Monday, November 4, 2024

Will America Be the Butler or the Baker?

 

Well, it’s Monday, November 4, 2024, 2:00 a.m. Tomorrow is Election Day.

Only God knows what tomorrow will bring.

Will the trajectory of our nation change to slow down government spending and baby slaughtering? Or accelerate down its current path to destruction?

Yesterday our youth group did a skit about Genesis 40; when the Lord used Joseph to interpret the dreams of the butler and the baker. Foretelling that in three days, the butler would be spared execution and given a second chance, but the baker would be hung, and the birds would eat his flesh.

I found myself saying, “In three days, Lord willing, one who was spared execution in Butler, will be spared execution and given a second chance.”

But now I find myself thinking, the Lord’s will is not always done. His plan is always fulfilled, but not always His will. It’s not His will that any perish, but, alas, against His will, many will.

After the service I walked outside to find two adults arguing like children.

After trying to deescalate that situation I walked inside to the sounds of a mom scolding her children.

So much for a sermon about how:

 Joseph served others well, because he served the Lord well.

Joseph was Conscientious, Considerate, Compassionate, Courageous, and stayed in Communion with the Lord.

Joseph is a type and shadow of the path and pattern of Jesus. We should be too.

Our little village is a microcosm of our nation.

Most of the folks call themselves Christian. About half of them go to Church. Only about half of the folks that attend Church vote.

For several weeks in every service, we’ve stressed the importance of letting God’s Voice be heard through our voice, at the ballot box.

Yesterday was the last service to make our plea toward Godly Citizen Stewardship, tomorrow is Election Day.

If you haven’t voted, please vote for the platform that will most closely, Make America Godly Again.

And then, after having done all, all we can do is stand, united, and pray, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

Will America be the butler, or the baker? 

The answer to that is largely up to His Church (Ekklésia).

Only God knows what tomorrow will bring.

The Lord’s will is not always done. 

His plan is always fulfilled.

Revelation 19:16-19

16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

 

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Monday, October 28, 2024

Joseph's Journey to Success, Genesis 39

 

Joseph's journey took him from the Pit to the Prison to the Palace.

In Chapter 39 we see Joseph:

Sold.

Slaved.

Seduced.

Slandered.

Sentenced...

And then the curtain will close with one more, "S" word so powerful that the Lord will keep the spotlight on Joseph for the rest of the book.

No, not Superman. It’s something we all can do.

Amazing to think nearly 1/4th of Genesis, is focused on a regular Joe.  And now even after about 3,800 years, his story is still being told all around the world.

Genesis 39:1, Sold.

39 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

 Joseph sold by his own brothers, forcibly taken over 300 miles south, to another country, Egypt, and sold to a high ranking official, Potiphar. 

Joseph's just a young man, 17 years old, sold like property, sold like livestock, sold like a piece of meat.

Sold like, Jesus was sold for the price of a slave; thirty pieces of silver.

Sold, like every two minutes a child is sold into sex trafficking. 

The Average age is 12 years old. 

Over 40% are first sold by a family member. 

Only 1% are ever identified. 

The US is a top destination for sex trafficking.

Increased exponentially by open border policies.

From the true story, Sound of Freedom:

"It is the fastest growing crime network the world has ever seen; already passed illegal arms trade; soon to pass the drug trade. Over 2 million children a year are being sucked into the deepest recesses of hell... If you do nothing, someday it's going to reach the likes of you."  

We are part of His Church, His Ekklésia, people called out to effect change, to interpret, implement, enforce, God's will.

We are sending an offering to fight this evil. (Praying about how much and where. Perhaps one of these, or both: soundfreedomfoundation.org, or, OurRescue.org).

But there’s much more to do than simply making a donation.

Prayer is our most powerful tool for effecting change. So, we MUST pause right now, and EVERY DAY, to pray against this vile wickedness.  

BECAUSE GOD'S CHILDREN ARE NOT FOR SALE

Let's pray.

Loving Heavenly Father, we stand in the gap for Your children, and against this vile wickedness of sex trafficking.

Please, stop this evil.

Please close our borders, if not for US, please do it for the sake of the innocent children being exploited by the perverse open border policies of our sick politicians.  

Lord, please wake up Your people from their self-absorbed apathetic stupor. Put in us a passion to be active, fight, fight, fighting, against evil, and for Your righteousness.

Please have mercy on US, forgive US for allowing this sin to saturate our nation.

Thank You, Lord. Amen.

JOSEPH COULD NOT BE BOUGHT

The wicked world might've sold Joseph, but Joseph had the moral fortitude and conviction of character to know that come what may, trials or triumph, he was not for sale.

Genesis 39:2-6a, Slaved

The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

Joseph was sold and forced into slave labor. Like 28 million today are forced into slave labor.

But the Lord was with him and gave him favor with his master.

Nevertheless, Joseph was still a slave. Enslaved to the will and whim of his master. No matter how much the Lord blessed him, it was simply making the bossman richer. Day in day out, daily grind, no way out.

But God has other plans for Joe, and you...

The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that you have Life, and have it more abundantly. John 10:10.

2 Corinthians 3:17, Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Isaiah 61:1, The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:36, Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, and do not be encumbered again by a yoke of slavery.

Our Father God, Author of liberty, let freedom ring, our country ‘tis of Thee, let freedom ring long and strong in the land of the free, home of the brave.

JOSEPH KEPT HIS LIBERTY, EVEN IN SLAVERY

Dear child of God, never sell yourself out, or sell yourself short. You have been bought with a price, the precious, priceless blood of Jesus Christ, YOU ARE NOT FOR SALE.

Genesis 39:6b-10, Seduced

6b Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

Guys, what would you do in Joe's shoes?

She's pretty, obviously seductive, and openly offering herself to you.

Do you do what she says, since she's the boss and you're just the lowly servant?

He was young, He was a slave, he could've easily thought, who am I to refuse my master? (boss at work?).

If I say no, it may not go well for me.

JOSEPH GAVE NO PLACE TO THE DEVIL. Ephesians 4:27.

Joseph did not yield to her advances, the devil's temptation.

He didn't even entertain her for a moment, or flirt with her just for fun. He flatly refused.  

JOSEPH HONORED THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE.

Nothing's been kept from me, but you, his wife. 

The marriage bed is a sacred place, not to be defiled. Even among the godless.

Hebrews 13:4, Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Joseph called it what it was, a great wickedness, and sin, AGAINST GOD. (Proper priorities, sin against GOD).

Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. Ephesians 5:11.

Genesis 39:11-18, Slandered

11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside,

If Joseph made a mistake, this was it. He should've made sure he was never alone with her.

1 Thessalonians 5:22, Avoid the very appearance of evil.

Code of Conduct for judges: Avoid the appearance of impropriety. 

Billy Graham in his over half-century worldwide ministry adhered to this and was never caught in the devil's snare that trips many ministries. He'd never go into a hotel room alone without first having his men, document that the room was empty.

12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. 

1 Cor. 6:18, hadn’t been written yet, but Joseph followed it to a T: “flee sexual immorality.”

13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.”

She slandered Joseph's good name by telling the men of the house. But they couldn't do anything but gawk and gossip.

16 So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; 18 so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.”

She repeated the slanderous lie to her husband.

The guilty rage loudest about the very things they themselves are guilty of.

This type of slanderous accusation should lead to a painful death sentence for Joseph.

Yet, Joseph remained silent. We read of no defense from Joseph. He doesn't accuse the wife. He allowed room for God to defend him.

JOSEPH GAVE GOD ROOM TO WORK

Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Romans 12:19.

Isaiah 53:7-8a. He (Jesus) was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away... NLT.

Genesis 39:19-20, Sentenced

19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison.

Potiphar didn't become captain of the guard by being stupid.

Did he know the truth?

Wonder if he whispered to his wicked wife, you can't hide your lyin' eyes.

Perhaps that's the reason he put him into prison, rather than putting him to a painful death; like being impaled on a pole, or buried alive, burned alive, or torn limb from limb by crocodiles.

Once again, we hear nothing from Joseph, who apparently quietly placed his hope in the Judge of all the earth.

JOSEPH TRUSTED GOD TO WORK ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD (Romans 8:28).

So far, Joseph has been sold, slaved, seduced, slandered, sentenced...

Doug, did you mistitle the message, Joseph's Journey to Success? It sounds more like his journey to death.

No, for Joseph it was a journey to Life.

Sold – but Joseph could not be bought.

Slaved – but he kept his freedom by walking in character and integrity.

Seduced – but gave no place for the devil, and he honored the sanctity of marriage.

Slandered – but didn't lash back, he silently gave place for God to defend and avenge. 

Sentenced – yet placed his fate in the True Judge of all the earth.

Joseph was a type and shadow, of the path and pattern of Jesus Christ.

What do you get when you add all that up?

Genesis 39:21-23, Success.

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

Through it all Joseph succeeded, to such a degree that the rest of the book is focused on him. In the end, we’ll hear him say the powerful phrase, What you meant for harm, God used for good, Genesis 50:20.

We have one more “S” word. One word that describes what Joseph did. One word that made it all work. Something we all can do, starting today, no matter who we are or where we're at. We can, like Joseph, like Jesus, wax strong in Spirit and grow in favor with God and man, by doing this one thing…

JOSEPH SERVED THE LORD

Yes, God was with him. Yes, God gave him wisdom. Yes, God gave him favor.

But God blessed and prospered what Joseph did, what he set his hand to, the way he served, is what impressed Potiphar, and the Prison Warden.

Make a note, Joseph wasn't serving them, he was serving God.

There’s no greater joy and satisfaction than honoring the Lord by serving someone for His sake.

Try it sometime. You’ll see.

If they try to pay you, simply say: 

Thank you for the honor of serving you.

Those words rolling off your lips will bring more fulfillment than anything the world can offer.

Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord. Colossians 3:17.

Memorize that. Personalize it.

Whatever I do in word or deed I do all in the name of the Lord.

Then, do it... and you’ll never work again. It’ll be a joy.

Jesus says it like this:

Whoever wants to be great must be your servant of all, whoever wants to be first must be your slave, for the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28.

Thank you for the honor of serving you.

Let's pray.

Holy Father, thank You for sharing with us the story of Joseph. Most of all, thank You for the honor of serving You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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Thursday, October 17, 2024

What will you do when Church is through? Acts 13:42-52


Going to Church is good. Important. A great privilege. Should never be neglected, forsaken, or taken for granted. A command, especially these days; according to Hebrews 10:25.

However, as important as it is to show up and do our part; what the Lord really watches, what makes the most difference, is what we do when the Service is through.

That's where we drop into our True story, in Acts 13:42-52.

Let’s go back about 2,000 years, to AD 48. The apostle Paul just finished his first recorded sermon. Now, the Lord records as an example for us, the response of the people, the Ekklésia, the Church. 

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

This verse in the original text does not have the word Jews, or synagogue, or Gentiles, or Paul or Barnabas; which is included in many translations.

Evidently the English translators thought it helped paint a fuller picture.

However, the Holy Spirit needs no help speaking.

The original text literally reads more like this:

And they departed invoking them to announce this message for next Sabbath.

Paul's first recorded sermon, which can be read in about 3 minutes, ended with the Words from Habakkuk 1:5 that God will do a work in your day that nobody will believe, even if told you.

Then, just like that they depart, leaving everybody hanging, asking. What works will God do? What won't we believe?

So, they (Paul & Barnabas) invoke them to announce that this message will be continued next Sabbath.

Notice the boldness. The courage. They didn't wait to be invited back, they invited themselves.

That had to irritate the leaders of the synagogue.

Imagine in our Church service we ask a visitor to say a few words, and so they do, and then, they tell everybody, “I'll be back next week for an encore performance.”

Today that’d be unexpected, awkward, out of line, but 2,000 years ago, not so much.

Preaching and teaching protocols were different back then. Folks would gather around the temple, or places where people gather, like the town square, and there, teachers would teach, preachers would preach, in the open air.

Our town has something like that every Sunday night downtown on the circle. Christ Fellowship Church has a Praise Party on the Circle at 6 p.m. The Pastor didn't wait for an opportunity, he took his guitar and made one.

Likewise, Paul and Barney, don't wait for an opportunity, they make one.

They are our example.

Luke 6:45, Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 

You don't have to force opportunity, just be filled with Jesus, and He will do the rest.

2 Timothy 4:2-5. Preach the Word, in season and out... fulfill your ministry. If you are a Christian, you have a ministry. God has a Divine Eternal Purpose customized just for you.

Ephesians 5:16, (Redeem the time) make the most of every opportunity for the days are evil.

Get busy being about Your Father’s business, fulfilling your ministry, there’s no time to waste.   

Recently someone told me they made a friend, at Walmart, of all places.

Did you talk about Jesus? Did you invite them to Church to hear about Jesus?

No, that never came up.  I didn't want to be rude, or pushy, or preachy and scare them away.

It takes wisdom and discernment, and God's Love, but please note that not telling someone about Jesus, might be the meanest, rudest thing you can do.

Meeting them might be a Divine Connection, orchestrated by God, because you're the last person they'll talk to before they drop dead from a heart attack, or pull out of the parking lot and get T-boned by a semi. Or, before, they give up and take their own life. 

Like the man I met back in my insurance adjuster days.

His voice trembled as he touched photos hanging in the hall of his wife and kids.

“Mr. Doug, even after all the repairs to the house are done, I no longer have a home. The stress was too much. My wife took the kids—” his voice broke “and she’s gone. I can’t bear the thought of going through Christmas in this house without them.”

We prayed.

Sometime later I received a call. “Mr. Doug Mr. Doug! Thank you for listening, thank you for talking, thank you for praying! It's going to be a good Christmas after all, my wife and kids are coming home!”  

Don't wait for an invitation, make one, redeem the time, for the days are evil. Open your mouth and let Jesus fall out.

43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

When the service was officially ended, those with ears to hear, both Jew and proselytes (those not of Israel, but believed in the God of Israel), followed Paul and Barnabas, who said to them...

Thou must continue in the Law of Moses, study and memorize the Torah, pray loud and long, and don't miss a single synagogue service...

NO!

They said continue in the liberty, the freedom, the grace, the amazing grace of God.

For whom the Son sets free is free indeed. John 8:36.

For where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17.

NOTE: When studying Scripture, context is king and the whole counsel of the Word of God must always be considered.

That was what they needed to hear, for they were under a heavy yoke of legalism. 

Today we need to hear the opposite.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17

Today grace has been hyper exaggerated to mean a person can live in unrepentant sin and expect grace to wash away their ongoing, sin-filled lifestyle. 

Perhaps the Holy Spirit (through Paul) was talking more to our generation than theirs by closing the sermon with Habakkuk 1:5 (Acts 13:41):

Marvel and perish!
‘Behold, you despisers,
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Ten years ago, we would by no means believe, even if someone declared to us the obscene foolishness we see today.

Beware: because we've repeatedly refused to acknowledge God, is America reaping the curse of Deuteronomy 28 and Romans 1:28; a debased, depraved, reprobate, foolish mind?

When Children are allowed to defecate on classroom floors because they identify as a dog, or cat; we've been turned over to a debased mind.

When politicians prosecute people who disturb turtles on the beach but promote and applaud slaughtering babies in the womb; we've been given over to a reprobate mind.

When the person running for vice president thinks boys need tampons in their bathrooms, and if the parents disagree, the government has the right to take that child...

When people who call themselves Christian, defend and vote for, or don't vote at all, against such antichrist, demonicratic, wicked insanity; we've become a nation of debased, depraved, reprobate, stupid fools.

Has the Habakkuk prophecy to Israel, become ours? That a nation more wicked than ourselves will destroy us. Have we opened our doors, our borders, to a flood of corruption that has gone too far to fix, the cancer too deep, that now we're past the point of no return?

One thing is for sure and certain. If we continue the way we're going, our destruction is sealed.

However, God is great, and merciful, and says,  IF...

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

IF...

God’s people will humble, pray, seek, turn,

THEN... He will hear, forgive, heal. 

Lord have mercy on US all.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Whoa! How’d that happen? Ad campaign? Billboards? Giveaways on TV, radio, social media?

This brings us to our title question:

What will you do when Church is through?

What they did is our example. During the week they didn't turn off their Christianity, they talked often one to another, the Lord hearkened and heard it, was pleased with it and stirred up the hearts of the hearers and they showed up to hear the Word of the Lord.

They were NOT afraid of being rude, or pushy, or preachy.

Oh Lord, help us to Love You so much that we can't help but let Your Love flow through us with intentionality, and purpose, shape us into disciple makers and soul winners, to the building of Your Kingdom. Open our eyes to see the time is short, the days are evil.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Once the religious hearts had turned against the apostles, it no longer mattered what the apostles said or did, they were against them.

They could no longer hear Truth. Their hearts were so hard, they couldn't hear the Holy Spirit speaking directly to them.

That is a very dangerous place, too easy to get there. I pray you never go.

It's a slippery slope into the hard-hearted tentacles of a blasphemer; from which it's very difficult to escape.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Powerful, and terrifying words: judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life...

When all's said and done, the Truth is unveiled, no ability to hide behind lies, naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Heb. 4:13); we'll judge ourselves, worthy or unworthy, of everlasting life. (Even though, without Jesus, all are unworthy of everlasting life).

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:37.

Dear American Church, Jesus paid the price to enter Paradise. He's earned the right to set the terms of entry.

He said that anyone who wants to follow Me, must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24.

We must follow Him, not the other way around. We don't get to cherry pick and choose the terms of the covenant. He paid it, and wrote it, in His own blood.

Jesus knocks, pleads, come to Me, follow Me. A million times a day, a million little ways, even in the thoughts and intents of our heart. Each one an opportunity to listen, to obey, to follow; to accept Him, or reject Him.  

If you reject everything you disagree with, and only accept what you agree with, then, no matter what you say, no matter how nice you are, no matter how many times you call yourself a Christian, you are not following Christ, you do not have a relationship with Jesus. He is not Lord of your life; you are lord of your life. And that won't work.

Jesus made it clear when He said, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, no one gets to the Father, but by Me. John 14:6.

If we continue to disobey Him, make up our own rules, do whatever seems right in our own eyes, then, sadly, He will have to say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you."

Lord Jesus, help US find our way back to You.

47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

This was not a new thing. Paul quotes Isaiah 42:6; 49:6 written 700 years prior. God’s love has always been for everyone, not just Jews.

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15,

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28.

So, perhaps what the Lord wants us to hear is that there is neither Baptist nor Methodist, Lutheran nor Pentecostal, Catholic…

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Lord, we pray for all those You've given us, all those appointed to eternal life. All those You want to reach through us, that we will be willing and obedient, so You can flow through us, so none are lost; and we’ll all be glad and glorify You. Forever, and ever, amen.

49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

What did the Church do when the service was over?

They spread the word of the Lord over all the region.

Hallelujah.

Lord let that be said and done, here and now in our day, in our region.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, 2 Tim. 3:12.

51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

Lord, we’ve done all we can, now it’s up to You, we wash our hands of it, shake off their dust, we release them to You.

Their response is not your responsibility. You just keep planting Good Seed and leave the results to God.

The place that rejected them, Antioch of Pisidia, was in southern Turkey. It declined in power until forgotten due to a series of events, including earthquakes, epidemics, and invasions. The ruins were never rebuilt. However, a new village in the nearby valley was established and called Yalvaç, meaning, Prophet, perhaps a reference to Paul.

As for Paul and Barney, instead of a revival they got run out of town. They could've been disappointed and thrown in the towel. Instead, they shook it off and headed 95 miles southeast to Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

No matter what you've been through, no matter how badly they treated you, shake it off, don't quit, the Lord has more in store for you, there's joy ahead.

In this world you will have tribulation but be of Good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.  Romans 14:17

Righteousness, peace and joy, are characteristic of True Christians.

They shook off the dust of the past and walked straight into the joy of the Holy Spirit.

What will you do when Church is through?

They went out and told the whole town, then they went further to the whole region.

They are our example.

Go and do likewise.

Tell everybody about Jesus. You might be their last chance.

One day, maybe today, in the twinkling of an eye the Church will be through, for Good. Then, for many, it'll be too late. Don't let it be because you were afraid of being rude, pushy or preachy.

Let's pray.

Lord Jesus, we pray You shape us into soul winners, disciple makers, discerning the signs of the times, ever ready to give an answer for the Hope that is within us. Filled with Your joy and Holy Spirit.

Thank You Lord.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

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Thursday, October 3, 2024

God has fulfilled this, Acts 13:32-31


Let’s go back to around AD 48 and listen to the apostle Paul conclude his first recorded sermon.

His message started with a quick HIStory of Israel, then made a beeline straight to the glad tidings of Jesus.

32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.

It's all about Jesus.

Old Testament, New Testament, your testimony, no matter where you're at in HIStory, it all points to Jesus.

Never waste time getting tangled in religious debates, make a beeline to Jesus. He is the Good News. You may not know chapter and verse, but you can say, “There’s a lot I don't know, but One thing I know; once I was blind, but now I see. Once I was lost, but now I'm found. Once I was the wretch the song’s about, but now by His amazing grace, I’m free. Hallelujah!

It’s all about Jesus.

Just point them to Jesus.

And we declare to you glad tidings. The angel said it like this: "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11.

That promise made to the fathers, was the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that through their seed, would come the Seed, that would bless all nations of the earth.

33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

God has fulfilled this for us.

Promises made, promises kept.

God has fulfilled this for us.

The Promised Messiah came, lived spotless, died sinless, rose victorious.

Now, regarding this verse, one day you may get a knock on your door, and a couple nice folks (Jehovah’s Witnesses) will want to talk to you about Jesus. They'll tell you Jesus was awesome, a prophet, a real nice Godly man... but just a created man.

You'll say, "Wait, I thought Jesus was God. Eternal. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.

They'll point to this verse which is quoted from Psalm 2:7. “Today, I have begotten You.”

However, they are taking the text out of context. It’s talking about Jesus coming from the tomb, not the womb.

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible and context is king.

Look before and after this verse and see it's talking about the resurrection. Acts 13:30 states, "God raised Him from the dead." And then, just to be perfectly clear our next verse says it again.

34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:

‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

Paul’s quoting Isaiah 55:3. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure (holy, righteous) mercies (steadfast blessing) of David.

35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

Quoting from Psalm 16:10.

Jesus is the first One raised from the dead incorruptible with a glorified body.

He led the way, He is the Way, for us to follow.

One glorious day, maybe today, we who are Christ’s will have Glorified Bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 51-55.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

David died and his body rotted.

David had sinned, thus he was corrupt, so his body saw corruption

However...

37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

Jesus died, but was not corrupt, so he saw no corruption. The wages of sin is death, but He knew no sin, so death could not hold Him and God raised Him up.

Even God abides by His Divine Eternal Justice.

38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;

Through this sinless Jesus, is extended to us the forgiveness of sins.

Because He, willingly, sinlessly, lovingly, paid the penalty for our sins.

39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

So, not only are we forgiven; we are justified, by Him. Not by works, or religion or the law of Moses.

That means we don't have to go to meeting after meeting, saying, "Hi my name's Doug, and I'm a sinner."

In Christ, we are a new creature, old things have passed away, all things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

So now we can say, "Hi my name's Doug, I'm a saint. I'm justified, just-if-I'd never sinned.

In Christ I'm more than a conqueror Romans 8:37

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.

I’m part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 1 Peter 2:9.

I walk by faith not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7.

I'm the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. Dt. 28:13

I have the joy of the Lord, (John 15:11) peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) and I'm on my way to heaven, and there's nothing any devil, person, or circumstance can do about it. Romans 8:37-39.

You see, faith in Jesus does what the law never could.

The law is like an Xray, it only shows what’s broke but can’t fix anything. Religion fixes nothing.

Now, for those folks back then this was awesome. You mean we don’t have to follow a bunch of ongoing, never ending, sacrificial, Sabbath keeping laws and ridiculously hard to keep rules?

Exactly. Welcome to God's Amazing Grace.

40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

Such Awesomely Great News comes with a warning label.

41 ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Paul winds up his sermon with a warning, quoting Habakkuk 1:5, where the Lord warned the Jewish nation of their own destruction, by a nation more wicked than their own; the Chaldeans, (Babylonians).

Would God allow that to happen?

Would He allow ungodly rulers to rise to power over, one nation under God, that’s turned its back on Him?

Yes, He would, He did, with the wicked Babylonians, Assyrians and Romans.

{Would He allow borders to be porous, elections to be stolen, justice to be fallen?}

For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Right now, in Israel the secular stations are calling it Biblical times.

A few days ago, (Sept. 27) Benjamin Netanyahu, flew to New York, to address the United Nations. He said he wasn't planning on it, but after hearing the slanderous accusations against Israel, he thought he needed to set the record straight.

Meanwhile in Beirut Lebanon: For over 3 decades, Hassan Nasrallah built Hezbollah into the most powerful terrorist organization in the world. Basically, taking over the nation of Lebanon. He made his antisemitic position clear, “We will murder every Jew.”

Since Oct. 7th, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza in the south, Hezbollah interjected themselves into the fight and fired over 9,000 rockets into Israel from Lebanon, in the north.

Well, we're told that during the speech, Nasrallah entertained multiple guests to watch and see what Bibi would say about him.

However, Bibi didn't say a word about Nasrallah, he did however, tell Iran that if they attacked Israel, they would pay a heavy price.

Folks wondered why he didn't mention Nasrallah.

Bibi didn't need to mention Nasrallah, because during the speech, Israel paid him a visit with a knock on his roof, blowing up the building, killing him and about 20 terrorist friends with him.

Now, it gets Biblical. Same day, same building as Bibi's speech, three of the main players involved in the upcoming Ezekiel 38-39 war, Russia, Iran and Turkey, were having a meeting.

Within a day or so after that meeting, Iran attacked Israel with the largest ballistic missile attack in history, nearly 200 ballistic missiles.

Miraculously no Israelis were injured.

Coming soon, at the start of the Ezekiel 38-39 war, Israel will be at peace and prospering, with unwalled cities, then, Russia and coalition will attack for plunder.

Well, that's not the situation now. However, this may be the catalyst Israel needed to crush the nonstop terrorist attacks. If the terrorist groups are exterminated, and Iran is neutralized, there will be peace in the middle east... for a time.

Then, the stage will be set for the Ezekiel 38-39 hook in the jaw, war.

Currently, Israel plans to lay a gas line across the Mediterranean to help the nations currently buying from Russia. That would gut Russia's economy and make for a sharp hook in the jaw to reel Russia in for the plunder of Israel.

Dear Christian, that event happens very near the great event we're looking for; the rapture of the Church, the day we receive our glorified bodies, and are ever more with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

The trajectory of the planet is quickly falling in line just as the Bible predicted.

Indeed, we are living in Biblical times.

For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.


Let’s pray.

Lord, we are amazed by You, and how the world is falling into place exactly as You said it would. You have fulfilled this for us, in this day, to see and hear and believe. We pray with our remaining days, You make us soul winners and disciple makers, following hard after You, so of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.