Tag: Acts 17

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How to Know Jesus is Moving

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I want to share with you the Word of the Lord that really encouraged me in the place that I’m in. And that place is not just Grantsville, WV, although that’s my home town, the place that I’m in is Heaven.

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Christ is entered into heaven as the forerunner, to take possession of it for his people, in their name; and to prepare mansions of glory for them, and in these we sit. We sit there already through Him. That is where we find pleaseure, rest, safety and security. You can’t find that in this world. 

But I’ve been in a position recently that has caused me to question a great many things. But God is faithful. I am not. I’ll run from God and run from the Holy Spirit if I feel it’s a struggle I’m not ready for. But whom ever it was that coined the phrase “If God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it,” knew what they were saying.

So when I finally made a decision to move out of the place that I was in and move forward, things started happening. Peace began to come. The battle didn’t become any easier, but it became manageable. God began to guide me by taking me on a journey through the Word, through music, through all the things that I had relied on for so many years. 

There was joy in the journey for me today. 

When Apostle Paul got saved, I would venture a guess that there were many people who questioned his ministry. Was it real? He had been previously killing Christians? Why was He such a zealot? I can understand that one…Because he came from dead religion and he knew where he was headed!  It’s no wonder that people questioned his sincerity, but it didn’t change the truth that Paul had the power of God on him and the ability to preach Christ. To those who really knew him, they knew God had chosen him for a specific ministry, a ministry to the Gentiles. 

So it causes me to question myself, Who is my ministry too? Is it to a select group, like women, or children? Is it to all people? Is it through music, the written word, the spoken word… there are so many avenues to take. Which one Lord? Did Paul question his? No… I think he simply went where the Spirit lead. And when he got there, he joyed in his journey too and there was movement in the community. 

There is Movement When There’s Real Warriors

Paul faced persecution and unhappy religious people in Acts 17:6 where it says  “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. 

Not only did Paul face persecution but it caused his friends to get caught up in it as well. Paul and his ministering buddies had turned the world upside down. Would to God we would move that way today!  When you find ministering people who realize the battle we’re in they are true warriors for Christ. They understand our role of bringing the word to the people even in the face of adversity. 

Turning the world upside down happened in Paul’s day, I believe it happened again in the 1730-40’s in England during the great awakening. Throughout America and England in the mid 1800’s. Again in Chicago in 1875-1885. The Welsh Revivals in the early 1900’s, and through Billy Sunday and Billy Graham throughout the 1900s at various times. What brought on those Revivals? Were they in a honeymoon period of life. No… There was a movement because times were changing. Life was hard and people needed hope. Can you see the relevance today and the need for warriors for Christ’s Word. 

There is Movement When the Real Word is being spoken

Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so. 

Luke, Paul and their friends were taking the community by storm. The people were hungry for the word and they were searching the scripture with a mind ready to soak it in like a sponge. Are we that hungry? I love preaching. If I had to choose between the two, I’d choose the Word of God any day over music. Even though I love music. It all has a place in the ministry but it should all point us to the Word of God and Jesus Himself. One should not replace the other. But if the church does not have a hunger for the word of God, something is wrong. I don’t care how many times I’ve read it, every time I read it, it’s as if it were the first. There’s a new application or clarity that appears and my soul is stirred with a desire to know more. 

When the word takes root in your soul, there is also a desire that should run through you to do something with it. Not just sit and soak. But soak and serve. We are not given knowledge to horde it like a pack rat. We have a responsibility like Paul to take that word somewhere. It needs to move from the church house, from the recliner,  where ever it is that you’ve read it or heard it, it needs to move from there to the ears of someone else. Maybe it’s the Sunday dinner table. Maybe it’s breakfast at the restaurant with friends, perhaps to a ten year old that’s got questions about faith. But move with the Word of God.

There is Movement When there’s Real Worship

Acts 17:23-28 KJVS

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. [24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Glory! We are the children of God. While the world follows false idols and false ways, those of us who know God, found Him even in the darkness. I wasn’t even looking for Him when I found Him. I was a part of dead religion and thought I knew Him. But we can feel Him, like a blind man feels to find his way. God was never far away, even in our most lost state, He was just waiting for us to call out His name. And He’s still waiting for those who have yet to do it. That’s what this life is about… us showing others to the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s our job. Every child of God has the responsibility to share Jesus with those they come into contact with. It’s a divine appointment that should not be shrugged off or handed off to someone else. 

Those people who were worshipping the false gods wanted an experience that can only be had through the Spirit of the One true God. Once you experience true worship, you know that anything you had prior to that pales in comparison. Why there are dead Christians, I don’t know. I’ve really tried to figure that out. Are they lost? No, I don’t believe they’re lost. But there is certainly something missing for them if they’ve not felt the movement of the Holy Spirit in their life. 

Are you asking what it feels like to feel the power of God moving? For me, my heart rate speeds up.  There is joy that feels like it is being poured like oil into my soul. It has caused me to weep uncontrollably, and believe me I tried to control it because I hate drawing attention to myself. I have seen it work through other people the same way and different ways, but I knew God was moving in their life. I didn’t know what He was doing, but I knew He was doing something. It was a worship experience. That’s what the movement of God does. 

