Inspitation

HARDENED HEARTS

 

Acts 28:31: “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” For two years Paul preached to the Jews in Rome, unfortunately he was preaching to people with hardened hearts. In fact he was preaching to them using scripture from the Old Testament about the Law of Moses and the Prophets; however, some did believe. God did say He would heal them if they would listen.

 

People of little or no faith will never accept the truth of the Bible, but that doesn’t mean we should stop trying. As Paul has said, we ‘should preach in season and out of season’ truths of the Bible. He told them ‘God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles.’ God no longer deals with the Jewish nation as He did before the beginning of the Church Age; it is now the time of the Gentiles, it is the Church Age.

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration

DO NOT BE AFRAID

 

Acts 27:23: “…do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” So keep up your courage, men…” These are the words of God to Paul when the ship he was on was about to be destroyed. When God has a plan nothing will stand in its way; we should be comforted by His grace and mercy.

 

As Paul told them not to fear for their lives, we too ought to live our lives in the same way. We should remember we are part of His plan and it will be carried out to the letter. So why not believe and have confidence that we will be taken care of by Him? It will be so because He said so.

 

 

Inspiration

SANCTIFIED BY ME

 

Acts 26:18, “…and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Paul is explaining to King Agrippa what had happened to him on the road to Damascus and what the Lord had told him. Paul’s mission was to preach the Good News to both Jew and Gentile alike.

 

As we read Jesus’ words it is ‘by faith we are saved and not by works.’ If it were by works man could boast, but no man can, no one can brag that he was good or earned his way into God’s grace.  We are all sinners and in need of God’s mercy which He extends o all those who, in faith, believe He is the Son of God and died and was resurrected for our salvation.

 

All these truths can be found in the Bible. I implore those of you who have never read the Bible to try it beginning in the Gospel of John. John 3:5 can change your life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration

THE CHARACTER OF PAUL

 

Acts 25: In this chapter we are witnessing the character of Paul as he is getting ready to be put on trial. It would bode well for all of us to emulate his portrayal as a witness for Jesus when we are presented with the opportunity.

 

Paul is innocent of the charges brought against him by the Jews but he maintains an air of dignity. He does not step out of character and simply maintains his innocence realizing, as we should, he is God’s representative. Whenever the opportunity presents itself we should always be ready (in season and out of season, as Paul states) and willing to stand up for our beliefs. Today is a great day to spread the Good News with dignity.

 

 

 

Inspiration

THE WAY

 

Acts 24:14: “However, I admit that I worship the God of our followers as a follower of the Way.” I have always wondered why we don’t call born again believers members of the Way. There are several scriptural references to the Way being an organized group of people. John 14:6: Jesus said He ‘was the way, the truth and the life;’ Acts 9:2: Paul went to Damascus to find Christians who belonged to the Way.

 

Of course I will admit a name does not make anyone a follower of Jesus; faith is required for that. Someone once asked me if we had a leader; someone similar to the Pope for Catholics? I told him we have no human leader but we do have a leader as it is simply stated in John 14:6 when Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Thus our leader is Jesus Christ; He died for us and was resurrected for us so that we who believe will have everlasting life (John 3:16).