November 16, 2014

Being Accepted

 Acts 10: 34-35  

 Luke

"Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.

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Thoughts....

I don't often, may not have ever, or might have once or twice, repeated a Scripture reference and expounded on it further.  However, that is exactly what I am doing today.  You may recall this was the last Scripture reference from last weeks lesson.  Last week I expounded on God, and us, not showing partiality.  This week I'll be discussing how to be accepted by God.  Both are offered to those in every nation.  

So in verse 35 we learn 'In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.'  [Read the whole chapter.]What does that mean exactly?

To fear God, we learned a few weeks ago, is a form of submissive reverence, if you will, a bestowing of honor.  It's also a healthy respect....knowing he 'brought us into this world and he can take us out', as some folks might say.  God does not want us to fear him as a rattlesnake about to bite, or the test you do not want to take.  He wants us to respect him to the point of obeying him.  Let's look at some references that will clearly show you what direction you should be going in this regard.

John 15 has one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible.  In verse 9, Jesus says, "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love."  Can you feel Jesus' embrace of love?  He goes on to say, "When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love."  As a result of obeying Jesus, we will be called his friend as in verse 14.  And, as his friend, he tells us everything the Father [God] tells him.  Do you understand the magnitude of that love?  For God to tell us what he tells/told Jesus proves a great love.  A very great love.

So I hear you saying, "What?  How can God tell us what he told Jesus?  We all are not his children.  At least not like Jesus was."  If you haven't heard from him, it means you are not listening....for surely he loves us all the same, giving to us equally. 

So what is key here?  God's love is for everyone....who fear him.....respectfully.  God believes everyone is created equally and deserving of his love equally.

"Ok, so where does the obey part come in?"  If you fear God, you will automatically....reverently....want every thing God and Jesus have to offer and to obey them.  Read John 15 in preparation for more study next week.  There are a lot of references I will be giving you on this topic, so stand by.  It's heartfelt and compelling.

So what do you get if you obey God?  You are accepted by God and given the opportunity to receive eternal life! 

Tune in next week for more on this topic as we bend and weave our way through Scripture.   

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  Let Us Pray

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I sense a storm of emotions could surface here.  You've 'got me' in case I need you, right?  Oh, I have to be born again of Water and of Spirit?  Ok, whatever it takes to stay in your good graces, be accepted by you, and have the opportunity to receive eternal life, I'm willing to do.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me right up front, because I know I have not loved you with my whole heart.  I surely have not loved my neighbor as myself.  I am tortuously sorry and humbly repent for not obeying you.  I want to be accepted, and, I am willing to devote more time to study to learn how to not only be accepted, but received.  Thank you God.  I look forward to spending more time with you, and with the Word....Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit of Truth.  Guide me, lead me, and direct me.  I praise you and thank you.  And love you.  Amen.  

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More love.... 

  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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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:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Continual Cause

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, animals, the earth, 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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