Serve

Acts 13:1-5

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

13 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers:  Barnabas,  Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,  Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

⁴ The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.  ⁵ When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God  in the Jewish synagogues.  John was with them as their helper.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013:%201%20-%205&version=NIV1984)

There are seminars and workshops on how to grow the church and there are also seminars and workshops on how to pray.  As I read this account of the early church there are two things that I see as key ways to grow the church.  1.  They worshiped and fasted together.  2.  They were in full communion with the Holy Spirit through prayer.  Although seminars might have some very valuable information regarding growth and prayer unless they are teaching you how to grow closer to the Lord, they are just man’s way of making money.  The early church did not have to go to a seminar to grow, it was through the work of the Holy Spirit and He chose those whom He would use to serve Him.  That decision is revealed to us when we take time to listen to Him rather than just talking to Him.

If all of us would grow closer to the Lord in prayer and would worship Him with all our hearts both during our gatherings together and individually just think, the church could grow just as it did in the early church.  Not because of what we have done but what we allow the Holy Spirit to do through us.  These two men were chosen, not by man, but by the Holy Spirit.  Man was used as the tool but they had to be willing to let the Holy Spirit guide and direct them.  Paul and Barnabas did not stay at that church but traveled on to other places to spread the Word of God.  They must expected to do a lot of work for the Lord because they took with them a helper, John!   Others, who were teachers and prophets stayed in the church and continued their work.

As you seek Him today ask Him how you can serve Him best. What are you doing for Him today?  Are you warming the pew at church or are you a prayer warrior, a prophet, a teacher, an encourager, and the list goes on?  In the church today I see many who are excuse generators, they have no time to serve Him but are happy to come and be served.  Ask yourself today if you are a servant or just wanting to be served?  Then ask the Lord what He would have you do.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

It is Not About US

Acts 12:19-25

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁹ After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.  Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. ²⁰ He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

²¹ On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. ²² They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” ²³ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

²⁴ But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

²⁵ When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission,  they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Act%2012:%2019%20-%2025&version=NIV1984)

Today we see Herod struck down by the Lord.  I had to wonder why he waited until the moment recorded to strike Herod down.  It is obvious in the prior verses that Herod was not a good guy and that he thought only of himself and what he could gain from the situation and not about anyone else.  He would have had Peter executed if it had not been for the intervention of the Lord to allow him to escape.  So why did he wait so long?  That is a question that we may have about others such as Hitler and other cruel rulers both today and in the past.  Why do God’s people have to suffer at the hands of such cruelty?  We won’t have a complete answer on this earth and by the time we get to heaven I don’t think we will really care but I believe it has to do with the title of this blot, “It is Not About Us”. 

When people suffer it may allow them the opportunity to become closer with the Lord.  When we suffer we have two choices; we can become angry with God and turn our backs on Him or we can reach out to Him for strength through the circumstances.  Peter and his fellow Christians reached out to God and were closer to Him because of it.  Their faith was strengthened through the trial that King Herod played a role in.  God is such a powerful God He can work through even the cruelest of people to bring us closer to Him. 

In King Herod’s situation he seemed to think that He was god and allowed others to see it that way too.  This, for King Herod, was the end of his life in this world.  Partially it was his attitude but partially it was the attitude of those who worshiped him.  If they had an earthly king to worship, they would not worship God.  Because Herod refused to give the credit back to God and the people called him a god, it was time for him to exit and real power to be revealed.  I would have to think that many of those that had called Herod, “god” may have late come to know the Lord because of this incident.

I have heard it said many time, “It is not about you”, so, who is it about?  It is all about God.  Some people who say “it is not about you” actually think it is more about them but the scripture today make si it clear that it not about either, it is about God and God alone.  We gather together each Sunday because it is about God.  We have people in our homes and share the word of God not for our glory but because it is about God.  When we do things in this world, in our churches, at our job to bring glory to us and allow others to worship us, then it is time to exit this world for our lives should always reflect His glory and our worship and praise should always be about Him.  We should strive to be all that God has called us to be but we should always give Him the praise and not take the glory for ourselves.  Worship is all about God and we have no right to make any of it about us. 

As you seek Him today remember to bow down and worship Him and Him alone.  There is not one person on this earth that deserves praise but only our God deserves it all.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Where He Leads

Acts 12:6-19

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁶ The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷ Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

⁸ Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. ⁹ Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.  ¹⁰ They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself,  and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

¹¹ Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”

¹² When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,  where many people had gathered and were praying.  ¹³ Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door.  ¹⁴ When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

¹⁵ “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”  ¹⁶ But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷ Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

¹⁸ In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2012:%206%20-%2019&version=NIV1984)

I always love reading this story!  It makes me feel secure knowing how God took care of Peter, who was supposedly securely chained by human standards, but God sent an angel to release him from prison.  As I read the story I can envision the happenings that night.  It makes me laugh to think that Peter thought he was dreaming and all of a sudden he realizes that this is actually happening!  Then I have to laugh again when Rhoda hears his voice and gets so excited that she forgets to let him in the door!  I can again envision Peter as he signals to them to be quiet. There must have been quite the excitement when they saw the man that they had been praying for standing amongst them.  The man  they thought was surely going to be executed.  Sometimes when we pray we don’t realize that God will use His mighty power to answer the prayers or we underestimate His power.  It makes me wonder if they had been praying that he would have strength through this trial rather than praying for his release.  Maybe they just underestimated the amount of work that the Lord had for Peter to do.

In this story we see that the angel guides Peter out of the prison and walks with him for a block and then disappears.  At that time Peter comes to his senses.  Does he panic wondering what to do next?  No, instead he goes where he knows people care for him and he finds that many are there praying for him.  He then leaves them and moves on to his next stop.  He doesn’t stay around to be found again by the authorities he leaves.  If I were Peter I would be asking the Lord, what next?  You saved me, now where is my angel to guide me now?  But Peter makes sure that James finds out about his release and then he leaves for another place.  It is as though he knew what he was supposed to do and he was going to do it.

I have one more laugh in this story and it is at the end of it.  “There was no small commotion” that line really makes me chuckle.  I can just see them all running around trying to figure out what has just happened.  The sad part though is that the guards were executed for letting a prisoner escape.  They had nothing to do with his escape but Herod, the hard hearted person that he was, had to blame others rather than recognize the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today as you seek Him, remember that our God is mighty in strength and power.  Let us not forget the greatness of our God and serve Him where He leads us.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Earnestly Pray

Acts 12:1-5

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. ² He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. ³ When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2012:1-5&version=NIV1984)

Acts 12:12

¹² When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2012:12&version=NIV1984)

Prison ministry today is a wonderful way to minister to those who have not come to the Lord.  It is a time in the lives of men and women who are at their lowest point and through their trials many have been introduced to the Lord.  In our scripture reading today, however, we look at a different kind of prison ministry.  This one the prisoner had no outside visitors because it they came, they too may be thrown in prison.  The early Christian rather put their trust and faith in the higher power and they did it through prayer.  

On Sunday nights we are studying Judges at church and I have once again been reminded of the importance of putting our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ not only in good times but also in our trials. This has been something that we as humans have found to be very difficult for some reason or another.  When the good times come we think that we are in control and we tend to stray away from the one who really has the power.  When bad times come, we tend to cry out to Him and blame Him for all the terrible things that are coming our way.  I don’t believe this is what the early church looked like though.  They had been persecuted from the time of their belief in Christ yet they remained faithful to Him and called upon Him.  I don’t think they were grumbling, whining, or even asking for peace, joy, and rest but I think that they were praying for strength through difficult times.  This early church did not gather just of a couple of hours on Sunday, they were gathered together in the night hours and they were earnestly praying together.  I have to wonder what the difference between earnestly praying and praying is.  I tend envision people on their knees maybe even lying prostrate, crying out to the Lord, with tears of both pain and joy.  They were not just having a “get together” they were gathered for a purpose and they were focused on the Lord not on the time, what to eat, or what game to play.  They gathered outside of the normal worship hours to earnestly pray for their brother and the church that they may be a witness for the Lord.

What do you think would happen if the Church today took on the same look as the early church?  Today our churches seem to be more concerned about numbers and how to impress others and we forget about our entire purpose for being here.  We tend to look at the clock rather than at the Lord when we gather to worship.  We seem to be more focused on what the Lord can do for us rather than what we can do for the Lord.  I hate to say it but we look so much like the Jews of old, when they cried out to the Lord and grumbled and complained during the rough times but forgot all about Him during the good times.  We tend to think more of ourselves and what pleases the world than focusing on Him and seeking to please Him above anything else.  This is a world of me, me, me and give it to me now, now now.  That doesn’t look much different than the times in Judges when the people came to the Lord and strayed away from Him time after time. 

