God Is Our Enemy, Until…..

In Acts chapter 4 we read Peter addressing the religious leaders after he and John are detained for healing a crippled man of 40+ years. Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is the only way to be saved. As we read further we come to the scene in which the religious leaders demand Peter and John to never speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter boldly tells them that God wants our obedience. Part of that is not obeying man when it violates Gods clear instructions for our behavior. Why is it that people despise the name of Jesus? Why is it that the world wants to silence faithful believers from proclaiming the Gospel? Why does the name of Jesus offend people? Simply because they know He is God. And God is our enemy until we submit to His sovereignty. I don’t even have to prove this. Go out on the street and talk about Jesus and the Gospel. You will get opposition immediately. If this weren’t true, you wouldn’t be told to keep quiet. It’s been going on since the origins of the NT, and it will continue until He returns a second time. It’s just proof that we need a Savior; we have a dilemma called sin, and the only remedy is Jesus. Save yourself some pain, come to Him today. The Gospel is called “Good News” for a reason.

1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected,which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. Acts 4:1-22

Redirected To Him….

One characteristic of a true follower of God is his/her ability to redirect praise toward God when it is intended to make them take the credit. Humility is knowing Who gets the credit, and making sure the focus is redirected to Him.

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. Acts 3:9-13a

Lying…..

Lying has consequences, regardless of what we think.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. Proverbs 19:5

You Can Count On That….

In Psalm 75 there are several concepts about God that are noteworthy. First, God will punish the wicked. It’s in His timing, not ours. It’s so easy to lose site of this. Next, it’s God Who holds the world together. When we think things are falling apart, He is the One Who keeps its foundations firm. Third point, boasting and defiance is not acceptable behavior according to God. God is the One Who Judges, not us. We don’t have all the facts, nor do we know all the motives. It’s God Who determines who will rise and who will fall. Lastly, it’s our gratitude to the Giver of the gifts, not the gifts themselves we need to focus on. When we focus on the gifts, our life follows temporary, and often misdirected motives. God will always break the strength of the wicked, because the wicked always opposes Him. And God will always strengthen those whose hearts are fully dedicated to following Him. He’s consistent with these concepts, for it’s in His character. And God doesn’t change. You can count on that.

1 We praise you, God,we praise you, for your Name is near;people tell of your wonderful deeds. 2 You say, “I choose the appointed time;it is I who judge with equity.3 When the earth and all its people quake,it is I who hold its pillars firm.4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;do not speak so defiantly.’ ” 6 No one from the east or the westor from the desert can exalt themselves.7 It is God who judges:He brings one down, he exalts another.8 In the hand of the Lord is a cupfull of foaming wine mixed with spices;he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earthdrink it down to its very dregs. 9 As for me, I will declare this forever;I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.” Psalms 75

Why Does God’s Word Pierce Some Hearts, And Not Others?

Why does God’s word pierce some hearts, and not others? The answer lies in the heart of each human being. Is it receptive to truth? Is it honest enough with itself? What makes a person’s heart like this? I don’t really know. What I do know is selfishness and pride play a huge role in it. Here in Acts chapter 2, we read of Peter’s speech piercing the hearts of about 3,000 people. These 3,000 hearts had the receptiveness to truth and was honest enough to ask the hard question: “what should we do?” Then they were willing to do whatever was required; repenting of their sins and putting their faith in Jesus. What makes a receptive and willing heart? God makes them. Do you have one? One filled with the Holy Spirit and willing to sacrifice yourself for His namesake? Willingness and honesty are gifts from God. But they need to be cultivated through the fires of refinement. It starts with dying to self. Selfishness is the roadblock of making any progress with accepting and sharing the Gospel. It’s time to “get over ourselves”. The right response to conviction is what we see here in Acts chapter 2. It’s what we all need to do when the Jesus comes knocking at our door.

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:36-41

Angry Towards Him?

Why are the majority of people, who profess they don’t believe God exists, angry towards Him?

3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. Proverbs 19:3

Paying The Ultimate Price….

Why does money turn people away from God? Because people think money empowers them, and it gives them “status”, and the ability to say “No” to Him. Its deception at its finest. To think that by possessing money, you become more important or better than others is absurd. Money can never replace the One True Living God. Nor can it transform your status from a unforgiven sinner into important. It’s man’s duty to pursue and know God. Until he does, he will continue to live pretending to be something he’s not (like an actor in a movie). And unfortunately for him, at the end of his life, the credits will roll and he will end up paying the ultimate price.

23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. Proverbs 18:23