It seems today that we have a hard time staying focused for a week, let alone a month or possibly a year. So many are quitting because of so called "burn out". Pastors change callings, churches, and for some even families like they change there underwear. The grass is always greener on the other side, so they say!
The church has given up for the most part on being anything more than just an organization.
But, Paul in chapter 20 verse 22-24 says, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Are we being compelled by the Spirit of God?
Feelings will always leave us empty, broken, tired, and mad at God for not doing what my feeling said He should do.
But if we allow the Holy Spirit to compel us, to lead us, to transform us and empower us we may get tired, but our strength will be renewed. We may get hurt, but He will heal. We may struggle, but He will restore.
Paul came to the place that this life meant nothing, but eternity meant everything. It is only when we let go of this so called american dream life, that we will live lives fulfilled. The american dream says get more stuff, then you will be happy. But we are not happy, we are more broken, lost, and hurt then ever before.
It is amazing to read about the integrity of the new followers of Christ. These people were getting it in a way that I know I miss out in even after 11 years after giving my life to Christ.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 19 it is mentioned that the Lord was being honored. The next sentence mentions that they spoke openly about failures, they even went so far as to cut off their connection to the former way of life! Next, we see the Kingdom growing and the Good News traveling fast. There is a connection between thieir choice to serve God wholeheartedly and the Gospel spreading. What can life look like with surrender?
Chapter 19 is by far one of the most convicting chapters in the book of Acts. On Sunday, I hear a good word and I am convinced to live a more Christian life. However, before the day is through that same motivation has dwindled or even disappeared. Yet Paul in all that he endured stayed committed to God’s word.
ReplyDeleteMy life’s tribulations, and those of many others, do not compare to that of Paul’s. Yet I still fall short of God’s word. Paul speaks of being lead by the Spirit (rather than feelings and/or sight). In Chapter 20, Paul even teaches us what to watch out for. Yet we still fail.
All throughout the book of Acts, God uses everyday people like us to describe “today’s” world (to make it more relatable to us). He then gives us instructions and warnings. Yet we still fail. I am, along with so many others are, crying out to live for Christ. I just continue to pray and try to remain faithful that one day … one day … I can truly lay down “my” life and live for Christ.
It is exciting to read through this book and see the acts of the early church. The early church was bold and never hesitated for a second. They valued eternal life over the world. I think that sometimes we forget that this world and our current life situation is temporary. We need to remember that everything we do, how we live, what type of impact we have on people will determine how we spend eternity. Paul understood that. The value of eternal life was worth sooo much more to him than today. I think knowing that and the love of Jesus is what got them through the hardships. Being a believer and following Christ does not mean we our going to have a sugar coated life, and sometimes I think that if live is a little to easy for us, maybe we need to step up our game. Because God is worth it. He was worth it then, in Acts, and he is worth it now. It's easy for us to be motivated by reading through the book of Acts and to see the early church building something BIG, but they had no book to read, no inspiration other than the Holy Spirit. Why isn't that enough for us now?
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