Inspiring Devotion From Steve Fleshman

One

 

 

“O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!” Job 16:21

 

Job’s statement about the impact that the prayer of “one” person can have, is echoed in James 5:16b; “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Job himself was “one that feared God” (Job 1:1); and the Bible tells of many others; “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Heb. 11:33, 34). These are the lonely few who chose the hard but right path in their day, rather than succumbing to the spirit of the age in which they lived. Although God doesn’t need more Mavericks (those who do their own thing), he could use a lot more Pioneers (those who initiate works within his structure / the church)! William Carey (1761-1834, called the “father of modern missions”), was such a pioneer who said, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” These are men from the same mold as John the Baptist, who boldly accepted his calling.

 

“…I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord…” Jn.1:23

 

Pharaoh said of Joseph, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (Gen. 41:38b); he was used to preserve Israel. Moses was “…one of the Hebrews' children.” (Ex. 2:6b), yet he was used to deliver a nation. David went out against Goliath, knowing the answer to Rom. 8:31b before it was written; “…If God be for us, who can be against us?” David and God were a majority of one, and he inspired this same courage in his friend Jonathan who said, “…there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (1 Sam. 14:6)! Gideon and his 300 men, turned to flight 135,000 Midianites (450:1 ratio, Jud. 8:10). Elijah stood alone (with God), against 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18), and was victorious. Paul stood alone (with God), and the Lord delivered him out of the mouth of the lion (2 Tim. 4:16, 17). It was but one “young man” that God used to save Paul’s life, when 40 men sought to kill him (Acts 23:12-35)! It was but “…A certain man...” in Luke 10:29-34, known today as “The Good Samaritan”; that Christ used to define who our neighbor is. As Ezekiel wrote below, God is still looking for “a man” to “make up the hedge, and stand in the gap”.

 

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30

 

God told Jeremiah to look and see, “…if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth…” (Jer. 5:1). Could someone like this be found in our day? It has been said that “The world has yet to see what can be accomplished by one man, who is wholly consecrated to God”. Could you be that man, if not you, then who; if not now, then when? Jesus Christ was that “one man” in Jn. 11:50, who Caiaphas prophesied of, by saying, “…that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” He is the good shepherd who leaves the 99, in search of the “one… gone astray” (Mt. 18:12), i.e. you! Friend, you can’t be the “one man” mightily used of God, until you submit to the “one man” who was God; why not accept his “free gift” of salvation by “grace” today?

 

“Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned… But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” Romans 5:12, 15

 

 

Author Steve Fleshman, copyright © 2008, all rights reserved. You may copy this material or use it as long as it is not changed and this copyright, and author’s information is left intact. All scripture references are from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

 

2008 Vision Conference Comming Soon!

I am so excited about this year’s 2008 Vision Conference! This year will mark our first Vision Conference in our new building as well as our seventh year as a ministry in the heart of Cass County. The past six years God has done a tremendous work in our lives to bring us to this place in the life of our church.

This year our theme will be “Rest”. As the ministry increasingly expands and deepens it is important that we learn to rest in God’s provision. The scripture admonishes us in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Jesus and learn of Him and He will provide rest for our souls. Speaking of rest, I am excited to announce for the first time in the history of Heartland Baptist Fellowship that we will be able to come together collectively to sit under the preaching of God’s Word! Throughout the entire week of Vision Conference a team of over 15 workers from Maple City Baptist Church of Monmouth Illinois will be teaching our children through two action packed Bible curriculums. You will have an opportunity this year to simply soak up the Word of God as your children are ministered to by the ministry of MCBC. Neither you nor your kids will want to miss out!

This year will be special as God has provided a tremendous line up of speakers who will challenge our hearts concerning God’s will for our lives as they share their ministries and the Word of God with us. Please keep Blake Anderson in your prayers as he will be primary speaker each night. I am trusting God will speak directly to HBF this week and clarify our vision as we continue to move forward equipping the saints of god to accomplish the mission of God in the power of God.  

Please set aside time in your schedule the week of April 6-9 to join us. If you would like to help by housing a visiting pastor, missionary or guest from out of town, contact the office or see Kathy Cundiff at the office.  You may also want to take time off of work to join us for a special session taught by Blake Anderson during the morning of Tuesday April 8^th.  Please make sure you see the attached pamphlet for a list of times of service and events taking place during this exciting week.

 

I look forward to seeing you at the vision conference.

Yours in Christ,

Brian Hedges
Pastor

Matthew 11:28-30

  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.