Good Morning Pastor John,
Wanted to share that I was able to get hooked up on the Skype and take part in listening in on the meeting last night. Was great to hear everyone. The testimony about the elderly man calling in on the radio, and the brother’s obedience to follow the Spirit’s direction was beautiful. Very touching! I kept thinking how that man has lived all his 80 yrs, and how good God is to bring such joy and truth to him during this time of his life. How blessed he is. And how good it feels to know that the Lord is blessing him spiritually! I’m sure it’s a joy for him to have his new chair, but God had much more planned with that delivery.
It is definitely our blessing as well, when we see our bro/sis’s being blessed!
Also, in reading the Thought for the Evening on line this morning, you began with one of my all time favorites (bunches of them I guess) Acts 5:30-32: “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him”.
I’ve always loved how direct and to the point this one is! Those Jewish leaders were not a bit confused at what Peter was telling them. That’s why they were furious and wanted to kill him. You can just about picture it. They totally understood that he was implying that they were simply disobedient…or in other words… the ones whom God hath not given to them that disobey him.
Those beginning commands that Jesus said so many times over to obey: just believe and repent.
Every time I read that scripture it has been so clear. This is one of those scriptures where, by saying one thing, it actually states two facts…God gives the holy Ghost to those who obey, which only leaves that He does not give the holy Ghost to those who disobey.
I’ve pondered many times on how to “lovingly” address this flip flop question, of this scripture, to the many who do not have the Spirit. You know what I mean? It’s such a good one! Reminds me again how Peter stated in Acts 2:39, “For the promise is unto you,….even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” If He promised you something, and you hadn’t gotten it, wouldn’t you be questioning that??? Goodness, we get hurt and question it when even a man breaks his promise to us! This is in regards to the many who think it’s just ok, and you don’t have to have the holy Ghost. But GOD promised it, to those he calls. So again, if a person believes they are called of God, then that scripture states it is their promise from God, and He would’ve given to them. And he doesn’t break a promise…no matter what a person may personally think.
I feel and hope that these are a few of those scriptures that could really make someone begin questioning some things.
Have you ever had any experiences where you have shared and addressed those scriptures (and hopefully helped inspire their self questioning) with anyone?
Love,
Melissa
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Hi Melissa.
That is a very good point about questioning why the promise is not given, if we have not yet received it. My father said it this way: If a parent promises a small child anything, the longer time goes on, the more excited and insistent they become. That is how we will be if we become “as little children”, the way Jesus aid we must, if we hope to receive the salvation of the Lord.
I have pointed out that Scripture in Acts 5 many times, but I have learned that it does not matter how clearly I can see it, or how well I can explain it to someone. If God does not have mercy on that person as He has had mercy on me, then that person cannot understand it.
After God reveals truth, it seems so simple! But it must be revealed to the next person, or the simplicity of the gospel will seem to him very complicated and confused. That is one thing that should prove to us that the gospel must be revealed and that it is ONLY by the mercy of God that we understand it. It IS simple! If understanding God’s truth were simply a matter of intelligence, masses of people would understand it. But because of God’s choice, only a few understand it now, or ever will.
If we rightly understand anything, let us bow very low at Jesus’ feet and thank him for showing mercy on us, and pray that he will show others the same grace.
Pastor John
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