November 30, 2014

Doing What Is Right To Belong To God

 Acts 10: 36-43  

 Luke

"I'm sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel - that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.  You know what happened all through Judea, beginning in Galilee after John the Baptist began preaching.  And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.

"And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Israel and in Jerusalem.  They put him to death by crucifying him, but God raised him to life three days later.  Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen beforehand to be his witnesses.  We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the judge of all - the living and the dead.  He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through is name."  

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Thoughts....

This week we will learn how to show God that we belong to him by doing what is right.  We're going to dig deep, so hang on.  I'm going to give you todays Scripture references and then follow each one with supporting references....and probably some comments along the way.

Todays lesson - Acts: 10:36:  "I'm sure you've heard about the Good News for the People of Israel - that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."

Matthew 3:11-12:

John the Baptist says, "I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God.  But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am - so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork.  Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire." 

John 1:29-34 (See also John 15:1-17):

The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look!  There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  He is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Soon a man is coming who is far greater than I am , for he existed long before I did.'  I didn't know he was the one, but I have been baptizing with water in order to point him out to Israel."

Then John said, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.  I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'When you see the Holy Spirit descending and resting upon someone, he is the one you are looking for.  He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'  I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Son of God."

Matthew 28:18:

Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  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." 

John 14:27:

Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives.  So don't be troubled or afraid."

Todays lesson - Acts: 10:37-38:  "You know what happened all through Judea, beginning in Galilee after John the Baptist began preaching. And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy spirit and with power.  Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him."

John 3: 1-21:  

After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to speak with Jesus, "Teacher," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us.  Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you." 

Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God."  

"What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus.  "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"

Jesus replied, "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.  So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again.  Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."

"What do you mean?" Nicodemus asked.

Jesus replied, "you are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things?  I assure you, I am telling you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe us.  But if you don't even believe me when I tell you about things that happen here on earth, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven?  For only I, the son of Man, have come to earth and will return to heaven again.  And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. 

"There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him.  But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.  Their judgment is based on this fact:  The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.  They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness.  They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished.  But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."   

Throughout the New Testament you will find many more stories of how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed. 

Believing in God, asking forgiveness for your sins and being forgiven, accepting Jesus as your Savior, being born of water...baptized, to outwardly profess to whom you belong, those alone are miraculous healings of oppression, and yet there is so much more God and Jesus want to give you....yes you.  You, too, can go forth to do good and heal oppression just like Jesus did.  Do what is right to belong to God.

Todays lesson - Acts 10:39a:  "And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Israel and in Jerusalem." 

Acts 2:22: Peter said, "People of Israel listen!  God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing wonderful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know."

 It didn't stop with just salvation offered to all.  Jesus physically healed others, emotionally healed many, and did even more.  Read the New Testament like a book.  You will be amazed at the wonderful acts he performed to give life abundantly to all creatures.

Todays lesson - Acts 10:39b-40a:  "They put him to death by crucifying him, but God raised him to life three days later."

Acts 2:23-24:

Peter said, "But you [People of Israel] followed God's prearranged plan.  With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to the cross and murdered him.  However, God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life again, for death could not keep him in its grip."

Acts 5:29-32:

The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by crucifying him.

See also Luke 23:1-56 and continue on through Luke 24:1-12.

Todays lesson - Acts 10:40b-41:  "Then God called him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen beforehand to be his witnesses.  We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." 

Continue your reading in Luke 24 with verses 13-43.  And please note:  those CHOSEN witnesses numbered MORE than the 11 apostles.  It says not only were they there, but it also says, 'AND THE OTHER FOLLOWERS OF JESUS' were gathered.  And the two from Emmaus were there. See specifically verse 33.  So if you have been taught for years that ONLY the apostles were to go forth, and that, as a result, only an ordained, having been to seminary minister, priest, or otherwise can preach and teach and share the Gospel, or that they are the only ones who can bestow that authority onto others, you can now see that is not true.  And as those folks went forth, we are ALL to go forth to continue passing the torch telling others about the flame of love from God:  Jesus, and share the salvation message.  Continue reading.... 

Todays lesson - Acts 10:42-43:  And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the judge of all - the living and the dead.  He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name."

1 Peter 4:5:

Peter said, "But just remember that they [he was speaking at the time about former friends who do not choose Jesus] will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.   

Luke 24:44-49:

Jesus said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets in the Psalms must all come true."  Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures.  And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day.  With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem:  'There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me."  You are witnesses of all these things."  

Acts 4:12: 

There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."

You may also want to read the prophet Isaiah's prophecy of Jesus life, which is historically documented in Isaiah 53.

The bottom line here is that you need to 'do what is right to belong to God'.  The first thing you must do that is right is to be born again. Call it 'turning your life over to Jesus and God', or, call it 'accepting the Messiah', having gained an understanding of the salvation message:  'The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus."  Or whether you call it 'getting right with God'.  Or just 'asking Jesus into your life'.  Whatever you want to call the first action you must take to 'do what is right to belong to God', just do it. 

It matters not if you go to church every Sunday or not.  If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior AND made him Lord of your life, you do not belong to God.  God cannot accept what is not given to him.  Give yourself to him today.

Remember what Peter said, "I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right."  Do what is right....to belong to God....for yourself....and for God and Jesus.  And all the others you will share them with in the future.  Give God the gift of yourself.

How?  Accept Jesus as your Savior.  Ask God to forgive you of your sins, and then do what is right every day by doing what we've been talking about these last few weeks.  Next week we'll talk about the Holy Spirit and how you can belong to him, too.  He wants to be fully present in your life to help you know how to best live your new or renewed life.  

Read again what Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives.  So don't be troubled or afraid."

Praise God!

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  Let Us Pray

God, I really want to do what is right to belong to you.  Through the ins and outs of everyday life, I fight a battle to survive, yet I know that you are there....waiting for me to run to the shelter of your love.  Forgive me for always feeling like I must do things on my own, that I don't consult you on every little detail.  But that is exactly what you want.  Right after I FULLY turn my life over to you, FULLY accept you and Jesus into my life, even tho' I have, a long time ago....or so I thought....for if I had, I would FULLY be in the shelter of your love always instead of drifting in and out.  Don't get me wrong, I have not left you, nor do I believe you have you left me, but we aren't as 'tight' as we've been and I miss you.  I truly miss your advice, exercising your ability of making all things right in my life.  But you cannot always, because I keep getting in your way.  The me that thinks I'm alone when I am not....you ARE there.  So please forgive me for my sins.  Please help me to do better and be better for you, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and myself.  And then help me go forth in and with YOUR light to share you with others.  Those are the first steps to doing what is right.  The rest of my steps for the ancient of my days will come daily as I open myself to you, God and Jesus, and Holy Spirit, as I LISTEN to you, AND DO what you tell me to do.  I am so grateful you are there.  I love you so much.  I could not have lived my life without you up to this point, and would never, NEVER EVER want to live my life without you at any time in my future.  I am so grateful for your love AND how you hold me as you catch me from falling....painfully hard.  Lift me now, Father God, I so need you to hold me in the shelter of your love.  Thank you!  I love you!  I praise you!  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

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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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    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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