The early church did not grow in numbers by attracting others into a life that promised great things on this earth.  They attracted them through the power of the Holy Spirit through strength that came through a faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a life that consisted of much prayer both corporately and I am sure individually as well. 

As you seek Him in prayer don’t grumble and complain but rather seek His will for your life and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say to witness to others.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheial   

Discipleship

Acts 11:22-26

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²² News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.  ²⁴ He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2011:%2022%20-%2026&version=NIV1984)

Often times we find that people accept the Lord as their Savior and then we think our job is done which in actuality our job has just begun.  The disciples at Antioch knew this and they called in reinforcements to help grow this church into mature Christians rather than babes in Christ.  We read that the news traveled to the church Jerusalem where there were mature Christians and they responded to the call for backup sending Barnabas where he not only helps the new believers but to spread the Gospel even further.

Often times pastors will tell us that we need to be the ones going out and spreading the Gospel and that is so true.  That is what the persecuted Christians did, yet, God does gift some with extraordinary gifts that draw people to the Lord and in the case of our reading today we see Barnabas in that role.  But, even Barnabas was overwhelmed and needed some added reinforcement so he went looking for Saul.  These two men took a year and ministered to these people.  They weren’t the short term evangelist who came in to the church for a week or two until everyone repented, they became a part of the lives of this church.  I can only imagine the training these people received during that time.  I found it very interesting that it was at this church that the Disciples of Christ became known as Christians.  Words that I found in this scripture that I believe we as Christians need to remember are:

·         “He was glad” – Are we always glad to serve or do we sometimes grumble?  Barnabas gave up a lot to leave Jerusalem and come to these people.

·         “Encouraged them to always remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” – As Christians are we encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ or do we sometimes find ourselves being too critical of them? 

As we live our lives as Christians are we living lives that model this early church?  Are we witnessing to others?  Are we growing so rapidly that we need reinforcements to come in and mentor us and the new believers? Is our pastor so overwhelmed with large numbers that he has to go out and call in more reinforcements?  Are we mature Christians or are we babes in Christ?  Are we remaining true to the Lord with ALL our heart or just a portion of it?

As you seek Him today remember that He has called us to serve Him.  Ask Him what He would have you do and then go and do it!

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ

Acts 11:19-21

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁹ Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen^(A) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,^(B) telling the message only to Jews. ²⁰ Some of them, however, men from Cyprus^(C) and Cyrene,^(D) went to Antioch^(E) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news^(F) about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The Lord’s hand was with them,^(G) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2011:%2019%20-%2021&version=NIV1984)

Persecution is one thing that none of us want to have to go through yet it is something that we should expect.  Romans 12:14 ^14” Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  It does not say, “if you are persecuted” it simply implies that you will be persecuted.  So why then do we get all bent out of shape when Christians are put down, falsely accused, or when our values seem to be ignored while those of other religious backgrounds seems to get all the positive attention?  We as Christians in the United States of America have it pretty easy, persecution has not made its full appearance here but it is gradually creeping in and I am sure we will not always be free from this persecution. 

However, there are many people who live in America because of persecution.  My husband would not have ever been a United States citizen if his great grandparents had not been persecuted in another country. His ancestors fled from two other countries due to religious persecution and finally made it to the United States of America where they settled.  Immigrants looking for a better life, the American dream that is the make-up of this country.  Many immigrants were looking to escape persecution because of their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of their persecution the Word of God spread to this part of the world.  Now, we have religious freedom and what are we doing with it?  Many of our churches are not very full.  The fact that we have “many” churches is not a testament of the spreading of the Gospel but rather the fact that many Christians can’t agree so a new church is formed. 

Let’s look at what happened after Stephen was stoned to death.  The Christians scattered but the church grew.  The Christians did not go into hiding by quieting their beliefs but rather they spread their beliefs to others.  You might think that they would be asking lots of “why” questions.  Stephen was a great man and did wonderful things.  You could tell by his actions, his life, and through his death that he loved the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, and mind.  So, why did God not protect him?  Why did he have to die?  Why would God allow this to happen?  You might have thought that these people would have stuck together, gone underground, and quieted their faith but instead they were scattered, spread their faith and the church grew.

I want to take special note of what they told those who they encountered.  They told the Good News of Jesus Christ.  They didn’t tell about their troubles, they didn’t tell about Stephen who was a godly man, they told about the One who changed their lives.  Some told it to the Jews while others spread it to the Gentiles.  Do you want to grow the church?  You don’t do it through being the most “popular” church in town.  You don’t do it by having the latest fads in worship.  You don’t do it by having the most dynamic speaker as your pastor.  You do it through persecution, through being scattered and most importantly by spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people who have not heard it.  Mega churches were not instantly a mega church.  If you hear how they began it was with a few people, a lot of prayer, and much time with others, spreading the Good News.  The Good News of Jesus Christ is being overshadowed by this world and we need to get out there and be open to how the Lord wants us to use our voice and/or our actions to spread the most glorious news of all to the people around us.  This world could use some Good News and we are the ones that can share it.

As you seek Him think of those who have never heard of Him and ask the Lord how you might share the Good News to them. Ask Him to place His hand upon you and give you the strength, courage, and words to say in order to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to others.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila   

Go Where He Calls

Acts 11:1-18

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

11 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him ³ and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

⁴ Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.  I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. ⁶ I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. ⁷ Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

⁸ “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

⁹ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ ¹⁰ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

¹¹ “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. ¹² The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them.  These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. ¹³ He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.¹⁴ He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

¹⁵ “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.  ¹⁶ Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water,  but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’  ¹⁷ So if God gave them the same gift  as he gave us,  who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

¹⁸ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2011:1%20-%2018&version=NIV1984)

Have you ever questioned the Lord’s motives?  We can probably all answer a resounding “yes” to that question.  Sometimes it is difficult to understand why He chooses to do things the way He does but we can be assured that He always has a reason and it is always the perfect decision far beyond our own decisions.  In the case of the scripture today I have to wonder why God chose the Jewish people over others to be called His “chosen people”.  Where they, on the other hand, could not figure out why God would allow the Gentiles to be saved and Baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

I had to wonder why the Jewish Christians were so against associating with the Gentiles.  Then, I began to think about the history of the Jews.  God told them to go and destroy the people who were the inhabitants of the land because they worshiped false gods and He told them to destroy their idols.  When the Jewish people only performed “most” of what God told them to do, there was trouble for the Jews.  So, I believe it was difficult for them to think that now this Salvation was for everyone not just for the Jews. 

I have to wonder if I am any different from the Jews when it comes to my faith in Christ.  Do I think that it is only for the “good” people of this world?  Am I willing to share my faith with those who are of a lower class than I?  Am I willing to go into their homes, eat their food, and share with them the joy of the Lord?  Am I willing to invite them into my home?

These scriptures make it very clear that we are to go where God calls us to go.  We are to listen to His instructions and we are NOT to be prejudice towards anyone.  God loves all of us and wants all of us to come to Him.  He never had anything against the race that He created only that they worshiped other gods, false gods.  They did not recognize Him as Lord.  It is His desire that ALL come to Him and we like Peter need to be willing to share that with anyone that God calls us to share it with.

It is also the responsibility of those who call themselves Christians to support those who are going out and sharing the Gospel as they have been called to do.  We are all called to share the Gospel but some are called to share in places that we ourselves have not been called to go.  That could be the bar, prison, or the other side of the world.  Wherever our brothers and sisters go, we need to make sure that we are supporting them in prayer, financially, and with words of encouragement.

As you seek Him today, ask Him where He wants you to minister.  Ask Him where He wants you to support others.  Most of all, share with others the wonderful message of Salvation that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Spiritual Gifts

Acts 10:44-48

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter  were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out^(C) even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?  They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” ⁴⁸ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2010:44%20-%2048&version=NIV1984)

There is no question that speaking in tongues is a sign from the Holy Spirit yet what about those who profess to be Christians who do not speak in tongues?  This is an age old question and one that needs to be explained only through the Scriptures. 

First of all let’s look at the first time tongues was introduced.  It was the day of  Pentecost and it was used by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel in languages not native to the speaker.  It was a sign to the unbelievers and an avenue for them to come to the Lord.  This account is found in Acts 2:1 -13.

In the verses for today we find that this gift of tongues was bestowed upon the new believers (Gentiles) as a sign to the Jews that they did in fact receive the Holy Spirit .  The Jews were all under the assumption that these people (Gentiles) could not be baptized or receive the same gifts as them because they were not Jews.  The Holy Spirit used this as a sign to the Jews that the Gentiles were just as much a part of the family of God as they were because the gift of the Holy Spirit was upon them and He gave them the same gift that they had bestowed upon them.  Again it was used as a sign to indicate the work of the Holy Spirit.

We read in I Corinthians 14: 1 – 5

14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts,  especially the gift of prophecy.  ² For anyone who speaks in a tongue⁾ does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him;  he utters mysteries with his spirit.  ³ But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening,  encouragement and comfort. ⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,  but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,  unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Corinthians%2014:%201%20-%205&version=NIV1984)

Not all speak in tongues as Paul writes.  This does not mean that they are not Christians, but rather they may have other gifts.  If you look in the previous Chapter 13: 1 - 3, you will find that even speaking in tongues or prophesying or doing good deeds is nothing if you do not have love.  Yes, all of these are signs of the work of the Holy Spirit, yet they can all be in vain if the gift of love is not present.   Paul follows up in chapter 14 by saying, follow the way of love.  There is not better indication of the hearts of man but by the actions of man.  You can say you are a Christian, you can say that God has given you words to speak to either man or God yet if you cannot love your neighbor what good are any of these gifts?  You can be a leader in a church, maybe even a pastor of a church but if you do not love your flock, you cannot have an effective ministry.  You can show mercy to the poor and weak but if you cannot show love to the person sitting next to you at work, your gifts to the poor only find their reward on this earth.  I have seen the testimony of others become useless because of the actions towards brothers and sisters in Christ.  I have heard people discount the church saying it is just full of hypocrites, why, because they witnessed the lack of love and a different lifestyle outside the church wall.  Beautiful words have flowed out of the mouths of those speaking the Words of God but their anger towards those that God has called them to love wiped away all those words.  It doesn’t matter if you have any of these gifts if you cannot love, the testimony that these gifts bring will be destroyed.   The church does not grow because people have gifts of tongues, prophesy, generosity, the church grows when we bestow upon others the love that our Father gave us. 

As you seek the Lord and ask Him to bestow upon you His gifts, remember the greatest and most important gift of all is the gift of love.  How are you showing love today?

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Following the Lord’s Command

Acts 10:22-29

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

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.”  ²³ Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.  ²⁴ The following day he arrived in Caesarea.  Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶ But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

²⁷ Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸ He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010:%2022%20-%2029&version=NIV1984)

It has been awhile since I have written.  I had not been feeling well and was unable to write.  I am so glad that the Lord woke me up today so that I could start writing again. It is a blessing to get into God’s word and find out what lesson He wants to teach me each day.

Last time I wrote we were in Acts 10 and Peter had visitors come to see him.  The Lord had given him a vision that they would be coming and sure enough they showed up at his door.  These men came from a man named Cornelius who was a Gentile but a God-fearing Gentile. 

What struck me today was verse 28 where Peter explained to them that the Jewish law commanded them not to associate with the Gentiles yet Peter is standing before them.  Not only did Peter go to the home of Cornelius and even sat down and ate with them, he had invited his men into the home in which he was staying, as his guest.  If Jewish law did not allow you to even eat with the Gentiles then inviting them into a home that wasn’t even yours must have really been taboo.

As I thought of this I had to think back to the Old Testament where God had instructed the Jews to get rid of all the people who were not Jews because of their un-godly practices.  He did not want these men to influence their relationship with God so He told them to destroy them.  When they did not do so, they fell and became worldly.  Now, although their law did not allow them to associate with the Gentiles, they still picked up their practices and they still had a strained relationship with God.  They had such a strained relationship that they did not recognize the Savior when He came and instead of worshipping Him, they crucified Him.  This Gentile man was a God-fearing man who did right in the eyes of God.

How does this relate to us today?  So many times we get so caught up in our religious practices that we fail to even understand the purpose.  There may have been a good reason for the practice but we have forgotten its meaning or maybe never even knew the purpose.  We get too caught up in what we should do and we should not do that we fail to listen to God.   Often times we think that we are better than others, that we have the answers, and that others should follow our every command.  Yet Peter, when the Gentile bowed to him, did not accept the reverence given to him but assured the man that he was human just like the man.  He did not see himself or his race above the other man’s. How many times do we hear, say, or think that we are better than someone else.   Peter makes it clear here that we should not bow to man but should bow only to our Heavenly Father.  

We can also learn from Peter’s actions,  when God calls us to do something it is in our best interest to heed the call and do as He has asked.  That may mean stepping out of your comfort zone.  I am sure that Peter stepped out of his comfort zone when he went into the Gentiles home and probably even when he invited the Gentiles into his friend’s home.  Peter was doing something that even his Christian Jews would question yet he followed the request of the Lord.

As you seek Him today, ask Him what He would have you do that would cause you to move out of your comfort zone.  Is there someone that you would not normally associate with that God is calling you to minister to? 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila