Acts 16:18
She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the Spirit. In the Name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her! “At that moment the Spirit left her.
Have you ever had one of those weeks where bad things kept happening back to back? Or maybe you are in a miniseries drama with one particular spirit that keeps following you at work, on Facebook, or twitter; at school, at home. Every time you turn around this antagonizing spirit keeps following you. The temptation is to allow your frustration to explode on this person but the right thing is to speak to the spirit.
Before we were born again of the Holy Spirit we were not able to discern between a person and a personality disorder. We were not able to discern when a person was naturally mean or they were going through something that didn’t even have anything to do with you. We all have been exposed to aggravating moments and people but the question is how are you going to handle this?
Paul and Silas were being followed by a slave girl for many days who kept telling their business. She kept saying day after day, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you how to be saved.” She did this all day every day. It troubled Paul. Have you ever had anybody that followed you that bothered you? It wasn’t them; it was a Spirit on them. How do you handle a pesky Spirit? A jealous spirit? A lustful spirit? A stalking spirit? A worrisome sprit? You have to:
1. Turn Around and face what’s been bothering you. A lot of times we try to keep going and ignore it but sooner than later you have to turn around and trouble your trouble. It’s not going to stop until you face it.
2. Speak to the spirit without attacking the person. Many times what’s on a person doesn’t truly represent who they are or what they are going through. This girl was a slave which meant her existence was miserable and she had a spirit but not the Holy Spirit. In speaking to the Spirit, Paul realized that the girl needed to be released from the control of the spirit. We have to speak to whatever spirit is on a person by allowing our Holy Spirit to speak for us.
3. Pray to God to remove the Sprit so that you can talk to the person. Before you go into any confrontation ask God to remove the evil spirit off the person so that you can speak to that person’s heart. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to go into work or school and start yelling, “In the name of Jesus come out of them!” LOL, but instead in your own private prayer time ask God to remove whatever spirit is on the person troubling you.
Dear God,
I Pray that you would give me the patience to deal with difficult people. Help me to see past the Sprit and talk to the person. Give me the authority to expel evil spirits to save relationship and ease my frustrations. Help me to salvage relationships out of necessary confrontations.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Don't Be A Deserter
Acts 15:37-38
Barnabas wanted to take John also called Mar, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphilia and had not continued with them in the work.
In Military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a duty or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning. Absence without Leave AWOL can refer to either desertion or a temporary absence. Such people are dropped from their unit rolls after 30 days and then listed as deserters.
Paul used the analogy of being in the army as an example of being a follower of Jesus Christ in 2 Timothy 2:3-4
New International Version (NIV)
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
As a follower of Jesus we cannot desert our duty. It’s been said that if a new Christian doesn’t get involved in a small group or ministry in 30 days they go AWOL. There is something to being actively involved with serving in a local church that can help you from going AWOL or becoming a deserter. Once we start serving we must make sure that we remain faithful and not desert our duties just because the job is dangerous or difficult. When our marriages get difficult we can desert our spouse too entangled in another affair. When it gets hard on the job we can’t quit just because we have a bad day. The more you quit the harder it gets to finish anything in your life.
Paul had experience in difficult missions but he was faithful through all his difficulties. (2 Corinthians 11:23-29) However, he had a companion that deserted him on the mission field named John Mark. Barnabas wanted to take him with them but Paul said, “No! If he deserted us before he will do it again.”
You don’t want to be labeled as a deserter because it takes people’s trust away. In order to be a good soldier you need to:
1. Endure hardships as a good soldier. There is a reason why boot camp is difficult. It tries to prepare the soldier for the extremities of war. Before you are ready to put on a uniform you have to go through boot camp. Before you get married make sure you go through the boot camp of dating, put your relationship to the test to make sure they pass the examination so that when life gets hard you know you didn’t marry a deserter.
2. Finish your assignment before you move on somewhere else. You can’t leave until you have finished your assignment. Never leave a job unfinished.
