February 28, 2016

Believers....Part 4....Believers Travel-Preaching With Power

Acts 13: 1 - 3

Acts 

 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called "the black man"), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.  One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them."  So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 

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  Thoughts....

Luke teaches us in this lesson that Holy Spirit instructs the group to "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul (later named Paul) for the special work I have for them."  Lest I take away surprises, be aware that Baranabas and Saul had already begun to teach and preach the message that Jesus saves. ("The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus!" Acts 5:42)  Note also Acts 11:19-26, where we learn

'Meanwhile, the believers who had fled from Jerusalem during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria.  They preached the Good News, but only to Jews.  However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyrprus and Cyrene began preaching to Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.  The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

'When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he arrived and saw this proof of God's favor, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.  Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.  And large numbers of people were brought to the Lord.

Then Barnabas went on To Tarsus to find Saul.  When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch.  Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching great numbers of people.   (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)'  

Pay particular attention to the fact that in verse 19-21 of Acts 11, we learn that they believers, plain ol' folks like you and me, traveled to preach The Good News, to Jews.  However, some of the believers went in a different direction and began preaching to Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.

Luke tells us "The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord."  Acts 11:21.

Barnabas, Simeon (called The Black Man), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul were all from the church of Antioch of Syria, and traveled far.  What nationalities were they?   All come together for, and, in the Lord.

So, what did you do for the Lord today?  Did you travel anywhere to get the point across....the message preached?

Stay tuned for the continuing....documented history....and lessons. 

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  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, thank you for the encouragement and support to get us off our seat and onto our feet to go forth in your name, sharing who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  However we can do that, to whomever will listen.  My prayer today is that you will be heard through me.  My thanksgiving is for coming into my life to enable me to do this for you. My praise exudes with gratitude for choosing me.  I am humbled and honored with your love and your belief in me.  May I instill in others the enormity of your love for them....all others in the world....so much so, that, before you even knew them, you died for them, to give them the opportunity to have eternal life.  Thank you for dying for me, for loving me, for forgiving me, for carrying me, for living in me.  May I always live my life in a way to insure I will not cast shame on myself or you.  Thank you, Father God, Jesus my Savior and Lord, and Holy Spirit.  May your favor always be upon me to allow me a flourishing finish, as well as for my family.  I praise you, I thank you, I love 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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  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:

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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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