Monday, December 24, 2012

Clean or Unclean?


Acts 10:9-22
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.  11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!”  Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,   the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision,  the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”

I have always thought that this scripture was regarding the eating of all kinds of food, unlike the Jewish tradition but today I realized it has so much more meaning than that.  One verse stood out to me like it never has before, 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”   That verse, paired with the sermon I heard yesterday brought a whole new meaning and challenge to me.  The pastor I heard speak yesterday spoke on the lineage of Jesus, as written in Matthew 1.  As you read the lineage it means nothing to most people but when you look at the names of those who were the grandmothers of Jesus, you see that He chose the most likely women to make clean, to become the lineage of Jesus. Many of these women we would have not wanted to associate with yet they became the mothers of men who became great in fulfilling the will of God.
This message is for those who are in that type of lifestyle, who think they could never be forgiven by God.  His love is so great that He can and will forgive all sins, it is up to the sinner to ask for that forgiveness and recognize that only God, through Jesus Christ, can make you whole again.  He is the only one who can wash away those sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. 
This message is also for those who have been raised in Christian homes, who have grown up knowing the love of Christ.  Often times we tend to think that maybe we are a little better than the person on the street begging for money or walking the streets looking for pay.  These verses tell us that only God can choose what is clean and unclean.  It is not up to us to judge, it is up to us to associate with those who in society who might be of a lower class than us.  It is up to us to share the Gospel with them.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit to open their ears to the message and ours to proclaim the message.  
As you seek Him today, tell Him how thankful you are that He has made you clean.  If you have not received this cleansing from Him, ask Him to do so today.  We need to all remember that God is the One who makes clean those who were once unclean.  All of us have been unclean and we need to share how through Christ we are now clean. 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Friday, December 21, 2012

A Memorial Gift to God


Acts 10:1-8
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;  he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision.  He distinctly saw an angel(E) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering(F) before God.  5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner,  whose house is by the sea.”

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the money that you put in the offering plate, dropped in the Salvation Army bucket, or handed to someone who was poor?  I know I have and sometimes didn’t give because I wasn’t sure what the other person was going to do with it.  Today, my attitude is changed when I think about giving to the poor.  As I read this scripture today I saw exactly where that gift goes, it goes as a memorial to the Lord.  That gift goes all the way to Heaven and rest at the feet God.  Not only does the gift travel to Him as a memorial offering, so do my prayers.  Next time I have the opportunity to help the poor whether it is monetary means or building someone up who is poor in spirit, I pray that this verse will come to mind and I will recall where the gift is actually going to.  There is no better way to invest our money than to send it up to Heaven! 

As you seek Him today, be sure to ask Him what gift He would have you give to someone in need today.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Having an Impact


Acts 9:32-43
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints(A) in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.  38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”  She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.  43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

As I read this scripture I was once again reminded that God can do mighty things through people who are willing to do His will.  Peter did not heal these people, the Lord healed them through Peter but he had to be willing to go, take a chance and speak up.  Today when people claim to be healers they are laughed at and mocked rather than people coming to the Lord.  In today’s society it seems that people come to the Lord more through bad happenings rather than miracles.  I wish we could see more miracles and less trouble but what I wish more than anything is that the people would have open ears and open hearts and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. 

God used four people in this passage to announce His salvation to others.  1.  Of course Peter, who healed.  2.  Aeneas, who was healed through the willingness of Peter to do as God called him.  The results, many turned to the Lord.  3.  Tabitha or Dorcas.  Let’s look at her for a moment.  She was always doing good and helping the poor.  It sounds like she was a seamstress as well and used the talents that God gave her to help others.  As I read this I thought of Mother Teresa, a woman who devoted her life to serving the Lord by serving the poor.  I would imagine she was much like Tabitha/Dorcas.  This woman had touched lives long before Peter raised her from the dead.  The impact of her death on those around her was great.  Because of this, raising her from the dead was something that would have had an even stronger impact.  Yet if she would have just lived a life for herself, her death would have only impacted her close friends and family and no one would have heard of her resurrection.  4.  Simon the tanner.  Mentioned only briefly at the end of this passage but still someone who used what God had given him to serve someone else.  Having a house guest can be rewarding and challenging all at the same time.  I don’t know if Simon the tanner knew Peter from the past or just welcomed him into his home but it doesn’t really matter, he did as God had instructed him to do.  He gave Peter, a servant of Christ, a place to rest, a place to sleep and food to eat.  We will find out later why this place was significant as we read on in the scriptures.

We all have talents and gifts but do we always use them to serve others, such as the poor or for those who are called to serve Him through spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  I know I fall short in this area so many times.  Life gets too busy when we are too busy to take note of those hurting around us.  We need to stop blaming the poor for being poor, take the time to reach out to them and find out what their story is.  Some may be just looking for a handout while others may be hurting because of things out of their control.  Some may be trying to dig themselves out while others are satisfied taking from others.  It doesn’t really matter, we are called to take care of them and I know for myself I have not done my part. 

As you seek Him today, be sure to listen to what He has to tell you.  Go and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in whatever way He has gifted you to do.

Seeking Him with all m heart,
Sheila 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

When Others Turn Their Backs


Acts 9:19-31
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. 
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.   20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.  21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?  And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”   22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

23 After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him,  24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.  28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.


Have you ever had someone who you thought was your friend turn their back on you?  Maybe all of a sudden they gained power or popularity and you became a nobody.  Somehow they thought they were just a little higher than you in rank and no longer cared about your opinions, thoughts, or wishes.  It has happened to me but not the extent that it happened to Paul. 

Paul’s friends, who he had plotted with to kill the Christians were now seeing a different Paul.  They probably considered him a traitor and then those new friends were reluctant to call him friend so it seems he was stuck.  What did Paul do about it?  He continued to preach the word boldly.  He didn’t mind going up to those who he once hung out with to tell them about his conversion experience.  He didn’t mind telling people that they were mistaken about the Christ.  Yet the people did not want to hear it.  People tend to want to hear only what they believe not always do they want to hear the truth.  So these Jewish people wanted to kill Paul and began their plot.  God had other plans for Paul and was not yet finished with him so it was revealed the plot to Paul and the other Christians.  The disciples found a hole in the wall and were able to lower Paul from a basket to free him from Damascus.  Once Paul was free, he went to Jerusalem to do it all over again.  He preached, they plotted to kill, and he moved on.

What does that story tell us about how we should react to persecution?  What does it tell us is the purpose of persecution?  Persecution has grown the Church more rapidly than has freedom from persecution.  In countries where persecution occurs the churches are flourishing.  Where we have freedom to worship other, other gods are creeping into the lives of the people and more and more are leaving the church.  Persecution tends to spread the Gospel as we see with Paul.  Each time Paul was threatened it gave him the opportunity to move on to a people that might listen a little bit better to what he had to say.  Thus, the Gospel was spread and people were saved from the separation from God.

I am not sure how receptive I would have been to Paul’s message in days of old.  I too would have been leery just as the disciples of Christ were.  Yet, they were open minded and listened to Paul and listened to the Holy Spirit.  They forgave, they were blessed, and Paul was used of God to spread the Gospel.  One of the most unlikely men to do so, Christ chose him because he was zealous and unafraid to share the Gospel. 
As you seek Him today, ask for strength to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.  If they shun you, laugh at you, or simply turn their backs on you, take the Gospel message to others but don’t stop spreading the Gospel.  Don’t stop standing up for your beliefs and don’t stop sharing what God has placed upon your heart to share.  It is easy to just stop talking, to second guess yourself, but never second guess God.  Make sure what you believe is what He has told you, not man, and then spread His Word throughout your city, State, Nation, or World.  Go where He has called you and speak the truth.

