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Thoughts Archived > Being Of One Heart....One Mind


4 May 2014

                                                                                            

 

  

May 4, 2014

Being Of One Heart....One Mind

Acts 4: 32-37

 

 

 Luke

All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own, they shared everything they had.  And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great favor was upon them all.  There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or house sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.

For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement").  He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles for those in need. 

    

 

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Thoughts....

 

Last week I jumped over verse 32 to give emphasis to verse 33 for our study on the resurrection.  This week you will see I've included it in the entirety.  So let's get started on todays study.

'All the believers were of one heart and mind.'  Oh, I wish that were true.  I am quite certain God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit think the same....that 'all the believers were of one heart and mind'.  It is very sad to me, and I am quiet sure the Trinity believes the same, that we are not of one heart and mind.  You see, Christianity was established by the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It was NOT established by many men....and women....making up the rules of how the game should be played.  Christianity is NOT a game.  The only rules by which we are to live/abide/have our being are in Scripture.  New Testament Scripture as a matter of fact. 

There are many who are 'going back' to the Old Testament to know how to live their lives and how to practice their 'religion'.  Religion can be defined by many things, the likes of which may never resemble Christianity....may have NOTHING AT ALL to do with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit or New Testament living.  You can worship a door knob and be religious about it.  It is not being of one heart and mind with God, Jesus, nor Holy Spirit. 

The Old Testament is wonderful documented history, filled with wonderful prophecy about the coming Messiah....Savior who is Jesus Christ.  It tells how folks lived their lives believing in God....and not.  It helps us learn the character of God and his Holy Spirit.  It foretells the birth of the Messiah....Savior and his life and resurrection, as well as what it can mean to us when it occurs.

Well, my friend, Jesus' birth has already occurred!  He has already lived on this thing we call earth!  He walked and talked as one of us.  He performed miracles.  He prayed to his Father: God, who can be our Father, our God, if we let him.  Jesus died, was buried, and arose again......note the word again.  He arose from the grave, he arose from hell after 3 days, he arose to the Father (after seeing Mary Magdalene who could not touch him because he had not ascended to the Father), before returning to earth again (when Thomas was then able to put his hand into his side), and then ate with the disciples and performed more miracles, before he finally arose to Heaven where he is now seated at the right hand of God.

The single act of arising to Heaven a final time before he (Jesus) comes to separate the chaff (those lost and unbelieving, not obeying the Trinity) from the grain (those who've committed their lives to the Trinity and are obeying them), is paramount to understanding and receiving THE resurrection power, whereby we WILL [Say WILL] give POWERFUL [Say POWERFUL] witness to him, and GREAT favor WILL come upon us all, as a result.  (Separating the chaff from the grain I call 'separate and rescue', or the 'lift and separate'....gals will understand this concept well.) 

Powerful witness, committed lives, obeying....and more.  What can it mean to you?  What did it mean to the disciples who walked before you?  What actions must you take to further show, in the 'enth' degree, your passion, your commitment, your willingness to obey God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, so to insure you will be grain, worthy of reaching the mark, to gain the prize of the high calling of God...enter Heavens gate and be embraced by the Savior himself.  You can do as they did then.....they felt that what they owned was not their own and they shared everything they had.  Are you willing to share everything you have?  Let's start with your heart, your mind, your life.  Are you willing to share these with the Trinity and those around you?  What about what you possess, own?  Are you willing to share these?  Are you willing to give your heart, mind, voice, life to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to share Christianity, to show others who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is, what he's done for you and can do for others?  If you do, you will be giving powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great favor will come upon you.

Verse 24 tells us 'there was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.'  'Are you up for that', as the kids say today? 

Most of us cannot conceptualize the thought of being homeless,  a vagrant, with no roof over our head, and no income to support us.  Our lives have thrived on being responsible to insure we indeed have a roof over our heads, utilities to provide climate control, we must have food to quench us, and transportation to get to the job that blesses us after hard work to provide that.  Could you give it all up today or tomorrow for the Lord, to walk around and share his documented life history, insuring you get to heaven by obeying him?  I couldn't.  I have learned to live with little and with much.  But I have a hard time living without.  I'm guessing you would say the same. 

Here's my thought....and it bears out in Scripture.  I don't think he expects all of us to be ardent zealots.  I do believe he expects us....ALL of us....to do our part.  The majority of those in the world do nothing.  As Christians, we are required to obey God, and that entails giving back to him what he has given to us.  WE do that by giving to churches to pay the people who preach the Gospel and teach us, as well as help those in need around us.  What good is telling someone God is good, if we don't show them by our actions.  A person who is hungry for physical nourishment will not accept the spiritual message, if we don't provide for their basic needs.  People trapped in the cycle of life, those lost on the avenues and bi-ways of economic distress, those who are unemployed or underemployed, those who are trapped in a vicious cycle of abuse to keep a roof over their heads, who are disabled and have no answers as to how to be healed and rise above their circumstances, and others, will not want to listen about a God who is good, if we cannot help them see, by our actions, that he indeed IS good, gracious, merciful, loving, giving, kind, caring, healing, uplifting, and more.  They will not want to turn their lives over to him to allow him to work in their lives, nor hear the message that Jesus saves and that he alone can save them. 

Ladies and gentlemen, we are a forlorn lot.  There are those who do not go to church, nor jump online to hear the Gospel preached, nor care about the lessons taught, even tho' those folks profess to be Christians.  And many certainly do not head to the highways and bi-ways of life to share the Gospel with others.  Satan has been attacking those in the church and out.  Many in the churches left churches believing they were seeing hypocrisy, when it was only Satan causing divisions.  Or because Satan gave them a different message of how to run a church and the Pastor wasn't enlightened the same.  Could it be that those folks were to open yet another church for the Lord, and instead, they just left in a huff and stayed away?  Does anyone see the reality here....what Satan is doing in the world and in the world of Christians? That Christians are allowing the confusion, the divisions, the....WAIT!  Let's see how Galatians reads which shows us that Satan is creating death blows! 

Galatians 5:17-26 reads 'The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.  But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.  When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives WILL produce these evil results:  sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, division, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.  Let me tell you again, anyone living that sort of life will not [Say NOT] inherit the Kingdom of  God. 

'But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, HE will  produce this kind of fruit in us:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.

'Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desire of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.  Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.'        

Do you see in these verses how many Christians are living....and shouldn't be, if they want to receive the prize of the high calling of God....get into Heaven?  

Okay, I hear you.  You are asking, 'Where does it say you have to give up everything to follow him, and do for him, to get this power?'   My friends, if you are only seeking to obtain power, or be powerful, you have not been paying attention.  The power you will receive is being empowered to tell others....give powerful witness....about Jesus Christ and his saving grace, thereby obtaining that wonderful grace for yourself.  You must be of one heart....one mind with the Savior, God, Holy Spirit to receive all that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit intend for you to have.  There is more though.  You must give of yourself and what you have which was given to you from God.  This shows the intent of your heart.  It shows you are invested in them.  Once invested, through your giving actions and through giving of your money to support the Kingdom, by paying the person teaching you and helping others in the Kingdom of God, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit will bless you, give back to you in thanksgiving.  'His great favor will be upon them all.'  You.  Me.  And others like us who believe and give out of the love of our hearts in thanksgiving, and to obey.

Why ever would you not want to say thank you to the man who gave you life, God; the man who was born and died for you, Jesus; the man who walks with you and talks with you and shows you the way, Holy Spirit? 

Do you have to sell everything you have to give to the church, the Pastor, the poor?  No.  You may, but you do not have to.  But you must give some of the money God has given you (as a result of the skills, gifts, talents he has given you to be able to earn it and/ or invest it wisely) back to God through the church, the Pastor, the poor.  Generally this is done by giving to the church, or the Pastor, so the church can continue to exist, the Pastor can dedicate his or her life to preaching and teaching the Gospel, and funds can also disperse to the poor and needy to meet necessary needs for life as the Gospel is shared to meet spiritual needs.

There is a lot of talk about tithing in the church today, as is written in the Bible.  Tithing is 10% of one's income.  It is a meager amount compared to what we are asked to do in the New Testament.  I do not believe that Holy Spirit puts a cap on what can be given.  Nor a mandate on how little one can get by with giving.  Read that last sentence again....the 'get by with' part.  I believe, and I believe Scripture bears this out as well, that Holy Spirit will guide you through all things.  If he tells you to sell everything you have and give like Joseph, called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), who sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles for those in need, then I guess you will need to be that zealot and do that.  If he tells you to give $1, $2, $20, $200, $2000, $20,000, $2,000,000, then I guess you will need to be that zealot and do that.  A zealot can even be someone who gives 1 cent, if that is all they have.  A zealot, in this lesson, is someone who gives because they are passionate about what they believe in. or who believes so passionately about something that they passionately give of themselves and what they have to the cause.  But you must obey.....God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and do what THEY tell you to do and give powerful witness to the resurrection for the Lord Jesus.  And you will receive God's great favor....not only to give powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, but because in giving witness, and money, there was no poverty among them.  Nor will there be in your life any poverty of love, life, or money.

Jesus said, "If you give, you will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.  Whatever measure you use in giving - large or small - it will be used to measure what is given back to you."  Luke 6:38

But you cannot do this easily, nor have the desire to do so, which is how he wants you to give....willingly of your heart....if you are  not of one heart....one mind with him, God, and Holy Spirit.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and made him Lord of your life?  Now might be a good time to consider doing so.  Ask, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit into your life today, so they will then be with you wherever you go, and help you do what ever you need to do, as long as it is in line with what they are calling you to do, so to better help you obey....them....and ultimately allow you to enter Heaven's gate and their arms.  See John 15 as further proof of the importance of obeying them, to learn whether you will be cut from the Tree of Life or be secure for growth, and maturity at life's end, so to enter Heaven.

Being of one heart and one mind means all the difference between having A life and receiving life everlasting.  Pray for your life today!               

                                                

 

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 Let Us Pray

 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I pray mighty nations of believers will rise up against Satan and those in the world who seek to repress, oppress, depress, suppress you and the people who are yours.  That lies will be shown for what they are.  That only your truths will prevail.  Especially all the truths surrounding your resurrection, Jesus, by the power of YOUR Holy Spirit.  May we all come together as one voice praising you and worshiping you, as we go forth in your name proclaiming JESUS IS THE RESURRECTED LORD!  As I, and they, honor you in worship and praise near the anniversary of your resurrection from the grave, may we all praise you and thank you mightily for all you have done in all of our lives and those of our families, and for what you are about to do for all of us.  May we all show you our gratitude in mind, body, spirit and soul, and by what we do for and with you.  Thank you so very much.  We praise you for doing the same for all those who may come to know you through us, as we go forth in your name, and lead them to you.  Amen.

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, the world so needs you.  Only through you, Jesus, can anyone receive forgiveness of sins, enter heaven and have eternal life.  There is NO other way.  My prayer today is that all who read this, and all Scripture, will accept who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, and, believe in a way they have never believed before....with the whole of their heart, their mind, their body, their spirit, and their soul.  That they will believe in you, and believing, accept, and accepting, be willing to receive all you have to give them, listen to you, obey you, praise you and thank you, and then, go forth sharing with all who you are and what you have to offer, as they are of one heart....one mind....with you.  God, I pray this for all in the world.  In Jesus' name, by and with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and would like to do so, and you would like to be forgiven of your sins, pray the following, or any prayer from your heart:

God, I believe you created the universe....and me.  Please forgive me of my sins, especially of unbelief in you, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  I believe in you now.  I believe that you, Jesus, lived and died for me, so that I would have the opportunity to receive eternal life, and, that you lived again on earth and now live in heaven eternally.  Holy Spirit, I believe in you, that you were sent to help me know how to live my new life, and help me understand the importance of obeying you, and being of one heart, one mind with you, God, and Jesus, and Holy Spirit, so that I can receive eternal life and live in heaven.  Holy Spirit, I want to receive all the gifts and fruits you want to give me.  Baptize me in and with the fullness of all you have to give.  I want to make Jesus the Lord of my life.  I come to you now, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit in humble prayer, with thanksgiving for everything you have done for me and will do for me....and for others through me, as I BOLDLY go forth in your name.  Please heal me and make me whole.  Show me your way, your truth, your Light.  Help me give everything you direct me to give spiritually, materially, monetarily, and of good works to show myself approved, that I am willing to obey you, and show you my thanks.  Thank you.  I'm learning to love you more and more.  Amen.      

I pray everyone will now make you, Jesus, LORD of their lives and live a life that leads to resurrection into heaven.  In Jesus' name I pray, by and with the Holy Spirit to Heavenly Father God.  Amen.

     

 

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

 

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

 

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

 

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

    

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    One last thing....

 

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

 

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Bible Authors and Minister