Acts 18

When Things Don't Go as Planned! {Acts 18}

10:00 AM

Today's Scripture: Acts 18


Has God ever called you to do something for Him? Anything! It could be working the nursery, or teaching Sunday School. Perhaps He's called you into full time ministry, or to begin a new ministry!

If so, some of you may have been thrilled at the time and some of you may have reacted more like Moses (Exodus 3-4) Gideon, Jonah ...(there's more) and me; who required more persuading. BUT the important thing IS -- we all came around to seeing things God's way...eventually.  
That is of course, until things don't seem to go how we believed they would or should have! Here's a perfect example that took place at the beginning of Paul's ministry in Acts 18:6-11,
"When they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.  Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.  And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”  And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."
I'm sure Paul believed that all would openly welcome him and thank him profusely for coming and enlightening them into the Truths of Gospel, and then they'd all beg him to sit down and teach them until they were all great biblical scholars!

Don't we tend to do the same? I know I do! If I'm going to sacrifice my time and talents the very least they can do is appreciate all I've done for them! Right? I mean, right? Don't we as wives and moms feel that way? They better thank me up and down and offer to clean up the kitchen for me after I've slaved over the meatloaf!

The truth is however, if we are looking for recognition and even gratitude from the world we are setting ourselves up to be disappointed. I've had to learn this over and over again in the school called, LIFE.

Paul described this time in more detail in his first letter to the church in Corinth:
As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling [after I had come] among you." (1 Corinthians 2:1-3 emphasis mine) 
The Lord first showed me this passage long ago when He called me to lead women Bible studies, for that is the LAST thing I ever intended to do... EVER! It took six weeks for Him to convince me that I hadn't heard Him incorrectly, and that He definitely intended to use me in such a way. I took incredible comfort in knowing that both Moses (Ex. 3) and Paul were also frightened at one time, yet went on to allow God to use them in amazing ways. It was then that I surrendered to His will for me.

Only, over the years of ministry, I've been hit with waves of disappointments. Mostly because circumstances hadn't turned out the way I thought they would; women failed to show up, others failed in doing what they had committed to do, some even fought against me a time or two. And there were times I, like Paul was ready to "shake out my garments" and be done with them and the ministry! That's when the Lord would come and have to remind me again just Who I was ultimately serving.

Paul also goes on to to explain to the Corinthians what I sometimes need to be reminded about myself,
And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." - (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 emphasis mine)
He is the One in charge, not I, and all the Lord requires of me is to be a willing vessel; emptied out so that He can come in and take charge!
Blessings,
Sue 

Holy Spirit

Our Power Source {Luke 4}

10:00 AM

Today's Passage: Luke 4

This chapter is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth and it’s packed full of so many important truths that I couldn't adequately cover all of it in just one post! BUT there is an important truth, that many may miss while reading and that's where I'd like to focus today. It is found in verses 14-21,

“Then Jesus went back to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread through the entire region.  And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised and glorified and honored by all.
 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.  The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the captive free.
to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].” (Isaiah 61:1-2a)

 Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down [to teach]. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  And he began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing’” (Luke 4:14–21 emphasis mine).

Jesus stopped reading in the middle of Isaiah 61:2. The rest of verse two reads, “and the day of our God’s vengeance.” which refers to Jesus’ second coming and judgment on the world. So what is Jesus saying exactly? The Jews knew this was a messianic prophecy, therefore when He tells them that, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” He’s saying, “I am the Messiah; the Sent One.”

This is important to note for it makes the rest of the passage come to life! 

When He reads, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, and God has anointed Me to proclaim good news—that’s the gospel—to those who need it." Jesus is marking the beginning of His three year ministry leading up to the Cross. 

The first Adam sinned and failed to fulfill his purpose. Jesus, as the last Adam, never sinned and did fulfill His purpose as a man. Clearly Jesus was always fully God, but for a time, He chose to "empty" Himself (something we can’t fully grasp or explain), and was living His life here as an example of the perfect life Adam should have lived and the "ideal life" that all believers today should aspire to (1Cor 11:1). 

