Which Road Are You On

Read Acts 9:1-6

An old song says, “Look down, look down that lonesome road; hang down your head and cry.” There are many kinds of roads . . . road of happiness, road of experience, etc. “In the way of righteousness is life; and the pathway thereof there is no death” (Proverbs 12:28).

In this life I have seen many roads, but for now lets talk about these four so here goes.

I. THE DAMASCUS ROAD—THE ROAD OF CHANGE (Acts 9:1-6)

A man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city, for the first time standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off. The father hollered to his youngest son, “Billy, go get mother.”    

Some people will change when they see the light. Others change only when they feel the heat.

Comfort’s Law: Nothing is ever done until everyone is convinced that it ought to be done, and has been convinced for so long that it is now time to do something else. Principles for change:

People must have reasons for change

1. They must see the value to them of the change

2. The plan must be understood by them

3. They must be involved in the process

What a change in Paul! From persecutor to preacher, from despiser of the church to defender of the faith! The churches in Judea heard that “he which perse¬cuted us in times past now reached the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:23, 24).

“Saul [Paul] was consenting unto Stephen’s death. . . . Great persecution against the church” (Acts 8:1).

 And “Saul . . . made havoc of the church, entering into every house,   and   healing men and women committed them to prison” (v. 3).

But Paul was changed on the Damascus Road! (2Corinthians 5:17). “I am crucified WITH Christ.” (Galatians 2:20). Paul said, “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5); but he knew!

II. THE EMMAUS ROAD—THE ROAD OF FELLOWSHIP (Luke 24:13-35)

Nowhere in the N.T. do any of the Greek words translated “fellowship” imply fun times. Rather, they talk of, “The fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (II Corinthians 8:4) as sacrificial service and financial aid. (See for example, I Timothy 6:18). Elsewhere, Paul was thankful for the Philippian believers’ “fellowship in the gospel” (Philippians 1:5), for he knew that “inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers (same word as fellowship) of my grace” (Philippians 1:7). This sort of fellowship may even bring persecution. We are to emulate Christ’s humility and self-sacrificial love (Philippians 2:5-8) through the “fellowship of the Spirit” (Phil 2:1). In some way known only partially to us, we have the privilege of knowing “the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10).

After the change, there was fellowship. “Did not our hearts burn within us . . .?” v. 32

“If we walk in the light, as he . . .” (1 John 1:7).

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

John said, “That ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). I will never forget the fellowship of the saints when I was a young Christian.

“God is faithful, by whom ye were CALLED UNTO THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Paul, in Galatians 2:9, said that James, Peter, and John gave him and Barnabas the “right hand of fellowship.”

III. THE JERICHO ROAD—THE ROAD OF SERVICE (Luke 10:30-37)

“A certain man . . . fell among thieves”; they took his clothes, wounded him, and left him half dead. By chance a priest came by, but passed by on the other side of the road. “A Levite . . . came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” But a certain Samaritan came by and saw him and “had compassion on him.” He did not just “pass by.” He not only “looked on him,” but he also “went to him.”

Serving Him is different from worshiping Him.

Self-righteous service comes through human effort. True service comes from a relationship with Jesus deep inside.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards. True service rests contented in hiddenness.

Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. True service is free of the need to calculate results.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.

Self-righteous service is temporary. True service is a life-style.

Self-righteous service fractures community. True service, on the other hand, builds community.

Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and fed the 5,000.

“How God anointed Jesus …” (Acts 10:38).

We do service by witnessing, visiting the sick, and helping financially when necessary. We serve God by serving each other. A man was praying for a needy saint and said, “God, send food or send someone who has plenty or put it in somebody’s heart to help.” But God said, “What about one of those hams in your smokehouse?” “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40).

IV. THE JERUSALEM ROAD—THE ROAD OF SUFFERING (Matthew 16:21)

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be [crucified].”

“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:26).

His sufferings were many. Yes, the Jerusalem Road is a road of suffering! All Christians will suffer if we choose this road. “All that will live godly in” (2 Timothy 3:12). Maturity comes through suffering!

“Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no dwelling place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day!! (1 Corinthians 4:11-13).

The  Christian  life  is  not  all  honey  and  sugar, hammocks  and  lemonade.  Oh,  but there  is joy, immeasurable joy, in serving Jesus! Don’t believe the preachers who preach “name it and claim it.” They will tell you you can have a mansion, a Cadillac, or a Mercedes Benz, and you can always smile and laugh! NO, NO! There are heartaches, but thanks be to God, there is also happiness!

“I have suffered the loss of all. ..” (Philippians 3:8).

“If we suffer, we shall also . . .” (2 Timothy 2:12).

“After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

CONCLUSION: We must each travel that Road of Change to gain entrance to the Road of Fellowship, which in turn guides us to the Road of Service, which leads to the Road of Suffering; but if we stay on the course of this highway called “Holiness,” we will one day be ushered onto the Streets of Gold.

