GOD REVEALED HIS CONCERN

The other day, I asked the Lord if I had done something wrong that was responsible for the consequences I am enduring right now. I thought I was being generous in my giving and would receive back what I had sown in plentiful measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over… but that has not been the case.

When I woke up today, I was led to watch the Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church Sunday morning sermon upload. When I clicked on it, I saw that it wasn’t Pastor Anderson, but a guest speaker that I had never seen nor heard before. I almost backed out of it but remembered that it was the Lord leading me there.

He ministered under the title, A Good Work By Our Good God.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) …being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Sermonic Notes:

• God’s not finished.
• God is faithful.
• God is working on me.
• Whatever God starts He brings to completion.
• God is reliable to see things through to the end.
• God doesn’t leave projects unfinished.
• God fulfills His promises.
• We can rest assured that the work begun in us will be completed.

This sermon takes me back to another word I recently received…

James 1:4 (NKJV) Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The foundation of God stands sure and certain. He will fulfill His word in His time. The word that He speaks shall not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish His mission, and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it.

When the Lord turned Job’s captivity, He greatly blessed the latter end of Job’s life more than his beginning. He gained back double for his trouble, and died very old having lived a good life.

I needed that sermon, and my heavenly Father knew I needed that reminder. When my faith started to decline, He lifted it back up again.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

CHURCH ATTENDANCE

This must’ve been sometime in early 1999. I was running late for church, and when I pulled into the parking lot, I could hear the saints singing. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit wash over me and a sudden jolt of anxiety burst open in my soul — like a can of soda pop that had been shaken hard. I yelled out loud, “Oh my God!!” I slammed my foot on the accelerator, threw that car into a parking space, jumped out, and literally ran down the driveway into the church building.

After that day, I was rarely ever late for church. To this day I still have feelings of anxiety if it appears I’m running late for church. Most of the time, I’m the first one in the parking lot.

I love church, but I have not attended any services in recent months. Something happened that caused me to back away from attending church at the building site. I now use social media access when I feel the need to join in fellowship with other believers. But that former feeling of running to the church building isn’t there anymore. I can’t put a direct finger on it, but I know it’s not there.

There’s a Bible verse in Hebrews 10:25 that says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some (like me).

I don’t have a problem neglecting attendance, but I do have a problem with that condemning verse. I know how to get into the presence of fellow believers when I need to, but the intensity to run into the church building seems long gone.

If I continue to neglect church attendance, am I being disobedient to God? Have I left my first love?

I know the kind of church I want to attend but it’s not available to me right now, and I refuse to attend a dead church. Ain’t gonna happen!!

I want that feeling back where I jumped out of my car and ran like a gazelle into the building and worshipped God like it was my very last time.

Does that church exist in 2024⁇⁇⁇⁇

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

RE-FORMING MARRED CLAY

A word came to the prophet Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then he went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. (Jer. 18:1-4)

The clay would sometimes dry out while the potter was working with it, and become uncooperative and flawed in the potter’s hands while he was crafting and molding his intended vessel. When this happened, he would crush the clay back down into a lump and pour water on it to make it more easily manageable and workable. Then he re-worked it again, and again, until it took on the shape he wanted.

The apostle Paul said that in a very similar manner we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are the Father’s intended vessels with a purpose. In the passage where Jeremiah talks about the potter, he said that the children of Israel was like clay in God’s hands, that had dried out. Judgment was about to come upon them as water on dry clay to drive them back to God.

I am reminded of the prodigal son that left his father and went away into a far country to do his own thing without being criticized. He ended up hitting rock bottom and came to his senses as he sat in the hog pen reflecting over how he had destroyed his life. He was so hungry that he thought about eating the food he was feeding the pigs. That’s rock bottom. That’s water being poured on dried out clay to make it pliable again… to make that hardened stony heart into a softened heart of clay. The prodigal son went back to his father with a reformed heart.

Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, that they had left their first love (became dried out). They were encouraged to think back to where they had fallen and arise and begin again. The apostle Paul had once commended that church for their love of God and others, but the church had lost their zeal for God and their motivation was mostly busy work to benefit themselves.

Church, let us not forget that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. He that has begun a good work in us will complete it until Christ returns. Let us remain on His potter’s wheel so that He may re-form us for His intended purpose. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Let Him finish His good work. When you become weary and discouraged by the process, cry out to the Lord and He will strengthen you. Be encouraged!

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

MY PROBLEM WITH FIERY PREACHERS

I am a devout Christian and I love the Lord my God. But to preach at me like I'm some kind of hypocrite just makes me back away from seeking a God that always seems to be upset with me about something. Give me a sermon that helps me grow closer to the Lord, and mature as a Christian. Let the tone of God's voice be that of a loving Father, not a judge with a gavel in his hand, convicting a sentenced criminal.

I don't need to add any more condemning words to the condemnation that the accuser of the brethren is already slamming me with. What I need is for my eyes to be lifted to the glorious hope I already carry within. The apostle Paul said, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for every good work."

My daughter, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest your heavenly Father's correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a loving father the child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Y'all, please pray for me.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove 🕊

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS

Worship In The Beauty of Holiness

This was about twenty-something years ago; our church was scheduled to go worship with another church. I dreaded the thought of going because one of the brothers at that church had “mistakenly” assumed that I flirted with him (which I adamantly did not), but he made me uncomfortable by his insinuations and I simply did not want to attend.

I went to my pastor after the announcement was made to tell him that I would be unable to attend and why. He talked me out of my cowardice and encouraged me to go anyway.

I went into the sanctuary and sat up front in the second row. Something completely unexpected happened during worship time. As I worshipped the Lord, I seemed to zone out and became oblivious to my surroundings — not even aware of where I was. I don’t know how long I worshipped but when I came to myself, I was the only one still standing. I could hear my pastor’s voice as he worshipped with me from the podium.

When church was out, the brother that accused me of flirting, and his lovely wife, made a beeline over to me to apologize. During my time of worshipping God, He was working on their hearts. They apologized and wished blessings upon me. I was glad my pastor had talked me into going.

One thing I learned that day is how true worship moves the heart of God, and brings down strong defenses. God was moving in the spirit realm as I stood worshiping Him. He fought my battle and won it for me.

Shortly after that, that same couple moved to another city and I never saw them again.

James 4:7-8, 10 (NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

He lifted me up that day, and I'll never forget it.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove