The Daily Dose

Abounding in God’s work

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Always abounding in the work of the Lord.  Existing and living in God’s work.  This seems excessive to me.  Always?  I mean, I understand if you’re a pastor, missionary, teacher or something like that, but always immersed in God’s work?  How is it even possible for me?  After thinking about it some, I realize that my “work in the Lord” is my example and attitude.  Whatever I am doing, I am doing it as unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:17  says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  So, whatever we are saying and doing, as a child of God, we are doing it for our Father, God.  Keeping in mind that everything I do is for God will keep me on track with Him.  Today’s verse says to be steadfast and immovable and the way to do that is to keep God in my heart and thoughts as I walk out my daily life.  Keeping God in our heart and mind will also keep us far from sinning against Him.  Whether it’s reaching out to someone sick or hurting, or maybe it’s just taking someone to church with you.  It can even be just singing a song or saying a prayer of thanks to your Father God during the day.  “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” (Colossians 3:23)

Lastly, when you do all things unto the Lord, these things will last for all eternity.  Your labor is not in vain.  Nothing you do on God’s purpose will be a waste of your time and effort.  It is worth everything you put into it and He will get you to the rest you need when the work is done.

Today I encourage you to be steadfast and immovable in the work of the Lord.  Whatever you are doing today and going forward, do it as unto the Lord and not for yourself or others’ approval.  Then you will know that all the work of your hands will not be useless, but a God work that will last forever in the Kingdom of heaven.  Keep in mind and be thankful throughout your day as verse 57 says: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”

36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.

37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain.

38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.

47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Everyone did their part

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.  Acts 16:5

This is truly a demonstration of the body of Christ working together as was intended from the beginning.  Everyone doing their part within the body and producing the results that Jesus died for His people to have.

I am referring to what the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthian people.  In 1 Corinthians 12:12 he said: For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.  God supernaturally connected His people by appointing Jesus as the head and through the Spirit of God He (Jesus) would remain in the world in His body of believers.

This is so beyond us and I struggle daily to remind myself that I am not my own, I am part of a body that occupies the entire planet.  In the reading today, we can see how that body is supposed to be growing in the world each day.  The church, at its inception, began spreading like wildfire because each person was doing their part.  They didn’t depend on the apostles to let the world know, they all were talking about the love and God and the salvation He had provided for all, everywhere they went all day long.  It was the good news then and it still is today.

So what is our part that we are to be doing in the body of believers today?  Are we all to be packing up our homes and traveling around the world to get the message out?  Is every one of us to become ordained ministers and start a church to lead people in our area to weekend services?  Paul told the Corinthians that each person had a part, but he didn’t tell them what their part was.  What he did say was that God set each member in the body as He pleased. (See 1 Cor. 12:18)  Paul also said that there should be no schism or division within the church but that we should care for one another always.

Lastly, 1 Corinthians 12 says that we should earnestly desire the best gift for the times that we need them and only the Holy Spirit knows what those gifts are.

Today I want to encourage you to operate in your gift and ability within the body.  The only way to truly know what your part is will be by hearing and following the direction of the Holy Spirit in your heart.  You are truly on the honor system.  No person can tell you what you have been called to do, but you do need to submit to the authority that His Spirit has placed you under.  We also know that our main job is to care for one another and share the good news of salvation with those around us each day.  Even though we may never preach the gospel around the world, we should always be praying for and supporting those who do.  Only then will we see the results that the first church did and be fully operating as Jesus in bodily form in this earth.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:1-5

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 

2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 

3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 

5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Faithfulness

Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;  Acts 15:39

 This has always been a hard part of Paul’s story for me to handle.  We read back in chapter 13 how the Holy Spirit separated Paul and Barnabas to be a team to go out on these missionary journeys.  Now in chapter 15, because of a disagreement, they were separating.  There is no indication that the Holy Spirit said that they could now go their separate ways, but they did anyway.  Paul took on a new partner in Silas and Barnabas took Mark.  Paul didn’t want to take Mark with them because he left then when things got tough.  He just wasn’t there yet in his faith and didn’t understand the determination needed to be faithful in this mission no matter what they faced and let’s face it, these were not easy trips.  The team was constantly up against trouble and tests.  When they went to a new city, they didn’t wonder about the amenities at the best hotels.  They were more concerned about the conditions of that city’s prison because most likely they were going to end up there. Faithfulness was not an easy thing especially when they had no idea how bad it was going to be.

The scripture doesn’t say that this split was against God’s will, but it does say God’s work continued.  These men didn’t give up on their mission, they just went in different directions instead.  Later on, they did work together again and eventually, Paul recognized that Mark had grown into a faithful member of a mission team.  The scripture follows Paul’s story, but Barnabas and Mark still had a story.  They continued in the work of the Lord and ministering to the church everywhere they went.

This may happen in your mission some day too.  For whatever reason, people you work with in one season may move in a different direction at times.  That doesn’t mean your mission stops.  You continue on following where He leads, and you remain faithful to your calling.  If others leave or decide to go another way, God will send you help from another place.  Don’t worry about how you are going to get your mission accomplished, just be faithful to follow each step and He will bring you the people and resources you need to get the work done.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever season you are in to learn faithfulness.  It is the first step in any mission.  It’s not about others and it is not about being right or wrong.  It is about being determined to stay where He puts you until He moves you on.  Doing your best work and having your best attitude no matter what the circumstances are around you.  You can only control one person in this life and that is yourself.  Be the best “you” wherever you are in every season.  Faithfulness is the foundation that will go with your through your whole life and it will be put to the test every step of the way.  Determine today to be the best you can be and when you fall short, He will give you the boost to get up and do it again. And don’t worry if you miss it. the requirement for faithfulness never goes away. If you fail the faithfulness test one day, you can get up the next day and be faithful again. It is required in a steward that one be found faithful. Always! (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:36-41

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 

37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 

38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 

39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 

40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

On the same page

They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.  Acts 15:23

This is amazing!!  In the passage today, it is the continuation of the meeting of the apostles to talk about the dispute about the old covenant.  The apostles got together, discussed how the issue should be handled with the new converts of other nations.  circumcision was no longer a sign or a requirement of the new covenant with God. The new covenant was only able to enter into through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.  When they came to an agreement, they wrote a letter to be sent out to all the churches that were established at that time.  The amazing part is that they were all in agreement and when the churches received the message, verse 31 says: When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. There was no more disputing and there was no more discussion.  The debate was ended and the matter was closed.

Sounds pretty simple and of course it makes sense, but what I am truly in awe of is how the apostles were managing to keep all the new Christians of every nation in agreement without splitting into denominations and disputing doctrine.  Because it was new to the whole world at that time, the apostles had an advantage of being with Jesus through His ministry and that gave them the credibility with the church to determine the direction going forward.  What was to their disadvantage was the speed of the communications.  It was probably weeks if not months for this message to be spread throughout the entire church body.  The church stay in tact while they waited to hear back on the subject and a letter was sent out with the mission team with the results. These men took it to all of the people to read it and the message brought with it great joy to all who heard it and .

Thankfully that message and many more of the letters that were written to the first church have been preserved and we still have them today in the Holy scriptures.  So why can’t the church function as one body instead of being divided into denominations?  Why can’t our disputes and differences be settled today by those same scriptures.  The truth is they can be.  However, all pride and religious mentality would have to be eliminated.  We all, the entire body of believers, would have to come together in the love of God, stand on the blood of Jesus and the salvation that was freely given to each one of us through that blood.  We would have to praise and worship the one true God that we love and adore together in unity.

That doesn’t seem too hard and in fact should not be.  It seems that if our focus as today’s church would be on God and not on correcting one another, we could come into agreement and become a force in this world that would be unstoppable.  No enemy in the heavens or earth will be able to the stop the church when it steps into a place of agreement and love for the world.  I believe we will get there one day soon and have the kind of love that Jesus had, a sacrificial love that is unconditional on behavior or choices.  When we learn to see each other the way God sees each one of us, we can come together regardless of what denomination you are in.

So, how do we start?  First of all, there must be a desire.  Start with talking to our heavenly Father and asking His Spirit to show each heart what He desires for His family and His people.  It is clear in scripture that God planned for His people to be a family.  With family there are always going to be differences, but we work through those to come back into a place of a right relationship. (much like they did in Acts 15)  The good news is we are not in this alone.  We have His help and the power of His Spirit backing us.  God gave us His grace to empower us to walk together as a people united and strong.  We can do this as we keep our Father in heaven the focus in this life and not be distracting with the craziness of the world around us.

Today I want to encourage you to start taking steps toward becoming a stronger family of God.  Step away from pride and the need to be right and instead step into His righteousness in Christ Jesus your Lord and Savior.  Search out the scriptures for the things that all believers agree with instead of looking for differences.  Start where you are and your Father in heaven will multiply your love to impact others around you.  Soon you will be on the same page with the rest of the church and then we will see the sleeping giant rising up to be a dominating power in this dying world that we live in.  He is the only hope for the world we live in today.  Not a political leader and not a world government.  But the only way the world will ever see Him will be when His people begin to be His love and have compassion for all that need a Savior in the world today.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:22-35

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment— 

25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 

26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 

29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 

31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 

32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 

33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.

34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 

35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Be a sharpener

_{Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 & 34}

Have you ever heard the saying “One bad apple will spoil the whole bunch”?  It’s saying that if you have a basket of good apples and one goes bad, it quickly spreads to all that are closely associated.  How about when you were younger, did your mom ever tell you not to hang out with certain friends because she didn’t want you to pick up some of their bad habits?

In today’s reading, Paul gives a similar warning and says that evil associations can weaken and destroy your good habits.  Who you connect with actually impacts your habits whether good or bad.  Proverbs put a positive spin on this saying.  It says: Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (see Proverbs 27:17)  It gives us the impression of one person’s habits rubbing off onto another, but in this scripture it is a good thing. 

Here is the lesson to learn from that.  If you want to improve your life, look for someone who is living successfully in the areas of life that you want to be successful in and then go hang out with them.  Maybe that isn’t possible if the person is a high-profile individual or an admired prominent figure, but people like that may have books or podcasts you can learn from or even by studying them from a distance.  The idea is to become better at doing life by learning and imitating those who have already been through experiences that you are currently going through or even getting into things you don’t want to go through.

Next, wake up to what is right and quit doing what is wrong.  These are not commandments to attain salvation through, these are helps to empower you to live life as a believer and overcomer.  They will empower you to be more productive for God’s kingdom and to enjoy the life that He has blessed you with.  Take it from someone who has lived life the wrong way and God’s way, God’s way is so much better!!!!!!!!  He knows everything you need and He has made every provision for you.  You don’t have to figure things out for yourself, He has a plan and a way to bring you through this life to live it to the fullest joy.  Many people receive salvation, and then they try to drag God down to help them continue on the path they were on before receiving salvation.  God has a better road for you to travel, so take a step up to get on His plan.  Trust me, His way is not any harder than doing it your own way, in fact, it is way easier!  There is no worry, no anxiety, no fear, no struggling, only trusting and following with His peace. The only laboring is to enter His rest, while He brings the resolution to every predicament.  Trust Him to lead and follow what He says.  He will keep you from falling into the pit of life every time you listen and follow.

Today I want to encourage you to step away from evil companions and wake up to God’s way of living right.  Put sinful habits far from your life and press into the love and relationship of your heavenly Father through His provision in Christ Jesus.  You don’t have to look for someone famous or rich to imitate, you can look to the Word of God and find all the instruction you need to make the most out of your life.  Start by surrendering all to Him and then start following His way and leave your wicked ways in the dust!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?

31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Firstfruit

But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

The firstfruits.  It is the first produce of a crop each harvest season.  Proverbs instructs us that we are to honor God with the firstfruit of all our increase.  It means we give our first and best to God.

I imagine what it was like when people actually gave their produce from an agricultural harvest.  It would be the beginning of each harvest season, when the first of the crop is ready to be gathered in.  The people would watch and eagerly wait for the firstfruits to be ready to bring in and then, after it was collected, it would be offered to God as an offering.  The first and best offering of the season.  Of course, they tithed on everything that came in after that, but the first fruit was the most anticipated because they were ready and watching for that crop to be ready for the first pickings.  Not for themselves, but for God!

I can relate to this on a small level, having a small garden of my own.  After it is planted each spring, we carefully watch over and tend to the needs of the vegetation.  Then we watch as it begins to grow and ripen until completion.  It is quite a process.  By the time it is finally ready, we are too.  We are excited when the first is ready to be picked and look forward to when we can actually eat from our garden and enjoy it for the rest of the season.

Today we are talking about Jesus being the firstfruit raised up from the dead.  If you imagine that He was placed in the ground and raised up, like a harvest growing to full maturity until God His Father brought Him out of the grave.  He was the first “seed” that produced an entire crop of people who would be raised up with Him in salvation.  His sacrifice was an offering to God, but His resurrection became the produce that brought in the greatest harvest of all time, the family that God so much desired to have!  Not to be consumed, but to be an offering to the world. 

Jesus’ sacrifice was the greatest offering to God for our sin, but His resurrection was the greatest gift to us from God of new life.  Now we are God’s greatest gift to the world to gather in the family He sent Jesus to rescue from the clutches of hell.

Today I want to encourage you to reap your harvest of salvation.  If you have never received God’s first and best for you, receive it today in His salvation through Christ Jesus.  Pray this prayer or one like it and invite Jesus into your life:

Pray:  God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  Thank you, Jesus for Your grace that has saved me from my sin and has given me eternal life.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.

26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.

28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Submitted to

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.  Acts 15:4

 Today I want to talk about faithfulness in submitting to the authority that you are under.  We all have some kind of authority that we are to be submitted to.  If you are married, then you and your spouse submit to one another. If you still live at home with your parents, then you submit to them and their rules. If you are in school, you submit to the authority of teachers, counselors and principals.  If you have a job, you submit to the authority of your boss.  In your church, you submit to the authority of the pastor and elders and the mission that they are on.  A true example of submitting is shown in faithfulness.  You are faithful to show up.  In your marriage you love and support one another and hopefully are faithful to the mission of raising your family and taking care of your home.  At school faithfulness shows up in submitting to the teachers and following the rules there.  In your church, you are faithful and submit to the mission of the church and the vision of the pastor.

Faithfulness at your job does not mean exposing where things are being done wrong or stepping on others to make yourself look good.  It is showing up on time and doing your best work when you are scheduled the way you are instructed by your employer.  Even if you think you know a better way, you do it your bosses way or else come to an agreement with your boss to have the opportunity to try your way to see how it goes.  You don’t just go behind their back or sneak around.  That is not faithful and that is not submitted to the authority that you have placed yourself under.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul and Barnabas were faced with Jewish leaders teaching that unless they followed the old covenant way of doing things, people could not be saved without the old works of the law.  Paul did not believe that and did not teach it to the gentiles either.  Certainly, he was not going against the ten commandments, but the leaders were telling the gentiles that they had to enter into a covenant with God the way that Abraham did.  They were failing to acknowledge the new covenant that Jesus established in His death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

This is when Paul and Barnabas went back to Jerusalem to submit this issue to the Apostles and leaders of the church.  They did not continue on their mission until this dispute was resolved to whom they submitted themselves to.  Paul was an apostle, but he recognized that his faithfulness to the mission God had called him to was in submission and agreement with the other leaders of the church.

They did come into agreement when the discussed the results they saw God doing despite the nationality of the people or the rituals they perform.  Paul submitted to Peter and James what he had seen the Holy Spirit working in people even though they were not Jewish people. Peter had experienced it too at Cornelius’ house when he first preached to the gentile people.

The point is that even though these men were apostles and the leaders of the New Testament church, they still submitted to one another.  This was the only way that they could come into agreement and the only way that they could be faithful in all that they were called to.

Today I want to encourage you to be faithful by submitting to the authorities that you are under.  Submit to your spouse, to your boss and even your government.  Be a faithful follower and employee by submitting your thoughts and ideas to those over you.  Get out and get active within the laws of the land to be faithful in making your country a better place and submit your feelings and thoughts to the God that loves and makes provision for you. It is required of God’s people to be faithful and the place faithfulness starts is in submitting to one another and authority.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:1-21

1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 

2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 

4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 

5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 

7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 

8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 

9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 

10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 

13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 

14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 

15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’

18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works. 

19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 

20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 

21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Get up and do it again

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.  Acts 14:20

 Nobody really knows if Paul died when he was stoned that day in Lystra or if they just thought he was dead.  What we do know is that when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up.  The surprising part is that he went back into the city where the people just stoned him. I don’t think I would have done that.  However, Paul was determined to make sure that everyone knew that God was with him and would even raise him up if needed.  Even when he was beaten and thrown into prison in Philippi, he wouldn’t leave town until he got a public apology. (See Acts 16:40)

The point is that Paul and Barnabas pressed on through great oppression and persecution.  They did not let any circumstance deter them from their mission and neither should we.  Often times in our life’s journey, we face set back, storms and obstacles, but those are not what our purpose is about.  The problems that we come up against in life are merely winds that blow.  Some harder than others, but just like the breeze of everyday life, when we go out in the weather, we still get to our intended destination each day.  Our circumstances do not determine our mission, our Father in heaven does.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever you are facing or up against in life.  Press on through.  Adjust your focus to the purpose you were given for today.  If that is unclear to you, ask God’s Spirit to open up the eyes or your understanding to see your mission clearly.  Pray for His strength and grace to empower you to complete that mission, then get out there and press through the winds of life.  Don’t let the distractions and pains of this world hold you back.  Determine that with God’s help you will accomplish whatever it is He has for you to complete today.  Then when tomorrow comes, get back up and do it again.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:19-28

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 

20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 

23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 

24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 

25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 

26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 

28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Same Mission

This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed.  Acts 14:9

 As we read through the book of Acts, there seems to be a recurring theme of: opportunity, obstacles, overcoming and growth.  Today’s reading is no different.  Paul and Barnabas were in the town of Lystra, preaching the gospel again.  People are there to listen and receive the message, but when Paul saw a man that was never able to walk, he noticed that the man was listening intently, and Paul could even see that faith was rising up in the man to be healed.  The passage makes it sound like Paul stopped preaching and told the man to get up, so the man did.  Now there was an obstacle. The people that saw it happen immediately jumped to the conclusion that Paul and Barnabas were mythical gods that they had been worshipping up to this point.

There is another person in this passage that was facing opportunity, obstacle, overcoming and growth and that is the man that was healed.  This is where I want to set my focus today.  What happened to this man long ago can still happen today and does in many cases.  When we need miracles in life, we can follow this man’s example and we will see our answers to prayer. 

First off, the man was at the meeting hearing the Word of God.  This is a critical step in building your mountain moving faith.  Romans 10:17 says that faith come from hearing and hearing the Word of God.  Paul could see that the man had faith because that man was in the place to hear God’s Word and it was growing inside of him.  The man believed what he was hearing and allowed it to build up his faith for his healing. If you are in need of answers in you life today, this is the first place you should start too.  Get into God’s word and get to know Him on a personal level.  Spend quiet time with Him each day in prayer and reading His promises to you in the scriptures.  Go to weekend service where you can hear a message of faith directly from God’s word and also be encouraged by other believers.  When you begin here, you are building a foundation for your faith to grow on.

Next, the man believed.  He believed what he was hearing from the apostle Paul.  He believed that God sent Jesus to save and heal him.  He believed that if he continued to listen, his faith would grow, and he too could have the gift of salvation and all the benefits that come with it.  You must believe it also.  No matter what you are up against or what obstacles are coming your way, believe that God has a solution and answer for you, and it is a supernatural one.  Believe that He not only wants to save you, but He wants you to walk out all of your days in His grace and blessings.  He has healing for you, and He has strength for you to walk out your mission in victory.  He will restore your life and any relationships that may have been broken.

Lastly, the man acted.  When he heard Paul’s command to get up, he didn’t even hesitate or make excuses.  He could have said: “No, I have never stood on my feet so there is no strength in them to stand.” Or “I have never walked since the day I was born.”  Instead, he acted on the word he was given because his faith had grown, and he believed that God would give life to his legs.  You must also act if you want to see your miracle. If you are not sure what action you need to take, begin to ask the Holy Spirit for your part in the answer.  It may be obscure and not make sense to you, but one thing you can know for sure is that it will be different than what you think the answer is.  It will line up with the Holy Spirit’s character (fruit) and His Word and it will never be manipulative or deceitful.  But sometimes you have to step back before you step up.  Ask the Lord what was the last thing He asked you to do and if you have not done that yet, it is a good place to start.  Your obedient action is key.  Not so He can control you but so He can get you to the place where your miracle is waiting for you.

Today I want to encourage you to follow the pattern of Acts when opportunity and obstacles comes.  Remember that when you see an opportunity, obstacles are not far behind.  This doesn’t have to be a bad thing; it is just another opportunity to trust God’s direction to get you through the obstacle and eliminate the objections.  Be determined to overcome the obstacles and take hold of your victory.  Follow the example of the lame man at Lystra and get yourself in the secret place with God each day and keep Him with you all day long.  Commit to weekend service at your local church and come together with others to reinforce your faith in His Word.  Know that His Word and promises are also His will for what you are going through.  Believe that God is for you not against you and with God on your side nothing will be impossible.  Lastly, act on His Word and follow the direction the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart.  He will not lead you astray, but His instruction will line up with His Word.  You can even ask for a scripture to stand on as you walk out the things He puts in your heart.  Take hold of your miracle and answers to prayer today by stepping your faith walk up as you press into the love of your heavenly Father.  He has miracles for you, but you have a part in them too.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:8-18

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 

9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 

10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 

11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 

12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 

13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 

15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 

16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 

17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 

18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

Stepping Stones

Therefore, they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.  Acts 14:3

 I never understood perseverance when I was a young person.  I thought that if there was an open door to go through, I would just make the decision about going through that door when the time came.  I often let the circumstances determine my decision.  How was I feeling at the time?  Did the open door look like it was going to make my life better or be more work for me?  Were there going to be any obstacles to overcome as I stepped into that decision and mostly was it going to be to my advantage to take that step instead of staying right where I was?

I didn’t realize that I could take each step in faith.  Not blind faith but knowing God’s plan and then going through the doors that He opened for me, step by step to walk out that plan.  I never recognized that struggles and obstacles were just a part of growing into that new position and I didn’t know that I was passing up many of the opportunities and missions God was opening up in front of me.

Then I started learning how to hear and know when the Holy Spirit was putting something in my heart and path.  I learned to tune in, get the plan, recognize the next steps, ask for the strength and faith to take that step and then hold on to Him and what He had shown me while going through the storms that may blow as I took the step.

This is how the apostles operated.  In today’s reading, Paul and Barnabas continued to preach boldly even though they were facing challenges every step of the way.  At first, their message was heard, believed and received, but then unbelieving Jews began to stir up the crowds and poison the thoughts of the people there to make trouble for Paul and Barnabas.  Verse 3 is simply staggering that says that even though they were facing a lot of kick back and multitudes against their message of faith, Paul and Barnabas stayed even longer.  (I would have taken that as a sign that it was time to leave and God must be done here because we are no longer welcome.)  However, because Paul and Barnabas knew what their mission was and that the Holy Spirit was going to be successful as they persevered, so they stayed until the power of God’s Word produced a victory.

Each phase of life we go through is a crucial stage and the choices we make now will shape our future.  The sooner you begin to press in and hear where God’s Spirit is leading you, the sooner you will have an anchor to hold on to when the storms come.  Begin to set time aside each day to listen, talk with and praise your Father in heaven and start asking Him to make His plan for your day to be plain and clear each step of the way.  Position yourself to regularly connect with godly people who will inspire you and empower you to fill up with the wisdom of God.  Get counsel from those who have gone through similar experience and who know how to live out the assignments from God on their life.

Today I want to encourage you to release the power of God in your life by approaching each day with a purpose mindset.  Know that His strength and empowerment to overcome any challenge is for you when you walk with the Spirit of God step by step.  Even when your journey seems to take a lot of twists and turns, make the determination to walk by faith in what your Father has led you to and the directions He softly speaks to your heart.  When you do, He will give you the boldness to embrace each circumstance as an opportunity for growth and it will be a steppingstone to success for you and the Kingdom of heaven.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:1-7

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 

2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 

3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 

5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 

6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 

7 And they were preaching the gospel there.