Rise! from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
What if you knew today was your last one, and you would be standing before the judgment seat of Christ in a matter of hours. Would that affect how you lived your life right now? It shouldn't. I feel too many times, we are focusing on our immediate worldly needs while ignoring the eternal. Then it slips up on us, just like Christmas. I mean, the Lord understands, and there will always be time for Jesus later, right? Maybe not. This is what He said:
(Luke 12:16–21 NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Today is the day of salvation, for none of us are promised tomorrow. Now is the time to be getting to know the Lord Jesus. Oh yes, it's great to throw yourself into your work, but don't forget about God while you are doing it. Include Him in it.
God called the man in the parable above a fool, not because he was wealthy, but because he wasn't rich toward God. He just failed to include God in his plans. The term "fool" is one of the strongest derogatory words used in the Bible. Matthew 5:22 states that whoever calls his brother a fool is in danger of hell. Yet, here is another foolish man Jesus spoke about:
(Matthew 7:24–27 NKJV) "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
Notice their homes were being built by what they had been doing on Earth. And though the houses looked similar on the outside, adversity revealed what their foundation was built on. Distress came suddenly, and there was no time to go strengthen the foundation. What happened to them when trouble came to town? The wise man who had been hearing the words of Jesus and doing them stood the test of time, while the other had a great fall.
OK, enough about fools who think they can put off knowing God until later. That isn't any of us, right? We are smarter than that. So here is a word for today:
(Psalm 40:1–2 NKJV) I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
While preparing this message, I saw a vision of a man struggling in black waist-deep mud, almost like quicksand. He was looking left and right in a panic, trying to get free, yet slowly sinking deeper. Then the Lord lowered him a rope from above, and the man took hold of it. The Lord said, "Rise!" and He began pulling the man free. But then the man looked back down, and the mud seemed to come alive, and it reached out arms to drag him back down. The Lord tugged hard on the rope three times and said, "Rise, Rise, Rise!" So the man looked back up to the Lord, and he began to rise up out of the mud. The only way for him to get free was to keep looking up, keep his eyes on the Lord, hold tightly to the rope he had been given, and not take it for granted that it would always be there.
Someone feels like they are sinking, but the Lord is throwing you a lifeline. Embrace it, and keep your eyes on Him, for He is your only way out. Don't bother looking left or right but continue looking up. For if given a chance, those around you will drag you back into it. Only Jesus wants you to go free.
Rise!
Rise!
Rise!
You can pray this with me if you like:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for all You've done for me! Please set me free from the things that hold me back from living in Your perfect will. I want to be a part of what You are doing on the Earth today and for You to be a bigger part of my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
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Wow this sermon was meant for me I really do feel like I am sinking in the mud but I know during this time of being in my valley to focus more on Jesus and what he has done for me in the past and listen closely to what he says about my future I love you ABBA Father thank you for speaking to me in a way I understand thank you pastor Dion for your mentoring me over the years I have learned so much more than I ever thought possible thanks for sharing the truth with us ! Sorry I missed church service this morning I have not been sleeping well lately and I over slept I'm very sorry and I will be here for Wednesday worship and prayer service
Gods blessings to you Scott.
Look up, grab that rope and hang in there brother! Until He pulls you completely out! May God bless you and keep you Scott.
Praying for the Lord's strength and power over your life, Scott. Our God gives the victory! See you Wednesday!
No problem Scott! With you on the west coast and us on the east, you have to get up pretty early to catch the service, so it's understandable. I am glad the message spoke to you. May the Lord bless you in every way, in Jesus name.
NEED THAT ROPE...LAST MONTH FOR ME TO.GET MONIES FOR MY MORTGAGE CATCH UP....MIRACLES DO HAPPEN THOUGH...THANK YOU DION....LOVE YOU ALL !
God bless you Sharon. May the Lord make a way in the desert, in Jesus name.
I'M SURE HE WILL. Testamony: 2 days ago the court DISMISSED my case after 2 years. GOD is my Defeunder. Also Healer & SUPPLIER of ALL THINGS needed in my life I just have to be willing to TRUST His timing. Just want to Thank Everyone for Thier PRAYERS. Love You All & Thank You Again.
Amen
Amen! Thank you Lord Jesus, thank you , every day !
Amen!
Amen Father I thank You for Your strength that sets me free, I can't do it without You.
AMEN. Heavenly Father, Thank You for guiding me on this journey. I could not do this without You. Amen
Thank O God! Thank you!
My Hope is built on nothing less then Jesus Blood and Righteousness!
On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand, All Other Ground is Sinking Sand! To God be The Glory for Keeping Me, to God be The Glory for Blessing Me, To God Be The Glory For Loving Me and to God Be The Glory For Saving Me! saving me! Hallelujah Jesus!
God is awesome.Thank you Pastor Dion for the wonderful message. Amen
Amen Thank You Farther For Being A Blessing To Everyone Good Morning Everyone
Help me to always look up Lord Jesus and trust you more and more everyday. I want your Will in my everyday life. Amen
Amen
Thank you for our lifeline dear God Amen
You are my rock and my savior, Jesus! Amen.
In Lord Yeshua's name I ask this, Amen.
Amen!! Alleluia!! Amen!!
Way to motivate, Pastor Dion! I want to be a part of what You are doing on the Earth today, Lord, and for You to be a bigger part of my life!
Heavenly Father I thank You for all You have done in my life, I have learned that without You I cannot survive, thank You Lord. Set me free of the things that are holding me back, in Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.
Awesome devotional reminder Pastor, God bless you and Sylvia, Amen.
Pastor Dion, your message is good and needed to be heard. I must be honest though, at times lately, I do feel I am sinking. I keep reading devotionals, listen to sermons and different studies, however, there is something missing. Is it because I am what is considered elderly and have little left to give. I just keep trying but it's so lonely. Yet, I prefer not being around people, especially the way things are today. I won't give up. I know God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are real. I just wish I understood more.(L)
Hi Bella. I have been there. You may already be doing what you are supposed to, but pray and ask the Lord to show you clearly how you can help. Share your heart with Him as if He were a dear friend. I usually go into a room and close the door and just talk to Him for a while. It's amazing what a difference that can make. Also, your prayers for others are one of the most important things you can do :)
Thank you Pastor Dion. You are such a dear friend. God bless you and Sylvia for all you do.
Thank you Pastor.
Amen!
Yes, amen Lord
I'm so sorry for your loss, I pray for the Lord to comfort you and your cousins family.
Amen and Amen! One day at a time with my Lord, He is my lifeline and my anchor!