If you’ve not experienced Him like that, I’m sorry. I pray you do. God desires His people to experience worship because that worship is us thanking and praising Him for all He’s done. I think it’s why people like me received the worship experience early in my walk with Christ and it never left, because I know how much gratitude I have (which is not enough) but I am so very thankful for God bringing me out of dead religion, a headed for Hell life and never having had peace until I experienced salvation. 

Do you know Him? Do you have that peace? If not, please, message me, let me tell you how I came to know Him. 

For more information about me, Shari Johnson, the Jesus Chick, check out the TheJesusChick.com, Ridgeviewnews.com or FGGAM.org, You’ll find my information and much more there. If you’d like to send a message send it via email to talk2shari@gmail.com or message me at 3043776036.

Posted in Life Inspiration

The Final Day of Court

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Final Day of Court

For this week, the Jesus Chick has been the Ridgeview Publisher for a greater portion, spending 3 of the 5 days of the work week, (although I technically work seven); but these days I spent in the Circuit Court of Calhoun. Listening as the justice system worked as best it could in a broken world. Judge Anita Harold Ashley rules over the Court of Calhoun and I do not envy her job. Nor that of anyone else in that courtroom. I do love to watch the cases and trials play out. I love reporting on them and allowing the community to know the facts. I love the same about the Word of God. Not the facts as Shari sees them, but the facts of the Word, in black and white, allowing them to speak for themselves. But to study the Word requires a little more in-depth reading, finding trustworthy resources and listening to the Spirit for guidance.

My thoughts this morning began on scripture referring to a group of disciples from Acts 17:6 KJVS – …have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Should that not be the goal of every Christian “to turn the world upside down” for the cause of Christ. And so they did. But as I read on in Chapter 17, I came to Paul’s Preaching on Mars Hill; immediately my mind went to the fall of the Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. A church no doubt named from this event in scripture. I’m not familiar enough with the church to stand in judgement, I only know that great was the fall of it. I don’t know the facts as would have been presented in the cases in court last week, but I know this; the bigger the church, the bigger the influence, but not necessarily for the cause of Christ.

Mars Hill began as a home church, by Pastor Mark Driscoll. I don’t know their doctrine, but I have no doubt the original group began with a good heart and without thought of what would transpire down the road. At some point the power within the body of that church must have stopped allowing the Spirit to guide and began guiding and judging for themselves.

There is but One Judge

Paul addresses the men of Athens and calls them not only superstitious but ignorant. Prior to salvation Paul had been in a position of judging men as one of the highest Jewish leaders. But now Paul did not stand in judgment as a Jewish leader but as a new creature in Christ. Having received the truth of God on the road to Damascus in Chapter 9 of this book. His wisdom came from both his knowledge of the Word of God and the revealing of wisdom through the Spirit of God. And now he stood before men who were clueless to either.

Acts 17:22-34

[22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. [23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. [24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Paul was speaking to the men of Athens in Areopagus, in the midst of that court of judicature, amidst the Areopagites, the judges of that court, and the wise and learned philosophers of the different sects that were assembled together. They considered themselves more religious because they worshipped more gods. Even touting one that was unknown and building an idol to it. But Paul tells them who this God is and allows them to judge the facts for themselves. He is unwavering on the fact that there is only One capitol “G” God.

This is the problem with America (one of many) is that we have allowed too many religious people to influence the church, rather than the church influencing the religious. The Church has not stood its ground but rather allowed the world to infiltrate the church to the point that God is unrecognizable as Who He actually is. The nature of God does not debate. God speaks in facts. That’s one of the things I love about Judge Ashley, is her confidence. Have I always agreed with her. No. But that’s because we live in a broken world. And it’s not my call it’s hers that matters. In my life I’ve had virtually no confidence to speak of. Except when it comes to Christ. Because the word of God has not ever been up for debate. Men may lie, but there is none that can truthfully dispute anything in it. I still have no confidence in me, but I have the utmost in the Highest!

There are but Two Types of Men

The saved and the unsaved.

[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. [29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

From the beginning of time there has been one plan, for all men to belong to God. But He gave them free choice as to whether or not they were His. At first salvation came through Israel, and then the law of Israel. But Israel’s continual rebellion allowed for Gentile grace and there was a new way and a new opportunity, but no change in God. It all revolved around the fact that He is Holy and He cannot be approached without the blood. While the Jewish law allowed for blood sacrifice in the temple, those days are long gone. The temple sacrifice was replaced once and for all, for both Jew and Gentile, with the blood of Jesus. So there is now one nation of men in God’s eyes who have all been given the choice of salvation.

There will come a day when God’s attention turns back to the Jews and the Gentiles will be called out of this earth in the Rapture.