3. Ask for permission to be reassigned. Even though you feel like your time is up make sure God and your leader agree with you that it’s time for you to move on.
4. Stop church hopping and bed hopping. Be committed to the place and person you have been called to.
5. Don’t get involved or entangled with worldly affairs. When you are a soldier you have to be focused on your mission and you can’t act like a civilian who doesn’t have any assignment. Your mission is too important to lose focus.
Dear God,
Help me to finish what I start today. There is something you’ve entrusted for me to carry out and I cannot afford to be distracted. No matter how difficult it gets I am determined to walk with Jesus until the day is done. You can count on me, Father, to finish what you started in me. Thank you for giving me another chance to join you even though I went AWOL for a season. I’m back and this time I will not desert you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Barnabas wanted to take John also called Mar, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphilia and had not continued with them in the work.
In Military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a duty or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning. Absence without Leave AWOL can refer to either desertion or a temporary absence. Such people are dropped from their unit rolls after 30 days and then listed as deserters.
Paul used the analogy of being in the army as an example of being a follower of Jesus Christ in 2 Timothy 2:3-4
New International Version (NIV)
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
As a follower of Jesus we cannot desert our duty. It’s been said that if a new Christian doesn’t get involved in a small group or ministry in 30 days they go AWOL. There is something to being actively involved with serving in a local church that can help you from going AWOL or becoming a deserter. Once we start serving we must make sure that we remain faithful and not desert our duties just because the job is dangerous or difficult. When our marriages get difficult we can desert our spouse too entangled in another affair. When it gets hard on the job we can’t quit just because we have a bad day. The more you quit the harder it gets to finish anything in your life.
Paul had experience in difficult missions but he was faithful through all his difficulties. (2 Corinthians 11:23-29) However, he had a companion that deserted him on the mission field named John Mark. Barnabas wanted to take him with them but Paul said, “No! If he deserted us before he will do it again.”
You don’t want to be labeled as a deserter because it takes people’s trust away. In order to be a good soldier you need to:
1. Endure hardships as a good soldier. There is a reason why boot camp is difficult. It tries to prepare the soldier for the extremities of war. Before you are ready to put on a uniform you have to go through boot camp. Before you get married make sure you go through the boot camp of dating, put your relationship to the test to make sure they pass the examination so that when life gets hard you know you didn’t marry a deserter.
2. Finish your assignment before you move on somewhere else. You can’t leave until you have finished your assignment. Never leave a job unfinished.
3. Ask for permission to be reassigned. Even though you feel like your time is up make sure God and your leader agree with you that it’s time for you to move on.
4. Stop church hopping and bed hopping. Be committed to the place and person you have been called to.
5. Don’t get involved or entangled with worldly affairs. When you are a soldier you have to be focused on your mission and you can’t act like a civilian who doesn’t have any assignment. Your mission is too important to lose focus.
Dear God,
Help me to finish what I start today. There is something you’ve entrusted for me to carry out and I cannot afford to be distracted. No matter how difficult it gets I am determined to walk with Jesus until the day is done. You can count on me, Father, to finish what you started in me. Thank you for giving me another chance to join you even though I went AWOL for a season. I’m back and this time I will not desert you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Don't Worship Your Pastor!
Don’t Worship Me!
Acts 14:15 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.
Bishop Eddie long apologized for allowing Ralph Messer, a self described rabbi to lift him up in a chair, parade him around in the pulpit, and proclaim him a King as the congregation cheered on the embattled Bishop. In a letter to the Anti-Defamation League, Bishop Long wrote, “I sincerely denounce any action that depicts me as a king for I am merely just a servant of the Lord.”
This was disturbing on many fronts especially in lieu of recent allegations of sexual impropriety. I’m glad that Bishop Long denounced any suggestion that he should be lifted up as a King. Our job as Pastors and preachers is to lift up Jesus and not be lifted up ourselves. We are servants of the most high God. We get messed up when the people lift us higher than Jesus, who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
There is a way to honor your pastors without worshipping them. Paul said that, “the elders who direct the affairs of the church, well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. “ (I Timothy 5:17 NIV) Honor is not Worship. Paul had made this clear when the people tried to Worship him after a miracle.
The Apostle Paul and Barnabas healed a man who had been crippled from birth. The people mistook them for gods and started worshipping them as Zeus and Hermes. Paul stopped them immediately and asked:
1. Why are you doing this? We need to stop and ask ourselves why do we put men where only God is supposed to be. Many people put too much faith in men when they have not developed their own faith in the true and living God. You should honor your man or woman of God without worshipping them.
2. We are only human like you. Paul reminded them that the miracle that they saw was from God not them. What makes a miracle a miracle is that God did it through a human. Do not attribute the power of God to the ability of the men and women that God uses.
3. Our job as pastors is to bring you good news. We are clay pots with a great treasure inside. You shouldn’t kill the messenger because of the message and you should worship the messenger because of the message. The message is about God and from God.
4. Our job is to turn you from idolatry (worthless things) to true worship.
After Paul had set the people straight on not worshipping him, the Jews provoked the people into stoning Paul. They hit him with rocks until they thought he was dead. They drug him out of the city and left him for dead. The disciples gathered around Paul and started praying. Paul was revived and went back into the city to preach. We should gather around wounded leaders to pray for them but never to worship them.
Dear God,
Strengthen your servants. We’ve taken many hits, some self-inflicted and others through persecution. In any case, we need your help and the help of other disciples to be revived. Father, we have sinned against you and you alone. We are no longer worthy to be called your sons but if you would make us as one of your hired servants, we will come back home and serve you as your slaves. You deserve all of the Glory. Today, I choose to lift up Jesus. Hide me behind Calvary’s cross that others would see Jesus and not me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Acts 14:15 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.
Bishop Eddie long apologized for allowing Ralph Messer, a self described rabbi to lift him up in a chair, parade him around in the pulpit, and proclaim him a King as the congregation cheered on the embattled Bishop. In a letter to the Anti-Defamation League, Bishop Long wrote, “I sincerely denounce any action that depicts me as a king for I am merely just a servant of the Lord.”
This was disturbing on many fronts especially in lieu of recent allegations of sexual impropriety. I’m glad that Bishop Long denounced any suggestion that he should be lifted up as a King. Our job as Pastors and preachers is to lift up Jesus and not be lifted up ourselves. We are servants of the most high God. We get messed up when the people lift us higher than Jesus, who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
There is a way to honor your pastors without worshipping them. Paul said that, “the elders who direct the affairs of the church, well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. “ (I Timothy 5:17 NIV) Honor is not Worship. Paul had made this clear when the people tried to Worship him after a miracle.
The Apostle Paul and Barnabas healed a man who had been crippled from birth. The people mistook them for gods and started worshipping them as Zeus and Hermes. Paul stopped them immediately and asked:
1. Why are you doing this? We need to stop and ask ourselves why do we put men where only God is supposed to be. Many people put too much faith in men when they have not developed their own faith in the true and living God. You should honor your man or woman of God without worshipping them.
2. We are only human like you. Paul reminded them that the miracle that they saw was from God not them. What makes a miracle a miracle is that God did it through a human. Do not attribute the power of God to the ability of the men and women that God uses.
3. Our job as pastors is to bring you good news. We are clay pots with a great treasure inside. You shouldn’t kill the messenger because of the message and you should worship the messenger because of the message. The message is about God and from God.
4. Our job is to turn you from idolatry (worthless things) to true worship.
After Paul had set the people straight on not worshipping him, the Jews provoked the people into stoning Paul. They hit him with rocks until they thought he was dead. They drug him out of the city and left him for dead. The disciples gathered around Paul and started praying. Paul was revived and went back into the city to preach. We should gather around wounded leaders to pray for them but never to worship them.
Dear God,
Strengthen your servants. We’ve taken many hits, some self-inflicted and others through persecution. In any case, we need your help and the help of other disciples to be revived. Father, we have sinned against you and you alone. We are no longer worthy to be called your sons but if you would make us as one of your hired servants, we will come back home and serve you as your slaves. You deserve all of the Glory. Today, I choose to lift up Jesus. Hide me behind Calvary’s cross that others would see Jesus and not me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Go With Me!
Go With Me!
Exodus 33:15 Then Moses said to him, “if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
When I was a little boy we lived in a trailer behind my grandmother’s house. Inevitably my mother would send me over to my Grandmother’s house to get something at night. We lived in rural Kentucky with no street lights. It was so dark you could see every constellation in the sky surrounded by the cacophony of sounds from wildlife. I would stand in the doorway trying to get up enough nerve to go across the field to Grandmama’s house. If my little brother was anywhere near me I would tell him, “Go with me!” I wouldn’t tell him I was afraid but instead I made it appear that it was merely for companionship. I felt a little more confident, secure, and braver when he was with me.
There are times when God sends us out to do something but as we stare out at the expanse of the unknown, we become fearful and want somebody to go with us. Moses had to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt into the Promised Land. They would have to pass through hostile territory. God initially told Moses he would not go with them because the people were a stiff necked people and he would end up killing them on the way there. Moses begged God to go with them or else not send them. Moses needed God to go with him because:
1. He needed God’s presence for assurance. There are some things so large and intimidating that we dare not handle without God’s presence with us. In his presence there is fullness of Joy. We need God’s presence to get through things that are bigger than us.
2. He needed people to know God was pleased with him. There are assignments that God gives us that we need his presence for so that people will know that God is pleased with us. A lot of politicians are waiting on the right endorsement to prove that they are worthy of being president. I just want God to endorse me with his favor.
3. He needed something to distinguish them from all the other people. We are a royal priesthood and a chosen generation when God’s hands are on us and his presence is with us. It’s important to have God’s oil on your life so that you are distinct from everyone else.
Dear God,
Please go with me today. I can’t do this by myself. If you go with me I know I can face whatever it is that I need to face, do whatever I need to do. Father please go with me, I need your presence.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Exodus 33:15 Then Moses said to him, “if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
When I was a little boy we lived in a trailer behind my grandmother’s house. Inevitably my mother would send me over to my Grandmother’s house to get something at night. We lived in rural Kentucky with no street lights. It was so dark you could see every constellation in the sky surrounded by the cacophony of sounds from wildlife. I would stand in the doorway trying to get up enough nerve to go across the field to Grandmama’s house. If my little brother was anywhere near me I would tell him, “Go with me!” I wouldn’t tell him I was afraid but instead I made it appear that it was merely for companionship. I felt a little more confident, secure, and braver when he was with me.
There are times when God sends us out to do something but as we stare out at the expanse of the unknown, we become fearful and want somebody to go with us. Moses had to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt into the Promised Land. They would have to pass through hostile territory. God initially told Moses he would not go with them because the people were a stiff necked people and he would end up killing them on the way there. Moses begged God to go with them or else not send them. Moses needed God to go with him because:
1. He needed God’s presence for assurance. There are some things so large and intimidating that we dare not handle without God’s presence with us. In his presence there is fullness of Joy. We need God’s presence to get through things that are bigger than us.
2. He needed people to know God was pleased with him. There are assignments that God gives us that we need his presence for so that people will know that God is pleased with us. A lot of politicians are waiting on the right endorsement to prove that they are worthy of being president. I just want God to endorse me with his favor.
3. He needed something to distinguish them from all the other people. We are a royal priesthood and a chosen generation when God’s hands are on us and his presence is with us. It’s important to have God’s oil on your life so that you are distinct from everyone else.
Dear God,
Please go with me today. I can’t do this by myself. If you go with me I know I can face whatever it is that I need to face, do whatever I need to do. Father please go with me, I need your presence.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Money Can't Buy This!
Acts 8:20
Peter answered, “May your Money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”
It’s been said that money can’t buy you Love, although some have tried. Money can buy you a house but it can’t make it a home. Money can purchase you a bed but it can’t make you sleep. Money can buy you clothes but it cannot purchase your self-esteem. There is something immaterial that money has no control over and that is your Spirit. God is the only one who is able to pour in you his spirit and ability. It is even God who gives you the ability to get wealth. It is not your wealth that gives you the ability to be like God. You can do a lot of things with money but you can’t buy God.
Simon the Sorcerer was used to people following him when he used his magic to draw them but when the people heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ they were baptized and started following the Apostles. Simon was drawn by the miraculous signs, wonders, and gospel; he was baptized as well. When Peter and John came to Samaria to lay hands on the people they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this he wanted in on this “action.” He was attracted to the signs and the popularity of the Apostles and wanted to purchase the Holy Spirit. He had been baptized but he had not been regenerated. His heart had not been changed. He offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter responded, ‘May you and your money go to Hell because you believed you could buy God’s gift with money!”
Money can’t buy what only comes through Relationship. God’s Holy Spirit is free to those who have been born again and are in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Many of us have been trying to buy only what God can give. This is why your money won’t work:
Peter told Simon, “you heart ain’t right with God!” This is how you get right with God:
a. Change your heart and life. When you come to God for the right reason his Holy Spirit will begin to regenerate your heart and your life will begin to realign itself around God’s will. Your heart will drive you to make changes in your life that are pleasing to God.
b. Turn from your wickedness. We can’t drag old ways into a new life. We have to make a U-turn and head in a New Direction.
c. Ask for forgiveness. Peter tells Simon he should plead to God not to send him to hell for trying to purchase the Holy Spirit for his own material gain. If we confess our sins God will forgive us our sins.
d. Get at the root of your bitterness and envy. Simon envied the Apostles because they were getting the attention he used to get. We need to always check our motives to see what’s really driving us. If we can identify the source of our emptiness God can fill us with his Holy Spirit instead of covering up with stuff that can never satisfy.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving me the ability to be wealthy in your spirit and not in money. When I seek you first all these other things will come. I want you more than anything God. I can have money and still be miserable if I don’t have you. God I thank you for your Holy Spirit that makes me prosper even as my soul prospers. Lord Keep my heart pure today so that my ways are pleasing to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Peter answered, “May your Money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”
It’s been said that money can’t buy you Love, although some have tried. Money can buy you a house but it can’t make it a home. Money can purchase you a bed but it can’t make you sleep. Money can buy you clothes but it cannot purchase your self-esteem. There is something immaterial that money has no control over and that is your Spirit. God is the only one who is able to pour in you his spirit and ability. It is even God who gives you the ability to get wealth. It is not your wealth that gives you the ability to be like God. You can do a lot of things with money but you can’t buy God.
Simon the Sorcerer was used to people following him when he used his magic to draw them but when the people heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ they were baptized and started following the Apostles. Simon was drawn by the miraculous signs, wonders, and gospel; he was baptized as well. When Peter and John came to Samaria to lay hands on the people they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this he wanted in on this “action.” He was attracted to the signs and the popularity of the Apostles and wanted to purchase the Holy Spirit. He had been baptized but he had not been regenerated. His heart had not been changed. He offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter responded, ‘May you and your money go to Hell because you believed you could buy God’s gift with money!”
Money can’t buy what only comes through Relationship. God’s Holy Spirit is free to those who have been born again and are in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Many of us have been trying to buy only what God can give. This is why your money won’t work:
Peter told Simon, “you heart ain’t right with God!” This is how you get right with God:
a. Change your heart and life. When you come to God for the right reason his Holy Spirit will begin to regenerate your heart and your life will begin to realign itself around God’s will. Your heart will drive you to make changes in your life that are pleasing to God.
b. Turn from your wickedness. We can’t drag old ways into a new life. We have to make a U-turn and head in a New Direction.
c. Ask for forgiveness. Peter tells Simon he should plead to God not to send him to hell for trying to purchase the Holy Spirit for his own material gain. If we confess our sins God will forgive us our sins.
d. Get at the root of your bitterness and envy. Simon envied the Apostles because they were getting the attention he used to get. We need to always check our motives to see what’s really driving us. If we can identify the source of our emptiness God can fill us with his Holy Spirit instead of covering up with stuff that can never satisfy.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving me the ability to be wealthy in your spirit and not in money. When I seek you first all these other things will come. I want you more than anything God. I can have money and still be miserable if I don’t have you. God I thank you for your Holy Spirit that makes me prosper even as my soul prospers. Lord Keep my heart pure today so that my ways are pleasing to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
You Have the Last Word
Acts 7:59-60
While they were stoning him...Stephen cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Whenever you stand for truth you will always have opposition. Jesus warned his disciples, “If they hated me they will hate you also…pray for those who hate you.” It was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, “We will overcome their capacity to hate with our capacity to love.” It seems unnatural to show love or be forgiving to people who mean you harm. When you are caught up in an exchange of words and you believe you are standing on the side of right, you want the last word. In your last words will you pronounce blessings or curses?
Stephen was one of the first martyrs. He was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to help serve the Grecian widows food. In Acts 6:8-10 it states, “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, these men began to argue with Stephen but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Sprit by whom he spoke.
Whenever you have position you will have opposition. This is how you overcome opposition when you are in God’s will:
1. God’s grace and Power. Stephen had experienced the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So even under extreme opposition he was able to keep his composure because of Grace.
2. Wisdom. Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. Stephen was a student of God’s word. That’s why he was able to convict those who opposed him because he used the word.
3. The Holy Spirit. God spoke through Stephen and pierced the hearts of those opposing Stephen and their only recourse was to get physical because they were defeated spiritually.
They couldn’t defeat him in arguments so they decided to retaliate by stoning him to death. Before they killed him, he had the last word, “Father do not hold their sins against them.” He was getting ready to die, getting hit upside the head with big rocks and his last words were like Jesus, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” The very person that gave consent for Stephen to be stoned was a man named Saul who would later be converted to follow Christ and his name changed to Paul. Because Stephen had the last word Christianity grew and the chief oppose became the chief apostle.
Do you think Stephen’s death or his last words had anything to do with Paul’s conversion? When you have an argument this week or a point of disagreement, what will be your last words?
Dear God,
Fill me with your Grace so that I can face my opposition with your wisdom and be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Even when it appears that I’m losing the argument. Help me to realize that I’m really winning because as long as you get the Glory, I get the last word.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
While they were stoning him...Stephen cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Whenever you stand for truth you will always have opposition. Jesus warned his disciples, “If they hated me they will hate you also…pray for those who hate you.” It was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, “We will overcome their capacity to hate with our capacity to love.” It seems unnatural to show love or be forgiving to people who mean you harm. When you are caught up in an exchange of words and you believe you are standing on the side of right, you want the last word. In your last words will you pronounce blessings or curses?
Stephen was one of the first martyrs. He was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to help serve the Grecian widows food. In Acts 6:8-10 it states, “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, these men began to argue with Stephen but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Sprit by whom he spoke.
Whenever you have position you will have opposition. This is how you overcome opposition when you are in God’s will:
1. God’s grace and Power. Stephen had experienced the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So even under extreme opposition he was able to keep his composure because of Grace.
2. Wisdom. Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. Stephen was a student of God’s word. That’s why he was able to convict those who opposed him because he used the word.
3. The Holy Spirit. God spoke through Stephen and pierced the hearts of those opposing Stephen and their only recourse was to get physical because they were defeated spiritually.
They couldn’t defeat him in arguments so they decided to retaliate by stoning him to death. Before they killed him, he had the last word, “Father do not hold their sins against them.” He was getting ready to die, getting hit upside the head with big rocks and his last words were like Jesus, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” The very person that gave consent for Stephen to be stoned was a man named Saul who would later be converted to follow Christ and his name changed to Paul. Because Stephen had the last word Christianity grew and the chief oppose became the chief apostle.
Do you think Stephen’s death or his last words had anything to do with Paul’s conversion? When you have an argument this week or a point of disagreement, what will be your last words?
Dear God,
Fill me with your Grace so that I can face my opposition with your wisdom and be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Even when it appears that I’m losing the argument. Help me to realize that I’m really winning because as long as you get the Glory, I get the last word.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Be Still
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still
Growing up in the country we had a saying for people who panicked in the face of adversity and began to move around spastically. We would say that person was running around like “a chicken with their head cut off.” Back in the day my grandmother would prepare her own chicken for dinner fresh from the back yard. She would select a hen from the backyard that was walking around, grab it by its head and give it a twist until its head came off. The chicken would run around a few minutes headless because the body was running off of muscle memory but without the use of the brain.
Sometimes, we find ourselves in a mindless panic or “mindless behavior” because life seems overwhelming. We are stuck in fight or flight mode because we have not learned inner peace. We are not sure that God can save us because where we are we have not been before.
The Israelites were fresh out of slavery and the Egyptians were trying to take their heads off. It looked like they were in a dead end with the red Sea in front of them and mountains on either side but God purposely brought them there so that he could show them who he was and what he was capable of. God made a highway through the sea allowing them to walk across on dry ground but drowned the Egyptian army.
Moses gave the people instructions prior to their deliverance:
1. Don’t be afraid. Sometimes fear will have us in fight or flight when it’s not even necessary. When God is with us we have no need to be afraid.
2. Stand Firm and you will see your deliverance today. We can’t waiver in the face of danger but instead we should stand firm in our faith and convictions.
3. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. There are some enemies that have been troubling us that if we give them over to God we will never see again. Let God handle them.
4. The Lord will fight your battle. There are some fights that are too big for us but nothing is too big for God. Instead of telling God how big your problem is tell your problem how big your God is.
5. You need only to be still. Your only need today is to be still. God’s got this and he will see you through.
Dear God,
I choose to be still today instead of being frantic. I will be anxious for nothing. I take comfort in knowing that you will fight my battles if I just keep still! I trust you Lord.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still
Growing up in the country we had a saying for people who panicked in the face of adversity and began to move around spastically. We would say that person was running around like “a chicken with their head cut off.” Back in the day my grandmother would prepare her own chicken for dinner fresh from the back yard. She would select a hen from the backyard that was walking around, grab it by its head and give it a twist until its head came off. The chicken would run around a few minutes headless because the body was running off of muscle memory but without the use of the brain.
Sometimes, we find ourselves in a mindless panic or “mindless behavior” because life seems overwhelming. We are stuck in fight or flight mode because we have not learned inner peace. We are not sure that God can save us because where we are we have not been before.
The Israelites were fresh out of slavery and the Egyptians were trying to take their heads off. It looked like they were in a dead end with the red Sea in front of them and mountains on either side but God purposely brought them there so that he could show them who he was and what he was capable of. God made a highway through the sea allowing them to walk across on dry ground but drowned the Egyptian army.
Moses gave the people instructions prior to their deliverance:
1. Don’t be afraid. Sometimes fear will have us in fight or flight when it’s not even necessary. When God is with us we have no need to be afraid.
2. Stand Firm and you will see your deliverance today. We can’t waiver in the face of danger but instead we should stand firm in our faith and convictions.
3. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. There are some enemies that have been troubling us that if we give them over to God we will never see again. Let God handle them.
4. The Lord will fight your battle. There are some fights that are too big for us but nothing is too big for God. Instead of telling God how big your problem is tell your problem how big your God is.
5. You need only to be still. Your only need today is to be still. God’s got this and he will see you through.
Dear God,
I choose to be still today instead of being frantic. I will be anxious for nothing. I take comfort in knowing that you will fight my battles if I just keep still! I trust you Lord.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
