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Thoughts Archived > Basic Directives


17 Feb 2019

                                  

 

February 17, 2019

    Basic Directives   

Acts 23: 1-11

 

 

Acts

Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: "Brothers, I have always lived before God in all good conscience!"

Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth.  But Paul said to him, "God will slap you, you whitewashed wall!  What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?"

Those standing near Paul said to him,  "Is that the way to talk to God's high priest?"

"I'm sorry, brothers, I didn't realize he was the high priest, " Paul replied, "for the Scriptures say, 'Do not speak evil of anyone who rules over you.'"

Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were al my ancestors!  And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!"

This divided the council - the Pharisees against the Sadducees -f or the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these.  So a great clamor arose.  Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up to argue that Paul was all right.  "We see nothing wrong with him," they shouted.  "Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him."  The shouting grew louder and louder, and the men were tugging at Paul from both sides, pulling him this way and that.  Finally the commander, fearing they would tear him apart, ordered his soldiers to take him away from them and bring him back to the fortress.

That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, "Be encouraged, Paul.  Just as you have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome."  

 

 

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 Thoughts....

 

 

1.  Live before God in good conscience.

2.  Follow spiritual and governmental laws.

3.  Watch what you say and to whom.

4. Continue to believe in the Lord.

5.  How you practice religion isn't more important than worshipping the Lord and living with him.

6. Continue to listen for the Lord's voice, going where he leads, speaking as he directs.

 

 

 

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Let Us Pray

 

 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit forgive me for my sins, so that I may be a cleansed vessel to which Holy Spirit would want to come, rest and have his being, to lead, guide and direct me.  Heal me and make me whole.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I know there are going to be times, there already have been, where I will be 'on trial' based on many things not having anything to do with all 'the facts', or your good within me as I walk with you attempting to share you with the world, or the good I try to do in the world based on all you've developed in me during my walk with you.  Although I am drawn to you and choose you, Satan's and his assigns' seek to 'come at me' or attempt pull me in their direction for their common good.  But I am gratified that you ARE with me, that you shelter me when the need arises to protect me, and that you direct my paths for your success and mine along the journey.  May I always worship you with thanksgiving.  For all of that and so much more, I thank you, I praise you, I 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!

 

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

 

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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."

 

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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.  

    

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

 

 

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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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Bible Authors & Minister