Acts 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord's followers, so he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them -- both men and women -- back to Jerusalem in chains.
Saul, whom we first encountered when Stephen was being martyred for his family, is persecuting the Christians, arresting some and history indicates that he even participated in murdering Christians but God had another plan. Remember “religion not based on God’s Word” destroys and will even lead to murder whether it’s physical or by the words they speak. Jesus did not come to create another religion but rather came to build a bridge between God and man. I say it continuously but we need to hear it over and over, God loves us so much that He had a Son but wanted a family so Father God planted His Son in the ground and we became His Family. How can you not serve a God like this? It’s a little off the subject we are on but these verses are powerful: 1 Cor. 15:20 But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, Adam, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man, Christ. 22 Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, the first man. But all who are related to Christ, the other man, will be given new life. Glory to God, He sowed and now we who have accepted Jesus are His Harvest! Back to the story: Saul was persecuting Christian men and women and there is not a doubt in my mind that the early church went to prayer about what Saul was doing. Prayer changes things and it also changes people and God was about to get Saul’s attention. Some of the early church probably wrote Saul off as hopeless and deceived but the power of prayer opened his spiritual eyes. 3 As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him! 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" I’ve got good news; God never changes so if HE did it then, He will do it now in the 21st century if we will pray with faith. We ALL have loved ones running from God, living sinful lifestyles and we need them to encounter the living God like Saul did on the Damascus Road. Stop right now and pray for those in your family who need this type of experience. There is power in believing prayer. Saul had the greatest deception of all, religious deception but God got his attention and woke him up. 5 "Who are you, sir?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! I would have loved to have seen Saul’s face at this moment, being knocked down was one thing, hearing a voice was another, but then knowing it was Jesus speaking totally changed his life. He was persecuting those who professed Jesus and now this Jesus was talking to him. Fear, I’m sure, gripped his heart but then the presence of the Lord brought peace in the situation. 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Don’t you love it when God’s plan comes together? God had a plan for Saul before he was ever born and God’s plan did not change because Saul had made some bad choices so when he repented God’s plan began to take place in his life. 7 The men with Saul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound of someone's voice, but they saw no one! It’s hard to read the BIble and not believe in the supernatural because God is a supernatural God who still does supernatural things. Saul, even though he couldn’t see, heard the voice of God for the first time. When we blind ourselves to the things of this world, we are able to hear the voice of God clearly. When we continually feed our eyes and ears with this world, it lessens our ability to hear from the Lord. 8 As Saul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind. 9 So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days. And all that time he went without food and water. Saul after encountering the presence of the Lord, went on a three day fast seeking truth. Next week we will see the tremendous plan of God coming to pass for Saul. Prayer Points: Lord remove the things in my life (sin, tradition, strongholds, generational curses, false religion) that keep me from hearing your voice clearly in my life so I can fulfill my purpose.
0 Comments
Acts 8:25 After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News. We are all called to go and tell the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel is good news but God needs vessels to tell the good news and always remember someone’s eternity is dependent on your obedience.26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, "Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza." Many times the direction of the Lord never agrees with our human nature or our natural thinking. Philip is in a city wide revival with people being saved, healed and filled with the Holy Ghost and then gets his next kingdom assignment. The assignment? Go to the desert. A question for all of us, “Are we willing to complete our kingdom assignment even when it requires desert surroundings”? Many are willing to be on the stage but not as many willing to serve where they cannot be seen or in control. 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, So he started out (first part of the verse) and I think everyone in the city wide revival discouraged him from going, probably questioning his ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Why would the Holy Spirit tell you to leave this revival and go to the desert? Why would God interrupt what you are doing here? But the good news is this; Philip was willing to listen and to obey the voice of the Lord so he started out not even knowing all of the assignment. I must emphasize this point, sometimes God does not give you the whole assignment at first, but when you obey what He has told you then the rest of the assignment will become clear. Sometimes you just have to step out in faith as the Holy Spirit leads you. Abraham stepped out in faith, leaving the familiar for that which was promised and great was his reward becoming the father of many nations. Philip started walking in the desert, pure obedience, and then we read that he met the treasurer of Ethiopia who had gone to Jerusalem to worship. A very prominent man of wealth, power and influence, a man Philip would have never met if he had not obeyed. 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." 30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. God knew this man’s heart and knew he was hungry for more of Him so Father God interrupted a city wide revival for Philip to minister to the treasurer to fill the hunger for more of God. Obedience will take you places and put you in front of people who have the platform to change nations. 32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.33 He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." 34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. Friends that is so supernatural, it shows the will of God in action, bringing the lost into the kingdom. Obedience! 36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.
Obedience did not only allow a person to get saved who would influence a whole nation but it also allowed Philip to experience the supernatural. He was divinely transported from the desert to another town where he preached the good news. What a story to tell at the next family reunion or to your kids and grandkids but it would have never happened except for obedience. Remember the keys to Supernatural Kingdom Living: Prayer and Obedience.
Prayer Points: Father, forgive me for every time I’ve disobeyed you. Now I commit my life to a life of prayer and obedience so I can be that vessel to increase your Kingdom!
Acts 8:1 Saul was one of the witnesses and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)
The early was church full of power, full of zeal, full of the Holy Spirit and revival had broken out with the lost coming to the truth daily. It’s wonderful except for the fact that revival brings persecution. Friends, we think we are persecuted for our beliefs but there are so many overseas that die daily for their faith. Persecution is more than someone making fun of us or not agreeing with us and calling us names. Real persecution is when a machine gun is stuck to your head and you are told to renounce Christ or die. This is what was happening in this passage. 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. In the next chapter Saul meets Jesus and is radically changed but right now he is becoming the greatest persecutor of the early Christians, throwing men and women believers in jail and many believe he was even murdering some believers. 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. When persecution hits a believer that is Holy Ghost filled it doesn’t stop them, it empowers them the more to spread the good news. I’m thankful the early church loved Jesus so much that they were even willing to lay down their lives (dying to self and sometimes dying physical deaths). 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. Philip, one of the original twelve disciples, not apostles, went to Samaria and a revival broke out. People are still eager to hear a message if it’s demonstrated with power. Read these verses slowly and meditate on them: 1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1 Thess 1:5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. 1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: This is where we, as the church, have got to get back to; the word demonstrated with signs, miracles and wonders after the word is preached or taught. Social clubs will bring a crowd, programs will build a congregation but the church (the bride of Christ) has got to be a living organism full of the Word and Power. It’s not the power that we seek, it’s the power giver, and it’s the presence of Jehovah God that we must seek out of relationship. I don’t want to be used by God and Him not know me. Matt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. As I ministered last Sunday about the difference between the Anointing and the Glory, we were reminded the Anointing is the power to accomplish certain acts in God’s Kingdom (casting out devils, healing the sick, etc.) but the Glory is simply God’s presence (relationship). In the Garden of Eden the Glory of God covered Adam and Eve until sin broke the fellowship and lifted. (Sin Destroys) So God, still wanting to be close to mankind, confined Himself to the place called the Holy of Holies which was in a tent and later in a temple. It was only when Jesus restored relationship back between God and man, when Jesus cried it is finished on the cross and the veil was rent, that God once again resides with mankind. Now we are the temple, we carry God’s Presence; what an awesome honor and responsibility! To carry God’s presence you must know Father God in the secret place of prayer, you must spend time with Him on a consistent basis, you must shun evil knowing it will offend His Presence because He is still a Holy God. Over and over we read this about the early church; they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with power. Simply put they were walking in God’s Glory. They spent time in the word, in prayer and in seeking after knowing Father God. Prayer Point: Father God I ask you to show me areas in my life where I’ve grown cold and complacent so I can repent and return to my first love for you. Let me carry your Glory! We pick up the story of Stephen in Acts 7 as he had just been falsely accused and now he was about to reply to the accusations. Instead of defending himself, he defends the truth of God’s Word. He tells the history of Abraham, including the miraculous birth of Isaac. He reminded them of the story of Jacob and Joseph and then rehearsed the story of Moses being born and being protected from Pharaoh. He then proceeded to tell them about how God spoke to Moses from a burning bush and then used Moses to deliver them out of Egyptian bondage. He preached how they rebelled against Jehovah God in the wilderness.
Now we pick up the story in verse44: 44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him an house. 48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? Stephen began to preach about how the presence of the Lord once lived in a house made with hands (tabernacle of Solomon). In the wilderness, the presence of the Lord lived in a portable tabernacle but Stephen told them that now the Spirit of the Lord lived inside of us. One of the greatest benefits of the New Testament is the truth that the indwelling presence of the Lord lives in us. No longer do we wait for the Day of Atonement (once a year) where the high priest would enter into God’s Presence representing us but we can now come boldly before the throne of God made worthy by the blood of Jesus. Yes, we are now presence carriers, we carry the presence of the Lord inside us, we are in Christ and Christ is in us! Now we read about the boldness of Stephen as he called out the religious: 51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. This made the religious rulers fighting mad to the point we read this in verse 54: 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. Can you imagine grown religious leaders getting so mad that they actually began to bite Stephen? Talking about an ugly religious scene in front of everyone but once again God gets Glory out of the Story! 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, Notice the key once again to Stephen’s ability to walk out his faith, he was still full of the Holy Ghost not self. Key 2: Stephen kept looking up because he knew that was where his help would come from. Friend, when you catch a glimpse of God’s glory and Jesus standing in your corner, then you are able to endure whatever you need to endure. 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Stephen began to testify to what he was seeing and it made them even angrier, even to the point of murder. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Religious people never like hearing about the supernatural because only those in relationship with God see into the supernatural. These next two verses are powerful: 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Picture the scene, an angry religious mob stoning a man of God. This is not a pleasant get together. They are killing him violently but he cries out, Jesus don’t hold this sin against them and falls asleep. Imagine them explaining their day to their spouse when they got home that night…oh we stoned a man who prayed for our salvation! Friends, that is real Christianity and being full of God’s Presence! Prayer Points: 1. Father fill me so full of the Holy Spirit like Stephen that even when I’m being falsely accused and persecuted that only Christ is seen in me! Less of me, Jesus More of you! Picking up from last week we read this in Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Stephen, one of the seven men chosen to serve the early church as a leader which allowed the apostles/pastors to continue in prayer and in the word, was FULL of FAITH and POWER. Not only should the ministry gifts to the church (pastors, apostles, teachers, prophets, evangelists Eph. 4:11) be full of faith and power but everyone in the body of Christ should be full of faith and power and personally seeing signs, miracles and wonders in their own lives. Because of the New Covenant, every child of God has the right to be empowered and endued with supernatural power. (Mark 16:17-18) The blood of Jesus qualifies you for ministry under the New Covenant and where the blood of Jesus is applied, the anointing follows. Let’s take a moment and read what happened to Stephen: 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Stephen had not graduated from a Christian University but he was full of wisdom because of the Holy Spirit inside of him and also his devotion to God’s Word in personal and corporate study. Now we find he is about to be falsely accused. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. The Message Bible reads like this: 11 So in secret they bribed men to lie: "We heard him cursing Moses and God." True children of God will always have false accusations to come against them but you can always distinguish those with the fruits of the Spirit by how they respond to the accusations. Those who respond wrongly it does not mean they are not saved but many times they just need to grow in the fruits of the Spirit. When you are falsely accused it is a hard test that we all must learn to pass. Our flesh is always quick to defend ourselves but faith allows God to defend you. Flesh is always our number one enemy we all have to fight and it’s a daily fight. Jesus, Joseph, Paul, Peter, Job, David and you have all been falsely accused but allow God to defend you. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. Notice what the false accusations did, it stirred up the people. One negative report can stir up fleshly people because fleshly people are like vultures, eager to eat dead things (negative things). The children of Israel missed their promised land because they believed a negative report instead of believing the two spies who said we are well able to possess the land. Friend, guard the conversations you have: first what comes out of you and secondly what goes into you (ears and eyes). For over twenty years as a pastor, I’ve seen people form opinions about someone based on non-truths or partial truths and even when confronted with total truth, damage was done and God’s Kingdom is what suffered the most. True mature children of God are peacemakers not authors of confusion according to God’s Word. (Matthew 5:9, 1 Cor. 14:33) Truth is, we are commanded to even love our enemies…that’s true love. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. What a statement! I only hope I can arrive to this point in my personal Christian walk. As Stephen sat there hearing all the lies told about him, those who had arranged him to be falsely accused couldn’t help but see God’s glow on his face. Too many today, would have had a glow but it would have been a glow of anger because of the lies we were hearing told on us but Stephen because he was FULL of God glowed with God’s Presence. Road rage, anger, jealously, murder, resentment, and hatred fill too many who claim Jesus as Lord but we must become more like Jesus and less like us. Jesus prayed for those who had just drove nails in His hands, prayed for those who had just spit in His face, cursed His name saying, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. We need to ask ourselves, are we able to pray that prayer, do we really love others as we love ourselves? How do you respond when falsely accused? I’ve said it often, I want to be a servant in God’s kingdom but how do I respond when I’m treated like a servant (true test of servant hood). Prayer Points: 1. Lord help me to decrease so you can increase 2. Lord remove all bitterness, hatred, jealously or anything that does not look like you in my life. 3. Father Fill me FULL of Your Presence! Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Picture this setting; revival has broken out, people were being saved daily and miracles happening constantly with persecutions. The persecution couldn’t stop the revival; in fact it only promoted and furthered the effects of this supernatural move of God. When the devil saw he couldn’t stop the revival from the outside in, he tried to destroy the revival from the inside out. The truth is, no marriage, no ministry, no corporation is destroyed from the outside in, it’s always from the inside out. Even personally, people are destroyed from the inside out. Friends, the problem will never destroy you as long as you keep the problem from getting inside of you. 1 Cor. 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. KJV Since we are children of God (it’s our new nature), then we are never the authors or participators of confusion but we are called to promote peace in all churches. We are even commanded to love our enemies, to pray for those who despitefully use us. Friend, this is how the world truly knows we are His disciples. It’s never easy on the flesh but it is rewarding in the Spirit. So the early church was having some confusion and division, but it was a scheme of the devil trying to stop revival. Always ask the Holy Spirit to remove anything in us that would stop the move of God in our region. I want to promote revival by my lifestyle. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the insight to see beyond the natural. They saw it was a distraction from the main attraction (the presence of the Lord) and they said we are not going to be distracted from what we are called to do, so the Holy Spirit gave them direction. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Notice the qualifications of the ones appointed: 1. Honest Report 2. Full of the Holy Ghost 3. Full of Wisdom. That’s the type of leaders that the 21st Century church needs today, not popular people but powerful people of God full of wisdom and the Holy Ghost. They said pick out seven men who live a lifestyle of honesty which means well respected and trustworthy. If you are in leadership, your reputation since you have become a Christian is very important because we represent God’s Kingdom to this people planet. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Once again the apostles saw that the enemy was trying to get them distracted from their calling and duties as pastors or apostles. A minister’s calling is to stay in the Presence of the Lord (to hear His voice, to receive vision) and to study God’s Word (to feed and instruct others) and this is a struggle for many because so many ministers get caught up in the everyday busyness of church life. Many times the church body expects the pastor or apostle to do all the work in the church, but because the church is the body of Christ and each part of the body has a different assignment then the body ministers to the body. If the pastor did all the work of the church then someone would not be using the talents God has given them and they would not be fulfilled neither rewarded. It’s important that we all use our talents for God’s kingdom. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. It’s always amazing to see what the devil meant for bad turn for good and that’s what God does. In this case many got to use their talents and the work of the ministry increased and people were saved. Prayer Points: 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any rebellion or seed of discord or confusion in your life. 2. Ask the Holy Spirit to use you even greater in these last days. Let’s pick up from last week as we continue to study the book of Acts. Peter had been arrested for preaching and praying in the name of Jesus and placed in prison but an angel came and let him out. Now he begins to preach to those who have arrested him. This is incredible boldness but it’s not a natural boldness but rather a supernatural boldness because he is being filled with the Holy Spirit over and over. Friends, if we are to see what the early church saw in Acts, we must be continually filled with the Holy Spirit not just on Sundays or Wednesdays but daily in the presence of the Lord. Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. As you study this verse you will find out it is referring to a continuous infilling of His Spirit, over and over again.
Let’s pick up his sermon in Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Put yourself in Peter’s shoes; it’s amazing that he didn’t back down from the truth. This is a hostile environment and tempers are flaring and Peter doesn’t back down but reminds them it was them (religious leaders) who crucified Jesus. It made them so mad that verse 33 says they were discussing how they could kill them. But the truth is this, man cannot stop what God has planned and let’s read what happened. 34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. What wisdom God had given Gamaliel and God made sure he was in that meeting to express this wisdom. I love verse 39! If it be of God we can’t stop it and we would be fighting against God. Friends, in the last days we must use wisdom because there is a spirit of deception that is running rampant in this world. We must stand for truth but at the same time make sure we are speaking the truth in love. Remember God always has a plan and nothing surprises Him, all we need to do is obey what His Word declares and what the Holy Spirit speaks to us. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. KJV If we are to see the salvations, signs, miracles and wonders they saw in Acts, it comes at the expense of great opposition and persecution, so don’t be surprised when it comes from a source you never dreamed. It’s warfare, daily warfare!!! I want to close this devotion today with some words the Holy Spirit has been speaking in some of our services (watch online at www.thebridge.ws). “The revival we have prayed for and sought after is coming but some things will be shaken. There is coming a flood and we must build an ark of safety for our family and friends. The ark will be built in the private times of prayer. Increase your time in my presence says the Lord, Increase your time in my Presence.” I’ve summed up some prophetic words that have been released recently to remind us that we are living in perilous times (2 Tim. 3:1-7) and the only way to overcome is our corporate worship meetings and our personal times in the secret place of prayer. (Matt. 6:6) Never in the history of mankind will we need the direction, power and presence of the Lord more than we do now and in the future so a daily, personal prayer life is vital to our spiritual well being. Start today! Prayer Points: 1. Fill me again today afresh with the power of the Holy Spirit so I can have boldness to stand for you! 2. Help me desire more of your presence daily. Increase in me! Acts 5: Revival is happening, people are being saved, demons cast out and miracles are a common daily occurrence. Expectation is in the air! Never forget this important truth, when revival comes to town so does persecution. The anointing not only draws the lost and hurting but the religious who hate a real move of the Holy Spirit and so it was with the early church.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. “Filled with indignation” can be interpreted in the south as “downright mad” but their anger came out of ignorance and jealously. These religious leaders were so full of anger that they forcefully had the apostles (anointed by God) put in prison. A religious spirit or Jezebel spirit will make you think you are right when you are one hundred percent wrong. Those spirits will blind you to truth and have you coming against God’s anointed. David told his warriors, even though Saul has done wrong and I could have killed him, I will not touch God’s anointed. Let’s be careful not to be influenced by a religious spirit. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Don’t you love it; the devil has never made a lock for which Father God doesn’t have a key. Prison doors for God’s people are gateways for the supernatural to show up in our lives. I believe the closer we come to the rapture of the church, the more angelic visitations we will have. I know Sunday Morning the Holy Spirit said that dreams and visions were about to increase. Time for the supernatural is here. 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. When you are full of the Holy Spirit you will obey Father God rather than man. I love their boldness. They didn’t wait until midmorning but early in the morning they showed up teaching God’s Word with power. It’s time that we take a stand and obey the Lord even when it goes against religious tradition and the mainstream culture. 21b But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. I always have to chuckle when I read this passage, “The prison we found and it was shut up but there was no one inside”. Glory to God, supernatural deliverance! I believe we will begin to hear about this again in our day. Christians are being tortured, beat, whipped, murdered around the world for their faith but God is about to show out just like He did in the book of Acts. I24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Doesn’t that charge your spiritual battery? These apostles were saying, regardless of what you do to us we will still serve the Lord. Threaten us, beat us, kill us but God is our King and we will serve Him. That’s the type of attitude we must have when it comes to serving Father God. The truth is we can’t do it by ourselves; it happens as we daily fill our lives with His Presence, the power of the Holy Ghost. They remembered what Jesus had told them, do not fear them that can only destroy your body but fear Him that can destroy both body and soul. Friends, let’s see what God has promised us by daily filling ourselves with more of the Presence of Jesus and less of us! Prayer Points: Lord fill us with a fresh touch of your presence and power. Never let us lose our zeal for more of your presence. |