Author: jma47

The Blessing In Obedience Part Two

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I came to a part in Bruce Olson’s autobiography last night where he told about running from what God wanted him to do. He had gone to South America to take the gospel to the Motilone tribe.

He first encountered the Yukos. He stayed with them for awhile but left because he was tired of them, and they were tired of him. He longed for a coke and a hamburger. (It reminded me of the children of Israel when they longed for the food of Egypt). He tried to leave twice. Each time his donkey dumped him and he had to go back. He concluded that it was better to obey God. God had sent him. He would help him get to the right tribe.

What happened when Jonah ran from God? I remember the chorus we used to sing: God told Jonah to go down to Nineveh, that old wicked town,  but Jonah didn’t want to go where he was sent…. It doesn’t pay to disobey that’s all there’s to it. Like old Jonah you’ll find out the hard, hard way.

I often read Acts 16:6-10  when my way is blocked. Paul and his team headed out but the Holy Spirit forbid them. They turned to go another direction and it says that He did not permit them. What would you do in their case?

The Lord had a specific area where He wanted them to go and preach the gospel. It was revealed in a vision to Paul. When they started that way, everything opened up easily.

Years ago the Lord gave me a definition for frustration: God intercepting my way to redirect me into His way. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

At one point in Bruce’s account he got really sick with hepatitis. He knew he had to get out of the jungle. He prayed, “You brought me here to work with the Motilone Indians, help me.” The Lord intervened. He persevered in what the Lord had called him to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” In the beginning of Bruce’s call, he tried to do things in his own strength and failed. When he simply obeyed the Lord, and relied totally on Him, he was blessed immeasurably. So it is with us. The path of obedience is strewn with grace and blessings.

3 (THREE) FREE EBOOKS

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Today and Thursday I have three free ebooks on Amazon
 
Exposing Self-Deception: overthrowing the lies you have believed
 
Emotionally Indifferent: pretending you are unaffected
 
Spiritual Roots to Disease: healing wounded hearts

The Blessing In Obedience

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Acts 10 is pivotal. The door opened on the hinges of two men who were obedient. Verse 2 says of Cornelius, “A devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.”
 
The Lord spoke to him in a vision. In Verse 5-6 the angel said, “Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter…He will tell you what you must do.”
 
Cornelius did send for Peter. In the meantime Peter saw a vision that was out of character. The Lord was telling him to kill and eat unclean animals. The Lord said in verse 15, “…What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
 
As Peter thought about the meaning of the vision, Cornelius’ men arrived. Verse 19-20 were his instructions. “…Behold, three men are seeking you…go down and go and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.”
 
Peter went with them. When he got to Cornelius’ house, they were all waiting for him. Talk about exciting. Verse 33 says, “…we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
 
In Verse 34-35 Peter opened his mouth and said, “…In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” Peter then preached the gospel to them. Cornelius and all his household got saved!
 
Though Cornelius believed in God, he prayed to God, and he gave money for the poor, he was not saved. His religious activity was lifeless. The Lord honored his heart and made the way for him to hear the gospel.
 
King Saul on the other hand heard the word of the Lord through Samuel the prophet. However, he took matters into his own hands and lost his kingdom. 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “…Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to HEED than the fat of rams.”
 
Let’s put the two scenes together. One, there was instant obedience. Two, there was disobedience. We are in a new era with this world wide pandemic. Things as we knew them may never be the same.
 
Isaiah 43:18-19 Amplified says, “Do no (earnestly) remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give HEED to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” May these verses speak to our hearts.

Saul of Tarsus

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Before Conversion
We know from Acts 7:58 that Saul was a young man. Acts 8:3 and Acts 9:1 showed his zeal for God. Later he wrote in Romans 10:2 that it was a zeal without knowledge.
 
We know also from Philippians 3:3-6 that he was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, and he was a Pharisee. From Acts 22:3 we know that he was highly educated under Gamaliel.
 
After Conversion
Saul was radically encountered by Jesus. He was on his way to Damascus to hunt down any who were of the Way, in order to put them into prison.
 
The Lord intercepted Saul’s way to redirect him into His way. The Lord spoke to Ananias of Saul’s future. Acts 9:15 says, “…he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” Saul fulfilled those words.
 
Verse 16 says, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-27: labors more abundant, stripes, in prison, in deaths often, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, perils, weariness, toil, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, and nakedness.
 
Note: Saul was not called Paul until Acts 13:9. It says, “Then Saul, who also is called Paul…”
 
Paul remained zealous for the Lord, but with knowledge. He began a whole new ministry. He was so transformed after his encounter with the Lord, he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues. Acts 9:21 says, “Then all who heard were amazed and said, Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
 
Verse 26 says, “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.” Barnabas brought him to the apostles. Saul declared to them how the Lord had encountered him, and how he had spoken boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
 
Paul later wrote to the Corinthians church. 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” His letters still instruct us how to imitate the Lord in our daily walk. May we emulate the Lord in every aspect of our lives.
 

The ‘Acts’ of Acts 8 Part Two

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There is another scene in chapter 8 to look at today. Simon the sorcerer used to enamor the crowds with his magic. Verse 10 says that the people said: this man is the great power of God.
 
Philip was in Samaria preaching. There were miracles, possessed folks were delivered, and many were healed. Verse 12 says, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.”
 
Verse 13 says that Simon also believed and was baptized and continued with Philip. When Simon saw the power of God released when Peter and John laid hands on folks, he offered them money to get the same power.
 
In verse Peter scathingly said, “…your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” Verse 21 Peter told him that his heart was not right with God.
 
Verse 22-23 says, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound in iniquity.”
 
His heart was not right because his thoughts were full of hidden sin. Our hearts are our belief center. All thoughts come from what we believe. When we bury bitterness in our heart, it feeds out through our thoughts and actions. Bitterness creates chemical imbalances that can cause inner defilement and disease.
 
Unresolved issues of bitterness, anger, resentment, and unforgiveness negatively affect us as well as those around us. Hebrews 12:15 calls it a bitter root judgment that defiles and contaminates.
 
Have you allowed your circumstances to negatively affect you, so that you spew bitterness through your words and actions? Father help us to draw others through a fragrant heart as we walk in Your grace. Help us to have a gracious attitude in all that we say and do.
 

Three (3) FREE EBOOKS

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I have three free ebooks on amazon today and Tuesday
 
Garden of Your Heart: bearing fruit that glorifies God
 
Honey-Laced Words: imparting grace to your hearers
 
Putting Off The Mask Of Pretense: cultivating a heart of integrity

The ‘Acts’ of Acts 8

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At the end of chapter 7, Stephen was stoned to death. Verse 58 says that the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 8:1 says that Saul was consenting to his death.
 
Persecution arose against the church and they all scattered. It was the fulfillment of Jesus’ words to His disciples in Acts 1:8, “…you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
 
The scattered believers went everywhere preaching the word (8:4). Listen to what Saul was doing. Verse 3 says, “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”
 
There was another man mentioned in chapter 8. Phillip was one of the seven chosen to serve the widows. Phillip had the same character qualifications as Stephen. Verse 5 says, “Then Phillip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.”
 
Listen to the response of the multitudes. Verse 6 says, “…with one accord heeded the things spoken by Phillip…” Then verse 26 says says that an angel told him to go south to the desert.
 
Verse 27 says that he arose and went. A man of great authority, a eunuch under Candace the queen of Ethiopia, was sitting in his chariot reading out loud from Isaiah the prophet.
 
Verse 30 says, “So Phillip ran to him…and said, Do you understand what you are reading?” He asked Phillip to sit with him. Watch now. Verse 35 says, “Then Phillip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.”
 
I want to highlight two things. Phillip instantly obeyed. He did not question God’s instructions. When the time came, he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled it. His obedience facilitated a man believing in Jesus.
 
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who ask you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
 
2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season…” Phillip was ready. He watched what the Lord was doing and then joined Him.
 
Right after the Ethiopian eunuch was saved and then baptized, the Spirit caught Phillip up and transported him to another region. Phillip didn’t miss a beat. Acts 8:40 says, “But Phillip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.”
 
The Lord will put folks in our pathway. He will lead us to hearts that are prepared to hear the gospel. Listen to what is being said. Watch how the Lord is working in their lives and join Him. Let’s be ready and yielded to the Holy Spirit.

3 FREE EBOOKS

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I have 3 FREE ebooks on Amazon today and Sunday
 
Redeemed Patience: equipping for ministry
Emotionally Free: processing the present with the Holy Spirit
God’s Masterful Purpose: conformity to the image of Jesus

Character of a Bondservant Part Two

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Paul often started his letter with, ‘a bond servant of Christ.’ We are bondservants, not only to our master-employers but to our Master Lord. Ephesians 6:5-6 says, “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”
 
Character is a heart issue. I was just working on the compilation of my fourth paperback yesterday and came across this. Great reminder.
 
“Proverbs 2:2 says, “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding.” The word incline means to listen favorably. That involves our heart. You can discipline a child who will comply on the outside. Unless you gain their heart you will have rebellion on the inside.
 
Why do I know this? I was like that. As a man-pleaser I complied on the outside, but my heart was not submissive. I gave ground over to satan in my life through my stubbornness. It clogged my ears from listening to instruction favorably, my heart was hardened through my rebellion, and it made me hesitant to obey the Lord willingly. It stunted my spiritual growth.”
 
I remember standing in my front room in 1967 saying: Lord, I don’t know who I am. I have to be this for this person, and this for that person. I had a lot of expectations put on me as a preacher’s kid, that actually caused me to lose my own identity. Don’t worry. The Lord had many trials in store for me that He used to build my character over the years that followed.
 
Our trials are like the disobedient lamb. The shepherd breaks its leg, and then carries it on his shoulder until the leg is healed. That little lamb never strays again because it has bonded with the shepherd. Our trials bond us to the Lord as His bondservant.
 
Here is the joy of a bondservant. John 14:21 says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
 
We sing, ‘Just a closer walk with Thee. Grant it Savior if You please. Daily walking close to Thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.’ We bondservants listen attentively to every word our Master says. We do His biding.
 
John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Intimate communion with our Shepherd cannot be equaled or compared to anything on this earth. Our heart leans in to hear every whispered word, and we breathe in the atmospheric joy of basking in His Presence.

Character of a Bondservant

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Stephen was a man of character. His words and actions were the same. He spoke boldly and cut to the heart of the matter. Let’s follow him as he addressed the council.
 
He was intentionally falsely accused. Yet in the face of the accusations, his gaze was upon the Lord. Acts 6:15 says, “And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.”
 
I love Psalm 34:5 which says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.”
 
Stephen was focused on the Lord. How do you react when falsely accused? It is human nature to want to defend ourselves. Stephen is a great example for us.
 
Acts 7:2-50 recorded Stephen’s verbal historical account of the children of Israel. He was speaking things the council knew to be accurate. They listened until he addressed their personal hearts. Verse 54 says, “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.” They were beyond furious.
 
Stephen was so focused on the Lord that he told them what he was seeing. Verse 55 says that he was full of the Holy Spirit. Verse 56 says, “…Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
 
We know, from Scripture, that Jesus sits at the right hand of God. He was perhaps standing up to receive Stephen. The council’s reaction was to drag Stephen out of the city and stone him to death.
 
In all of the accounts of Stephen, he never once flinched. He was not intimidated. He did not shrink back. He spoke out of the integrity of his heart. He never reacted in the flesh.
 
Galatians 1:10 says, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”