Beautiful Feet

Acts 14:21-28

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²¹ They preached the good news  in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²² strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.  “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³ Paul and Barnabas appointed elders  for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,  committed them to the Lord,  in whom they had put their trust. ²⁴ After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,  ²⁵ and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

²⁶ From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God  for the work they had now completed.   ²⁷ On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them⁽ and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014:%2021%20-%2028&version=NIV1984)

These men, Paul and Barnabas were true missionaries, spreading the Gospel to many people in several cities.  Notice though that they did not just go there, preach, and leave, they went back.  Even to the cities where they had been stoned and run out of town, they returned.  Why would they do this?  It is one thing to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and yet another to follow Him faithfully through the good and bad times.  Paul and Barnabas wanted to make sure those who had committed to a life with Christ had the tools they needed to live a life worthy to that calling.

They appointed elders in the churches but did not do so without much prayer and fasting.  How often do we appoint people in the churches today just because they are a willing body?    Sometimes I think it can be more of a popularity contest than it is truly seeking the Lord Jesus Christ and sometimes I think for those who accept the position it boosts their ego.  But if you look at the life of service that Paul and Barnabas gave it was difficult.  They did not really have a place they could call home, they traveled.  Today when we think of travel we think of cars and airplanes and they had neither.  They had their two feet and they could not hitchhike because no one else had a car to hop in to. 

I think of the verse in Isaiah 52:7 (New International Version 1984 (NIV1984))

⁷ How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
    who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
    “Your God reigns!”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+52:7&version=NIV1984)

Today I can sit here in my comfortable chair with the computer on my lap and write a blog and the words that God gives me can spread across this entire world.  I can then go about my day doing the things of my life and then lay my head down in my own bed and go to sleep.  But, what am I giving up to do so?  Maybe a little more sleep in the morning?  Then there is the part of discipleship.  I have a few people who follow the blog but I only see numbers of those who read the blog so I can only put faces with a few readers.  How can I truly be a part of the lives of all who read the blog?  I can’t and that is why the Lord wants us to put feet to our witnessing.  He wants us to get out there and touch the lives of those who may not know Him, who have not been heard of the love of Christ, who are down and out and in an addiction they can’t seem to kick, and those who need to know how to grow in Christ.  How am I doing in that area? 

As you seek Him today, be sure that you are doing and going where you are called.  Spread the love of Christ and bring the Good News of His salvation to anyone who has ears then together with the Lord’s guidance and strength grow in Him.  Are your feet beautiful in the sight of God?

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Look Him in the Eye

Acts 14:8-20

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁸ In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. ⁹ He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed  ¹⁰ and called out, “Stand up on your feet!”  At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

¹¹ When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”   ¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men,  human like you. We are bringing you good news,  telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God,  who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.  ¹⁶ In the past, he let all nations go their own way.  ¹⁷ Yet he has not left himself without testimony:   He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;  he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”  ¹⁸ Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

¹⁹ Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014:%208%20-%2020&version=NIV1984)

As we look at this scripture we see how the people of Lystra started worshipping Paul and Barnabas, thinking they were gods but we need to go back to the beginning of the story and see what really happened.  Was it Paul that healed this man?  No, it was Paul that recognized the faith that this man had.  Paul took the time to look this man in the eye and to see that “he had faith to be healed”.  Miracles weren’t necessarily performed to get people to believe they were performed for people who did believe.  Throughout scriptures the word “faith” is used and Jesus would say to those who He healed , words such as, “Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19)   “Because of your faith your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:20) and many others.  It was not because the woman touched the hem of Jesus garment that she was healed it was because she had faith that He would heal her.  Often time’s people believe that others just don’t have enough faith to be healed and in some cases that may very well be true.  However, I tend to believe that sometimes people are too much like Job’s friends, they try to find reasons for matters that are not in their hands.  You could not say that Job had a lack of faith for he was stronger than any of those who were well.  He never turned from God through his loss and illness but he certainly called upon the Lord throughout those trials. Although His faith may have been shaken it was not destroyed and it was because of his faith that his life was restored, this is the beautiful picture of the faith of Job.

Sometimes God places things in our lives that will causes our faith to be shaken but if we hold on to Him, He will turn our sorrow into joy,  just like He did for Job.  Sometimes our healing comes in the form of acceptance of what He has placed in our lives.  Our faith remains stronger than most people could imagine when we put our full faith in letting Him helps us through our situations. 

Faith was evident in the man that got up and walked but what about those who really didn’t have any faith in the God of our Universe.  They were easily swayed to the other side even to the point of stoning Paul and leaving him for dead.  They were amazed at the miracle but they had nothing to do with the God in whom this man’s faith rested.

Often times we get so caught up in the things of this world that we begin to worship things that don’t matter.  We get upset over things that are trivial.  We in essence begin to worship other things and put God on a shelf.  If that is life that is lived, then when trials come the sand will shift.  Rather than trusting God through the trial, God is blamed, people get mad at God, they wonder why.  When we cry out to God He can look us in the eye and recognize our faith.  When we give it over to Him, He can take the situation and bring healing to it.  We may still remain in the situation but there is healing. 

I had to wonder why Paul got up and went back in the city, that seemed a bit crazy to me but he too was demonstrating his faith.  God did not deliver him from the pain of a stoning but He did deliver him from the fear of the people.  He went back to the city to demonstrate His faithfulness in God.  He went back to care for those such as the man that was healed, to show them that even through trials we can experience victory and healing.

No matter what your situation God can bring healing to your life.  The way to find peace and healing is by seeking Him with all your heart, looking Him in the eye and letting Him see your faith in Him and Him alone.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Victory In Jesus

Matthew 5:4

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:%204&version=NIV1984)

Romans 12:15

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12:15&version=NIV1984)

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;  if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

We never know the time and the hour that we may mourn or that we will mourn with others because of the loss of a loved one.  This weekend that is what I have been called to do.  We lost a very dear friend who had been like a big brother to our daughter and like a son to us.  He called us Mom and Pops and was a young man that brought a smile to our face when we saw him.  We have fond memories of him and yet there are others in his life that have many more memories and were very close to him, his wife, his children, and his brother among many more family members and close friends.  It is hard to believe this vibrant young man has been taken home and we all ask and wonder why this had to happen.  We will probably never have the full answer on this earth but what we can do is to trust our God that He knows what He is doing and that His plan is the perfect plan.

Sin came into this world, not by our choosing but if it would have been our choice we would have done the same thing.   Who would we be kidding if we said we would have done it differently?   Sin is here and as we are told in Romans 3: 23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  None of us have done all things perfectly except through Jesus Christ our Lord.  We are perfect through Him because He lived a perfect life and did so many wonderful miraculous things for people.   Yet, He was scorned, beaten, spat upon, and nailed to the cross so that we could have eternal life.  So that we could bring praise and glory to our Father God, He was willing to sacrifice His life.  God’s law forbids a man to take the life of an innocent man but yet He allowed it to happen so that we could have eternal life with Him.  Christ knows what it is like to suffer, to mourn, to be tempted by sin which makes Him our ultimate comforter.  We don’t like to see death and neither does God our Father.  He watched as a part of Him was crucified and placed in a tomb.  Yet He knew that victory was close by.  Victory in the new life, the eternal life, with no separation from God our Father can be assured when we confess Jesus as Lord.

This life brings troubles, disappointments, sorrow and grief but as we seek the Lord, He brings comfort, strength, and peace.  In this deep sorrow, I thank the Lord for a church family that surrounded us in prayer, who wept with us last night and wept for our friend’s family even though they did not know any of them, that is mourning with those who mourn. May all of us remember to cling to Him in our sorrow so that one day we will be able to rejoice with Him in our new life where there will be no more sorrow and no more pain.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Serve Boldly

Acts 14:1-7

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

14 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. ² But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.  ³ So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴ The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.  ⁵ There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews,  together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.   ⁶ But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, ⁷ where they continued to preach the good news.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014:%201%20-%207&version=NIV1984)

