November 20, 2019

November 20
Running with Jesus  

Acts 21:30-31 "And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar."

     Paul reached Jerusalem and met with the disciples and shared all the events from his missionary journey and it was so exciting as he traveled from city to city seeing churches birthed, souls saved and finding the churches were still functioning on his first two missions. He was at one of the high points of his ministry. However, the Jews were angry with Paul! We must remember his role as Saul was against Christianity! Now he was a father of "The Way" and helping it to grow leaps and bounds. The religious leaders hated him enough to want to kill him! What does that say about religion!
      Religion never transforms a soul even as I type religion has our world turned upside down with religious people killing people! What a sad day because they believe it gets them a special place after life in heaven.
     Jesus came to save the lost, heal the sick, and bind up the broken hearted. That is our mission too! That is transformation into the image of Christ our Savior. You can be religious all day and die and split hell wide open.  Good people die and go to hell. The Word say’s “There is not any good no not one.” It also says “Our righteousness is as filthy rags.” We take on the righteousness of Christ when we accept His shedding of the blood for our sin. We are made right with God and we gain eternal life. We do not have to blow ourselves up or kill someone to gain favor with God! But what is so sad is just like Jesus who healed the sick, did miracle after miracle was hated, despised, and killed by religious people, so was Paul. Christ and Christians are still being hated today. If the Lord tarries many of us will be martyred for faith.  Will we stand up for Jesus? is the question. Let us pray for boldness and for revival in our land.
               

Oh Father, we are troubled over our land. We come seeking revival, first in our own hearts and then for our churches across this land. We pray for boldness and strength in the days ahead. We love You and worship You in truth and spirit.

Tomorrow: Paul, a man of Zeal!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015