Archive | November 2014

Worthy To Suffer

Nov20

They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. — Acts 5:40-41

Wow. . . Rejoice? . . Really? After a whip beating? Here are apostles rejoicing over being beaten because they suffered shame for the name above all names, the name of Jesus. They rejoiced over being considered worthy to suffer? How real was their faith? So real they were willing to suffer for it.

I wonder. . . How real is my faith? Am I willing to suffer shame for the sake of my families salvation, my neighbors, my co-workers, etc.? Am I willing to suffer for the glory of the Lord? He was willing to suffer for me.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

He’s Not Going Away

Nov19

And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men.  For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.  So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” — Acts 5:35-39

What can you conclude from the influence of Christ and the word of Gamaliel? Jesus died (and rose from the grave) over 2000 years ago and He is still an influence today. Is the gospel a plan of action from God?

Heed the testimony of the disciples, the Word of God lest you be found fighting against God.

Hallelujah for the faithfulness and steadfast truth of our God who offers the gospel still today to whomever will hear and accept. He is not going away.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Obedience And The Holy Spirit

Nov18

When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” — Acts 5:27-32

Here we find Peter before the Council again with not just John but the”apostles” also. I love the fact that they shared the gospel message here before the Council. The circumstance did not dictate where or when they shared. They shared because “we must obey God rather than men”.

How important is obedience? The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey as a living witness in them. How we tend to miss that. Could that be why we are not effective witnesses for Christ? We are quick to come to salvation, for eternal well being, but when it comes to obedience that is another story. Could our disobedience quench the witness of the Holy Spirit* in us?

The apostles had no problem sharing the gospel wherever they happened to be by the power of the Holy Spirit by obedience to God. How’s the obedience factor going in your life?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Released Then Reported

Nov17

When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. — Acts 4:23

Peter and John had just been released after being arrested for speaking about Jesus. Where was their first stop? Immediately returning to other believers and telling them of the events that brought glory to God. Not only did this encounter cause those who witnessed it to praise the Lord, giving Him glory, but also brought glory to God in those who heard the testimony of Peter and John.

Testimonies bring about encouragement in the believer, salvation to nonbelievers, and glory to God. Are you sharing testimonies of Jesus’ work in your life? If not what is stopping you?

Share a testimony today and you’ll be a blessing.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

To Speak Or Not

Nov16

And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” — Acts 4:18-20

Do you ever think about what your response would be if confronted by the law and told not to share Jesus? Has Jesus made such an impression in your life that you are willing to risk imprisonment, ridicule, your very life? Is Jesus so alive in your life that you can’t stop speaking of what you have seen and heard?

If not, what needs to change about your walk with the Lord? Are you reading His Word, seeking Him through prayer, loving Him with ALL your heart, soul, mind, and strength and heeding His words in obedience?

Today is the day to make a change. Take time during worship to come face to face with where you are spiritually and humble yourself before the mighty God confessing, repenting and let the healing begin to bring you back into a right relationship with God so that you are effective for His glory.

God bless your worship today.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Are You Recognized?

Nov15

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. — Acts 4:13

WOW!!! This is an awesome verse.

Peter and John had confidence. Confidence in what? Apparently it wasn’t their education since they were uneducated. They were not trained to be “religious” speakers, consultants or experts on the Word of God. They simply (?!) sat at the feet of Jesus, the best Teacher, Master, Professor of “religion”.

Those around Peter and John were amazed AND recognized they had “been with Jesus”. Wow!!!!!!

Do you, like Peter and John, have confidence and assurance that is only found at the feet of Jesus? Do those around you recognize that you have been with Jesus?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

No Other Way

Nov14

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And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12

NO OTHER WAY

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Time of Refreshment

Nov13

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, — Acts 3:19

Are you in need of refreshment? Here is the solution. The burdens we carry everyday causing us frustration, fatigue, discouragement . . . and the list goes on, making life a drudgery with no hope or lack there of. We can get so caught up in life that we don’t turn to God for refreshment. We continue to carry the sins of our life from one day to another without spending time with Jesus confessing and turning from those sins back to God. The only one who can wipe away our sins? Jesus. Spend time in His presence and receive a time of refreshment.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Living In Ignorance

Nov12

But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. — Acts 3:14

“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. — Acts 3:17

Are we still acting in ignorance today? Are we still putting to death the Prince of Life, disowning the Holy and Righteous One? When was the last time you spoke with Jesus? When was the last time you read His Holy Word? When was the last time you worshipped and praised God? When was the last time you thanked Him? It is time to wake up and honor and glorify the One true, worthy God.

Our choice. Seek or continue to live in ignorance.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

I Give You Jesus

Nov11

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”  And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. — Acts 3:1-10

But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” We, who have Jesus as our Savior and Lord, have something to give the world more precious than silver and gold. Hope, power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself. When we live under the authority and power of God people will be amazed. Lives will experience transformation that will bring about praise to God. The evidence of the work of God is recognizable because the result is glory and praise to God.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon