26
Apr '20
Don’t Give Up Hope
26
Apr '20
Text: Hebrews 10:35-37
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”
Introduction: Do you ever feel like “GIVING UP”? We’re not home yet! God is not finished with you. God reminds us through Paul (I believe the author – inspired by Holy Spirit), do not go BACKWARD but PRESS FORWARD to maturity in Christ. There are (3) ways to PRESS on:
1. Don’t give up your “CONFIDENCE”! (Heb 10:35)
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”
• Some things NEED TO be thrown away – clutter
• Some things DO NOT need to be thrown away- “confidence” (par-rhay-see-ah, which means freedom, boldness)
• Pay back on the way – rewards
• Some things DO NOT need to be thrown away- “confidence” (par-rhay-see-ah, which means freedom, boldness)
• Pay back on the way – rewards
2. Don’t forget to hold on to “PATIENCE”! (Heb 10:36)
” For ye have need of PATIENCE, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.”
” For ye have need of PATIENCE, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.”
• To know the will of God -“PATIENCE” (hupomene – means endurance, steadfastness, to remain under)
• To do the will of God
• To do the will of God
3. Remember, JESUS is coming soon! (Heb 10:37)
” For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
” For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
• Keep Looking Up
• Keep Looking Out
• Keep Looking Out
Conclusion: It is easy to get discouraged theses days. Constant focus on “The BIG picture” – God’s purpose and plan – will keep us motivated to not GO BACK but to PRESS ON loving, serving, and waiting for JESUS to come again. That will be worth it all!
PRESS ON!!
Love y’all ,
Love y’all ,
Dr. Randy Reese
25
Apr '20
Armed for Battle
25
Apr '20
Text: 1 Samuel 14:1-14
“Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; and Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.”
Introduction: Are you up against some battles? Battles for the mind, battles with evil forces, all of us are facing battles! We need help fighting these battles! There are (3) steps proven effective in winning the battles:
1. Who is your PRAYER PARTNER – “ARMOR-BEARER” (1 Sam. 14:1)?
“Jonathan said unto the young man that bare his armour, come, and let us go over to the Philistines garrison.”
A “garrison” (mat-tsawb) is a military post.
“Jonathan said unto the young man that bare his armour, come, and let us go over to the Philistines garrison.”
A “garrison” (mat-tsawb) is a military post.
• Jonathan needed an ARMOR-BEARER
• He must be brave and dependable
• He must be brave and dependable
2. Why do we need a PRAYER PARTNER – “ARMOR-BEARER” (v. 4-6)?
“Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines garrison…. and said to the young man that bare his armour…. the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or few.”
• Battles with strongholds
• Taking back the ground the enemy has taken
“Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines garrison…. and said to the young man that bare his armour…. the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or few.”
• Battles with strongholds
• Taking back the ground the enemy has taken
3. What will we – and our “ARMOR-BEARER” believe God to do (v. 7-14)?
“His armourbearer said… do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold I am with thee according to thy heart.”
• Jonathan and his “ARMOR BEARER” pressed forward
• God gave the Victory
“His armourbearer said… do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold I am with thee according to thy heart.”
• Jonathan and his “ARMOR BEARER” pressed forward
• God gave the Victory
Conclusion: Just like Jonathan, an “ARMOR-BEARER” (Prayer Partner) is needed to fight and win the battles that are raging all around us. In looking back, Praise God for the battles that have already been won (Jesus our Lord – Prayer Partners)! Yet, it appears on the horizon, there are other battles that will need to be fought & won!!
Calling all Prayer Partners!
Love y’all,
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
24
Apr '20
How to Hand Down a Lasting Legacy
24
Apr '20
Text: 2 Tim. 1:3-6
“I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”
Introduction: Don’t you want to HAND DOWN a LASTING LEGACY? Sure you do! You would not be reading this if you didn’t. How can we be assured of accomplishing this God-given task? Paul, writing his farewell letter while awaiting martyrdom, shares his heart to both encourage and challenge his son in the Lord, Timothy. From my own personal devotion, consider these truths that will transform.
How can we HAND DOWN a LASTING LEGACY? There are (4) ways:
1. By PRAYING for our family and friends (2 Tim. 1:3)!
“I have a remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.”
- Notice “night and day”
- Prayer changes not only things, but people and me
2. By POURING into our family and friends (v. 4)!
“Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I might be filled with joy.”
- Enjoying time together
- Refreshed by laughing and crying
3. By POINTING out to our family and friends (v. 5)!
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith in thee… in thy grandmother… and mother, I am persuaded that in thee also.” The word “unfeigned” (anupokritos) means without hypocrisy.
- I see this in you
- Good, godly character traits
4. By PASSING on to our family and friends (v. 6)!
“Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” The word “stir up” (anazoputein) pictures a bellow blowing air on a fire causing it to ignite with flames brighter and higher.
- God’s got a GIFT in you
- I believe in you
- Keep up the good work
Conclusion: Every Christian, whether a dad, mom, son, daughter, grandparent, uncle, aunt, brother, or sister is having an influence on others. So, according to the WORD of GOD… praying, pouring, pointing, and passing on to our loved ones and friends will make a difference.
How are we doing HANDING DOWN a LASTING LEGACY?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
22
Apr '20
Unshakeable
22
Apr '20
Text: Hebrews 12:26-29
“Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”
Introduction: Have you ever been SHAKEN up? How about lately? Has your world been turned UPSIDE DOWN? Between the invisible enemy – the Coronavirus, the plague, and being frightened and tormented by TORNADOES, it seems like everything around us is FALLING apart. But is it? According to the Word of God, there are some THINGS that CANNOT be SHAKEN! That’s why we need to BUILD our lives upon the UNSHAKEABLE:
1. God’s going to allow this WORLD to be SHAKEN (v. 26-27)!
“Whose voice SHOOK the earth… I SHAKE the earth only but the heavens.”
- “Shake” – saleuo – means to agitate as to make INSECURE. Can you relate?
- Palm trees sink their roots deeper in the ground because of storms.
2. While the things of this WORLD may be SHAKEN, GOD’S KINGDOM {to come} is UNSHAKEABLE (v. 27-28)!
“Removing those things that are SHAKEN… that those things which cannot be SHAKEN may remain.”
- Stocks and bonds, jobs, houses and land, and even health can be SHAKEN!
- God’s Word is unmovable!
- Voltaire, the French infidel tried to SHAKE God’s Word, but he died and the Word of God lives on!
“It’s like a Timex watch… it takes a licking, but it keeps on ticking!”
3. So what should we do in the light of things being SHAKEN and things which are UNSHAKEABLE?
“We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved… let us have GRACE, whereby we may SERVE GOD acceptably with reverence and Godly fear.”
Conclusion: Where are you being SHAKEN? Need security? Why not right now, start BUILDING or REBUILDING your life on our UNSHAKEABLE GOD who has fulfilled His Word in the past, is fulfilling it in the present, and will fulfill it in the future.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
20
Apr '20
Quitters Never Win and Winners Never Quit
20
Apr '20
Text: James 5:7-11
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Introduction: Have you ever felt like QUITTING? On overcoming sinful habits? On life? On God? On His will for your life? How can we be PATIENT in an IMPATIENT world? There are (3) ways to see if we are losers or winners:
1. Do we have the JITTERS? Or are you CALM (v.7-8)?
“Be patient… unto the coming of the Lord.”
2. Are we HOT-HEADED? Or COOL and COLLECTIVE (v.9)?
“Grudge not one against another, brethren… the judge stands at the door.”
3. Are we QUITTERS or WINNERS (v. 10-11)?
“The prophets… example of SUFFERING AFFLICTION and patience… happy which ENDURE!”
Conclusion: Pass the PATIENCE please! One of the delicious flavors of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 of 9) is PATIENCE (longsuffering, endurance – Gal. 5:22-23). Remember LOSERS QUIT! And WINNERS ENDURE!! Instead of GIVING UP… and GIVING IN, keep on GIVING OUT!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
19
Apr '20
When Storms Come
19
Apr '20
Text: Mark 4:35-41
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Introduction: Notice that Jesus told His disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side – in other words, they would make it… but they had to “GO THRU IT” in order to “GET TO IT”! Sound familiar? Storms do not take our Lord by surprise.
1. When we go thru STORMS, we can TURN to JESUS (v.36-38)!
2. When we go thru STORMS, we can TALK to JESUS (v.38)!
3. When we go thru STORMS, we can TRUST in JESUS (v.41)!
Conclusion: Someone has well said, “Either we are in a STORM, coming out of a STORM, or getting ready to go into a STORM!” May God help us “GET THRU IT in order to GET TO IT!”
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
16
Apr '20
Dealing With Disappointments
16
Apr '20
Text: John 21:1-23
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
Introduction: Peter BLEW it! He denied knowing Jesus, even cursed!! Even though he repented, you know he felt terrible. This was his last experience with Jesus.
Have we ever blown it? Absolutely! How does it make us feel? Like a failure? How about inadequate, low self-esteem, poor self-image?
GOOD NEWS: Jesus can pick us up when we FALL DOWN! Our relationship with Him is GRACE-BASED, not PERFORMANCE-BASED!
1. We sometimes FEEL like a FAILURE, like Peter (John 20:25-27; Luke 22:54-62)!
- When we fall, we’re tempted to go back to our OLD lifestyle (fishing)(John 21:9).
- This builds confidence in the FLESH, but not in the SPIRIT (Gal. 5:16-24).
2. We sometimes get DOWN in the DUMPS with DISAPPOINTMENT, like Peter (v. 15-17)!
- Have you been disappointed with people you can’t control?
- Have you been disappointed with circumstances you can’t control?
3. Jesus did not GIVE UP on Peter-or us-but RESTORED him (v. 15-22)!
- It was a LOVE issue.
-
- Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” (Jesus uses the Greek word “agape” for love, which means unconditional)
- Peter responds, “I love you” (using the Greek word “phileo”for love, which means friendship love).
- What kind of LOVE do we have toward Jesus?
-
- It was a faith issue.
-
- follow me until death
- feed my sheep (v. 15-19)
-
Conclusion: Remember when we blow it (feel like a failure) by being angry, mad, impatient, full of worry, or by having impure thoughts or a critical and judgmental spirit, Jesus is ready to RESTORE us back into fellowship with Him. Let’s get back up (by being picked up) when we fall down!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese