Forever friends

       "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should

          inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for

                them and the exact places where they should live."

                                           ACTS 17:26

        Did you catch that?  It's no mistake that you are living in this century, this decade, and this very year. It's no accident that you are residing you see ever day. And is your circle of friends just coincidence? No way. God has determined it.

        Just think. You could hVe easily been born i. Another time, another place. Or you could have been raised on the other side of the country think how different your life would be growing up with a whole new set of childhood friends and neighbors.

        Of all the billions of posibilities, of all the millions of people with who. You could have been best friends, God determined the exact time and place wgere you should live. When you consider this amazing fact your friendships take on a nee and profound significance. God has a special reason, a unique design in each friendship. He chose to surround your life with these certain and treasured dear ones for good reasons.

        As Christians, these are the people with who. You will live for eternity, enjoying as even greater dimension of friendship. Because God has placed you togerher on earth at this time and this place, you and has placed you and has placed you together on earth at this time and in this place, you and your friends have a chNce to get a head start on God's eternal plan.

       Father I stand i awe at your wisdom and ways. You could have

       Placed me anywhere on this earth, but You determined that I

       should  Live here and now teach me what this means. Show 

       me your special design for my friend and family. And thank You

       that each person You put in my life is precious in your eyes.

"Bland Believers"

              "I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish 

                   the men who are settled in complacency."

                                     Zephaniah 1:12

Have you  sipped yesterday's coffee? Or slurped warm ice cream? Both are tepid. Neither one tastes the way it should! Disappointingly, the aren't what you expect.

         It's the same way with our zeal for  God. Perhaps before you knew the lord, you were very  cold to spiritual things. Then, when you finally came to truth and began your walk with the Lord, you were on fire burning hot, perhaps.

         Sadly, many believers over time become complacent, content, and lukewarm. Complacency is a serious spiritual condition. In fact, God looks at apostay with anger but it is indifference that makes Him sick.

         Do you srttle for what is convenient and comfortable, instead of being bold and speaking truth? Do you compromise your  belief and behavior because you feat offending others?

         Perhaps your fsith has become lukewarm. Ask God to ignite this fire within your heart so He can revive the lukewarm parts of your life. You will become zealous and committed in your drawing near to Him in prayer and eorship.

         My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten your words.

         Psalm 119:139

"Distressed By Idolatry"

 "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols"

                                                                               ACTS 17 : 16

It must best timing experience for Paul to come to Athens, the intellectual center of the first-century world. As a native and longtime resident of the educational center of Tarsus, and as one who was reared and educated by leading Jewish thinkers in Jerusalem, he is comfortable in academic circles. Though Athens has lost much of its politcal and commercial influence since Roman conquered it in 146 B.C. It remains a major center of art, literature, and philosophy. 

        Buf Paul discovers that the city is thoroughly, sickeningly devoted to pagan idolatry. Luke says the city is  "given over" to false gods. "In spite of its distinction of being the center of learning and artistry, this city. Exceeded all others in spiritual blindness and indulged in unrivaled idolatry." Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes in his commentary on Acts. Luke says Paul's spirit is "provoked" by this situation; other Bible translations render his action. As "greatly disressed" (NIV) and "stirred" (KJV). Perhapshe is offended by this large-scale affront to God and moved to compassion for the misguided people (Matt.9:36). In any event, he realizes he cannot kerp silent, and he begins to reaso. In the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearers, and in the marketplace with anyone he encounters.

       The maketplace is where Athens' philosophers gather to debate, and Paul's words are heard by the Epicureans, who teach that every being seeks happiness by maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain; and the Stoics, who teach that humans find happiness by accepting their fate submissively. They disdainfully call Paul a "babbler," and in their ignorance of Christisnity they mistakenly assume he is speaking of two gods (Jesus and Anastasis, Greek for 'resurrection"). They then take him to the Areopagus, literally the "hill of Ares." The governing council once met there; and the name became attached to the council even when it met elsewhere; it appears that Paul is taken before the council, not to the hill. This council supervise education to ensure that new teaching didnot constitute a threat to the state; its members ask to hear Paul's doctrine that they might pass judgement on it. But they are curious , too, for, as Luke notes, they love ti hear new things. So the door is opened for the Gospel to be preached to the governing council in the cultural center of the world. (Acts 17:16-21),

"MOTIVE OF HEART"

         "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, 

                   but according to His mercy He saved us"

                                           Titus 3:5

Are you involved in various activities at your church with the mistaken purpose of ensuring your place in  Heaven? Those activities may be valuable as good deeds, but none of us can work our way into Heaven.

         In the early days of the church, the nee believer fellowshipped and prayed together. They lived God and their outflow of devotion to Him waa expressed in their love for one another. Sadly,that initial passion faded in time and was replaced by effort. Through history, many "good deeds" have been done with a desire tolease God, but that doesn't always ensure that He is genuinely pleased with such effort!

         The Scriptures teach us that God looks on our hearts, and He loves to see us glowing with passion for his work, His will and His people.

         Do you sometimes struggle with doing more rather than loving God more? The Lord looks at the motives of the heart, not the sweat of the brow. Serve the Lord because you love Him, not because of what you might earn.

         For you do not desire sacrifice, or else i would give it,

          you do not delight i  burnt offering. The sacrifice of 

        God are a broken spirit, a brokenand a contrite heart

        these, O God, you will not despise Psalm 51:16,17

"Bring people to Jesus"

"He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, " We have found the Messiah"

(Which is translated, the Christ).

JOHN 1:41(KJV)

  People become known for many things. Noah is known as a righteous man in an evil age. David is known as the man after God's own heart. Peter is known outspoken disciple. John is known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Judas is known as the betrayer. Paul is known as fearless of the gospel. Andrew is known for bringing other to Jesus.

  The first person andrew brought to Jesus was his brother peter. As soon as Peter joined the disciple, he became the spokenperson for the Twelve, while Andrew remained in the background. It was Peter, not Andrew, who rose to prominence as one of Jesus' inner circle of three. We do not read of Andrew resenting Peter, it seems he was satified to bring others to Jesus and leave the result to Him.

   It is not surprising that Andrew found the boy with the boy with the loaves  and fishes and brought him to Jesus (John 6:8-9). Andrew brought Greeks to Jesus, even though they were despised by pious Jews (John 12:20-22). There is no record of ever preaching a sermon, performing a miracle, or  writng a book of Scripture. He is remembered for those whom he brought to Jesus.

  Andrew is a good role model for us. Our job is not to transform people into Christians nor to convict them of their sin. It is not our responsibilty to make people do what they ought to do.

   Our task is to bring them to Jesus, and He will perform His in divine work in their lives.

" Hidden from the Wise"

 "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden These things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."

 LUKE 10 : 21

 One hindrance to hearing a word from God may be our own wisdom. Wisdom, like success, can delude us to think we should take the role of teacher rather student. Our knowledge lulls us into thinking we have sufficient wisdom to meet any challenge. Believing we are wise unaware of how much growth is still required in ourselves.

     The Pharisees were the religious experts of their day. They possessed much information about God, but they had no personal relationship with Him. Their knowledge clouded their view of their condition before God. Jesus thanked His Father that it was not to these "expert" that the Father had revealed spiritual truth, but rather to those were humble and who recognized their need for God's revelation.

     When religious leaders experience spiritual failure, their down fall is often met with surprise. It shouldn't be. Religious people with the most knowledge can easily lead to pride, and pride impedes us from seeking God.

      How do you know if you are a "pharisee"? When you do not have a teachable spirit. When you become defensive if a fellow Christian shares a concern about your spiritual condition. When you do not seek to hear from God, believing you already know what He thinks. When you feel that you are capable of helping others in their spiritual lives, your actions and pinns others thinking that was right for you and in the sight of God. But no one teach you anything. Don't allow the limited knowledge you now have to blind you to the great truths God still wants to reveal to you. Next time make it straight so we can run the race that is in us.

" Fearlessness"

       "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words 

        may be given so  that I  will  fearlessly  make  known the

         mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in 

         Chains. Pray that I may deckare it fearlessly, as I should"

                                                             ---Ephesians 6 : 19-20

        The apostle Paul may be considered one of the most bold and courageous ambassador of the Gospel, but even he got butterflies in his stomach. In one paragraph, he twice asks for prayer for courage i. Sharing the truth of the Gospel. How odd to think that even the great apostle felt fear 

         We can identify with Paul's struggle. When it cmes to declaring the Gospel, whether pointing an unbeliever ti Christ, or exposing sin in the life of a fellow believer, many would rather drop broad hints abd hope tgat the Holy Spirit would do the rest. Often we are an emotional mixed bag, fearful of saying the right thing in the wrong place or the wrong thing in the right place

        Sometimes we are fearful of not only de karing the Gospel but of demonstrating it. Compassion may have suited our Lord, but perhaps we would rather drop coins in a Salvation Army bucket and remain at an arm's-length distance from people with real hurts

        Fear is natural for humans. Fearlessness is a supernatural grace God gives when we, like Paul, pray and ask for courage.

        We may fumble wutb what to say. When and how to say it; we 

        May struggle with what to do, when and how to do it. That's 

        Why prayer is the best preface to either declaring of demon-

        strating the Gospel. The Lord is our resources for courage.

        Lord, I need Your courage today. Help me to look for opportunities

        To make known Your Gospel. And when I open my mouth, please

        Give me words so that I can fearlessly declare and demonstrate

        Your Gospel of love.