Power of Prayer

Acts 12:1-19

English Standard Version (ESV)

12 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. ² He killed James the brother of John with the sword, ³ and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. ⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

⁶ Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” ⁹ And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. ¹¹ When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

¹² When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. ¹³ And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. ¹⁴ Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” ¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. ¹⁷ But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.”^[a] Then he departed and went to another place.

¹⁸ Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+12%3A1-19&version=ESV)

This story pretty much explains itself!  If we pray, we should expect an answer but often times we are surprised when the answer comes as we had hoped.  Why is this?  Why do we pray one thing and expect a completely different thing to happen.  Jesus tells us that if we have the faith of a mustard seed that we can move a mountain, yet these people who were gathered to pray did not even believe that God had answered their prayer the way they wanted Him to.  So, possibly if we have any faith at all, God will hear our prayers and will answer them.  From the indication of what happened to John’s brother, James, not always does the answer come in the way that we would like for it to come.  The very indication that the people were still gathering together and praying causes us to believe that they were men of faith who put their trust in God, although they might not always believe the miracles they were praying for would actually happen.  

I feel that way some days.  I want to believe that God will answer my prayers that I have prayed continually for but think that He won’t answer them the way that I want.  Yet, if it is truly His will, the answer will be as I have prayed.  I need to be in more direct contact with Him in order to be one with Him through Christ Jesus our Lord.  Then, it may so be that I too will stand amazed and at awe of His mighty works.

We should not treat prayer as a wishing game or to think of God as a magical wonder maker.  Rather we need to see God as the Creator of the Universe, the Creator of us, our Father, and we should bow down and praise Him.  We should seek Him.  As we seek Him, know that He is real, trust Him, obey Him, and let Him guide us through this journey called life.  Have faith.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Giving

Acts 11:27-30

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁷ Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). ²⁹ So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers^[a] living in Judea. ³⁰ And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11%3A27-30&version=ESV)

As I read this passage today I began to wonder how I would respond to a prophet who told me there would be a famine in the land.  I would probably be the one that would say, I will believe it when I see it” or “I will be sure to support them when that actually happens.”  I even think that it would be best for me to store up my own food and money if a famine was coming.  I think so many of us today feel this way.  If we gain wealth we think that we deserve it and if we don’t, others may think that we have either done something wrong or that we just don’t try hard enough. 

Often times, the gifs that we get from God need to be paid forward.  If in fact, we are capable of providing to others, we need to do so.  We need to give when the opportunity presents itself, not wait until there is a dire need.  If we have it, we should not hold onto it in in case of a rainy day if we know there is or soon will be a need.  If however, we are just spending it on foolish things of this world, we should rather save it for a rainy day. 

If we have obtained our dreams, then we need to pay it forward by sharing with others.  This is what the church did for those who were about to suffer a famine.  They gave according to what they could. 

I don’t know where you are in this journey of life.  Maybe you are the one that has been blessed with dream jobs, dream salaries, then you should be looking for ways to share that dream.  Maybe you are one suffering from a famine, whether loss of job, homeless, bed-ridden, those of us with abundance need to be reaching out to those of us who have not.  If you happen to see someone in need, go the extra mile or as many miles as to your ability and show them the love, compassion, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Seek Him and know that He went above and beyond for us, we need to do the same for Him by showing others that love.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Disciple/Christian?

Acts 11:19-26

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁹ Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists^[a] also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. ²² The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. ²⁵ So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11%3A19-26&version=ESV)

Sometimes we wonder why bad things happen to us and sometimes we will actually find out why and other times we will spend a lifetime wondering.  In our scripture reading for today, we find out the results of the horrible persecution of the new believers that resulted in the death of Stephan.  Stephan may have wondered why he wasn’t saved from the mob but I don’t think so, I believe the glory of the Lord overshadowed any doubt that may have come across his mind.  The people, however, reacted out of fear, they scattered, but they did not let their fear consume them, rather, continued to spread the Gospel.  They knew the possible results of their sharing of the Gospel but they continued and the church grew.  It grew because people were not ashamed and did not let fear hold them captive.  It was because some chose to reach outside of their comfort zone and witness to those of a different culture than themselves.  Because of these things, through the work of the Holy Spirit the church grew.

Have you ever wondered from where the word “Christian” came?  It is right here in the Bible, verse 26, “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”  Wow, that was a long time ago!  Do you consider yourself a disciple of Christ?  Are you following Christ?  Are you learning from His Word?  Are you growing in your faith?  Are you telling others of His good news?  If so, you can rightfully be called a Christian. 

As you seek Him today, remember, that a Christian is a disciple of Christ.  You too can share His love, grace, and forgiveness to others, that is what makes the church grow.  May you have the faith to trust solely in Him and the courage to share the Gospel no matter what your situation or circumstance.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

That All May Know

Acts 11:1-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

11 Now the apostles and the brothers^[a] who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party^[b] criticized him, saying, ³ “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ⁴ But Peter began and explained it to them in order: ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. ⁶ Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. ⁷ And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ ⁸ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ ⁹ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ ¹⁰ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹ And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. ¹² And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. ¹³ And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; ¹⁴ he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ ¹⁵ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” ¹⁸ When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11%3A1+-+18&version=ESV)

How often are we too guilty of the judgment of others, just like these Christian Jews?  We think we are maybe just a little more deserving of the Gospel of Christ.  We believe that some people just are not “fit” to be part of the Kingdom.  But God has a different vantage point, He know the heart. 

Last night I went to see McFarland, USA, yes two movies in three days!  This movie depicted the perception of a race that was so far from the truth.  A family moves into a town and finds themselves the minority.  There was much apprehension at first because the culture of the community was so far removed from their culture.  Yet, they learned to appreciate it, embrace it, and become long time residents of the town, including its culture.  This was not a Christian movie but it depicts to us that we should not (pardon the old cliché) “judge a book by its cover”.  We as Christians need to reach out to all cultures, races, and lifestyles because Christ died that all may know Him.  Yes, this takes energy, time, patience, tolerance, and persistence but that is what we are called to do. 

Peter had a vision as did Cornelius and they followed the commands given to them.  Oh that we too, would read these words and know our own mission.  Seek Him, know Him, and share Him with all people.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Believe

Acts 10:34-48

English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁴ So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10%3A34-48&version=ESV)

 I have been challenged over the past few days regarding my belief.  My husband and I went to the movies the other night and I was amazed.  When I left the theater, all that I could think was, “WOW”.  Often times we have a tendency to get caught in this life of doing things for ourselves and we forget about the world of hurting people around us.  I can become so obsessed with my own needs and my own desires that I forget that there are people who do not know or who do not believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.  There are people who do not believe in the power of the cross of Christ.  Sometimes that someone may be myself.

We can say that we believe but faith without action in dead, according to James 2:14.  In Hebrews 11:6 we find that without faith, it is impossible to please God. So, if we have faith, others should be seeing it, but are they? 

As I read this passage today, the movie we saw came back to me once again.  It was not because of the question of race but more a question of lifestyle.  So often, the Christian community may shy away from those whom we think just might not “fit in” to the Christian lifestyle.  We may think they will never come to know the Lord because they could never change.  Or we may think of the ones who have hurt us and we really could care less if they come to the Lord or not.  Now, that is WRONG!  According to Jesus in Matthew 5:44, we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us!  So, what are we doing about that?

As you seek Him today, Jesus stretched out His arms for you, whether you are a Jew or a Gentile.  Jesus stretched out His arms for you, whether you are rich or poor.  Jesus stretched out His arms for you, IF you will just BELIEVE, in the power of the cross of Christ, trust Jesus as your LORD and Savior.  Then go out and show others the life that was changed through the Holy Spirit.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila  

P.S. The movie that we saw, Do You Believe?  It is now likely showing in a theater near you.  Be sure to go see it, take a friend, and BELIEVE!

Coincidence or Not?

Acts 10:9-35

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁹ The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour^[a] to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

¹⁷ Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate ¹⁸ and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. ¹⁹ And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation,^[b] for I have sent them.” ²¹ And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” ²² And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” ²³ So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. ²⁸ And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

³⁰ And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour,^[c] and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

³⁴ So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10%3A9-35&version=ESV

Do you believe in coincidences?  I don’t, I believe in God moments and this is a God moment!  Things happen for a reason and God directs those things.  There have been times that I have felt down and out, at that time; there may be a sermon that speaks to me in an amazing manner.  There are times when I have cried out to the Lord in frustration, disappointment, and discouragement, at that time, I open my Bible for my daily reading, not by coincidences but by God’s providence, I find the words or encouragement, joy, and healing.  This was the case in the experience with the centurion and with Peter.

One other thing to notice in this passage is that neither of these men questioned the direction that God was sending them.  They went, maybe a little confused, but they went, in order to spread the Good News of our Lord and Savior.

As you seek Him today, may you find that you too are obeying and going where He leads.  Remember, all of this life’s events are designed by your creator.  Go, follow, trust, and obey as you serve Him today.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

A Memorial to God

Acts 10:1-8

English Standard Version (ESV)

10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, ² a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. ³ About the ninth hour of the day^[a] he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” ⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, ⁸ and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10+%3A+1+-+8&version=ESV

Have you ever wondered if God hears your prayers or if He sees your kind deeds?  Do you think Cornelius ever thought about that?  I think he might have because the first thing the angel says to Cornelius was not, “fear not”, even though he was clearly afraid, he says, “your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.”  Wow, have you ever thought of your prayers and gifts as being a memorial to God?  I think that if we thought of it that way we might be more apt to pray more thankful prayers and give to those in need without question. 