I know you’re probably thinking, “He was God”, but what Luke is alluding to in this chapter is that Jesus relied on the same Source of power, the Holy Spirit, that you and I have access to today, for the Spirit of Christ indwells every believer (Rom 8:9). Therefore, as Jesus told us Himself in John 14:12, we have the power to do all Jesus did and even “greater things” because we possess the same power He relied on (Eph 3:20)! 

Imagine that! Look back at Luke 4:1,

“Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” The Greek word for “filled” or “full” also means “controlled”. All believers possess the Holy Spirit within, but not all believers are “full” or “controlled” by the Holy Spirit and here lies the problem. A carnal Christian (one operating in the flesh and in their own strength) looks to what he/she can do FOR The Lord but a Spirit-controlled Christian is surrendered to the Spirit’s control so that the Spirit is free to work through them and there is a tremendous difference between what our finite selves can do and what an infinite God can do through us!!

Jesus also said, “God has sent Me to announce release to the captives.” In other words, “I have come to set you free. You don’t have to be slaves to sin or idolatry anymore.”  Freedom comes through Jesus Christ and in Christ alone.

Now all of us may be able to break some bad habits by sheer willpower and discipline, but we won’t truly be free, for we’re not free until we’re yielded and controlled by Christ’s Spirit. Then and only then will all those issues be behind us and no longer have any control over us, and that’s when we’re truly free to serve Him.

Our surrendering and being wholly controlled by The Spirit is a moment by moment exercise. We can expect to battle the flesh for as long as we’re here, but there's actually something even worse found 
hidden in the chapter in verses 4:28-30,

“As they heard these things, the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to hurl Him down the cliff.  But passing [miraculously] through the crowd, He went on His way.”

We never read of Jesus returning to Nazareth again in Scripture. His invitation is for “today” and may not ever come again. Which caused me to think of the writer’s exhortation to us in Hebrews 3:15, “As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart...” There may never be another chance to accept Him and His Spirit He offers.

~~~~~Do you know Him? And are you wholly surrendered to Him? Is He not only Savior, but Lord of your life? 

It's my prayer, as we not only begin a New Year, but a new decade that we will spend it with Him; relying on and being controlled by His power within us to help us make the days ahead profitable for His Kingdom! 

I'm so excited to spend this year with you as we journey together through 2020 and witness all He has planned for us!

God bless you all!

sue


2 Corinthians 4-7

Never Lose Hope! (2 Corinthians 4:1-7:16)

9:30 PM


I have a very close friend who’s been like a sister to me. I’ve known her since 7th grade (almost 46 years now)! We would challenge each other in all our school activities and we were both really good: we both were outstanding in school and sports and were very popular, too. We learned to drive about the same time; we had our first part time jobs during the same summer season; we went to college together, etc. Then it all changed when I was the first one to take the commitment of faith and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This was something she would never understand then (I pray she will one day and be part of it too)!

“16 but whenever a person turns [in repentance and faith] to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].” (3:16-17)

She’d ask: “Why on earth did you decide to turn your back to our religion?” I explained and witnessed to her, but she just did not give in.

 Things continued changing in our lives: a year later, I was the first one to marry and move away from home. I kept in touch with her through mail and we’d eventually call each other. Every time I return home to visit, we get together and revive those early years of our friendship. Over the years our friendship has remained, but even though I’ve witnessed to her she will still ask the same questions:

- What difference does it make to “have another religion” if the closer you are to God, you and your family have experienced so many trials?-

Over the years all I have to say is that our Father has been FAITHFUL and as Paul writes:

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation.” (4:1)

Yes, our life as Christians might not be appealing to many, for they believe we give up much of what this world offers… it is not so!

 “2 But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (4:2)




Our family might not seem successful according to this world’s standards but we have a hidden treasure (4:6-7) in us and nothing can take it away! God has given us the light of His knowledge and majesty through Jesus, and we have the responsibility to let it out.  He "shined it in us" so we could "shine it out" to the world. It is ALL about HIM and for HIM!

Paul preached his gospel boldly with the power of the Holy Spirit, and he valued the greatness of his calling, which gave him the courage to face great difficulties (4:8-11). 

“This is a wonderful ministry, Paul reminds us- one that you are privileged to have because it was given to you by God himself. It is a magnificent extension of God’s mercy that he allows us to minister to others in the name of his own son” (iWorship Bible)

We often lose heart because we do not consider how great a calling God has given us in Jesus. We tend to look at our weaknesses instead of looking within us, for He has given us His Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 4:20; Eph. 3:20; 2Tim. 1:7) which empowers us to witness to those who are still with a veil upon their eyes!

Lately my friend has been through trials and desperation. She even was diagnosed with depression. I praise our Father for I was able to pray with her and she believed our Father could heal her in the Name of Jesus… and He did! I know one day He will remove that veil from her eyes, too!
May we allow God’s light and power to shine through us today in the attitude and way we serve others. May we rejoice in the wonderful ministry to which He has called us! (iWorship Bible)
Blessings,

Mari

calling

SoulSearching Sunday~God Of Second Chances

12:00 AM

Sunday, October 28, 2018


Week Forty-three...

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was John 18 - Acts 12...

 1. In what relationship would you love to have a second chance. Ask Jesus to provide that opportunity for you. Thank God for giving you many second chances.

 Once more He asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “LORD, you know everything. You know I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

 2. How often do you pray? What kind of results do you expect? Consider the greatness and the power of God. Ask Him to move mightily on the earth and bring many to salvation, as He did in the days of the early church.

 They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. (Acts 1:14)

 3. When have you sensed God calling you to a specific ministry? How did you respond? What were the results? Where do you sense Him directing you today?
As for Philip, an angel of the LORD said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:26)




Acts

The Secret to an Amazing Ministry- Revealed!! {Acts 14}

1:16 AM



By Sue Desmarais


I ended last week's post on leaving a legacy by sharing my desire to one day hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master” (Matt25:21) and since, I’ve been reading each chapter with interests, trying to discover the qualities needed to have an effectual ministry in this day and age. After all, I know times have changed, but our Lord hasn’t, and neither has His call to all of us found in Matthew 28:18-20!

Paul was hands-down the greatest missionary in all of the New Testament church and I was determined to see if I could learn his secret, and O goodness girls, I’ve found it!! It’s hidden within the chapter, but before the big reveal, I want to share a bit of how I found it!!

You see, I’m not always good at being, “intentional about my good intentions”. What I mean by that is, I may tell you I have this tremendous desire to hear the Lord say, “Well done…”, but when obstacles and opposition arise, I’ll be the first to rethink my goals, but not Paul! After he and Barnabas were run out of Antioch of Pisidia,they simply, “shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium.” - 13:51

Now I know, one could argue that they had seen and experienced great success in that city and that, “the Lord’s message spread throughout that region!” which only spurred them on. BUT, once more here in chapter 14, Paul and Barnabas see that with success comes great opposition and once more, “they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area.”- Acts 14:6

There seems to be a pattern forming: Arrive -> Preach -> Witness Conversions -> Oppositions arises -> Move on to the next town…

That is until 14:19-20,

“Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.”

Did you catch it? I reached this point in the chapter and had to stop reading, and admit to myself and to the Lord that I think, had this been me at this point, The Lord and I would have had to have a talk, for I’m not certain I could have taken much more of the fierce persecution Paul and Barnabas were experiencing! And this was when the Lord showed me something I’ve never noticed before! - Paul Got Up!
Paul was
  • Stoned
  • Dragged out of town
  • Believed to be dead
  • BUT he got up!
  • AND walked back into the same town!
  • AND then started on a 60 mile journey the next morning!!

How can a person stoned and believed dead, get up and go on a sixty mile journey the next day!?

That’s when Paul’s own words came flooding into my mind…

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13
“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.” Phil 2:13

I can see now Paul knew exactly what he was talking about. No man can get up and keep going after being stoned and left for dead without God’s help, but Jesus has promised us that, “with God ALL things are possible”. Matthew 19:26 (emphasis mine)

I also understand now why Paul often referred to himself as the Lord’s “doulos” or bond-servant. A “doulos” is often defined as a slave, but it’s much more than that, in that the person volunteers to serve wholeheartedly, claiming to have no rights of their own. I looked up the definition once more in the Stong’s Greek dictionary and here’s some of what I found: A Doulos is
  • one who worships God and submits to him
  • the true worshippers of Christ are those whose agency God employs in executing his purposes
  • So devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests,
  • strenuously laboring for another's salvation,

I can clearly see Paul fitting this description, what I wonder most is, do I? Do you?