Posted on Jun 24, 2024 in Devotions | Tags: be a blessing, do you want the blessings of God, do you want the favor of God on your life, Dr. Randal Reese, Ezra, favor of God, honorable, Jabez, Jabez called upon the Lord, more honorable than his brethren, New Rocky Creek devotion, you need the favor of God
Text: 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10
“And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
Introduction: Don’t you want the FAVOR of God on your life? Are we willing to do what it takes to get the BLESSINGS of God? The priest, Ezra gives us a record of a man named Jabez who was “more honorable than his brethren” (1 Chron 4:9). “Honorable” is the Hebrew word kabob, which means “enjoy honor of man.”
Even though he was born with sorrow, Jabez called upon the Lord and gives us (4) reasons why we need the FAVOR of God:
1. Do we need the FAVOR of GOD for those AROUND us? (1 Chron 4:10) – “And Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed.”
• Be blessed
• Be a blessing
2. Do we need the FAVOR of God for opportunities AHEAD of us? (1 Chron 4:10) – “Enlarge my coast”
• Opportunities of blessings AHEAD
• Opportunities of blessings BEHIND
3. Do we need the FAVOR of God because of who’s AFTER us? (1 Chron 4:10) – ” That thou wouldest keep me from evil”
• False accusations
• Intimidations
4. Do we need the FAVOR of God because of who’s ALWAYS with us! (1 Chron 4:10) – “That thine hand might be with me”
• His hand of protection
• His hand of provision
Conclusion: The best part…. “And God granted him that which he requested”! Nothing equates to God’s FAVOR and BLESSING! Remember: The FAVOR of God is not just for us, but for those AROUND us, AHEAD of us, and AFTER us…. because God is ALWAYS with us!
Why not call upon Him now?
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
Posted on Jun 20, 2024 in Devotions | Tags: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, bad and good news, Dr. Randal Reese, eternal life, glorified body, New Rocky Creek devotion, our inward man is being renewed, our old body is wearing out, our outward man is perishing, reasons to rejoice, suffering affliction, troubles and trials, under pressure, we will get a new body
Introduction: Does it feel like the OUTSIDE is wearing out? Aches & pains… what don’t hurt, don’t work!! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand our bodies are decaying… but God is strengthening our inner being by His Spirit, according to Paul’s writing. Somebody said, “I’m at the place, where my belt won’t buckle but my knees will!”
There are (3) reasons for believers to rejoice:
1. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:16) – ” For this cause we faint not; But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
The word “faint” means to lose courage.
• Our old body has a Limited warranty
• Our new body has a Guarantee through eternity
2. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:17) – “For this light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
The word “affliction” is thlipsis, which means pressure.
• Troubles seem to last
• Troubles & trials turn into Testimonies
3. Bad & Good News that gives us REASONS to REJOICE! (2 Cor 4:18) – “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
• What you see is not what you get
• What you DON’T see is what you get
Conclusion: If Paul is right, and he is, then this body comes with a LIMITED WARRANTY! Sorry. While that’s a sobering reality, it’s also true that we have an UNLIMITED WARRANTY with what’s on the inside (the Spirit will take on a glorified body – 1 Cor 15:37-56).
That gives HOPE & COMFORT during this life, giving us REASONS to REJOICE!
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
Posted on Jun 4, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: are you happy, do you have purpose, does your life have meaning, Dr. Randal Reese, John 14, New Rocky Creek devotion
John 14:1-23
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
Introduction: Why are so many people unhappy? Are you unhappy? Fill in the blank. If I could just___ __? Get another job. Meet the right person. Lose some weight. Be pain free. Get out of debt. Have a nicer car. If I just had some more money. Or…the list goes on. Since Jesus knows all about us, then He knows what will make us HAPPY. Consider (3) choices you can make now that will make you HAPPY!
1. Find something to do with MEANING and PURPOSE! (John 14:10-14)
” He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.”
• Do nothing – waste of time
• Find something to make a difference
2. Find someone to LOVE that brings AFFIRMATION and security! (John 14:15-27)
” If ye love me, keep my commandments…he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him.”
• The LOVE of the FATHER
• The LOVE of the Son
3. Find something to look forward to with HOPE and ASSURANCE! (John 14:1-3)
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me….In my Father’s house are many mansions:…I go to prepare a place for you…I will come again, and receive you unto myself.”
• Heaven’s for real
• Jesus will come again
Conclusion: “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psa 144:15). According to Jesus, a person can find MEANING and PURPOSE, LOVE and AFFIRMATION, HOPE and SECURITY in a relationship with the Father. That brings HAPPINESS! Are you HAPPY yet?
Be HAPPY in the Lord!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
Posted on Jun 3, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: do you need prayer, Dr. Randal Reese, God answers prayer, James 5, New Rocky Creek devotion, power in prayer, pray according to the will of God, pray for one another, pray for the sick, pray in faith, prayer brings healing, who can you pray for
James 5:13-17
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”
Introduction: Is there really POWER in prayer? Have you prayed for anybody today? Finish this statement: When we pray for one another there is ____? James, the half-brother of Jesus, gives us (believers), (3) instructions for praying for each other:
1. When should we PRAY? (James 5:13, 14)
” Is there any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you: let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
• When we face Adversity
“Afflicted” – kak-op-ath-eh-o, which means to suffer – endure – evils (hardships, troubles)
• When we are sick
“Sick” – as-then-eh-o, which means to be weak, feeble, to be without strength.
2. How should we PRAY? (James 5:15, 16)
” And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
• God answers PRAYER
• The PRAYER of faith
3. Whose PRAYERS have GREAT strength? (James 5:16)
“Confess your faults one to another, that ye may be healed: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
• “Effectual fervent” – en-erg-eh-o, which means to be operative, be at work, put forth power
• “Availeth” – is-khoo-o, which means to be strong, to have power, strength to overcome
Conclusion: Would you agree? The PRAYER of faith brings both mental and physical healing….according to the WORD of God and the WILL of God. Faith is cultivated by a need, planted by a promise, and harvested by the Lord of the Harvest- Jesus Christ. Do you know anybody that needs PRAYER?
Let’s PRAY.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
Posted on Jun 2, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: accept Jesus' invitation, are you depressed, call out to God, cry out to God, Dr. Randal Reese, feeling depressed, feeling down, give your life to Jesus, Jesus restores, Jesus satisfies, New Rocky Creek devotion
Isaiah 55:1-13
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Introduction: Why are so many people depressed these days? One study reveals (5) out of every (10) adults are “dealing with being down in the dumps.” The Jews (Israel) in Isaiah’s day were facing the same… yet God had a plan for them. He has a plan for you (us) as well. Are you feeling down? Why not accept Jesus’ (3) INVITATIONS for LIBERATED LIVING:
1. Will we accept Jesus’ INVITATION to enjoy a LIFE of SATISFACTION? (Isaiah 55:1-5)
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy….Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? .. .let your soul delight itself in fatness…I will make a everlasting covenant with you even sure mercies of David.”
• Some things money can’t buy (vv. 1, 2) “The exchanged life” (Gal 2:20)
• Some things only God can do (vv. 3-5) “He gets glory”
2. Will we accept Jesus’ INVITATION and experience the JOY of RESTORATION! (Isaiah 55:6, 7)
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near…let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.”
• Go back to God
• Call out to God
• He cares
• He pardons
3. Will we accept Jesus’ INVITATION which gives HOPE of EXPECTATION! (Isaiah 55:8-11)
” For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord…For as the heavens are higher than the earth….so are my ways…thoughts than yours….For as the rain cometh down….and returneth not but watereth the earth…..so shall my word be that goeth forth…it shall not return void, but it will accomplish that which I please.”
• God’s character never changes
• God’s Word always changes
Conclusion: Why are so many depressed today? You maybe? Could it be that while the world has so much to offer, JESUS has so much more? The life of SATISFACTION, the joy of RESTORATION, and the hope of EXPECTATION, are all included in JESUS’ INVITATION.
