Acts 23 - 11.02.23
SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:11 NLT
“That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.””
OBSERVATION:
Paul is sitting in Jail late at night after a long exhausting day. He had just come back from a missionary trip where he had been prophetically warned that trouble awaited him—so it was no surprise that he was falsely accused and being tried before the Sanhedrin. Yet, Paul was human and in the darkness of night anyone can begin to question-what if?? Could he have said or done something different--would the circumstances have turned out better?
Paul longed to see his fellow Jews saved. And—it’s easy to see how the loneliness of nighttime allowed the doubts and worry to work overtime.
BUT—it was—in the darkness of this night—that Jesus came—
and stood by him to say, “Be Encouraged”.
Jesus spoke the exact Words HE knew Paul needed to hear.
APPLICATION:
BE ENCOURAGED
“Take Courage” Is more accurate here!
Jesus said to Paul— tharseó.
From the Greek meaning: Properly bolstered from within which supports unflinching courage—Literally to radiate warm confidence!
It is the “inner attitude” of a believer as a result of The Lord infusing His strength by His inworking of Faith.
Anyone can be encouraged when everything is great; but the Christian can be encouraged when everything is rotten, knowing that God is mighty and wonderful no matter what the crisis or current circumstances are.
Jesus told the woman with the 12-year bleeding problem, Take Courage [tharseo], daughter; your faith has made you well (Matthew 9:22).
Jesus told His frightened disciples on the Sea of Galilee, Take Courage [tharseo]! I AM; do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27).
Jesus told His disciples the night before His crucifixion, In the world you will have tribulation; but take courage [tharseo], I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
Jesus told Paul to take courage [tharseo] he would be going on to Rome to share the Gospel. There was more work for him to do.
What Joy to the ears and heart of every faithful disciple of Jesus!
“There is more for you to do.”
More people to bring to Christ, more ways for you to glorify Him, more people to pray with, more humble ways to serve His people, more hungry to feed, more naked to clothe, more weary saints for you to encourage.
PRAYER
LORD JESUS,
This IS what You say to each of us. There is MORE work to be done. We will never be done until the day YOU bring us home.
Your eyes are ever searching to and fro throughout the earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to You. (2 Chron 16:9)
Give us a desire that lines up with Your heart. Expand our minds to see past anything we ever dared to even dream was possible.
Help us to step into new territory with You Lord. Help me to “Take Courage” and be Infused by Your Inworking of Faith in My Life. In Jesus Name, I pray.
Tina L Kudelka
Hosea 6 - 11.1.23
Scripture
Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Observation
Our Lord looks at our heart, and not on outward appearances. He desires a heart that shows mercy and loves others He has placed in our lives. There is a place for sacrifices and gifts to the Lord. But the Lord honors and accepts it when it is done with a heart full of love and mercy. He desires that we seek to know Him, than bring him gifts.
Application
Our Lord Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 9:13, when the Pharisees question Him about why He ate in the company of sinners. Jesus was full of love and compassion, and seeked out the lost. Let us pray that we become like Him, and intentionally and prayerfully share God's love and mercy with those in our circle of influence. Let us be filled with the desire to know Him more, and develop a love for His Word. Let us make spending time in the Word and Prayer, our priority everyday.
Prayer
Lord please help us to be more like you. Fill us with your love so that we will be able to show mercy and love others with a sincere heart. Give us a desire to know you more. Help us to make time in prayer and reading the word, our highest priority. May our lives be a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to you.
- Asha George
Hosea 5 - 10.31.23
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 5:4 "Their actions do not allow them to return to their God, for a spirit of promiscuity is among them, and they do not know the Lord."
OBSERVATION: The children of Israel had become so unfaithful to God's laws that they had a hard time recognizing truth from error, or good from evil. Hosea called this a "spirit of promiscuity". Their heart's had become so hardened that they were no longer even feeling guilty about their sin!
UNDERSTANDING: God had been so faithful to them by bringing them out of captivity. He chose them, redeemed them, brought them out of their pagan lifestyle, and gave them promises, but over time their consciences had become seared. Hosea likened it to a promiscuous wife.
"I will depart and return to My place until they recognize their guilt and seek My face; they will search for Me in their distress." (v 15).
Hosea directed the nation of Israel to return to the Lord.
Sin has devastating results! "They knew God, but they did not glorify Him or show gratitude. Instead their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, Who is praised forever". (Romans 1:21-25). Paul was addressing this portion of Scripture to the Roman empire, but it also pertains to all societies that have been here since the beginning of time regarding our natural human tendency to sin against God. We've ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!
APPLICATION: Even as believers, if we tune our conscience into the value of the world's systems, our heart's will become hardened just like the children of Israel. In order to properly tune our conscience, we need to turn to God, and apply His Word to our lives. The goal of God's instruction in love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, although they don't understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on." ( 1 Timothy 1:5-7).
PRAYER: I pray I will always have the desire to stay close to God and allow His Word to penetrate my heart so that I can be an effective witness for Christ. I pray I will never deviate from the truth of His Word.
We have ALL sinned, and have fallen short of God's standard of righteousness, but God, in His love sent His Son, Jesus to become the perfect sacrifice for our sins. If we accept Jesus as the One Who died in our place, and put our faith in Him, we are forgiven and become righteous in God's sight.
I pray for the ones who still need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. I pray God will use me to share the gospel so they are able to hear and receive the truth that ALL who turn to God, confess their sins, and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord will be saved!
- Robin Orefice