March 24, 2018

March 24, 2018

Judy Hollaway

December 11

Running with Jesus 2015

Acts 26:27-28 "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

             Paul finished his testimony and spoke directly with King Agrippa. He told him that all the things that happened to Jesus were not done in secret or in a corner and that Agrippa already had known the facts about his crucifixion and resurrection. Paul was desperately trying to help him understand truth. After calling Paul a mad man, he responds, Paul, You almost persuaded me to me to be a Christian".  Paul asks him, "believe the prophets, I know you believe!"  

             Many are almost persuaded to believe in our land today. Every year at Christmas the image of the birth of Christ comes to life! This is a time for us to share our faith too.   Paul was in chains for his faith but at this moment he set his problems aside and focused on the soul of this lost man. Most of the problems we face in our lives are distraction tactics from the old sneaky snake himself. Remember how in the garden he got Adam and Eve to focus on the one thing they didn't have that caused them to fall. Well he is at work to get us so distracted by our circumstances that we forget our mission! Our circumstances come to distract us and mobilize us as a Christian witness. These distractions cause us pain that turn us inward and not outward so we are not aware of the needs of others. Man's greatest need is to know they are a sinner and Christ died to redeem their souls. So don't let these distractions hinder your calling.  Don't let the deceiver stop you from persuading men. Be like Paul who forgot the chains of distraction and focused on persuading men to place their faith in Jesus. 

              I ask, if you are not a believer, are you almost persuaded this morning? Look around at all the signs during this CHRIST-mas season! The Savior is born, Emanuel, God with us. Don't go away and ignore the signs! It will determine where you spend eternity!

Father we pray for Your Spirit to help us be aware of Satan's distraction tactics. Help us work and persuade men to know the truth during this season of celebrating the birth of the Savior of the world. 

We need to be a "we", Come back tomorrow and check this out!