Grosey's Messages

The Secret of Success by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Clarence Darrow, a famous attorney who happened to be an atheist or agnostic, had an intriguing conversation with a minister. As he reflected on his law career, he admitted, “This has been an exciting life.” He felt he had been somewhat of a success. Darrow asked, “Would you like to know my favorite Bible verse?” The minister said, “Indeed I would.” Darrow said, “Luke 5:5, ‘We have toiled all night and have taken nothing.’” He added, “In spite of my success, that verse seems to sum up the way I feel about life.” It is interesting to note that Darrow was so close to discovering the secret of success, in fact, it was hidden in plain view in the passage he cited. Notice three steps in this success story. First, there is a confession of failure to the Lord. Luke 5:5a reads, “But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. . .’” Second, there is an expression of faith in the Lord. Luke 5:5b reads, “. . .nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” Previously Jesus commanded him, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). Third, there is the possession of favor from the Lord. Luke 5:6-7 reads, “And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.” This time their efforts were crowned with success! Dr. Enoch Mellor explains the lesson, “We can do worse than fail — we can succeed and be proud of our success, and burn incense to our net, and despise those who fail, and forget the Hand whose it is to give or to withhold.” Luke 5:8-11 reads, “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.’ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.” Dr. Henrietta Mears shares the following in Dream Big: The Henrietta Mears Story: “Will is the whole man active. I cannot give up my will; I must exercise it. I must will to obey. When God gives a command or a vision of truth, it is never a question of what He will do, but what we will do. To be successful in God's work is to fall in line with His will and to do it His way. All that is pleasing to Him is a success.” Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Logos and Amazon] July 4, 2022 © All Rights Reserved

# posted by Groseys messages @ 3:58 PM

But Christ is all and in all by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Major W. Ian Thomas often said, “Go where you’re sent. Stay where you’re put. Give what you’ve got.” That is good advice for all God’s saints. May all God’s saints confess with Paul, “but Christ is all and in all” (Colossians 3:11b). The epistle to the Colossians is a treasure trove of Christology, the study of Christ. Note three references to being with Christ in the first four verses of this great chapter. Colossians 3:1-2 reads, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” This refers to a prioritization by the saints. Colossians 3:3 reads, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” This refers to a protection for the saints. Colossians 3:4 reads, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” This refers to a presentation of the saints. In the verses that follow, notice three directives for the saints. First, note what you are to put off. Colossians 3:5-9 reads, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” Second, note what you are to put on. Colossians 3:10-14 reads, “And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Third, note what you are to put out. Colossians 3:17, 23-25 reads, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. . . And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” When you “stay where you’re put,” remember to put out wholehearted service to the Lord in whatever you do. Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Logos and Amazon ©July 5, 2025, All Rights Reserved

# posted by Groseys messages @ 3:56 PM

I did a funeral for a fella who made his way across Australia with his family. He would hold a raffle for his kids’ dog at each pub in each town. But only one ticket number would come out each time, his mate’s number. Until one time another number came out. How? No one knows. Someone else one the raffle and they took the dog home. They had to go see a man about a dog late at night to steal it back and then move the whole family to the next town overnight. 6 months later I did another funeral in another area. That family told me a similar story of moving across from Perth 50 years before. The same raffle scam with the same dog. They said they had lost contact with the other family. I facilitated a two-family reunion.

# posted by Groseys messages @ 9:13 PM

Our beautiful granddaughters Today we had half a day with our lovely kind loving daughter Beth and her two beautiful children Ella (4) and Mila (2). It moved me deeply when little Ella came and brought me over her mum’s book of poems by Sally Lloyd Jones “ pop, do you know Jesus?” I cannot begin to say how much it moved my heart that my granddaughter asked me that question. “Yes I do Sweet Ella” her confidence and trust overflowed her young heart. “We will one day be with grandma in heaven with Jesus. She is there now with Jesus.” Her dad’s mum had passed into glory just two years before. And how she missed her. Her simple faith as a child “Do you know Jesus ?” She did. Her simple witness. “Do you know Jesus?” Pop it’s for you We are permitted not simply to know about Him, but to know Him, not only to read of His excellency and beauty in the Book, but to have fellowship with the Apostles, who saw, heard, beheld, and handled the Word of Life. 1 John 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the heart and essence of Christianity. Other religions are content with ornate rites, an elaborate priesthood, an intricate system of doctrine and regulations, but the Christian, taught by the Holy Spirit, refuses to rest in any of these, and in comparison with the Master counts them as so much refuse. We may know Him personally, intimately, face to face. Christ does not live back in the centuries, nor amid the clouds of heaven : He is near us, with us, compassing our path and our lying down, and acquainted with all our ways. But we cannot know Him in this mortal life except through the illumination and teaching of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask Him to shed His clear beams on the face of Jesus, Reconciled to God! HONESTY Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; He realised he cannot save himself He realised he needed a Saviour He let his pride go, and traded it all for Christ alone. He was reconciled to God. INTIMACY 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. We should never rest until we know Him Moses: Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.'13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people." 14 And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth." 17 So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." 18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." To know Christ in the storm of battle ; to know Him in the valley of shadow.. TO KNOW The power of His resurrection As soon as the soul is united to Him by a living faith, you begin to know His resurrection power in your life. the ' power of His Resurrection.' The power of the life which resides in Christ pours into the receptive spirit, forthwith it rises from the grave of passion in which it had been imprisoned, escapes from the bondage of corruption by which it was held, and goes forth into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Just as the Christ could not be held by the bands of death, so the soul which trusts Him is emancipated, enthused, raised into an altogether new atmosphere, breathes the life of eternity, is thrilled by the powers of the unseen, and meets all appeals from the lower world with an abundance of life, which is impervious to disease, infirmity, and temptation. Just as a really healthy life may pass through micropes of disease, which would effect the overthrow of less vigorous and buoyant health, so the soul which is infilled with the Resurrection power of Christ, is more than a conqueror in the midst of the most virulent temptation. TO KNOW The fellowship of His Sufferings The power of His resurrection life may enter and infill, and in the fulness of your joy you will not stay to count the cost of having fellowship with His sufferings. The experience of suffering will, so to speak, be forgotten in the radiancy of your exultation. As the pain of the woman in travail is forgotten amid the joy of bearing a child into the world, so will the keenest suffering seem but a pin-prick compared with the eternal weight of glory. It is inevitable that if we are to know much of Christ's Resurrection, and in proportion as we know it, we shall drink of the cup of His sufferings. 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. INTENSITY but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Hosea 6 so let us know let us press on to know the Lord. SIMPLICITY 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. S M Lockeridge wrote He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King. Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible. I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King! Do you know Jesus? Philippians 2:6-11 ESV - who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Have you a heart that's weary, Tending a load of care; Are you a soul that's seeking Rest from the burden you bear? Where is your heart, O, pilgrim, What does your light reveal; Who hears your call for comfort When naught but sorrow you feel? Who knows your disappointments, Who hears each time you cry; Who understands your heartaches, Who dries the tears from your eyes? Chorus: Do you know my Jesus? Do you know my friend, Have you heard He loves you, And that He will abide till the end? Do you know Jesus?

# posted by Groseys messages @ 7:29 AM

Today we had half a day with our lovely kind loving daughter Beth and her two beautiful children Ella (4) and Mila (2). It moved me deeply when little Ella came and brought me over her mum’s book of poems by Sally Lloyd Jones “ pop, do you know Jesus?” I cannot begin to say how much it moved my heart that my granddaughter asked me that question. “Yes I do Sweet Ella” her confidence and trust overflowed her young heart. “We will one day be with grandma in heaven with Jesus. She is there now with Jesus.” Her dad’s mum had passed into glory just two years before. And how she missed her. Her simple faith as a child “Do you know Jesus ?” She did. Her simple witness. “Do you know Jesus?” Pop it’s for you too.

# posted by Groseys messages @ 9:30 PM

During the months ahead you can expect that your courage will be tested. You'll face a wall you don't think you can get over, a battle you don't think you can win, or an obstacle you don't think you can get beyond. You've probably thought about that battle today. It may have robbed you of sleep last night or preoccupied your thoughts in random moments. Your "opponent" may be someone in your community, in your congregation, or among your leadership. It may be a battle with pride, anger, some habit, or perhaps a secret addiction. Whatever the challenge, the battle you face right now looks impossible to overcome. You may be right. You may not ever be able to win this battle because you're fighting the wrong way, using the wrong strategy. We were raised to match strength for strength. If the opponent is strong, we must be stronger. If he is smart, we must be smarter. The only way to win is through intimidation. All of this is true, of course, unless you're going to fight God's way. God's strategy is altogether different. God specializes in impossible situations. When you are overwhelmed, outnumbered, outmanned, outmuscled, or outsmarted, God steps in, because only He is qualified to lead you to victory. The courageous Joshua faced a battle that he knew he couldn't win. God's charge to him was to go and take the land. "I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous." (Joshua 1:5-6) I wonder if Joshua thought, "Conquer the mighty city of Jericho? No way! Can't be done." All our lives, we've been singing, "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho." But the song is wrong. Joshua didn't fight the battle. He marched and shouted just as God told him to, and the walls fell down. There was no fight to get over the walls! Joshua listened for the trumpet blast, like the other people in the army, and simply stood back and watched God's miraculous intervention. The odds were against them, and they couldn't possibly battle against their fierce enemy all alone. Their only hope of victory was obeying God... and the walls fell flat. This week is a good time for us to consider: Am I trying to fight this battle in my own strength or in God's? When you're overwhelmed and outmatched, remember: God specializes in impossible situations. The battle belongs to the Lord.

# posted by Groseys messages @ 8:07 AM

Out of all the words in the Bible that are used to describe the death of a Christian, I think perhaps the one that is most vivid and meaningful is the one the apostle Paul uses here to describe his own death when he says, “The time of my departure has come.” The word “departure” literally means “to loosen, to unloose.” 

It was used in a number of different ways in secular Greek. Sometimes the word was used for the unyoking of oxen and animals from a plow, setting them free from the burden of pulling. Sometimes the word was used to describe the setting free of a criminal. His hands and his feet would be in chains, locked up, restricted, held fast. And then he was set free. Somebody came and unlocked the chains that held him, and suddenly he was released from bondage into the liberty and freedom of a whole new life. 

Paul uses that same word to describe the death of a Christian. As he sought to explain his own death, he paints a very beautiful picture to help us to understand what it was like to die as a child of God. This is the confidence and assurance we ought to have as we live—and as we most surely die—as the people of God.

# posted by Groseys messages @ 7:21 PM