Note, what happened after the angel left.  He obeyed and did as he was asked to do.  He didn’t go himself, which I would have been tempted to do, but he followed the instructions of the angel. 

As you seek Him today, remember each gift of kindness and each gift of praise, ascends to the One who is faithful as a memorial to Him.  Seek Him and know that He is worthy.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila   

Why Heal?

Acts 9:32-43English Standard Version (ESV)

³² Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. ³⁵ And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.^[a] She was full of good works and acts of charity. ³⁷ In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics^[b] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A+32-43&version=ESV)

I often wonder why God heals and doesn’t heal people today and I believe it is because of the purpose of healing.  In both of these accounts of miraculous healing we see that many turned to the Lord.  In most cases in our society today, that is not what we see happen.

Around 28 years ago I had a medical condition that caused me visual distortion.  We had no idea what brought it on but suddenly one day, after many days with a headache, I woke up without a headache but when I sate up, I became very dizzy and then my vision went crazy.  I went to the doctor who sent me to a specialist in another city.  Before leaving town our pastor, at that time, got a vision that I was going to be healed from this and did not need to go on the trip.  He even tried to find us before we left town even driving out a little ways to see if he could see us on the road but could not find us. (We didn’t have cell phones back then!)  I went to the doctor and it was determined that I had an infection in the myelin that surrounds the nerve of the eye and it was causing a short circuit to my eye.  After medication, taking it easy, gaining lots of weight and not being able to drive for a while, it went away.  Not really much of a miraculous healing that my pastor had a vision for but yet I was healed, sort of.

A few years later, after having my second baby, I began to have the headaches again, not the vision problems.  When I mentioned it to my doctor at a checkup, he looked at my chart and quickly sent me back to the specialist.  This time the doctor said that I either had MS or a brain aneurism.  I was then scheduled for another test to determine if it was in fact an aneurism.  The results showed that it was not.  The doctor was hesitant to diagnosis me with MS because I had no other symptoms but decided to keep a close eye on me. 

Much has happened over the years and I have been to another specialist because mine moved away.  Since then I have had additional test that shows that I do have something that mis-triggers in my eye when tested but on a daily basis it gives me no concern.   My optometrist does not see anything to cause him concern.   I go back year after year the neurologist who is amazed that I have no outward symptoms.  I am his patient that puzzles him so he continues to have me come back year after year with an MRI every other year.  To his amazement my MRI has shown improvement not regression.  The lesions that appear on my brain are less and less and that is a miracle!   I have told people that God has blessed me with this healing but it has not brought people to the Lord, they try to explain it off as a “medical mystery”.  I believe our Pastor was given a vision years ago,  what he had understood has come to pass.  I do not have symptoms of MS and have been cleared by my doctor that I can do anything other healthy people can do.  I am higher in the test on balance and strength than the average person my age.  Yet, people still do not recognize this as a miraculous healing, but I do!!!!  There is no mystery about it in my books.  It is by the grace of God that He has healed me.  Yet, like Paul, I have reminders that keep me humble, such as a MRI every other year!

Next, I had some issues a few years ago that caused me to go into surgery.  They were looking for a hole in my intestine that they had found in a previous test.  When the doctor went in to repair it, he could not find it.  The doctor tried to pass it off as just a mistake in what I thought was happening yet, he had seen the hole himself.  Again, I believe God healed me and kept me from having to have a major surgery.  Yet, no one came to the Lord because of it, but rather, it was just considered another medical mystery.  I have had no other problems since this happened and I believe it was another miracle in my life.  Yet, I still don’t understand why I was blessed because no one has really come to the Lord because of it.

I tell these two stories of my health because I have doubted that healing takes place today.  My mother had Parkinson’s disease and we prayed and prayed for her healing.  I doubted that God would heal me because I saw what Mother went through.  I know Mother was healed when she went home to be with the Lord but I wish so much that I could have seen her on this earth, healed from that awful disease.  Yet, I believe, it would have been considered a medical mystery rather than people coming to the Lord.

I wish that many could come to know the Lord by the healing that has taken place in my life.  I am rarely sick but these are two times that things could have turned out much worse than they were.  I believe that God healed but I still do not know why.  Everyone passes it off as a medical mystery or a misunderstanding, rather than a divine healing.   What happened to the many that were added when miracles occurred?  The world happened, medical mysteries happened, and God has been left out.  What the world does not understand is that even medical knowledge could not take place without God designing it.  Even medical treatment is a gift from God whether they want to admit it or not.

As you seek Him today, remember, that our purpose on this earth is to bring Him glory.  Are we doing that through our actions, our words, through healing?  Are we doing it at all?

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Perspective

Acts 9:20-31

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁰ And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” ²¹ And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” ²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

²³ When many days had passed, the Jews^[a] plotted to kill him, ²⁴ but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, ²⁵ but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall,^[b] lowering him in a basket.

²⁶ And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists.^[c] But they were seeking to kill him. ³⁰ And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

³¹ So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A20-31&version=ESV)

Saul’s life changed forever on that road to Damascus.  He changed from a Jew persecuting the Christians to a Jew joining them.  The Christians were skeptical of him, as they should have been, because of his past actions.  Yet, there were those who witnessed his dramatic change in lifestyle and encouraged the church to trust that his life was changed.  The Christians trusted and believed in the work of the Holy Spirit and the saving grace of the Father so much that they took Saul in under their care.  Because of the faithfulness of both Saul and the other Christian brothers the church grew and notably they were at peace.  Notice, they walked in the “fear of the Lord” and their comfort came from the Holy Spirit.  Because of their faithfulness the church grew. 

Let’s put that in the context of the church today.  I often wonder how much fear we have of the Lord.  So often we hear how loving and forgiving our Lord is that we forget that we should fear Him.  We sing songs about His love for us but we forget that we are to love Him.  We go about our everyday business and maybe remember to thank Him at mealtime and yet we expect for Him to provide a meal for us.  Yet, how often do we fear Him?  How often do we remember we are here for Him, not the other way around?

When struggles come our way do we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us through it?  When a church member is persecuted or struggles do we just assume that they must have deserved it?  If Saul were to come into our church today, one that persecuted Christians, and some of “his kind” came after him to kill him, would we protect him at the risk of our own lives or would we just decide that he deserved it?  I think the church does this all the time.  We are quick to bring people into the fold, sometimes not being skeptical at all.  Yet, when trouble comes, we do not rely on the Holy Spirit for comfort, we shy away and maybe even say, “Well that doesn’t surprise me, given their history?”   

Why are our churches not growing?  Why are their struggles among us?  We tend to say that it is just the devil at work.  I have to wonder if it is because we are not at work.  The Early church had every opportunity to blame the devil but yet they chose to proclaim the Gospel.  Are we proclaiming he Gospel?  Are we praying for strength to overcome?  Or, are we merely relying on ourselves and not seeking the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the Power of the Father?

As you seek Him today, ask yourself, “Do I fear Him?” “Do I love Him?” Do I rely on the Holy Spirit or do I rely on myself and my feelings?” 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Open to God's Instructions

Acts 9:1-22

New International Version (NIV)

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² 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. ³ 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?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ 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. ⁹ 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 holy people 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 proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to 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.

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 Messiah.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1+-22&version=NIV)

Have you ever wondered how God could have chosen you to be His ambassador?  Well, don’t pride yourself too much in that thought, as you read here, he chose the lowest of low to do the same.  Saul was the man who stood and watched as Stephen was stoned to death, he was also the one who made it his mission to persecute Christians. Could you imagine one of the people who beheaded a group of Christians just recently, becoming ambassadors of Christ?  This shows how much we should not discount people but rather pray for them. 

I have to think of the Burnham’s, the missionaries whose vacation was interrupted by cruel men kidnapping them and treating them horribly.  As I read their story, I realized that Mr. Burnham never gave up on sharing the love of Christ with his captures.  You never know who might be used of God to proclaim His love to others.   He ultimately lost his life on this earth during his rescue but he never lost his faith in the Christ who saved him eternally.

I am certainly right there with Ananias who questioned God’s motives in healing the man who persecuted those who proclaimed Christ.  It is important to notice though that Ananias, although skeptical, did what he had been asked to do and showed tremendous faith in the process.  Because of his bold step in faith many others believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of his bold faith we are able to read how this man name Saul, became Paul, and encouraged many in the church to remain faithful to their Lord and Savior.  In fact, even today, the words given to him by God are used to encourage the church.

Saul could have been rejected by the Christian people, been an outcast forever, but rather the people listened to God and trusted Him in His ways.  Saul suffered for his wrongdoings but he suffered gladly for the sake of Christ.  As you seek Him today may you find him revealing Himself to you in ways far better than you could have ever imagined.  May through your suffering you find joy.

Seeking His with all my heart,

Sheila