The Full Message

Acts 5:19-21

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

²¹ At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205:%2019-21&version=NIV1984)

I have often wondered how this verse really applies to me today and then this morning the thought came to me as I read, “Anyone who is a Christian, who has claimed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, has been freed from prison”.  Notice they were told to tell the people of the “full message of this new life” after they were freed from prison.  Are we also called to do so?

As I woke this morning the first thoughts that came to my mind were all of the people in our community who are hurting.  I have been asked to pray for a number of people and I am glad to do so.  But this morning I realized how much our community needs more than just the healing of  bodies.  Our people need to know the Lord.  The apostles had been healing, which is a wonderful message to bring but what is even more important is the full message of knowing Christ as Lord! 

The message :   Christ came to this earth in human form, born of a virgin.  He ministered to many in His short time on earth, healed the sick, and raised the dead.  He was crucified on the cross, an innocent man, yet He took all of our sins to that cross as a sacrifice for all of us who will believe.  He was buried but three days later rose from the dead, showing us that He could conquer death, the only One who has ever done this.  He was seen by many, and then ascended into Heaven, His home, where He sits on the right hand side of God and is our intercessor.  Jesus, God in human form, did all of this for you and for me!!!!!  Even more, a third part of God is here right now, the Holy Spirit.  He is here to guide and direct all of those who call upon the name of Jesus, believe in their hearts that He is the Son of God and claim Him as their Savior.  He will come again someday and will catch many off guard.  We will all bow at His feet, will we be ready?  Will you be ready? That is the full message of Jesus Christ.

Yes, healing is miraculous but even more miraculous is that we have a God who was willing to be a sacrifice for us.  That was willing to open the door to salvation through Jesus Christ, His One and Only Son.  It seems complicated yet simple.  Anyone who calls to God for healing needs even more to call upon His name for His salvation.  Many have seen miraculous signs but how many have opened their hearts to Him and gave Him their all.  He did it for us, won’t you do it for Him?

As you seek Him may you find Him and may you ask Him to be your life.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Jealousy

Acts 5:17-18

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁷ Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205:17-18&version=NIV1984)

Jealousy, it can cause us to do things that are not of the Lord.  I am sure these Sadducees thought they were the ones doing the work of the Lord and then these men come in and take over the show.   The people begin to listen to the apostles and flock to them.  This meant they are no longer listening to the high priest and the men under him. 

We need to each examine ourselves and make sure that there is no jealousy within us when we see a brother or sister in Christ who has a gift that we do not have.  When we begin to wish we had the gift we are not only attempting to take something from the one God intended to have it, we are questioning God and His ultimate power, doubting if He is right in not giving that gift to us.  In the same respect if we look down on someone because they don’t have a specific gift then we are again questioning God’s authority.  We need to celebrate our gifts with each other, sharing them the way that God intended.  We should never boast about our gifts because our gifts are from God not from man.  If people are attracted to us because of the words that we share or the miracles we perform, we need to be careful not to take the glory for ourselves.  We are nothing without Him!

When people are jealous of the gifts God has given me, I tend to back down, I tend to withdraw into my shell or at least that is what I want to do.  The next verses will explain what we should do in this case and I would like to explore that at another time.  For today though, let’s remember that jealousy towards others that are doing God’s work will not stop His work but it will rob us of much joy.

As you seek Him may you remember that He has gifted you, use those gifts to bring glory to the Lord.  Don’t be jealous of others gifts because that only brings heartache upon yourself.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila  

Why Church?

Acts 5:12-16

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹² The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.  ¹³ No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.  ¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205:12%20-%2016&version=NIV1984)

As I have thought about church over the past few years I have come to a different conclusion than I did in the past.  For years I thought church was where you took people so that they would hear about the Lord Jesus Christ but in the past few years I have come to realize that church is not for the un-churched but rather for the believers.  It was established to build one another up and teach one another the ways of the Lord so we could go out into the public and proclaim Him to others.  Church is the last place most unbelievers want to go and I have heard some say that if they entered the church they would be struck down because of all the awful things that they had done.  As I read this scripture today, I was one again convicted that church is not for the unbeliever but for the believer.

Notice in verse 12 and 13, they performed many miracles and wonders among the people but when they met together, in a public place, no one dared to join them.  Just as today, those who think they are outsiders are afraid to walk into the doors of the church but they watch our lives, ask for our prayers, and respect those who truly live for the Lord.  Note also in verse 14 that even though they were not attending the gatherings, the church was growing.

The point that is clear to me today is this:  If we want our churches to grow, we need to go outside of the church and live our lives for the Lord.  We need to proclaim His love to others outside of the church.  We should not be about inviting others to church to hear the Gospel, we need to be sharing that Gospel to others outside the church walls.  Ministry does not begin within the confines of the church walls, it begins with sharing God’s love with others among the people.  We may not be as educated as a pastor but we know how God changed our lives.  We need to share that with others, pray with them and for them, and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to reach them.  I don’t know about you but I need the church to help me grow, encourage me, and pray for me so that His will is the end product in my life. 

As you seek Him with all your heart may you find that the Gospel is spread through you to others and may the Church grow in numbers as we share with those around with whom we come into contact with on a daily basis.  May our lives reflect His glory in all that we say and do.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila  

Deceitfulness

Acts 5:1-11

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,  but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.  And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶ Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

⁷ About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

⁹ Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

¹⁰ At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.   ¹¹ Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205:%201%20-%2011&version=NIV1984)

As I read this scripture today, I read it in a different light.  I had to think of the passages that so many people use to argue that a wife must submit to her husband.  In this case the wife submitted to her husband and she ended up dead.  The passage reads that she had full knowledge that he was keeping some money back.  It does not say that she was in agreement, that she was the one that suggested it but only that she was in full knowledge of it.  When questioned regarding the intent of this move, Ananias was not given a chance to respond rather he fell down and died.  When Sapphira was given the chance to respond she lied.  If wives are to totally submit to their husbands then I would say Sapphira did as she should have done.  Her husband surely told her not to tell anyone how much they really got for the land and she did as he asked of her. 

Possibly this couple decided this scheme together.  Possibly they both agreed that they should keep a portion of the money back for themselves.  Possibly they agreed to lie about this matter and in this case it would seem only right for each to be struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit.  But where is the Grace of God in all of this?  Is this a lie that is the unpardonable sin?  What sin did they actually commit?  Have we not all held back a little money for ourselves from time to time?  Not always given as much as we probably should have because we felt we needed a little extra?  Maybe it was because we wanted to buy a few more Christmas gifts or go on a luxurious vacation so we decided to not give quite as much as we should have?  In this case, it was not that they did not give it all but they made it appear that they had given all of the money.  Annanias announced that they had given the full amount but yet they had not. According to this scripture it was not because they told the Apostles that they had given all it was because they had lied to the Holy Spirit.  We all know that the Holy Spirit cannot be lied to.   How is it that anyone thinks that the Holy Spirit could be lied to?  There are people in this world who claim to know Christ.  They claim to have given their entire life to Him.  They say they have laid down their lives for Him just as Ananias laid down the money at the apostles’ feet.  Yet these people keep back a portion of their lives for themselves.  I have to ask myself and you need to ask yourself, “Is there a portion of my life that I am keeping for myself or have a fully given it to the Lord?”  We can pretend to be Holy and some people may believe us but the Holy Spirit cannot be lied to.  Peter was given a revelation from the Holy Spirit that this was not given the full amount, I don’t think he just heard a rumor about this, the Lord gave him full knowledge of what had been done.

Now Sapphira, was she acting as a submissive wife and doing what her husband had advised her?  If this is true why was she struck down too?  If they worked as a couple at this, why was she not with him when he brought the money to the Apostles?  To me this passage tells me that the One and only One that we need to be submissive to is the Lord.  Yes, we need to love one another and submit to one another as it says in Ephesians 5:21, “ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5:21&version=NIV1984) 

However, when decisions in the household go against what the Lord would require, we need to stand up for the ways of the Lord.  Our faith needs to hold true to Him in all circumstances.  We need to live lives with each other that bring out the glory of the Lord not hide His radiance in selfish ambitions and deceitfulness. 

As you seek Him may you seek His ways above any earthly ways, may you follow Him and not man.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Is it Ours or is it God's

Acts 4: 32-37 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Is what you own yours or is it the Lord's? As I thought about this a conversation I overheard this week came to my mind. Two people were discussing a book that speaks about a huge lifestyle change that someone made for the Lord. This person literally gave up everything that he had and went and lived amongst the poor. When asked what one thought of this, one person said that he didn't think that was what everyone should do while the other one stated that was an excuse. What was ironic to me was that the one stating the belief that we should all do it, had not done so himself. Jesus tells us in Luke 12:48 that if we are given much, much will be demanded. If we are given the resources to share and we do not give then we are not following the will of God. This is not speaking of our material blessing but of our Spiritual life. In this passage Jesus is speaking about us living in the will of the Master and being ready when He returns. So, let's combine these two passages and try to figure out what the will of the Father is? Joseph, the Levite must have been wealthy. It states that he sold a field and gave his earnings to the Apostles. I do not see that he sold everything that he owned and I don't see that he gave it to the poor. Why did he give it to the apostles and what did they do with it? It doesn't really tell us what they did with the money but I believe that they used it to spread the Gospel. I have a feeling that he had more fields and other sources of income but he did what he felt he needed to do to aid in the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. He had a gift of encouragement which he used along with his financial status in order to proclaim the Gospel. Joseph or Barnabas was evidently not given the gift of being an Apostle, of preaching nor a gift specifically of teaching but he had a significant role in the spreading the Gospel by giving what he had, money and encouragement. He was given much and in return he gave much. He taught through his actions. As we think about the question I asked in the beginning of this blog we must think about what we have been given and how we use that to further the Gospel. I knew someone who went out and purchased a car. He stated that had prayed about it and felt that it was God's will for him to have this car. I never had the opportunity to ride in this car but I guess it must have been something really special. I wonder though, why would God want us to have "things"? How do "things" help us in furthering the Gospel? I believe that if we give up those things to further the Gospel an/or to share with other believers then God will be pleased. It is very easy to say that we are willing but the true answer comes when we actually put those words into action. We recently lost a dear Christian brother who put these words into action. He and his wife lived in Denver, Colorado. When they first started living there they had an apartment and went back and forth from our town to Denver. They shared this apartment with brothers and sisters in Christ. They gave their key if they weren't going to be home and opened their doors widely when they were there. Later they bought a house and did the same. Each year I go to the doctor in Denver and they always insisted that we stay with them. One time we were on our way to the airport in Denver. We were going to sleep in our car for the night and board the plane early the next morning. We happened to see them on our way to Denver as they were traveling back themselves. When he asked where we were staying my husband told him of our plans and this fine Christian brother would not hear of this. He insisted we stay with them and would not take no for an answer. He also insisted that he take us to the airport and pick us up from the airport saving us the expense of parking and protecting our vehicle while we were gone. This to me is using what God has given you to do His will. This is sharing possessions as the early church did. I learned much from this man by watching his actions. I came to realize my home is not my own but should be used to spread the Gospel, to share with fellow Christians and to have open doors to anyone who needs a listening ear or a place to sleep. We each have to look at our possessions and decide if we have them for our own pleasure or if we have them because it will help us spread the Gospel and to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we hold on too tight then it is probably time to let go but if we have an open hand then we are using it in the right manner. As you seek Him, thank Him for what you have and ask Him how He wants you to use it. Seeking Him with all my heart, Sheila

With Boldness

Acts 4:23-31

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.   ²⁵ You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶ The kings of the earth take their stand
    and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
    and against his Anointed One.^’

²⁷ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  ²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.   ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.   And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:%2023%20-31&version=NIV1984

When I pray, so many times I pray about the here and now rather than focus on the past.  Why is the past so important for us to pray about it?  As you notice, in this passage the people prayed a prayer from David regarding the Kings of this earth and then they prayed regarding what happened to the Lord while He was physically here on this earth.  Again, why is that so important to pray about?  Doesn’t the Lord already know about that? 

Well, the Lord know everything before we ever pray about it!  By praying this prayer it tells us that they knew the scriptures, they recognized Christ as Lord, and they understood that God is in control.  Nothing will happen outside the will of the Father in Heaven.  The also knew the power of God and knew that nothing was done outside of His control.

As I read that scripture I thought, my prayer might have been a little different.  I would have been praising God for the here and now, for saving Peter and John.  They on the other hand put their entire focus on the Lord.  They focused on the fact that God is above the rulers of this worlds both now and in the past.  They recognized that boldness comes from Him and Him alone.  They recognized the will of the Father and its importance throughout history.  They speak of the threats of others and did not ask for Him to silence those who were against them but rather to enable them to speak with boldness towards those rulers.

When we recognize and acknowledge that God is in control, when we ask for boldness to proclaim His Words throughout the nations, and when we submit to His will, nothing is impossible with God.  Yet so many times I seem to pray regarding my will.  I may suggest to Him what I think should happen.  I might have been praying for the destruction of these false leaders, that justice would be served on those who crucified Christ and that God’s wrath would be on those that held Peter and John in prison.  Yet, it is not my will but His that is done. 

There is much debate today regarding when the Holy Spirit actually indwells a person.  Some say it is at the conversion, others say that He comes later.  I don’t want to get into a theological debate.  At this point in the early church, it is apparent that if they received the Holy Spirit at conversion, He began to work within them at this point in time.  They Holy Spirit definitely made His presence known and His message was spread with boldness.  Notice that it doesn’t say they went out and performed many miracles, it says that they were able to speak the things of God with boldness.

My prayer today is this:   I want to recognize that you God are in control.  There is nothing that man can do to me that is worse or better than what you can do for me.   But Father, it is not about me and I recognize that, it is ALL about you.  I see your great timing from the past, like when you placed Joseph in Egypt and when you called Moses to take your people out. Or how you had to have the people of Israel wander in the desert because they could not recognize that you were the One in control.  How they had to die without seeing the Promised Land because they refused to let you have control and tried to do it on their own and with their false gods, their idols.  I see how this led only to their destruction and never to their benefit.  I have read of the answered prayers of the saints, who recognized your power, how Joshua led the people into the Promised Land because he recognized you were in control.  I have also read of the pain of those who put their trust in you, such as John the Baptist who prepared the way for you, but his life was not his own but was lived for your glory.  I have read of the temptations of Christ, how He suffered on the cross, but I also read of the power over death and His resurrection.  I thank you for the sacrifice of Christ to leave His Holy realm to live a humble life on this earth so that He could understand our pain and our temptations and so that I could have a way to you.  I am thankful for the witness to the Gentiles in order that I could have life through Jesus Christ our Lord.    I don’t know what this life will bring me but I do know that in the end, I too will be resurrected to serve you in Heaven.  I know that although man may harm me, you will resurrect me.  I recognize that you are in control of EVERYTHING, I put my trust in you and you alone.  No matter what life brings I pray that I will have boldness to speak and proclaim the word of God.  I pray that the readers of this blog and the Christians that I fellowship with will have the boldness to also speak the Word of God and proclaim His greatness to their opposition.  I pray that God’s greatness will be revealed to the kings of this earth through the boldness of believers who are called before them.  I ask that your Holy Spirit be revealed through our actions and our speech and may you always receive the praise forever and ever.  Amen

As you seek Him, recognize His greatness, His power displayed through all of history.  Know that He is God. Then, go and proclaim Him with boldness.

Seeing Him with all my heart,

Speak Up!

Acts 4:14-22

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁴ But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  ¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. ²⁰ For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Act%204:14-22&version=NIV1984)

John 19:11

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹¹ Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019:11&version=NIV1984)

 

 

Hebrews 13:6

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁶ So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can man do to me?”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13:6&version=NIV1984)

Proverbs 21:30

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³⁰ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2021:30&version=NIV1984)

As I read the Acts passage I thought of Jesus when He was standing before Pilate and Pilate was informing Christ of his authority.  Jesus let Pilate know that he didn’t really have any power whatsoever over Jesus if it weren’t for God.  God is the ultimate power and the one that we will have to answer to someday.  We will have to answer as to why we weren’t bold in our witness to others.  Why we let people rule our lives rather than recognizing that God was the One and Only in control.  These men realized that and when they were told to quit speaking that they must obey God and not man.  They were bold in saying to these men that they would listen to God over man and encouraged the Sanhedrin to do the same. 

Knowing that God was in control these men could boldly speak to these leaders and refuse to obey their commands.  They could disobey them because their commands were totally against God’s will.  The men were then released.  They blatantly told these men that they would disobey their command to stop speaking about Christ and they were still released.  That is the power of our Father in Heaven!!!!  God moves in mankind in a way that His will is done.  Whether someone is a believer or not, God has control over their lives and as believers we need to recognize that He has control over our lives as well.  He is where we get our power and strength not from mankind. 

When we put this into perspective, we realize that God is in control.  We realize that if we put our trust in Him, He will carry us through.  We may come up against people who argue with us, put us down, ridicule us in front of others or possibly laugh at us behind our backs.   That does not negate the fact that we need to continue speaking about the Christ who came and sacrificed Himself on the cross so that we could have eternal life.  We must continue to speak of the resurrection of Christ and to give Him glory for all things in our lives.  We must be courageous, we must be bold, and we must continue to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ no matter what others may say.

As you seek Him may you feel His mighty power in your life, so much power that you are unafraid to share the Gospel message with others.

Joshua 1:7

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201:%207&version=NIV1984)

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Share with Others

Acts 4:1-13

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees  came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  ³ They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!  ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ He is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the capstone.

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they, were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Act%204:%201%20-%2013&version=NIV1984)

Anyone who thinks they cannot spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ because they are not a seminary trained preacher needs to read this scripture.  What was Peter proclaiming in this scripture passage?  He was telling the people what He had witnessed, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Peter was simply giving testimony of what had happened in his own life.  He wasn’t talking about the Greek origin or trying to impress the people with his own interpretation of the scriptures, he was simply sharing his own personal testimony and he was doing it with boldness.  He was so bold in his proclamations that the people in charge of the temple came up to Peter and John while they were speaking and took them away to jail.  Take special note though, because of what they had to say, about 5,000 people became believers that day.  Five thousand people believed the words of both of these men, they believed because it was their own personal testimony and it was shared with conviction.

I have sat through many sermons on a Sunday morning.  I have heard messages that are intriguing and have kept my attention and I have heard some that were simply words on a paper, maybe there was good content but it was given without conviction.  The sermons that stand out the most to me, that touch my heart and cause me to examine my own life are the ones that are delivered with conviction, that are heartfelt, and that share a personal testimony of how the scripture is true for them.  It is a sermon that is spoken with boldness.  My point in saying this is not to put down any of the messengers of God but to encourage everyone that words spoken with boldness, as a witness, a testimony of Christ’s resurrection power, are the ones that will touch the hearts of man.  You don’t need a seminary degree to proclaim the Gospel.  You may not stand on a pulpit to share God’s word but we are all called to share.  These men were in the temple courts where there was obviously a crowd for us though it may mean going out amongst the people.  It may mean getting on Facebook and writing out our testimony as that is where it seems people are today.  No one has to teach you how to share your testimony because, if you are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you.  You know who you were before you knew Him and you know how He changed your life. You know now who you are as a believer so it is time to get out there and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There are no excuses when it comes to sharing our faith, this is something that God wants us to do and it is something that we should want to do.  We may think that we are not qualified and could easily argue that Peter and John who had not formal schooling in theology walked with Christ and learned from Him.  That is a good argument but haven’t we too had a walk with Christ, have we not died with Christ, Paul writes, Galatians 2:20 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)  ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.                                (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%202:20&version=NIV1984)

We not only know Christ but have been crucified with Him.  We have the Holy Spirit within us to guide us.  The life we live is through the faith in the Son of God, we need to tell that to others.  We need to let them know that because He loved us, we can love Him.  He gave Himself for us!  What are we giving in return?

I came across a website while preparing a Sunday School lesson, http://www.shareasyougo.com/.  You can get on this website and share your story.  Write it down, thank God for your salvation by sharing it with others.  You can also post comments on this blog and share your salvation testimony with others.  Share it with people all over this world.  Go out and with boldness declare the Name of the Lord to others.

Seek Him and know Him then share Him with others.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Waiting for Christ to Return?

Acts 3:21-26

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²¹ He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.  ²² For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. ²³ Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’

²⁴ “Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. ²⁵ And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’  ²⁶ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first  to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%203:%2021%20-%2026&version=NIV1984)

The writer of Acts (most likely Luke) has been telling us the story of Peter addressing the Jewish assembly to repent of their sins.  We begin today with verse 21 with the reference word “He” which is Jesus.  Often times we pray, “come Lord Jesus come” yet as we read this scripture we see that He must remain in Heaven until such time that God restores everything.  At this point we need to look back at verse 19 -20  ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%203:%2019%20-20&version=NIV1984)    

When I put this verse in with the verses for today I read things a little different than I had before.  It seems to me that Luke is saying that they need to repent so Jesus will come back.  Even in these times Christians were watching for Jesus return! 

The quote from Moses in these verses could mean the prophet that will come in the end times, one of the two witnesses or it could be referring to Jesus.  I was confused with this reading so I looked up in one of my Bibles that stated that he was referring to Jesus.  I, however, do not read it that way.  I read it that a prophet will come and that the people are going to need to listen to him because he will be their last chance before His people will be completely cut off.  If this had referred to Jesus, that would mean that the Jewish people could not receive Christ because they crucified Him yet we know that is NOT true because many Jewish people repented and were saved then and still today.  I also do not believe he is referring to Jesus because Jesus was not a prophet when He came to this earth He came as the Son of God.  The prophet that came before Him was John the Baptist. 

Verses 25 - 26 does refer to Christ.  He was from the offspring of the Jewish people and He made it possible for the people of all the earth to be blessed.  As we have read in the scriptures He first came to the Jewish people but He made it possible through His death and resurrection for all people to come to Him.  Before ascending into Heaven Jesus spoke to His disciples and made it clear that they were to go into the entire world to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not just to the Jewish people. 

What does this tell us for today?  Well, for me it tells me that God will decide when Jesus is to return.  I know that He does not want any of us to be cut off from His blessing and so He will send a prophet for one last chance.  When we hear of this being the “last days” people may be right, we may be living in those days but remember, even the people of the Bible times felt they were living in the “last days”.  Only God knows when that time will be.  I believe we need to continue to spread the Gospel until which time God appoints a prophet, like Moses, to come and witness to the people.  Jesus will not return until everyone has been given the chance to repent.  If we want Him to return quickly then we need to get busy and go out and spread the Good News of Him.

As you seek Him, don’t stare in the sky and watch for His return, don’t pray that He come quickly if you are not really ready for His return.  Think of loved ones who will miss out on the blessings if He were to return today.  Rather pray for open ears and open hearts to the Gospel so that as many will, may come to Him and have eternal life.  Then, go out and share the Gospel!!!!!

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Absolutely No Sin is Too Great

Acts 3:11-20

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

¹¹ While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹² When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  ¹⁴ You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  ¹⁵ You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.   We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶ By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

¹⁷ “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance,  as did your leaders.  ¹⁸ But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%203:%2011%20-%2020&version=NIV1984)

Have you ever known someone who has been healed in a miraculous way?  It seems like today that when people are healed they explain it away as a medical miracle, or possibly the person wasn’t sick in the first place.  I recently had surgery and the surgeon did not find what he was looking for.  Even though two tests revealed that I had an issue that needed to be corrected, when he went  in, it was not there.  Right before I went to surgery I asked him if I could see his hands.  He asked why and I told him that they had been blessed many times so I wanted to see them.  I think that made an impression on him and I hope it got him thinking.  I never saw him again after surgery.  People tried to explain this mystery away, maybe I was mistaken but I know I wasn’t and I know how many prayers were prayed regarding my healing and I know God healed me.  I also have numerous MRI’s that show that I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) this is a disease that once it starts generally progresses.  Mine however, has remained the same for the past 27 years.  I sometimes have some symptoms of tiredness but the disease has not progressed.  Again, I believe this is a gift from God, I had a pastor at the time of the first incident that was convinced I would be healed and I believe that God gave him that revelation and I praise the Lord for it.  But, no one wants to admit that miracles happen today, that was a thing of the past.  They pray for them but when they happen, they try to explain them away. 

So, how should we react to miracles?  Look at how Peter responded.  His response was not one of a healing because of man but because of Jesus Christ.  He used this opportunity to witness to the Jewish people regarding the Christ that they crucified.  And look at how he did it, it was not gentle and kind but was straight forth, pointing a finger and telling them how wrong they were.  Yet look at what he says in verse 17, he takes the blame off of them a little bit by saying that they had acted in ignorance.  Then he tells them in 19 to repent.  Even though they might have been ignorant, now they know the truth and they need to repent.  What I find to be amazing in this is that there is absolutely no sin on this earth that God will not forgive if we only repent.  The very people that put Christ on the cross could be forgiven, why would people think that their sins were too great to be forgiven.  The proof is here as well as in Luke 23:34, “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”   Even while hanging on the cross He cared for his children.  This is not a God who limits His forgiveness but one who offers it to anyone who will repent.  Anyone who does not repent cannot use the excuse that God will not forgive them, as we can see that He will.  The only reason anyone is not forgiven is because they choose to ignore the resurrection power of our Lord and Savior and they choose to sin rather than to repent.  I pray that if anyone who is reading this has not repented and recognized Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they would do so today.  There is no sin too great for the Father to forgive, repent, and be saved.

As you seek Him I pray that you will recognize the miracles that He performs in your life.  I hope you will use those miracles to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those around you.  Repent my friends and be saved.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila