have
been "Amazing Grace". Or he could have been "Under His Wings" and a host
of other songs.
Maybe he sung this song.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS
1. WHEN I FEEL DISHEARTED, FORSAKEN, FORGOTTEN
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME.
IN EVERY CONDITION HE IS MY PHYSICIAN.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
CHORUS:
JESUS IS PRECIOUS; JESUS IS PRECIOUS!
HE IS SO PRECIOUS TO ME.
HE IS MY SAVIOUR, MY LORD AND MY MASTER.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
2. HE'S COMFORT IN SORROW
HE'S OUR HOPE FOR TOMORROW.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
HE'S ALL THAT I PRAYED FOR,
WHAT MORE CAN I ASK FOR.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
CHORUS:
3. IT'S NOT EARTHLY TREASURE
IT'S NOT WORLDLY PLEASURE,
THAT SEEMS SO IMPORTANT TO ME.
AND THOUGH I PRIZE FRIENDSHIP,
I THANK GOD FOR MY KINSHIP.
THERE'S NO ONE AS PRECIOUS AS HE.
CHORUS:
HE HAD A SUPREME COMMANDER.
He is...
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the keeper of
Creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and
the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will
be... Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone! He was bruised
and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and
brought freedom! He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace! The world can't
understand him, The armies can't defeat Him, The schools can't explain
Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, The
Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and the people couldn't hold Him! Nero
couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age can't
replace Him, and Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, Kindness,
Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His
mind is on me. He is my Redeemer, He is my Saviour, He is my guide, and
He is my peace! He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He
rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal
for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the
wise, the Power of the powerful, the Ancient of days, the Ruler of
rulers, the Leader of leaders, the Overseer of the overcomers, and the
Sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget
me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment
book!
When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He
is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my
courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He leads me! When I am
hungry, He feeds me! When I face trials, He is with me! When I face
persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I
face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He
is God. He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! My Father in heaven can
whip the father of this world. So, if you're wondering why I feel so
secure, understand this . . . He said it and that settles it. God is in
control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.
Conclusion: Will we be moved or can we say like Paul "But none of these
things move me". The choice is ours to make.
Have you had that conversion that helps you from being moved? Being saved
is the greatest even of anyones life. I have been saved form almost
thirty years. It is sweeter in many ways now than it was thirty years
ago.
Is your stand on the infallible Word of God or the wisdom of men? Gods
Word is the only tool that you have outside of the Holy Spirit that will
help you stand and not be moved by things and events.
Are there some songs in the night that helps you in those lonely times in
life? I am talking of some cotton candy songs. Songs about heaven good
some times but you cannot help you stand against those things that move
you.
Do you have the Supreme commander in your life that makes a difference
that others can see the difference in your manner of life? If Jesus is
not Lord of all areas of your life, then He is not really Lord of your
life.
FBC
4/28/02 AM

Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
All scriptures are King James Bible
Isa. 41:10

Posted by: jmichaelwalls <jmichaelwalls@...>

THE DETERMINATION OF A CHRISTIAN
Acts 20:24
Introduction: This passage is the final words to the Ephesians elders
from the lips of the Apostle Paul. There are great many truths found in
these words. He gave the elders words of exhortation. He gives them words
of warning especially with the false brethren that try to sneak into the
local church.
He tells them those tender words that came from his heart. He gives them
20/20 vision in verse 20. He shows them exactly what a pastor and not a
hireling does.
This brings me to my text today. It is those first seven words in this
verse that shows his determination. "But none of these things move me" I
want to be a blessing to you today with some thoughts on the
determination of a Christian.
Is this thought that none of these things move me a new theme of Pauls?
No, it is not. Lets look at a few other places.
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As
it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, 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."
1 Corinthians 15:58
"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."
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not
destroyed"
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is
made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,
in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
2 Timothy 1:12
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
These are just a few verses of some ninety verses that cross-reference to
our text. Paul was not just bragging. He was telling us about his stand
of life.
As a matter of introduction, I want to tell of some areas that did not
move Paul. Before proceeding on, this is not a brag session on my part. I
used to tell folks that I would never let things move. Today with many
less hairs and a few gray ones, I now say by the help of God, I will not
allow things to move me.
My pastor, who led me to Christian, thirty years ago this coming month,
lost his wife in death a few years back. Preacher Cutlip and Dreama were
married for thirty years. After she died, he went into a depression that
lasted for some time. He made some bad decisions. I was sitting across
the table from a missionary and Brother Gail. This missionary said he
would not get depressed if his wife died. I made this statement "Your
wife has not died so you do not know how you would react or act." So only
by the grace of God, I will not be moved by these things either.
Darkness did not move Paul. There were times that the will of God was not
crystal clear to Paul. In fact, it may have been dark, but Paul would not
allow the darkness would not move him. There are times that the darkness
of not knowing the end of Gods will for our lives makes it difficult to
go on by we should do like Paul and not allow that darkness to move us
out of Gods will.
Discouragement did not move Paul. Paul was no super Christian with a red
"S" on his chest. Things had to discourage him at times like it does us.
One thing that I know about Paul is that if he wore pants, he would put
them on the same way I do I, one leg at a time. But he did not stay in
the path of discouragement.
Demons did not move Paul. The young lady possessed of the demon in
Philippi did not move Paul. In fact, her deliverance opened the door to a
new church beginning in Philippi. Satan and his crowd did not like the
work that Paul was doing for the Lord.
Disobedient believers did not move Paul. If anything, Paul was moved to
help disobedient believers in his epistles. Each of his epistles deals
with disobedience in some form or fashion that we face today. Disobedient
believers seem to be abounding in the church today. I am speaking of the
church as a whole now, not necessarily our church.
I have hear people say that they prayed about certain situations that is
completely contrary to Gods word. There go the way that they want
instead of what Gods plain word says on the subject. Proverbs 14:12,
16:25
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death."
Departing brethren did not move Paul. In his final letter to Timothy,
Paul mentions several names. It broke his heart that they had departed
but he did not get moved from the path of blessings but was broken over
these people that I think some of his last prayers were that these folks
would get right with God. He did not want them to stand before God in
their backslidden condition.
This past year, our church took a real growth spurt at the beginning of
the year. Our attendance actually doubled. We went from twenties to the
forties at times. Then some folks left. I was moved to the place that I
was ready to leave. But I did not leave and we are seeing God bless us
again. We have had some new people coming to replace those folks. We have
been blessed with good music again. It is a real blessing to have some
one whom can play both piano and flute. Now someone who can also play the
guitar. What a blessing this has been!
Destruction did not move Paul. We have seen a lot of destruction in these
past months. One of the first thoughts that hit my mind was that my
oldest son is a Marine. The destruction of New York and the Pentagon
filled my mind with terror that he might have to go to war. But Paul was
not moved but destruction around him. When the ship was destroyed by the
storm, he was not moved to quit. In fact, he used this as another
opportunity to lead others to Christ. Folks saw God alive in Pauls life
in the times of destruction.
Death did not move Paul. In fact, he really looked forward to it in some
ways. He was struck between a rock and a hard place so to speak. He
wanted to go home and be with Jesus. On the other hand, he wanted to be
with the folks he led to Christ. I wonder at times if when he had his
head taken off, if he said these words "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"
like he had heard Stephen said on the day Paul witnessed Stephens death.

Disease did not move Paul. We are not sure what disease affected Paul.
Some thinks it was his eyes by what we wrote in several places. I am sure
that he was plagued with arthritis. He was imprisoned in damp dungeons. I
know that at my age, I feel some arthritis in my hands and other places
at time especially in the cold weather. Think how much more would it
affected him. He had been beaten on several occasions. Those areas would
have been weakening by time and injury.
If these things did not move him, what kept him on course? I want to give
you a few thoughts on his determination.
I. HE HAD A SOLID CONVERSION.
Acts 9:1-6
"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him
letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined
round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard
a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he
said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he
trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And
the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told
thee what thou must do."
Paul knew that he was saved. He knew that he had eternal salvation. He
did not want to go back to the old life of dead religion. All his works
under the law were dead. All his sacrifices for sin were dead. All
fastings and tithing under the law was dead.
When he met the Master on the road to Damascus, his life changed. His
desires changed. His direction in life was certainly changed. His
determination was changed. He was determined to go forward for the Lord.
He led more people to Christ in his ignorance when he was first saved
than most of us do on purpose in our entire lifetime.
This conversion kept Paul from moving. If your conversion does keep you
from being moved by every thing or anyone, then it may be that you never
got saved or you are just very immature in your Christian life.
II. HE WAS STANDING ON GODS WORD.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God"
I encourage you to personalize scriptures. Let me do so for you today to
show how Paul was able to stand and not be moved.
Psalm 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
My God is my refuge. My God is my strength. My God is my very present in
my trouble.
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for
the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee,
nor forsake thee."
My Lord is my God. My God is he that goes with me. My God never fails or
forsakes me.
Psalm 34:4,6,15,17
"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
"This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all
his troubles." "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears
are open unto their cry." "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and
delivereth them out of all their troubles."
III. HE HAD SONGS IN THE NIGHT.
Acts 16:25
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and
the prisoners heard them."
Job 35:10
"But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night"
I do not know what songs Paul and Silas may have sung but it may have
been "Amazing Grace". Or he could have been "Under His Wings" and a host
of other songs.
Maybe he sung this song.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS
1. WHEN I FEEL DISHEARTED, FORSAKEN, FORGOTTEN
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME.
IN EVERY CONDITION HE IS MY PHYSICIAN.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
CHORUS:
JESUS IS PRECIOUS; JESUS IS PRECIOUS!
HE IS SO PRECIOUS TO ME.
HE IS MY SAVIOUR, MY LORD AND MY MASTER.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
2. HE'S COMFORT IN SORROW
HE'S OUR HOPE FOR TOMORROW.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
HE'S ALL THAT I PRAYED FOR,
WHAT MORE CAN I ASK FOR.
JESUS IS PRECIOUS TO ME!
CHORUS:
3. IT'S NOT EARTHLY TREASURE
IT'S NOT WORLDLY PLEASURE,
THAT SEEMS SO IMPORTANT TO ME.
AND THOUGH I PRIZE FRIENDSHIP,
I THANK GOD FOR MY KINSHIP.
THERE'S NO ONE AS PRECIOUS AS HE.
CHORUS:
HE HAD A SUPREME COMMANDER.
He is...
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the keeper of
Creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and
the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will
be... Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone! He was bruised
and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and
brought freedom! He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace! The world can't
understand him, The armies can't defeat Him, The schools can't explain
Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, The
Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and the people couldn't hold Him! Nero
couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age can't
replace Him, and Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, Kindness,
Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His
mind is on me. He is my Redeemer, He is my Saviour, He is my guide, and
He is my peace! He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He
rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal
for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the
wise, the Power of the powerful, the Ancient of days, the Ruler of
rulers, the Leader of leaders, the Overseer of the overcomers, and the
Sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget
me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment
book!
When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He
is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my
courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He leads me! When I am
hungry, He feeds me! When I face trials, He is with me! When I face
persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I
face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He
is God. He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! My Father in heaven can
whip the father of this world. So, if you're wondering why I feel so
secure, understand this . . . He said it and that settles it. God is in
control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.
Conclusion: Will we be moved or can we say like Paul "But none of these
things move me". The choice is ours to make.
Have you had that conversion that helps you from being moved? Being saved
is the greatest even of anyones life. I have been saved form almost
thirty years. It is sweeter in many ways now than it was thirty years
ago.
Is your stand on the infallible Word of God or the wisdom of men? Gods
Word is the only tool that you have outside of the Holy Spirit that will
help you stand and not be moved by things and events.
Are there some songs in the night that helps you in those lonely times in
life? I am talking of some cotton candy songs. Songs about heaven good
some times but you cannot help you stand against those things that move
you.
Do you have the Supreme commander in your life that makes a difference
that others can see the difference in your manner of life? If Jesus is
not Lord of all areas of your life, then He is not really Lord of your
life.
FBC
4/28/02 AM

Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
All scriptures are King James Bible
Isa. 41:10