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In a Moment I saw the world in a different way27. December, 2011blogsNo comments
In one minute and twenty eight seconds, I saw the world in a different way. The day after Christmas, I received a voicemail. In one minute and twenty eight seconds, I felt the presence of the Lord just rain on my soul. What was said, were healing words. Encouragement, appreciation and love. It was as if my mind had shifted and I saw things in a different way. On Saturday night, Christmas eve, I opened a letter, hand written from a dear saint that has visited our church twice over eight years that lives many hours away. In that letter, carefully and beautifully written were words communicating prayer, encouragement and a number of scriptures. I refolded the pages and put them back in the envelope and felt great appreciation someone took the time and thought to share that moment with me. A few years ago, one Saturday morning the phone rang. I could not find a cordless, so I walked and picked up a corded phone beside the bed. What I found on the other end was a pastor from a neighboring town. We did not communicate often, so his call was not a normal thing. His words were not complicated or deep. “Hey Brother, how are you today?” I responded, “I am fine, how are you?” His response was simply, “I was praying this morning and I thought of you while I prayed. I just wanted you to know that the Lord is with you.” In just a few minutes we said goodbye and I hung up the phone. I remember a great sense of appreciation for God and this person. There was peace found because of a shared moment. My life has been filled with small moments, exchanges, impartations. Individually, they might not seem like much, but in those moments it could have been the difference. Paul in his theological masterpiece of the letter to the Romans we find special commendations about and for a singular lady. Romans 16 Phebe had been given a blank check by the Apostle Paul. Whatsoever business she hath need of you, take care of her because she has been a blessing to so many people. We find again Paul commends a man and blesses his house, his family because of the ministry of encouragement. 2Timothy 1:16-18 In all the ministry endeavors that we involve ourselves in, one does not have more eternal impact than the simple act of taking a moment to share words, healing words and allowing your presence to be the spirit of God with flesh to provide peace to a saint of God in a time of hardship. The Power of a Moment. “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41 The Ministry of Encouragement effects this world and the world to come. In one minute and twenty eight seconds, you can help someone see the world in a different way. In Him, By Him, Through Him, Scott A. Phillips |
The Evolving Nature of a Disciple15. December, 2011blogsNo comments
This is a message I shared on Wednesday night 11/30/11. The audio for this can be found here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tir7m_GEyo The Evolving Nature of a Disciple
To demonstrate this principle I would like to highlight for your consideration the John, the brother of James. We are able to see the evolving perception of this man who would be the lens from which we gain incredible insight and understanding concerning God and his nature.
1. John the Son of Thunder
2. John the brother of James
3. John the disciple
4. John the Beloved
5. John the Apostle
6. John the Revelator
His father was loud, his mother was presumptuous and add to him his brother and you get a picture of a prominent family. His mother sought special positions for her sons, Jesus promised them, “You will drink of the same cup and be baptized with the same baptism, but where you fit in the kingdom is not for negotiating.” We See John Fishing, he left his nets. We see John communing with Jesus.
We see John demonstrating a special care for Jesus.
We see John selected to care for the mother of Jesus. We see John at the resurrection of Jesus.
We see John at Pentecost
We See John on his way to the Temple with Peter in Acts 3
He was the companion of Peter in Acts 4
He was sent with Peter to Samaria in Acts 8
We don’t see him again in the book of Acts
John was with Paul in Galatia, referred to as a Pillar of the Church It was not till later in his life and ministry that we find John the Apostle, writing.
The treasure of his treatise found in the Gospel of John. The concern for the church in his Epistles of 1,2, 3 John. However, it is the The Book of Revelations where we see John like no other place. It is through this transparent soul that time, trouble and tribulation has cleared the patina of his character that he was entrusted to give us a glimpse, a vision of eternal consequence. A Revelation of Jesus Christ.
And what a revelation it is.
We see his Person…. Jesus
We see his ministry.. Lamb
We see his eternity… God
We see his holiness…Bright as the son
We see his Concern…standing knocking
We see his Judgement…. Tribulation, Hell, Judgement
We see his Wisdom….. The beauty of his Plan.
We see the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Because of John.
Tonight, November 30, 2011 we hold in our hands the writings of John two thousand years later because he did not remain where he was, but he grew and became another, greater, improved, redeemed, purified person. From Faith to Faith.
From Glory to Glory.
Ye are a living epistle, read and heard of all men. Don’t stop in your process.
You may fail. Get Back Up
You may sleep, wake up
You may struggle, tighten up
You may feel stagnate…. let the Holy Ghost quicken you.
Let us Strive … for Transformation.
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott A. Phillips
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