January 20, 2019

January 20, 2019

Judy Hollaway

October 15

Running with Jesus  

Acts 14:5  "And when there was an assault made both of Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them."

      Paul and Barnabas are on their run from town to town preaching the message of Jesus resurrection and they are becoming more hated by the unbelievers. Note in this verse who came against their preaching, their rulers! Most commentaries believe this was the Sanhedrin courts coming together. They were made up of the Sadducees and Pharisees and had the power to pronounce a death sentence and take people to the Romans for the penalty to be implemented like Christ. The days were getting harder on these two Missionaries. We see they despised them and wanted to stone them to death. 

     Anytime you start to move forward in your serving Christ, expect opposition. You can sit in the pew every week and do nothing and you will not face much opposition but get up start serving and waiting on tables watch the darts start flying. You have moved into our enemy, Satan’s territory. He will start throwing stones because he runs a dark world and when you walk in obedience you start shining a light around and others see a change in us and our enemy does not like us shining a light onto his evil business. So why bother with serving, because we love God and love others. We know the truth and we want them to know truth so they will not die and go to hell. Also we know the greatest "Joy" this life gives us, walking and working in God's kingdom work. When you watch the birth of a new baby Christian or hear that baby say their first word, Abba, daddy, father, joy burst forth in your heart! When you have the comfort and strength He supplies in the tough times in our lives "Joy" fills our hearts.

      We are facing tough days ahead serving God but the alternative of not serving is a great loss. Don’t waste times get up and serve, one day you will see the benefits and as Christ.  Hebrews 4:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

      Christ look to the joy and endured. We too must look to where and what is at the end of life’s journey and take up our cross daily and obey God. Go and tell. Never before in the history of America do people need to hear and see our message. We must press on. Get up serve, days are short!

Father, give us grace to endure and give us boldness to get up and serve. Help us to remain faithful when they counsel against us knowing they have blinded eyes caused by the god of this world. 

A stoning in the morning!