Where did Paul and Barnabas always go when they entered the city? (Synagogue).  Why do you think they went to the Synagogue?  As I pondered this thought I had to think of the purpose of the church.  I think it is the same now as it was then. It is and was to equip believers to be bold in their faith and to go out and spread that faith with others.  You may recall in the previous chapter that the people went out and brought more people to the Synagogue the next Sabbath day, practically the entire town came to hear what these men had to say.  But, take special note, these men did not just preach on the Sabbath, in the Synagogue that is just where they started, they went out amongst the people of the town throughout the week and they shared their faith boldly. 

Did this divide the city? (Yes).  Throughout the time of man there has been division regarding who to serve.   Some served the little gods while others served the One true God.  Now in these scriptures we see that some are trying to serve God but are trying to do so without recognizing the deity of Christ Himself which divided the city.  I would imagine there were even those who were serving little gods.   Division will always happen when one or both parties are seeking their own selfish desires rather than the desires of our Lord.  The question we all must ask ourselves is whether we are truly seeking the Lord’s desires or are we seeking our own desires.

As you seek Him today, I pray that you will find that your desire in the life is to follow Him with all your heart, soul, and mind.  No matter if it brings division, strife, and persecution, spread the Word of the Lord and serve Him gladly.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Speaking the Truth

Acts 13:42-52

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

⁴² As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. ⁴³ When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first.  Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.  

⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;  and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

⁴⁹ The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.  ⁵¹ So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.  ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013:%2042%20-52&version=NIV1984)

Do you want a revival in your church or even more so in your town?  It is pretty clear here what you should do, preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  So many times we get so caught up in the things of this world that we forget the very essence of who we are.  We forget that as Christians we need to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us and we should speak boldly to those around us.  It may not always be what they want to hear because we all tend to think our agenda is better than the next guys. Paul and Barnabas did not mince words here, they spoke the truth. Do you remember what the leaders had said to them just prior to them speaking?  They had told them that if they had any encouraging words to say, to speak.  To most of the people there they had “encouraging words” but to those he spoke against, the words weren’t so encouraging.  Who were those they spoke against?  The leaders of the Jews.  Even though they used strong words that day, the pharisees did not run them out quite yet.  I would imagine they thought the people would reject their words but instead they followed them and asked more questions, they even invited them to come back and speak the next Sabbath.  When they went back the entire town came to hear what they had to say.  When the Pharisees saw this they were not pleased.  Wait, the church is full and the pastor is jealous because some strangers brought people in to hear him?  Sounds crazy but that is what happened.  The church grew because the message was spread.  Paul and Barnabas may have been kicked out but remaining was the Holy Spirit to guide those who believed.

I am one who tends to get upset if I hurt someone’s feelings even if I am speaking the truth.  I try to watch what and how I say things but if I confront someone with an issue, it is one that I think is very important.  Sometimes the approach is soft and gentle while other times it may seem direct and some may say even “harsh”.  I have been told that I intimidate people, something I never tend to do and I don’t even understand how I do this.  When I hear these things it makes me upset because I don’t want to be viewed as harsh or intimidating, that is not my character.  But today as I read this I noticed the reaction of Paul and Barnabas, they were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit!  If I am speaking the truth, not out of my own selfish desires but the truth regarding the Word of God, then if the words that I say intimidate, it is not me that is intimidating but the Holy Spirit.  Knowing this brought joy to Paul and Barnabas as should it bring joy to me. 

We must each examine ourselves and make sure that we are not speaking out of our own desires but are seeking the Lord, believing in His Words, and trusting Him to give us the Words of kindness, the words of love, and sometimes the words of intimidation in order that others may know Him or reject Him.  We all tend to think that we are failures when we people reject our words but if they are truly from the Holy Spirit they are not rejecting us but instead the One and Only One they will have to answer to.  Seek Him and Speak Boldly for Him. 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Believe

Believe

Acts 13:38-41

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³⁸ “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.  ⁴⁰ Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

⁴¹ “‘Look, you scoffers,
    wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
    that you would never believe,
    even if someone told you.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013:%2038%20-41&version=NIV1984)

You cannot say it any clearer than this.  Because of Jesus we have the forgiveness of sin.  The rulers could not see Him as the son of God, the promised One, they saw Him as a threat.  How many people wander in the world without Christ because they think He is a threat to them?  There are people in this world who refuse to believe, shut Him out of their lives, and crucify Him over and over again because He is a threat to them.  They feel that if He comes into their lives they will have to give up everything that they love, they will have to give-up bad habits or good friends, which is not any different than the leaders of the time.  They knew if they proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, they would have to give-up their status. 

Is verse 41 true for you or someone you know?  It was true for the pharisees; they could not believe that Christ had risen.  It was true for the Israelites who grumbled and complained to God even though they saw many miracles in Egypt, on their trip out of Egypt, and while in the desert.  Today we still have signs and wonders from God and the Bible tells us that there is more to come.  Someday EVERY knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10).  The problem is that for many it will be too late to turn to Him, He will be revealed in all His glory but those who did not believe, who were scoffers will be cut off. 

Even though we see Him work through people today,  just like in the days of old there are scoffers who simply refuse to believe.  They have all the proof they need to believe but yet they refuse.  I hope you are not one of these people.  Take note what will happen to them, they will perish and die.  They will perish because they will be eternally separated from God; they will die because without Christ there is only eternal death.  I urge you, if you have heard or witnessed His wonders; don’t be a scoffer, be a believer.  There is nothing more comforting, satisfying, and assuring than to know that Jesus Christ, a perfect man, God in flesh, was willing to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world!  To know that He would do this so that I could have eternal life with Him is simply amazing.  Words cannot describe my gratefulness to Him for this act of kindness.  Yet nothing is more life changing than this, that on the third day HE ROSE and is ALIVE today, thus conquering death and giving us life through Him.  The question is, is He alive in you?  If you do not know Him as your personal Savior, today is the day for salvation.  Come to Him as a repentant sinner, tell Him you do not want to be a scoffer anymore and give your life to Him.  Don’t be selfish with the things of this world; give them to Him so that you may have a blissful life through Him.

Seek Him, Know Him, and Share Him with others and BELIEVE.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Do We Hear the Words?

Acts 13:24-27

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²⁴ Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.  ²⁵ As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you think I am? I am not that one.   No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

²⁶ “Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. ²⁷ The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013:%2024%20-%2027&version=NIV1984)

John the Baptist, a great preacher of repentance, the man that baptized Jesus, the one who lived in the desert, he was quite an unusual man in many ways.  Some thought he was the Messiah but he made it very clear that he was not.  He made it clear that the Christ was coming and He was much greater than John.

The Messiah did come, just as John the Baptist prophesied.  He came but none of the leaders recognized Him.  Scripture was fulfilled through these blinded leaders.  The verse that really stood out to me was the last verse of this passage, : . . .  yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.”  These leaders were reading these words every Sabbath and the people were listening by no one was recognizing what the Scriptures were telling them. No one realized they were crucifying the Messiah even though the words regarding Him were being read every Sabbath.

I had to wonder how many words from Scripture are being read in our churches today but we are not listening to them.  We are so caught up in our own agenda that we do not hear what the Word of God is telling us.  Some people sit through a Sunday morning service every Sunday, rarely missing, yet they fail to see the importance of those words in their own lives.  Next Sunday, when the scripture is being read, let’s focus on what the Words are saying.  Are they telling us something we need to take to heart? Because some were not listening, we are able to say that we have Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.  But now, we need to listen, apply, and share with others the greatness of our Lord and Savior.

As you seek Him, ask Him to reveal to you the written words that you will be able to share with others. If you think that the Scriptures were not written for you or do not apply to you read 2 Timothy 3:16-17

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%203:16-17&version=NIV1984)

Read it, apply it, and be equipped to serve the Lord.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila