Hey Everyone!
I pray God is carrying you throughout the new year thus far! Remember, if you keep your mind stayed on Him, He will keep you in perfect peace, absolute perfect peace! This level of peace is one unattainable elsewhere not even in Yoga. The best part is it's free for all who believe on Jesus' name!
So I thought I'd take an interesting turn in writing this blog and I'm about to serve up a Three-course biblical meal for you, we're "going-in" on the book of Acts! Sharpen your cutlery and bring your appetite!
Appetizer- Cream of Acts Soup
Now I've been taken aback by a portion of scripture I've been reading recently. I think it's the perfect time to let you know that I'm currently studying the book of Acts. I've never really done an in-depth study and analysis of this book. However, it's a great place to start- in examining the early church and its early days as well as the move of the Holy Spirit.
After having read the first four chapters, I made some notes on them- which I will type and send to anyone who wants them. The summary is as follows:
Chapter 1- The disciples truly recognising the glory of Jesus sealed by His ascension, as well as the selection of a new disciple- Matthias (The number 12 signifies completion- I wonder if this is why Snow White had twelve dwarfs?).
Chapter 2- Pentecost and the outpouring of The Holy spirit.
Chapter 3- The healing power and work of the Holy Spirit through the crippled beggar! This also signifies preaching and witnessing/evangelism!
Chapter 4- Which is my personal favourite and it packs a mean punch (no pun intended)!
Main Course
Chapter 4!
The title of this blog entry is inspired by this chapter. Here, we see persecution of First Century Christians and their boldness in proclaiming Christ. My Pastor's sermon on Sunday highlighted the theme of remaining steadfast and the spiritual prosperity you will gain from it, including, the heavenly rewards! See (1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 13:44-46)
As such this passage immediately cemented and confirmed the word of God. The early Christians were not so much focused on worldly possessions as the latter part of this Chapter indicates. Their efforts to remain steadfast, in light, of persecution was laudable. Their reward? The best ever! A remarkable and lavish outpouring of the Holy Spirit and an unquenchable fiery spirit for/in doing the work of God!
Where is (y)our fiery passion? Are we/you burning with zeal and desire? Has God arrested (y)our heart and mind and showed you His burden? (Romans 10:15) Are you moving, moving? Are you going???!!!???!!!!
Okay! Now here's the punchline.....
Additionally, due to the persecution mentioned in the previous Chapters- the believers asked God not to take away their burdens or to break their crosses...instead they asked...wait for it, wait for it....
They asked for a spirit of BOLDNESSSS!!!! SAY WHAT??? BOLDNESS!! They didn't ask to be delivered from their tribulations but that they might be given a spirit of Boldness to go through with it! Who could they have learnt this from? Jesus!!!!! Although, Jesus wished "the cup" could have been taken from Him, He still asked for the grace and strength to bear it all! What Faith. Therefore, they could easily proclaim,
"We are pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed, we are blessed beyond the curse...His power will endure, His Joy is gonna be my strength..." Take a minute to take a deep breath and digest this full course meal of the Word!
"We are pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed, we are blessed beyond the curse...His power will endure, His Joy is gonna be my strength..." Take a minute to take a deep breath and digest this full course meal of the Word!
To sum it all up I must retract to verse 13. This verse is preceeded by the verse exalting Christ as the only way to Heaven by which men can be saved. Now this verse speaks of Peter and John and how they were perceived as "ordinary men" and the people marveled at their boldness of speech! Well! This just goes to show that when the Spirit of the Lord descends on a man, there is no room for timidity, a spirit of boldness replaces it. God takes the ordinary man and makes Him extraordinary.
Now for dessert!
Remember Jesus and Peter? 1. Walking on Water and 2. Thrice denying Christ.
Jesus knew what Peter was about to face and needed to work extra hard on Him so that when the time came, he wont cop out and deny Jesus-again, He would endure! And that's exactly what He's doing in this chapter and so far it has landed him in prison and before the Sanhedrin but He pressed on!
Perhaps, God is molding you for a time in your life such as this- where He's going to need to rub you against some sandpaper so that by the time you face your harshest of critics you will be able to stand and go harder for Christ. Don't give up, run the race! You'll see it was worth it all in the end! Plastic under heat melts- God is fortifying you to become heat-resistant/ heat retardant!
Perhaps, God is molding you for a time in your life such as this- where He's going to need to rub you against some sandpaper so that by the time you face your harshest of critics you will be able to stand and go harder for Christ. Don't give up, run the race! You'll see it was worth it all in the end! Plastic under heat melts- God is fortifying you to become heat-resistant/ heat retardant!
Verse to take home. (Doggy Bag)
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone! Acts 4:11. The world may hate you, they may persecute you, but, you better believe God is placing you into the mold, a brick in the building of His kingdom- rejected by the world and accepted by Him!
Bon Appetit! Hope you had a good meal! Don't forget to leave a generous tip i.e a comment!
Bless God sis, really enjoyed the meal ;-). Really Got something to think on, or should I say chew on.
ReplyDeleteI went and read chp4, but to understand chapter 4 you had to read the 3 preluding chapters to get the general idea of what was happening.
I will share a bit on what stood out for me from the Chapter.
Think: The more pressure placed on a thing, the more likely it tends to snap or buckle because of the increased pressure. Well so it can be with humans, when placed under increased pressure we tend to buckle and snap.
There is no need for us to be anxious even when pressure is placed on us, no need for you to worry when you are placed in adversity. Even if you are placed in prison like these men were, because even if you are placed in prison/clamp down, the gospel will keep on advancing still. Just like water when you try to clamp it down it will still rush out either at the edges or something, it will find a way out.
on the Issue of boldness:
It’s a difficult thing to be bold in adversity- How are we to react when we are at a point of where we either have to proclaim Jesus Christ or deny him? These men were in this position, and so they chose to proclaim with boldness the name of Jesus Christ. It must be noted however, that before they proclaimed that wonderful name, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. These men received their boldness form the Spirit of the Lord, not because they had each other- they recognized this hence the reason they prayed for what I believe is increased boldness, because this was not going to be the last time they will be required to defend, or proclaim the Good news.
So as well we must seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit always, not just in times of adversity. It is only the Holy Spirit can give us boldness to name the name of Jesus Christ in a coherent way. That helps people to see this is who we believe in.
The same is true for us, that we will be always asked to give a reason for our faith. And we must be always ready. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
ASK: God to give you the spirit of boldness to stand up for him, to proclaim his supreme excelencies in every area of our lives.
Pray: For Humility that we would react in a bold but humble way when faced with treats or in a critical moment.
I was blessed by your post. Thank you. Keep the great job up.
Check out my blogg post on what I did on Acts 4 (A refection on Acts 4).
ReplyDeleteHere's the link.
http://jemthesocialmind.blogspot.com/
Wow! way to go sis! Your first comment helped me to think deeper than I did with this initial post! Bless God! Headed to your post! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to you sis!
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