January 24 2016

Expensive Defeat - Loss of Life

Acts 12: 20 - 23

Acts 

Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon.  So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod's country for their food.  They made friends with Balstus, Herod's personal assistant, and an appointment with Herod was granted.  When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them.  The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, "It is the voice of a god, not of a man!"intment with Herold was granted.  When the day  ActsActsActsACTSActsLukeActsActsActs

Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people's worship instead of giving the glory to God.  So he was consumed with worms and died.

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Thoughts....

Herod was angry.  Imagine how angry the families of the guards were for sentencing them to death.

Could your actions result in the death of others....physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually?  Or yours?  Alcohol, drugs, misuse of cell phones, poor choices....could the choices you make hurt yourself or others?

Why do you suppose Herod left Sidon?  Could he have sensed reprisal, mayhem, defeat?  Satan's actions are to steal, kill, and destroy.  Seems as though Herod followed in Satan's path. 

Have you ever felt the need to run, hide, shelter yourself from others?  Or hidden emotionally, perhaps for fear of being hurt or facing reality?

From Psalm 91:1 & 4 we learn, 'Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the show of the almighty.  He will shield you with his wings.  He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.'

The people of Tyre and Sidon attempted to make peace with Herod because they were dependent on him for food.

Have you had to depend on others, acquiesce, given in, or manipulated someone for your survival?  You wouldn't have to if you put your trust in God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

Psalm 91:14 reads: 'The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name."

Herod raised himself to the glory of the people.

Do you think more of yourself than God does?  Do others? 

In Psalm 95:7b, the Psalmist implores us, "Oh, that you would listen to the Lord today!"

An angel of the Lord struck Herod with sickness that killed him.  His body was ravaged, because he accepted worship for himself, instead of directing others to worship God. 

Do you or others think you are you 'hot stuff'?  It's very hot in hell.  Perhaps you should rethink your strategy, your life choices.

The only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ.  He came that you might have real life and have it abundantly.

As recorded in the historical factual document known as Acts, in Chapter 4, verses 11-12 it reads, "For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.'  There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."

Do not let the devil cause you, or others, because of poor choices made by you, to have an expensive defeat - loss of life.

Look to JESUS for a new life, a full life, an everlasting life!  Accept him as your Savior today and begin to obey the only one true Lord! 

The LORD said in Psalm 15:  "I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue them and honor them.  I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."         

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  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, thank you for the gentle, yet firm, reminder that without you, I have no future, no abundant life, no eternal life. Thank you for the alert of what negative REactions can occur as a result of my inappropriate actions, poor choices.  Help me to be ever vigilant about the choices I make, that I make them in accord with how you tell me to live, as found in your Word: the Bible, and as I listen to hear your voice as you speak to my inner being, my heart, my mind, my spirit, my soul.  Jesus, you make it clear through the New Testament in Galatians 5:23, that if we are living our life right, in obedience to you, as a Christian, as a result of having Holy Spirit in our lives, '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 [of God].'  Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, thank you for embracing me, for lifting me into your arms and carrying me in those moments I need you most.  For getting me through life's moments to overcome defeat, that I may not lose....my life.  Please lead me, guide me, direct me still....on the path of righteousness for you....your name's sake.  And help me to share who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are with others, not just by the choices I make, [may they always be right choices, and may you always forgive me, should I not make the most right choices], but by how I live my life, by sharing your thoughts, your words with others.  Help me to help others walk the path that leads to a new life, a full life, an everlasting life....with you.  Oh that they, and I, would always listen to your voice, that we might escape expensive defeats, loss of life, and be raised to new heights of glory....reaching heaven....being in your arms....looking into your eyes....saved.   Thank you for all my yesterdays that continue to bring me to you....and help me to lead others to you, too.  I am very grateful to you, and for all you have done for me.  I thank you!  I love you!  I praise you!  Amen.   

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This message was typed on a library computer because the church (also used as my personal) computer ceased to function.  It would mean the world to me, and to God, were you to make a donation today to enable me to purchase a computer, and hopefully be able to draw from the old computer all 'Thoughts' written for the Lord to complete the book he has slated for publishing.  Thank you in advance, and, may God bless you.   

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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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    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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