I recently listened to a book entitled How I Changed my Mind about Women in Leadership, in this book one of the contributors wrote about how men who were Pastors literally picked their chairs up and turned their backs on her when she, after being invited to a convention, got up to speak to them.  They were so against a woman on the pulpit that they turned their backs on her.  This incident did not stop her from sharing God’s message to others that would listen.  Whether you believe that woman should be preaching from the pulpit or not, you need to remember that God uses all people to spread the Gospel, if a woman is willing to spread His word, He will allow her to spread that word.  Gender, bad reputations in the past, past sin, it doesn’t matter to God so long as a true conviction has taken place and someone is willing to spread the Good News, God will use them.  It is up to us as to whether we will be blessed by them or turn our backs on them.  Paul could have decided it was not worth it.  He could have gone back to his comfortable lifestyle but he chose a higher ground, one that would lead to eternal blessings.  He chose to stick to his conviction and hoped that others would follow.

As you seek Him find out from Him where He would have you go and then go boldly with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

He is There Beside Us


Acts 9:1-19
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.  He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,  so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,  whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.  So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,   19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

The first thing I have always thought while reading this passage is that people who think that they have sinned so much that God could never forgive them should take note of this scripture.  Saul was a murderous man, not to just anyone but to the chosen people of God.  Although it is not recorded that he picked up the stones that killed Stephan, he was certainly there cheering those who did on.  Yet Stephen, as you may recall, prayed a prayer that day and God honored it.  Acts 7: 59-60  While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”(  60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”  When he had said this, he fell asleep.
God not only answered the prayer, He allowed Saul to become one of the great leaders of the Christian faith.

The second thing I have always thought when I read this scripture is that anytime we as Christians think there is no hope for some people, we need to read this scripture.  I would have so much been like Ananias, very reluctant to go near this man named Saul.  Yet Ananias listened to the Lord and did as He was commanded to do and was blessed because of it.  We do, however, need to be cautious of those who claim to be Christians yet are teachers of false doctrine.  We must always be on the outlook for those who could lead us astray.  Ananias was one that heard a voice from the Lord.  He prayed regarding what he thought that he had heard and he received an answer.  We must always be ready to do as the Holy Spirit leads us, lest we fall short of what the Father has in store for us.  We must never discount someone that God has put into our lives to minister to.

Today as I read this another thought came to my mind.  The Words that Jesus said to Paul on that infamous road to Damascus.  “Why do you persecute me?”  I have never thought much about these Words but they hit me today.  Every time one of our fellow Christians or we ourselves are persecuted it is the same as persecuting Christ again.  Yet, Christ forgave us on that cross, He went there for you and for me.  He went there for those that were persecuting Him and those that would persecute Him.  Every time we suffer, Christ is suffering with us.  I don’t know about you but somehow that brings much comfort to my soul.  I have to remember that if I am rejected, spat upon, hurt, destroyed, Christ is right there beside me suffering right along with me.  Thank you Father, for your forgiveness, your grace, your mercy, I ask that you supply me with those same traits that I may be able to say, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”.  In Jesus most Precious and Holy Name I pray, Amen. 

As you seek Him today, may you find comfort in knowing that He is with you, each step of the way.

Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila  

Monday, December 17, 2012

Through His Power


Acts 8:26-40
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip,  “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,  28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
    Who can speak of his descendants?
    For his life was taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”  38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208:%2026%20-%2040&version=NIV1984)

When was the last time that an “angel of the Lord” directed you to do anything?  This passage of scripture at first glance made me think that this was something that happened years ago, not today.  I have never had and “angel” appear to me, anyway, not that I am aware of.  I have never been “suddenly taken away” as Philip was, so, how does this passage apply to me?  It doesn’t take long to figure that out while reading this passage and it is something that has appeared in my blogs before.  We all need to be answering God’s call to share His word with others.  The more we know the more we need to share. 
I help with a children’s program at church on Wednesday evenings.  This program emphasizes scripture memorization.  I believe memorization is very important but what I have found is that if the children don’t know the meaning of the scripture passage all that they have really memorized are the words.  We cannot take the verse to heart until we understand the meaning.  This eunuch had the scripture but he did not understand it and needed someone to explain it to him.  Once he heard the explanation of how Christ was the One being prophesied about, he too was ready to receive Him as His Savior. 

I would like to share a personal testimony as to the importance of sharing the meaning of scripture.  In our Wednesday night children’s program I had a student who was memorizing a scripture passage,

Romans 10:9

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
I asked the little girl who wasworking on the verse if she knew what it meant and she did not.  I took the next few minutes to explain it to her and she received Christ as her Savior that night.  Do you think she will understand that scripture and be more likely to remember it from now on?  I believe she will and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit she will understand many more verses for years to come.  I was amazed after she had received Christ how readily she memorized other verses. All of a sudden she understood what they meant and she could remember them. 

Just last night our pastor was speaking about the importance of discipleship and the importance of taking the time to get into people’s lives.  This is what Philip did.  He listened for the opportunity to speak with this Eunuch and when the time was right, Philip asked the right question and was given the opportunity to share the Gospel.  It is important for someone to follow-up with these new converts and to disciple them, yet, the Angel of the Lord took Philip away to minister in another place.  I have to believe that the eunuch was given someone else to do that follow-through with him.  Sometimes we are called to be the ones to minister the Good News of Jesus Christ and sometimes we are to be used to disciple, to encourage, to strengthen others but make no mistake, it is never “us” that does this, it is with the power of the Holy Spirit.  If “we” do it on our own power and for our own glory and it will surely fail.  In fact if we do it with our own power then we are more apt to not do it at all because of the fear of failure.  It must always be done through the Holy Spirit who will give us the words to say.
As you seek Him today may you ask Him to give you the opportunity to share the Gospel, the Words to say so that others will understand, and we must ask Him for the strength to do His will through His power.  Go, spread the Gospel, disciple others, and do it all through the power of the Holy Spirit who will guide and direct you.

Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Motives


Acts 8:9-25
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,  10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.”  11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,  both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[a] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

There are many things that we can buy with money but one thing we cannot buy is our salvation or any gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows upon us.  The gifts that are from God were bought with the blood of the Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ.  This is maybe, once again, why it is so hard for the person who is rich on this earth to have the gift of eternal life.  They have depended on their wealth to get everything that they have.  Yet we know that they are not exempt from this gift.   We may think that Peter was a little rough on Simon.  Why didn’t he just explain to him about the gift of the Holy Spirit since, after all, he was a new believer.  But Peter saw in Simon something that the Words in the Bible cannot show us.  He saw Simon’s heart, he saw his intentions. 

Simon had made all of his money with illusions.  He had tricked people for years and he had made money doing so.  Now, he realized that there were others that could do even greater things than he himself could do and he wanted to be able to do the same.  It was not out of a desire to serve the Lord, it was the desire to survive and to get recognition for his great powers, that was just who he was.  If he could receive this gift, he would not have to lose his identity.  Our Father in Heaven wants us to lose our identity when we receive Him.  He wants us to no longer be what the world has made us to be but rather what He has made us to be.  This for Simon meant the end of the income that he had depended on for years.  It also meant that he would no longer be the center of attraction.

What about us today?  Do you know anyone who had to change their entire lifestyle and position in order to bring glory to God rather to man?  There is hope for anyone who believes and calls upon the name of the Lord.  That hope is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  It becomes more and more difficult for those who have depended on the world to supply their needs to come to the realization that God can supply all of our needs.  That is a concept that even those who have known the Lord for years struggle with.  We tend to think that we need people, money, and human resources to supply our needs when in actuality we only need the Lord. 
As you seek Him today, think:   Have I fully trusted in the Lord to supply all my needs or do I tend to go back and expect the world and its money to supply my needs?  If we are depending on the world in any possible way, we are showing a lack of faith for the Father will supply our needs.  If we want  recognition from the world and our motives are to build ourselves up rather than to build others up, we are falling into the trap that Simon did.  Evaluate yourself today to make sure that your motives are to serve Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Sorrow Turned Into Joy


Acts 8:1-8
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church.  Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.  5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.  8 So there was great joy in that city.

What happens to the church when we get too comfortable?  Take a look at the United States of America churches and you will see.  We tend to take things for granted.  We tend to get lackadaisical in our approach to spreading the Gospel.  We tend to wait for others to come to us rather than going to them.  When a little trouble does come our way we feel like we deserve to be treated better and we get angry, frustrated, or even a little uneasy.

 

Now let’s compare our reaction with the early church.  They were persecuted in Jerusalem and so they spread out.  They didn’t spread out to be quiet, they spread out so that could share the Gospel with even more people.  Our Lord used something that was bad and turned that sorrow into joy.  When others chose to continue to speak up regarding their faith and openly shared the gifts give to them with others, the Gospel spread.  Sorrow turned to joy.  This brings to mind the verse found in Romans 8:28

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Doing the will of the Father does not guarantee a life of pleasure, a life without trials and tribulations but when we use those tough times to do His will, all things work for our good, if we love Him.  His purpose is not to be comfortable, His purpose isn’t to condemn and write-off others, His purpose to is share His love and forgiveness with everyone.  His purpose is to bring physical and spiritual healing to others so that our Father in Heaven may be glorified.  Some will believe, some will ridicule, but we know that any sorrow our sharing brings will bring joy to our Father, joy to us, and joy to those whose ears are open to receive the glorious Word.

As you seek Him, may you do as you are called to do, and share with others the gift of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
  

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Just Like Jesus


Acts 6:9-15
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.  13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206:%209%20-15&version=NIV1984)

Jealousy, it was the cause of Jesus crucifixion and now the death of Stephen.  Why were they jealous?  They saw Jesus as a threat and they saw Stephen as a threat.  Jesus always had and answer and Stephen did as well.  I have always liked this passage for some reason and I think it is because I can see a lot of Jesus in Stephen. 

Stephen was one of the seven who were chosen to “wait tables”.  Somehow I don’t believe that Stephen “only” waited tables.  It is recorded that he did “great wonders and miraculous signs”, just like Jesus did. 
Some Jews argued with Stephen but Stephen was full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit and he always had an answer for them that they could not argue against, again, just like Jesus.  Because of this, they became jealous and plotted to kill him, just like Jesus.  Now let’s skip several verses because I want you to read the rest of Stephen’s life. 

Acts 7:51-60

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
51 “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?  They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”
54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.   Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Wow, Stephen spoke up and told these people that they were “stiff-necked” just like Jesus did!  The verses I skipped, important as they are, were the words of Stephen as he gave a history lesson regarding the Jewish people.  I find it interesting that even though Stephen was called to “wait tables” he was also a very gifted speaker, he performed other miraculous signs, and he did not stop talking about the hope of salvation until his very death.  At his death, he repeated words of Jesus by asking the Father to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing.  The Father did forgive at least one of those and I believe many more as we have the account further in Acts of  the conversion of a young man Saul who watched and held the coats of those who stoned Stephen to death. 

I love the picture painted here of Stephen as it says he looked up to Heaven and saw the Glory of God.  In his deepest trouble, when men took the words he said and became angry at him, he looked up into Heaven and saw the Glory of God.  This is the challenge put before me today.  When troubles come my way, when opposition stands in my way, I need to pray for the wisdom of God and for the Holy Spirit to fill me so that I can look up to Heaven rather than down at my feet.  I need to always be empowered by the one who saved me and I should always strive to live like Him.  It is not impossible to live as Stephen did because we all have the gift of the Holy Spirit if we know our risen Lord.  We all have the choice to make, do we call on Jesus or do we call on others.  Do we please God or do we please man? 

As you seek Him today, may you find the peace of Stephen through whatever trials may come your way.

Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila