FROM ACTS 5:17-42
Can you imagine how hard it must've been for Peter and the apostles to obey what the angles told them about teaching in the temple courts when it looked like they had escaped from jail!?!
But they were obedient anyway!
And when they were questioned they said-
WE MUST OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN! (and apparently also rather than their own fears, feelings, what other people thought, or what they deserved because of what they had already been through.)
Gamaliel, who was a highly respected teacher of the law, also showed incredible obedience! Despite all kinds of possiblities, he gave an incredibly impressive persuasive speech.
Finally the apostles, once again, show unconditional obedience when the Sanhedrin let them go and commanded them not to speak the name of Jesus. The first thing they did was REJOICE for the priviledge of being counted worthy to suffer for the Name. Secondly they continued day after day anyway. It says they NEVER STOPPED!
WHAT INCREDIBLE OBEDIENCE!!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
No Sweeter Name
made by Katie Kasey
How can anything compete with the name of Jesus? This Christmas season, the name of Jesus has come alive to me. My family watched the movie The Nativity Story several time. (Even though Christmas is over I strongly recommend you to watch it.) The people during the time prior to Jesus' birth were desperately in need of someone to come to their rescue. They were burdened. They were tired of trying to provide for the families to live yet continuing to be robbed of everything they had by Herod's soldiers and the tax collectors. They longed for the messiah. They longed for the prophesies to be fulfilled. The expected him to come victoriously and destroy their enemies, but that is promised to come later. Then to everyone's surprise Jesus came to them in a way they least expected it. He came to them just as they were...humble and poor. He was born in a place where only the animals were kept because to his mother and Joseph, who willingly served as his earthly father, were keeping the inconvenient law of their time, the census. That is why there were far away from Mary's family or other family who would have typically cared for Mary during the birth of her baby.
But the unsuspected circumstances of his birth were not at all surprises to God. It was all apart of his great plan! He wanted Jesus to come among the poor. He was their long awaited Messiah coming to the hopeless and broken. The people were desperate for light, truth, and hope. Jesus brought that through his life and then ultimately through his death and resurrection.
This song moves me. And the name of Jesus provides peace and joy to my life. It is so much more than just a name. Remember his life. Remember your life and all the things he has brought you through. Find hope when you are broken, light in the darkness. And then BE that light among the darkness. Tell the hopeless and broken about the HOPE which gives your life and breathe each day.
How can anything compete with the name of Jesus? This Christmas season, the name of Jesus has come alive to me. My family watched the movie The Nativity Story several time. (Even though Christmas is over I strongly recommend you to watch it.) The people during the time prior to Jesus' birth were desperately in need of someone to come to their rescue. They were burdened. They were tired of trying to provide for the families to live yet continuing to be robbed of everything they had by Herod's soldiers and the tax collectors. They longed for the messiah. They longed for the prophesies to be fulfilled. The expected him to come victoriously and destroy their enemies, but that is promised to come later. Then to everyone's surprise Jesus came to them in a way they least expected it. He came to them just as they were...humble and poor. He was born in a place where only the animals were kept because to his mother and Joseph, who willingly served as his earthly father, were keeping the inconvenient law of their time, the census. That is why there were far away from Mary's family or other family who would have typically cared for Mary during the birth of her baby.
But the unsuspected circumstances of his birth were not at all surprises to God. It was all apart of his great plan! He wanted Jesus to come among the poor. He was their long awaited Messiah coming to the hopeless and broken. The people were desperate for light, truth, and hope. Jesus brought that through his life and then ultimately through his death and resurrection.
This song moves me. And the name of Jesus provides peace and joy to my life. It is so much more than just a name. Remember his life. Remember your life and all the things he has brought you through. Find hope when you are broken, light in the darkness. And then BE that light among the darkness. Tell the hopeless and broken about the HOPE which gives your life and breathe each day.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Do the Opposite- Romans 12
The opposite of thinking of yourselves more highly than you ought (v.3) and of conforming to the patterns on this world (2)- which for me lately has been spiritual laziness and a bitter attitude toward a current difficult situation in my life - is using your your gifts (serving, teaching, encouraging, taking care of others needs, leadership, showing mercy) and being sincere (9), genuine (9), honoring others above yourself and being faithfully devoted to each other (10.) Stay excited and passionate about serving the Lord because that's who all gifts are really about. Remember that you are not off the hook for the gifts you don't have. We are all to work towards all the spiritual gifts because that is conforming more and more to the image and character of Christ.
Verse 12 clearly states how to respond to all circumstances, whether good or bad.
Joyful in hope.
Patient in affliction.
Faithful in prayer.
Imagine the changes if I applied these truths to the areas that I am conforming to the patterns of this world and thinking of myself more highly than I ought to.
All of the following are opposite to my nature, opposite to the patterns of this world, and opposite of self-exalted nature-
The next part links back to the first part about blessings. It says in verse 16 to-
AKA...meet the needs and care for the EGR people in your life.
"In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head." (20)
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good...(21)
For me Romans 12 came alive.there are so many challenges and principles to live by in these 21 verses. God has challenged my in my spiritual laziness. I am so guilty of never following through with the ideas and instructions that God gives me. What is God challenging you about through Romans 12?
Verse 12 clearly states how to respond to all circumstances, whether good or bad.
Joyful in hope.
Patient in affliction.
Faithful in prayer.
Imagine the changes if I applied these truths to the areas that I am conforming to the patterns of this world and thinking of myself more highly than I ought to.
All of the following are opposite to my nature, opposite to the patterns of this world, and opposite of self-exalted nature-
- Bless those who persecute you.
- Bless and do not curse.
- Rejoice with those who rejoice.
- Mourn with those who mourn.
The next part links back to the first part about blessings. It says in verse 16 to-
- Live in harmony.
- Don't be proud.
- Be willing to associate with people of low positions. *Defined as homeless, less popular, orphans, poor/dirty...etc...you add to the list those who you personally consider of low position.
- Don't be conceited.
Some how we get so comfortable with who we are or with our friends, our money, and our lives that we get so bloated with conceit that other people who have lives, struggles, and joys of their own seem unimportant and inferior to us.
- Don't repay evil for evil. Do right in everybody's eyes. (17) ~This doesn't mean please everyone but rather live in a way that no one can find fault in you to use to destroy your testimony.
- If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (18)
~Not according to what they do. - Leave wrath and revenge to God....DO THE OPPOSITE-
AKA...meet the needs and care for the EGR people in your life.
"In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head." (20)
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good...(21)
For me Romans 12 came alive.there are so many challenges and principles to live by in these 21 verses. God has challenged my in my spiritual laziness. I am so guilty of never following through with the ideas and instructions that God gives me. What is God challenging you about through Romans 12?
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