The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 769
The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 769
Today’s Kick Start! – (NKJV) Proverbs 15 23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
Personal Obedience—Walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the deeds of the flesh.
Acts 11 19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
JESUS CHRIST: He IS the same Yesterday, He IS the same Today, He IS God Forever!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ; the most glorious news of God’s love for the world is spreading into the known world. Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. Still those who are equipped with the good news of Jesus (Jews) are focused on the Jews living in these parts of the world. Some of these men who were not from Judea, but from Cyprus and Cyrene; missionaries if you will consider that they were! They were willing to commit the gospel to the Hellenists, people of Greek Culture, or Greek speaking Jews.
The news of the Gospel was spreading, many people were being added to the kingdom and the news of this reached Jerusalem. This delegation, or the group of men (missionaries) were glad to see that the Jerusalem church sent Barnabus as he encouraged the work that these men were completing through the Holy Spirit. Yet the Jews continually found it difficult to commit the gospel to the gentiles.
This is no small matter, throughout the ministry of Paul to the gentiles he was constantly attacked by Jewish believers to conform to a Jewish system of works, rather than grace alone. We will see that many Jewish bands of men invaded the churches established in the gentile nations. Their mission was to disrupt the church by encouraging the men to be circumcised and for women to dress modestly according to Jewish religious traditions. We would see this same conflict today, not only with Jewish people, but also with some Gentile religions.
Problems in the church today over doctrines are caused by men who do not follow the lead of God the Holy Spirit, we have critical issues with the doctrines of many. Willingly we gag on the gnat found on another's lapel, but we who can do no wrong willingly swallow the camel (Matthew 23:23-25). To the world around us we desire to look perfect, sometimes by speaking badly of the church next door. Therefore we are willing no less to swallow the camel by hiding our own inconsistencies.
I say first, we must be willing to remove the plank from our eyes before we seek to remove the splinter from another (Matthew 7:1). Do you recognize the problem? Most church leaderships today are governed by well-meaning men who fail to utilize the ‘helper’ these men are not led by the power of God the Holy Spirit. As a result their ministries belong to them, not to the Lord. By human nature these ministries are lukewarm. Still the Lord Jesus offers reconciliation. Revelation 3 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
John 16 12-16 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He [c]will take of Mine and declare it to you.
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