March 6, 2016

Believers....Part 5....Grow & Go

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....

Todays lesson is about a concern in Christian circles.  There are some that say the reference refers to proof that laying on of hands is a requirement for ordination, and that you must be ordained to go forth.  And then others, like myself, believe it means nothing of the sort.  There is not an elitist recognition, mandate, command, or demand of God, Jesus, or Holy Spirit, that says you cannot preach, or teach, prophesy,  etc., or  even be ordained to go forth unless you have received laying on of hands.  In fact, I provide as reference one I've provided previously: Acts 11:19-30.

Furthermore, you can go clear back to Acts 10:34 (read through Acts 11:19-30) to grasp the fact that ALL CAN and SHOULD want to go forth to teach and preach the 'Messiah you are looking for is Jesus'.  I refer you again, as last week, to Acts 5:42.

The laying on of hands is another gift given by God through which Holy Spirit can readily express his power.  Clearly we see the message in Acts 10-11 that many went forth readily without the 'dedication' of others, or laying on of hands.  They went forth under the direction of God. 

 I don't discount that Holy Spirit told the guys to 'dedicate' Barnabas and Saul for special work.   It was the guys who fasted, prayed and chose to lay hands on them.  Clearly, Holy Spirit, per this reference, did not tell them to lay hands on them as a part of dedication.  It may have been a tradition, but a tradition is not a command, etc., see above list.

Don't let the lack of laying on of hands, or 'dedication', keep you from going forth in the name of the Lord to preach and teach and do all he has called you to do.  Keep in mind that there is a time, outlined in this reference, that one should go forth.  Don't keep all the fruit under the same roof!  Grow and go!   

And literally....for heaven's sake....do not wait until you are an antique, gone through years of schooling, walked the traditional, financial, mandated 'must do's' per 'religion' to go forth.  Learn more next week regarding about the going....and how.   

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  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, there is so much to learn and it is so surprising one can learn so much from such a short sentence or two.  A lifetime is 'welled up' just waiting to be poured forth in a vessel willing to be open.  May I always be a willing vessel to hear you, see you, follow you, love you, and go forth in your Name.   Lord, keep me, raise me, embrace me, push me, but always go with me.  May I always stay humble along the path knowing that it is you, not I, spewing forth.....well....ok....most of the time.  Thanks for your mirth, your peace, your love, your embrace, the completeness you bring to my life and can bring into the life of others, if they will only listen, and embrace, and obey.  I am just so excited about our continuing journey!  Thank you so much for taking me with you.  May I help to bring others along the way....with You....and Truth....and Light. Alleluia!  Amen!  Love you....thank you.....praise you!     

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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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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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BesidesBesid  ***

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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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