Anticipate!!!

Bishop Bryan Strickland

HOW TO DEVELOP PATIENCE

It’s been a while since my last post, but it’s good to sit down tonight and just write. I went and saw John and Lynn today and they are doing much better Just keep them in your prayers. On a side note John said bring him all the OREOS you can cause Guy keeps taking his…

James 5:7-12

A lot of your life you spend waiting.  As a little kid, I waited all my life to start school, then I couldn’t wait until I got out of school, then I couldn’t wait to fall in love, then I couldn’t wait to get married,  … we spend a lot of our lives waiting.  There are many things in life that test our patience:  freeways, supermarket lines, doctor’s offices, irritating people.  We hate to wait.

We are the Now Generation.  We do not like to wait.  Have you noticed that the more expensive the restaurant the longer you wait? There are actually five different waits when you go to a restaurant.  You wait to get a seat, then you wait to get the menu, then you wait to order, then you wait to get the food back, then you wait for the bill.  And they have the audacity to call that guy the waiter!!!

We’re going to look at what James has to say on How do you develop patience.  You need patience in every area of your life. In this passage, James uses the word “patience” or “perseverance” six times.  He uses three different illustrations to teach us when to be patient, why be patient, and how to be patient.

I.  WHEN SHOULD I BE PATIENT?

James isn’t saying we have to be patient all the time but there are three special times when you need that extra dose of patience:

1.  When circumstances are uncontrollable

Have you figured out that a lot of life is beyond your control? You cannot keep your thumb on everything.  James uses a farmer as an example of when circumstances are uncontrollable.  v. 7 “Be patient then brothers, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is …”  Don’t go into farming unless you’ve got patience.  Part of the job description of being a farmer is you do a lot of waiting:  waiting to till, waiting to plant, waiting to prune… there are a lot of factors in waiting.  Yet more than the factors of waiting on things to do are the factors that the farmer has no control over — weather, rain, heat, the economy, labor practices…  If you have a lot of faith you can be a farmer but if you don’t have a lot of faith don’t be a farmer, because it takes patience.  You deal with a lot of uncontrollable factors — circumstances — in life.

Have you noticed that even when we realize a situation is beyond our control, we still try to control it?  How do we do that?  By worrying.  We think that worry will control a situation. To worry about something you can’t change is useless. We need to have patience in uncontrollable circumstances.

2.  When people are unchangeable

When people won’t change.  When they won’t make a difference.  He gives an example of the prophets.  “As an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”  What was the duty of prophets?  To help people change, bring them back to God, to be different in their behavior.  Have you noticed that people resist change?  When you make any little tiny suggestion, they resist you!

Do you have anybody in your life right now who refuses to change? Do you know how difficult it is to live with that kind of person? We need patience with people.  James says, have patience.

James says you need to be patient when circumstances are uncontrollable and when people are unchangeable and won’t cooperate with us.

3.  When problems are unexplainable

Life is not fair!  That is true.  God never said it would be fair.  A lot of things in life just don’t make sense.  Maybe we’ll never understand on this side of heaven.  Job didn’t understand. In all of that unexplained problem, Job maintained his faith. Sometimes we just can’t figure out our problems.

When circumstances are uncontrollable, when people are unchangeable, and when problems are unexplainable you really need patience.  Why?

II.  WHY SHOULD I BE PATIENT?

1.  Because God is in control

“Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” v. 8.  Three times in this passage, James says, the Lord’s coming is near, Jesus is coming back.  That is the ultimate proof that God is in control.  Nothing can stop it.  The Bible talks more about Jesus’ second coming — when He comes back to judge the world — than it does about His first coming.

Job persevered.  God’s timing is perfect, He’s never late.  Some of you are experiencing a real delay right now but God’s delays never thwart His purpose.

2.  God rewards patience.

v. 11a “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.”  Circle “blessed”.  The second half of Job’s life was more blessed than the first half.  God doubled everything he had.  It pays to be patient.  There are all kinds of rewards. Your character grows, you get along with people better, you’re happier, and you reach your goals.  There are lots of benefits of being patient.  God rewards it.  You’ll be honored by others. They’ll say, “He’s a patient person.”

James says, the next time someone criticizes you, before you strike back, think about this, is it worth giving up the reward I’m going to have in heaven?  I’m going to enjoy that a whole lot longer than the temporary pleasure of revenge.

You need to be patient because God is in control and He’s going to reward patience.

3.  Because God is working things out

God says, “Be patient because I’m working things out.”  While I am waiting, God is working.  You need to remember that!  Your hands may be tied and the situation may be uncontrollable but it is not uncontrollable in God’s viewpoint.

In advance, thank God because He’s working things out.  He gives the illustration of the farmer.  When the farmer plants the seed, he’s waiting for that seed.  While he’s waiting, God is working behind the scenes to cause that plant to sprout.  He’s creating the conditions so at the right time, in the right way there will be a harvest.  The farmer waits, God works.

Philippians 2;13 “God is at work within you.”  Maybe you can’t see it, but He is.  Be patient.  I don’t know what kind of problem you have this week, but regardless of the problem you’re going through (financial, relational, health) God is working in that problem. Be patient and trust Him.

III.  WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WHILE I’M WAITING ON GOD?

1.  Wait expectantly

I must expect a harvest.  I must believe that it is inevitable, that I’ve done the right thing.  We get ready for the answer in advance.

Psalm 130:5 (LB) “… I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised.”  Circle “expectantly”.  What are you waiting for from God?  Maybe to heal a long term illness, or to transform your marriage?  or to reverse your financial problems? or for God to reach your teenagers for Christ?  Do you really expect Him to do that?  The Bible says, “According to your faith it will be done unto you.”

A lot of times when I’m waiting on God, He’s really waiting on me.  He was ready to give the answer a long time ago but I wasn’t ready to receive it.  He’s saying, “Grow up!  Get some spiritual depth in your life.  I want to bless your life but you can’t handle the blessing I want to pour on you.  Waiting is a time to get ready.  Prepare.

Jesus waited thirty years before he began his ministry.  Thirty years of preparation and he accomplished more in three years than we would in a lifetime.

Isaiah 49:23 “The Lord says … No one who waits for my help will be disappointed.”

2.  Wait quietly

James points out the fact that we have a tendency to run off at the mouth when we’re irritated, when we’re tense, when we’re under pressure, when things aren’t going our way and things aren’t under our control.  James warns us of two things to avoid.

1.  “Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”  Why does he talk about grumbling right in the middle of patience?  It’s hard to be quiet when you’re frustrated.  When you’re frustrated, you want everybody to know about it.

v. 12 “Above all, my brothers, don’t swear.”  Does waiting ever tempt you to swear?  Sometimes when people get frustrated they feel like cussing.

Lamentations 3:26 “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”  Circle “quietly”.  Hab. 2:3 “These things won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass.  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day!”  Do you have a dream, a goal in life, a vision that God’s given you?  God says it will be right on target, at the right time, in the right way.

You wait expectantly and you wait quietly.

3.  Wait confidently

Job never lost his confidence in all that he did.  When the outlook is bad, you look up.  Micah 7:7 “I will wait confidently for God.”  How do you do that?  You have hope.  Hope is Holding On Praying Expectantly — HOPE.

When you’ve got a problem that’s unexplainable, a person who is unchangeable, a circumstance that is uncontrollable then wait confidently.  God is working.

How do you wait confidently?  Sit still.  Don’t get nervous, anxious.  You don’t take matters into your own hands and work things out.  Ps. 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.”

Where do you need to have patience today?

Do you have an uncontrollable circumstance in your life right now?

What do you do when you have these kinds of things?

Remember what God has said in James.  God is in control.  It may be out of my control, but it’s not out of God’s control.  Nothing is beyond His power and His purpose for my life is greater than the problem I’m experiencing right now.  God will reward your patience.

God is working behind the scenes for a purpose.

Anticipate!!!

Bishop Bryan Strickland

Be A Bee!!! (Deborah)

Judges 5:7 (KJV) The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. 

Have you ever seen a queen bee? Every now and then I catch a show on PBS on bee keeping, just so happens I saw one Saturday. Queen Bees are amazing creatures, they are literally a single parent to hundreds and even thousands of offspring!

They have a single brief flight of freedom and then spend the rest of their life inside a hive generating workers, soldiers, harvesters or pollen gatherers. Her whole task is the well being of the hive, to keep it flourishing. Her life is one of consistency, commitment, and contented living! She works without complaint, she never misses a beat, she lives for the hive, she is the ultimate mother!

Such were the likes of a woman in the Old Testament named Deborah, which in Hebrew means, "A BEE." She was like a Queen mother in Israel. Her life and testimony propelled her into leadership in Israel, a rare thing for a woman under the Old Covenant. She became a Judge in Israel. She is called in the Bible a prophetess, meaning a woman who spoke God’s Word. She is called a judge, one who settled disputes by God’s laws. She is called a wife, the wife of an unknown man named Lappidoth whose name means "torches" in Hebrew. But, she called herself simply "a mother in Israel." 5:7

Like her name, "a bee," she lived a consistent, committed, contented life, thus providing both godly leadership and a godly example that changed an entire generation of Israelites, leading a war torn nation into 40 years of peace!

One Godly MOM can make a huge difference!! Thank God for Godly moms!

Anticipate!!!

Bryan Strickland