THE CALL OUT TO THE WORLD
I greet you in the name of Jesus:
KNOWING that we have a calling as the Church established by Christ and living out that calling is two different things. Many times it is hard to realize how much we fail at doing the things that we would like to do for God. We may feel inadequate for the calling that we have been given...and we may well be not ready for it when we get the call from God to do a work. When those of the newly established Church were called on to spread the Good News of Christ throughout the world I have no doubt that they saw themselves as being "Not ready" to do that work.
In Acts 16:6-40 we find that determination to continue to find places that would even accept the Gospel of Christ were few and far between until through the Spirit of Christ they were told about Macedonia. It was there that they ran across Lydia in Phillipi. It is there that the Lord opened up her heart. In those days when someone believed they went all out in their change, and usually the entire household was converted to God's call for them. In those days there were slaves and servants involved in running a house hold that we don't have today. Whenever the head of the household converted to a belief the entire household did also without any question. This also brought on a great contest of what people believed and often the entire community was effected by that change. Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth which was among the most expensive things available at that time because of the process of getting that color of pigment. Lydia was not only a believer, but she also opened up her house to Paul, Silas and Timothy. It was this gesture that allowed them a foot hold within the community to change the view of the Gentiles toward God and to establish a new church. Today Christians are being forced to rely on one another's true love and gestures of help as they had to in those first days. The ridicule and public protest of love from God is getting stronger, and with more focus than at any time since the beginning of the church...which is what Christ predicted would happen for those who genuinely followed Him. Paul and Silas found themselves in prison because they stood for their faith in Christ. I do believe that the day is fast approaching when we too will find that same kind of response to our lives in Christ. It is more important than ever before that we take up the cause of Christ toward one another to show His deep compassion and love to those around us. Jesus has told us that we cannot survive alone...may you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
KNOWING that we have a calling as the Church established by Christ and living out that calling is two different things. Many times it is hard to realize how much we fail at doing the things that we would like to do for God. We may feel inadequate for the calling that we have been given...and we may well be not ready for it when we get the call from God to do a work. When those of the newly established Church were called on to spread the Good News of Christ throughout the world I have no doubt that they saw themselves as being "Not ready" to do that work.
In Acts 16:6-40 we find that determination to continue to find places that would even accept the Gospel of Christ were few and far between until through the Spirit of Christ they were told about Macedonia. It was there that they ran across Lydia in Phillipi. It is there that the Lord opened up her heart. In those days when someone believed they went all out in their change, and usually the entire household was converted to God's call for them. In those days there were slaves and servants involved in running a house hold that we don't have today. Whenever the head of the household converted to a belief the entire household did also without any question. This also brought on a great contest of what people believed and often the entire community was effected by that change. Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth which was among the most expensive things available at that time because of the process of getting that color of pigment. Lydia was not only a believer, but she also opened up her house to Paul, Silas and Timothy. It was this gesture that allowed them a foot hold within the community to change the view of the Gentiles toward God and to establish a new church. Today Christians are being forced to rely on one another's true love and gestures of help as they had to in those first days. The ridicule and public protest of love from God is getting stronger, and with more focus than at any time since the beginning of the church...which is what Christ predicted would happen for those who genuinely followed Him. Paul and Silas found themselves in prison because they stood for their faith in Christ. I do believe that the day is fast approaching when we too will find that same kind of response to our lives in Christ. It is more important than ever before that we take up the cause of Christ toward one another to show His deep compassion and love to those around us. Jesus has told us that we cannot survive alone...may you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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