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Articles
Rekindled Fire
Another gospel meeting has come to its conclusion at Singing River. It has been another successful meeting where the Word of God was ably spoken and we were reminded of the tremendous blessings we have in Jesus Christ in the heavenly places. Gospel meeting weeks always seem to go by so quickly. We spend a few months in preparation, and then it is over before we realize it. This past week with our brother Mike Richardson was the spiritual shot in the arm that many of us needed, or at least what I needed. Mike has a style very different from my own, but each of his lessons rekindled the fire in my own heart and my prayer is that you all had the same reaction. We should not be so quick to forget his lessons, but rather let us take a few moments to remind ourselves of what Mike shared with us this past week from God’s Word.
Our brother Mike began the week with laying the foundation of God’s last will and testament. This lesson provided for each of us the basics of God’s communication and how His authority can be used in our daily lives. The Lord has not left us lacking, but rather through His inspired Word, He has given us everything necessary to accomplish His will. As the apostle Paul wrote –
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We are blessed to have the Word of God so available in our daily lives. How well are we using this blessing in our lives?
In the morning worship assembly, Mike asked a very important question – “Is it well with your soul?” The application of this question and its impact in our lives is inescapable. The Shunammite woman dealt with difficulties well beyond my own comprehension, but her reliance on God is inspiring (2 Kings 4:11-28). When everything seemed to be going in the wrong direction, she maintained her trust in the power and providence of God. When we face the difficulties of this life, how do we respond? Do we respond with an unwavering reliance upon God, or do we respond with fear and trepidation? The Shunammite’s response should be repeated often in our lives – “It is well.” It is well because God is present and His power is great!
On Sunday evening, Mike reminded us that we need to always remember to turn back and see Jesus. When Mary found herself alone at the garden tomb, she was distraught and overcome with sorrow (John 20:11-18). Mary did not fully understand the angel’s message of Jesus’ resurrection, but rather perceived that Jesus’ body had been stolen. When Jesus appeared to Mary, she did not know who He was until He spoke her name, “Mary!” She immediately turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” If only, we would hear the voice of our Shepherd and turn back to Jesus! Too often in the busyness of life, our schedules revolve around the job, kids, school, sports, and Spring cleaning that we can forget about our spiritual well-being. It is during those moments we need to be like Mary and “turn back and see Jesus.”
This past Monday, Mike took us to the twelfth chapter of Revelation for the lesson (12:7-17). Our brother was able to teach us a wonderful lesson from the most underused book of the entire New Testament. Mike reminded us that our King is reigning and that Jesus has already won the war, and we too can be victorious through our faith in Him! The devil is angry and he continually tempts and leads men astray, but those who trust and obey the Father’s will are given life eternally with Him. This lesson motivated the listener to recommit himself/herself to fight the good fight of faith!
On Tuesday evening, Mike took us to the 139th Psalm and reminded us all that God is there! When we are at services on Sunday morning - God is there! When we are riding in the car with the family - God is there! When we are working - God is there! If we are facing the final days of our loved one’s life - God is there! If we find ourselves all alone and tossed about on the seas of life - God is there! There is no place beyond the presence of our heavenly Father. This lesson was comforting to every Christian, because the presence of God brings light and life. The presence of God brings hope to those who may not have anything or anyone left on this side of eternity.
On Wednesday, we opened our Bibles to the 55th Psalm and Mike once again reminded us of the great promises and blessings we have through our faith in Jesus. King David had experienced many joys in his life on earth, but he also experienced many sorrows and difficulties. David expressed his sorrow with words such as restless, anguish, and overwhelmed (2, 3, 5). This pain lead David to ask – “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!” If David had wings, then he could fly away from all of these problems and dwell in the wilderness, but David was never granted wings to fly away. Instead, David choose to rely upon God. David called upon the Lord. David cried out to the Lord in the midst of his sorrow, and finally David learned to cast all of his burdens upon the Lord. The apostle Peter told Christians to do likewise – “7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). What a tremendous reminder that our best life will never be found on this earth, but rather it will only be found in eternity with God!
On Thursday evening, we opened our Bibles to the gospel of Luke (22:54-62). When Jesus had been arrested, Peter had followed at a distant into the high priest’s courtyard where he would be tempted to either confirm his identity as a disciple of Jesus or deny his Lord. We all know the outcome was Peter succumbing to the pressure of this world and denying the Lord three times. When Peter had denied the Lord for the third time; a rooster crowed, the Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter immediately remembered the word of the Lord – “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” While we may never be able to imagine fully this look from the Lord, it will be the same look felt by each person who is found wanting on the day of judgement. Mike used this event as the context of asking us an important question – “How will the Lord look upon me on the day of judgement?”
On Friday evening, we opened our Bibles to study about the “Unsparing God.” Mike helped understand the qualities of God’s grace and mercy are amazing, but that His long-suffering and patience will one day cease. The judgement of God is nothing to overlook or even ignore, but rather should serve as a fearful reminder of what is before each of us (Hebrews 9:27). If God did not spare the angels who left their proper domain, the ancient world, or the cities of Sodom or Gomorrah, then why do we think our sin will be overlooked (2 Peter 2:4-10)? The justice and holiness of God will be acknowledged either in our lives today, or when we perish and meet Him in judgement! The unsparing God is just and fair in all of His judgements. The unsparing God is also the greatest source of love, forgiveness, and grace/mercy, because He did not spare His only begotten Son (Romans 8:31-32; 5:6-9). We have the choice in our lives to either be spared by God through His Son, or to face His wrath in judgement. May God soften our hearts and save us by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ!
Our gospel meeting with Mike Richardson was a tremendous success because the Word of God was taught with love and boldness. Mike said throughout this week that his intent was never to belittle anyone, but rather that he had the responsibility to speak the truth. Our brother did exactly this and more. He gave us lessons to convict our hearts and provoke within ourselves a deeper appreciation of God’s grace and mercy, and a greatest desire to draw closer to our Savior Jesus Christ! May God bless our brother in his continued preaching of the gospel and may many souls be saved by the sowing and watering of the seed! To God be the glory for this past week and our gospel meeting.