You can’t beat that!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
Posted on Jun 1, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: Christ lives in us, do you live for self, do you live for the Lord, Dr. Randal Reese, Jesus died and rose again, let God have His way with you, New Rocky Creek devotion, one died for all, reasons to love the Lord, the love of Christ compels us
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Introduction: Remember the song, “If that isn’t LOVE, the ocean is dry”! Paul understood the LOVE of God…..and gives us (3) reasons we ought to LOVE Him and let Him have His WAY with us:
1. st Reason to LOVE the Lord… we have a Brand New LOVE with a Brand New MOTIVATION! (2 Cor 5:14, 15)
“The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all….that they which live should not live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (constraineth – soon-ekh-o, which means “to hold together” – motivates – Jesus is holding us together!)
• Choice – live for SELF
• Choice – live for the Lord
2. nd Reason to LOVE the Lord… we have a Brand New LORD with a Brand New TRANSFORMATION! (2 Cor 5:17)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away…all things are…new.”
• Brand new owner (under new management!)
• Want-to’s changed
3. rd Reason to LOVE the Lord… we have a Brand New LIFE with a Brand New DESTINATION! (2 Cor 5:18-21)
“Who hath reconciled us to him by Jesus Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation…Now then we are ambassadors for Christ….For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” That’s SHOUTING ground!
(“reconciled” – katalasso, which pictures exchange of coins, ” ambassador” – presbeuo, representative)
• Love for the Lord shows
• Love for the Lord goes
Conclusion: Have you noticed? God’s Word is diametrically opposed to the world’s philosophy of life.
“Live for SELF!”
“Live around SELF!”
“It’s all about SELF!”
But Jesus lived (gave Himself), died, and arose again, and gives us HIS life to live “in us” and “thru us” thus producing a life that’s impossible to live without Him, and yet it includes the ultimate fulfillment of His LOVE expressing thru us as we yield to Him.
No wonder it’s…
– Higher,
– Deeper,
– and Wider, than anything on this earth.
“If that isn’t LOVE, I don’t know what is!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
Posted on May 30, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: Colossians 3, death to life, Dr. Randal Reese, New Rocky Creek devotion, put to death, put to death your members, rest in peace, resurrected in power, risen with Christ, seeks those things above, your life is hid with Christ
Colossians 3:1-24
Introduction: Have you ever seen a beautiful butterfly? Has it always been able to fly and radiate different colors? No… Rather, it’s been transformed from a crawling caterpillar to a bouncing butterfly – death to life. Likewise, we as redeemed believers in Jesus have been changed from an OLD life to a NEW life in Christ. That process continues until we are glorified in heaven…. I like to call it R.I.P. Why? Paul uses (2) pieces of the puzzle that snap together in R.I.P.
1. Some things need to be (BURIED) R.I.P.! Rest In Peace (Col 3:1-5)
” If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on the things above, not on the things on the earth….For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Note: {“If” means “since”- aorist tense – past event- the believers of Colossae had already been “raised” up – (positionally and practically when fleshed out experientially)
•”Dead” R.I.P – Rest In Peace. (“For ye are dead”- Col 3:4)
•”Mortify” aorist – put to death..”your members…fornication, uncleanness….evil concupiscence, and covetousness.” (Col 3:5)
[Past sins – R.I.P; Perfect people – R.I.P.]
2. Some things need to be RESURRECTED in POWER (R.I.P.)! (Col 3:15-24)
Our hearts need (R.I.P.)
•[A Passion for His WORD] – Col 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”
•[A Passion for His WILL] – Col 3:15 “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts”
•[A Passion for His WORK] – Col 3:23,24 “Whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Conclusion: Daily Reminder:
- Some things in our life {have been} need to be buried. “Put to death” (R.I.P) – Rest In Peace!
- While some things need to be “Brought to life” (R.I.P.) – Resurrected In Power!
Hallelujah….if you could only see what I USED to be…and NOW transformed into….well…a work in progress!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
Posted on May 29, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: Acts 20, be faithful, be led by the Spirit, believe the Word of God, circle of influence, Dr. Randal Reese, finish faithful, it's how you finish, leave a lasting legacy, leave a legacy, listen to the Holy Spirit, maximize your influence, New Rocky Creek devotion
Acts 20:1-36
Introduction: How do you want to be remembered? When your time comes, will you be GONE and FORGOTTEN? How can we leave a lasting legacy? God gives us (5) ways to be “GONE but not FORGOTTEN” through Paul’s life and influence:
1. By INFLUENCING others to follow the WILL of God! (Acts 20:1-4)
“Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them…and had given them much exhortation.”
• Paul’s circle of influence
• Your circle of influence
2. By BELIEVING the WORD of God! (Acts 20:7-12)
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them.”
• Your mission field
• Blossom where you are planted
3. By being LEAD by the SPIRIT of God! (Acts 20:17-22)
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations…I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there…save the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city.”
• Red lights of the Holy Spirit – WHOA
• Green lights from the Holy Spirit – GO
4. By FINISHING faithful with the PLAN of God! (Acts 20:24)
“Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
• It’s not how you start
• It’s how you finish
Conclusion: God’s prescription to MAXIMIZE your influence is by following the Will of God, believing the Word of God, being lead by the Spirit of God, and finishing faithful with the Plan of God…..that will assure you and me of LEAVING a LASTING LEGACY!
Thanks for being faithful!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
Posted on May 28, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: answer God's call, answer Jesus' call, are you ready to go, are you ready to serve, Dr. Randal Reese, here am I send me, John 15, lay down your life for your friends, lose your life for My sake, New Rocky Creek devotion, no greater love, our highest duty, substitutionary love, war on the church house, war on the schoolhouse, war on the White House, war on your house
John 15:13
Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Introduction: Are you ready to go? Ready to serve? Will you answer God’s CALL? “He that loses his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt 10:39). “When He was on the cross, you (I) were on His mind.” Just as men and women down through the ages have answered the CALL to serve our country, AMERICA – even to the point of death – may we STEP up and say, “Yes to Jesus”!
Think about (3) reasons to answer God’s CALL:
1. Answering Jesus CALL is our HIGHEST DUTY! (John 15:13)
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
• Ready to SERVE our Lord…..Isaiah answered, “Here am I, send me” (Isa 6:8)
• Life service…over Lip service
2. Jesus answered His Father’s CALL! (Phil 2:5-11)
“Let this mind be in you, which as also in ChristJesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:….took upon Him the form of a servant…and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross…wherefore God….highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name.”
• Substitutionary LOVE
• Servanthood LOVE
3. CHRISTians need to answer the CALL because we are in a war! (John 15:13)
“Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for a friend.”
• War on your house
• War on the Church house
• War on the schoolhouse
• War on the courthouse
• War on the White House
Conclusion: You probably would not be reading this, if you didn’t answer God’s CALL. The stakes are high! The cost is great! The battle is relentless! But the purpose is justifying…. In a culture that thrives on SELF – preserving, may we be FAITHFUL to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we answer His CALL!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
Posted on May 27, 2020 in Devotions | Tags: cost to be a disciple of Jesus, death to self, Dr. Randal Reese, facing an external enemy, facing an infernal enemy, facing an internal enemy, fight for your faith, fight for your legacy, follow Jesus, God is in control, New Rocky Creek devotion, prepare for battle, price to follow Christ, Psalm 11, the cost of compromise
Psalm 11:1-7
“In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord‘s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
Introduction: While others saw a shepherd boy, God saw a King! A warrior! A Leader! A Servant! David fought and killed a bear, a lion, and a giant… every Christian is in a FIGHT! Can you feel it? How can we win over the enemy? Consider (3) strategies for FIGHTING the Good FIGHT of FAITH:
1. Who’s FIGHTING Who? Prepare for Battle! (Psa 11:1-2)
“In the Lord put I my trust:….For lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.”
- Facing an Internal enemy – fighting your testimony
- Facing an External enemy – fighting your family
- Facing an Infernal enemy – fighting your legacy
2. How much will it COST? Count the COST! (Psa 11:3)
“If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
- The COST of compromise
- The PRICE that’s RIGHT for the fight
3. Where is our help? Do the math! (Psa 11:4-7)
“The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men….For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
- God’s in control
- We shall behold Him
Conclusion: Is there a cost to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What’s the cost to follow Jesus? Death to SELF! There’s a PRICE to follow CHRIST!! But there’s a higher COST for lower living…. Ultimately it COSTS more not to follow Jesus, regardless of the fierce fight of faith.
Keep fighting soldier.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
