Psalm 106:44
“Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:”
Many words in the Scriptures carry a powerful truth to encourage people. The word “whosoever” is a powerful word because of God’s inclusiveness for salvation. Knowing that no matter how bad our background may be and how deep we have gone into sin, to know that God includes you for salvation is powerful.
Joshua 24:14
“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in
truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side
of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.”
At the end of Joshua’s life, he found himself trying to help Israel to continue to serve the LORD after his death. He understood the power of making a choice to serve the LORD and the benefits it brings. In the verse above, Joshua gives several things that you must do if you want to serve the LORD.
Judges 5:18
“Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.”
When you read the song of Deborah, you see the wonder as to why nobody would come to help them fight the battle against Sisera. You would think because their freedom was at stake that the whole nation would join forces, but this song makes it evident that many had their excuses for why they wouldn’t join the battle.
Judges 11:7
“And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and
expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when
ye are in distress?”
The story of Jephthah is interesting because of how it began. Jephthah was an illegitimate child who was driven out of the country because his brethren did not want him. He was hated because he was the son of a strange woman, and his brethren didn’t want him to have any part of their inheritance.
Judges 15:13
“And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and
deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And
they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.”
The verse above is one of the missed opportunities that Samson had to get right with the LORD. Though his sin put him in the predicament that caused the Philistines to surrounded him, God gave him another opportunity to do right. Yet, we see that Samson missed this opportunity that God gave him, and the missed opportunity eventually led to his demise. This missed opportunity in Samson’s life should remind us of five things concerning the opportunities that God gives us to get right.
1 Samuel 3:10
“And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel,
Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
When we think of the call of the LORD, we often think of the LORD calling someone into full-time ministry. Though the call of the LORD often means that, every Christian can hear the call of the LORD. In fact, if every Christian would heed the call of the LORD it would change this world.
2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others
also.”
The Christian’s responsibility is to bear fruit. Jesus says in John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” You will never be a good Christian until you have fruit that remains.
Philemon 1:6
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
Communicating is the imparting of thoughts, opinions, or information to another person. Communicating is giving our thoughts or opinions in such a manner that the person listening or reading understands what we are saying.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Everything has a byproduct or a result of doing something. For instance, charcoal is the byproduct of Henry Ford using wood to make parts for cars.
James 2:1
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
You will never be used greatly by the LORD until you learn how to treat others properly. You can be the most talented person, but your talent will be wasted if you don’t treat others properly.