September 21, 2014

Credibility 

Acts 9: 27 - 30  

 Luke

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him.  They thought he was only pretending to be a believer! 

Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus.  Barnabas also told them what the Lord had said to Saul and how he boldly preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus.  Then the apostles accepted Saul, and after that he was constantly with them in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.  He debated with some Greek speaking Jews, but they plotted to murder him.  When the believers heard about it, however, they took him to Caesarea and sent him on to his hometown of Tarsus.

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Thoughts....

Never pretend.  You either are, or you are not, a Christian.  As I referenced previously, you cannot be on the fence, cold, or lukewarm in your belief, walk, approach as a Christian.  To be found credible, you must be a Christian at all times everywhere.  Will you be perfect?  No.  Should you strive to do better, be better?  Yes. 

So here we have Saul, who has fought against and fought for Christianity.  He was cold....against Christ.  Might have been lukewarm at one point....undecided which path to take and stay on.   But he certainly became, lived, and breathed his new found freedom in a new life with Christ and for him.  He became hot....on fire FOR the Savior of the universe and made Jesus Lord of his life.  Will you?  Have you?  If not, why not?  Would God, Jesus, Holy Spirit find it a good reason if you chose to SAY you know him, but do NOT KNOW him....and not walk in the glory of their ways?  

Saul's life, his expressions, his walk, his spoken word became that of Christ's.  He became not only a passionate leader, but a compassionate one as well. 

Have others thought you were only pretending to be a Christian, or pretending, even lying about, representing Christ in the world?  It may have nothing to do with your walk and everything to do with the other person's.  Or it may have to do with your walk.  Pray about this.  IF you are clear on who you are, whom you represent, that, and how, you've been called in your walk for Christ, then it most likely is that the other person or persons have a problem, are anti-Christ, are lost, or ill....which could denote demonic possession per historical documentation in Scripture....or any number of things.  None of which are of God, Jesus, or Holy Spirit.

In todays lesson, other Christians supported and believed Saul was indeed a believer.  And they gathered around him in support and in defense.  These other believers took time to listen to Saul's testimony, about what and whom Saul was preaching, and they learned he preached boldly for Christ.  Saul was found credible.  Will you be found credible?

It matters most if God, Jesus, Holy Spirit find you credible.

Have you been disbelieved as a follower of Christ...a child of God? 

Have others questioned your testimony, your walk?

Have you boldly preached in the name of the Lord?

Watch out!  It means you are walking the path of Christ intended for you and you WILL [Say WILL] be attacked just like Jesus was attacked.  Attacked:  Mentally, Emotionally, Physically, Spiritually, Financially, Economically....and the list goes on, to include your family being attacked....by Satan and his assigns....all those who work for Satan in the underworld.

Remember, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit work in the heavens above and on earth.  Satan works on earth, too.

You, as a Christian, are not OF the world, though you walk in the world. 

But God will make changes so you are no longer attacked.  Although Saul was taken away for his own protection, you may be called to ride out a storm.  Whatever your circumstance, go into prayer and do it with grace boldly.  Let God grant mercy....or not....to those in Romans 17:16-20 and Galatians 5:19-20. 

As long as you are living Galatians 5:22-26 and obeying the Lord as indicated in John 15:1-13, the 'snare of the fowler will never capture you'.  Under the wings of the Lord, you will find refuge, 'his faithfulness your shield', while you dwell in the shelter of the Lord.  And as you dwell, go forth!  Just like Saul who boldly preached everywhere.

When the world hates you, remember it hated Jesus before it hated you.  John 15:18.  Jesus went on to say in John 16:1, that he told you these things so you won't fall away.  That applies to all who are Christians.

The world is rough out there.  For every positive we do as Christians, there 'seems to be' a negative....or two, or three.  HOLD ON!  Just as Jesus said in John 16:25, you will find, "They hated me without cause." 

In Romans 16:17, Paul said, "And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters.  Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things that are contrary to what you have been taught.  Stay away from them.  Such people are not serving Christ our Lord they are serving their own personal interests.  By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.  But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord.  This makes me very happy.  I want you to see clearly what is right and to stay innocent of any wrong.  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." 

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  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, you have come boldly into my life that I may preach more boldly for you proving my credibility.  Give me your strength and your peace, that passes all understanding, to do so.  Keep me, and my family, safe from the fowler, the roaring lion.  Raise me, and my family, to new heights, so that you may have all the glory, as others see you through me, and them.  And carry us, Lord, when the strife presented is too much.  Please protect us, Lord, and heal us....all of us....with your love and healing touch.  In matters of life and death.....come....please....heal us and make us whole.  Surround me, and my family, Lord, with your believers to lift us up and strengthen us.  Holy Spirit, please embrace and encompass us.  Not just myself, and my family, but all who are Christians in the world. Thank you for finding me credible still, and allowing me to honor you....forever.  In Jesus' name I pray with praise and thanksgiving.  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen.     

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  Benediction....Blessing

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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    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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