Thursday, July 7, 2011
Acts 15:23 "Settle Truth into Minds" (July 8)
Acts 15:23 Paul and Barnabas, along with Barsabbas and Silas, took the Word to Antioch. Others had come and unsettled minds with their words. Oh that our words would settle Truth into the minds of those we love and meet. Sink the Truth into hearts. Those in Antioch rejoiced because of the encouragement of the letter. The Law of Moses that had been read in synagogues for generations, now for the Gentile as well as Jews. Abstain from idols and from sexual immorality. And Judas and Silas continued to encourage with many words. There are so many many hurting people this day. Friends like Melana who just lost her son-in-law. Wish we could find the words to say. May the Spirit of God settle our own minds and those we serve that Truth may flow.
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As I read today's passage, it kept saying to me..."encourage one another". The disciples went from town to town and encouraged the new believers with the Word and the Word tells us that they were lifted up and encouraged. I have one dear friend who is the most beautiful encourager. She truly has the gift of encouraging and edifying. Sometimes there are no words that will encourage, but our presence and a pat on the arm or a hug can lift another brother or sister in Christ. We do need to lift each other up in prayer daily and whenever He brings someone to mind, even if we know of no prayer need we can still lift them to the Lord and ask Him to bless them,for Him to be their encourager and whatever else He brings to your mind. The Holy Spirit will tell you what to pray IF you will but ask Him. Blessings on all of you. Even if I don't comment every day I am reading the passage every day and reading whatever comments you all make.
ReplyDeleteSettling Truth, no more strife of man's contraints, and the Gentiles rejoiced. And glorious Peace of mind, as the disciple and his missionaries encouraged.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful thing to know an encourager. They are the kind of person everyone loves to be around. And to be an encourager pretty much requires our full attention on God.
Then, when problems arise, they still had the wise counsel of the Holy Spirit to direct them, and God used it mightily.
"And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other."
Even when a dispute arises, like whether to take John Mark with them on their journey, they settle the dispute with a pro-active approach. The Gospel didn't stop being spread because they couldn't agree. God's Spirit led them to resolution and the Good News was spread twice as fast with two teams.
Makes me wonder today if it is God's Plan for us not always to agree, and to embrace those who do not agree with things that aren't clear in Scripture, so that the Gospel Truth is spread further, so that more may be saved.
Blessed Friday--let's be encouragers in Christ this day. We all know someone who needs it.