Judgment will Come

[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. [32] And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. [33] So Paul departed from among them. [34] Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Just as it was in the days that Paul stood in Mars Hill there are still those who mock and those who cleave. But what I found fascinating about those that cleaved were the two that Paul mentioned by name. Dionysius and Damaris. The only place you’ll find their names mentioned in scripture. But through the study of others much wiser than me, I discovered that the first, Dionysius the Areopagite was a judge in the court of Areopagus. The business of this court was not only to try causes of murder, which seems to have been the original business of it; but by these judges the rights of the city were preserved and defended, war was proclaimed, and all law suits adjusted and decided; and they made it their business to look after idle and slothful persons, and inquire how they lived: they always heard and judged causes in the night, in the dark, because they would only know facts, and not persons, lest they should be influenced by their afflictions, and be led wrong; they were very famous in other nations for their wisdom and skill, and for their gravity and strict justice.

The words of Julian the emperor said, “let an Areopagite be judge, and we will not be afraid of the judgment.’

That is confidence! This was from their confidence in the truth of that court. Would to God there were more Christians of such trustworthiness. But the point of this is, Dionysius trusted ONLY in the truth. And it was he that cleaved to the ministry of Paul, because Paul too was a man of truth, and most of all the Word of God is nothing but truth.

And then there was Damaris. A woman that must have been of notable and noble character to have been mentioned in the Word of God. It says nothing of her life, only her name. While there was speculation about who she was it was only speculation and no fact. So I rendered no truth from it. But what I do render as truth is God knows her name. And that I’ll meet her one day in eternity and I can ask her then perhaps, what her role in this story was. But for now I am satisfied with the knowledge that whether or not the world sees her as someone, God does. And that’s all that matters is His judgment.

So the question is, where do you stand this morning? Are you confident in your salvation? If not, let’s chat.

Posted in Life Inspiration, Life's Failures, Word of God, worship

When Life’s a Mess, break out the Mess Kit!

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There are days I draw nigh to God, and there are days when I run as far from Him as I can get for fear that His holiness will burn the hide off my unholy nature. I thank God for certain that I live in the dispensation of grace and not law, else my previous statement would be fact not a figment of my imagination. I thought today how I have people who look to me for wisdom, and I have others who I think, think that I am a fool, though they may not. But my insecurities rear their ugly heads from the darkest caves within my heart and make me feel as though I’m the worst of the worst. But then I realize I’m calling Apostle Paul a liar who wrote to Timothy:

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:15 KJVS

To put it mildly, I’m a hot mess most days.

Tonight I search for something that I really don’t even know what I’m looking for, I just need encouraged. I need God’s word to light me up, of course figuratively. I’m sure I need beaten. But I’d rather have a word from God that will draw my mind into a place of stillness. Where I hear, feel, and find direction.

I attempted to find my scripture in some Old Testament wisdom, but I ended up in the book of Acts, standing on Mars Hill with the Apostle Paul.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD

Acts 17:22-27 KJVS
[22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. [23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Paul knew the God for who the ignorant searched. And so do I… but I don’t feel very wise. Because though Paul and I both know the same God, I’m not at the same spiritual point in my life as Paul. He could stand before the people on Mars Hill with confidence, even at the beginning of his ministry because he lived and breathed the word of God. He did so after an encounter that left him visually impaired but was years later capable of seeing in to the third heaven. Would to God I could be so close to the Lord!

2 Corinthians 12:1-5 KJVS
[1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. [3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) [4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

AN EXPERIENCE WITH GOD

Paul in Acts 17 had found an altar to THE UNKNOWN GOD. A god the people were worshiping, even though they didn’t know who it was. They had experienced nothing, yet were willing to bow down to it. But Paul was about to introduce them to “an experience.”

[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

God determined when Paul would be born to the earth, where he would be born and how God Himself would use Him. Paul had this experience but it was not without God’s planning. He could preach in confidence because God had placed him in such a position as to learn the Old Testament from the greatest of scholars, but then he placed him in a position where he would experience the Lord in such a way that he would be the writer of 13 of the New Testament books. That’s a glory to God moment right there and one to take not of.

Have you experienced Him? It’s one thing to know of God, but have you experienced Him in such a way that it left your life so impacted that nothing was ever the same? Paul didn’t look at anything without judging it through Christ. Paul had experienced the Lord in such a way that the earthly wisdom for which most people accept, wasn’t ever good enough for Paul. He wanted to see it from Gods perspective. Likely why God did take Him into the third Heaven.

Israel could not comprehend that God was approachable. They’d heard about Moses’ time with God. And how God could not be looked upon for His glory. How could they possibly understand that God was not only approachable, He lived within the very heart of man? The only way they could understand it was to experience it. That is why the wise are so stupid. They’re not willing to get to a point of humility so that they too can experience God.

I’ve experienced God. Oh. My. Stars. Have I ever!!! But yet I still struggle, why is that? Why do I get to the point where I’m searching for another experience rather than just living in the moment with God as Paul did. Confident that He is going to do a great work in me.

AN EXAMINATION BY GOD

I think it is because I stop feeling. Getting close to God requires some up close and personal time. When I said in the beginning that I ran from God because He will burn the hide off of my unholy nature. That’s true. When I begin to experience God, all that is in my life that shouldn’t be heats up. God runs it through the fire and it burns me.

But that is the very thing that drives me into a closer relationship with Him. I want that relationship. I’ve had it, I know when I’m not right with Him and I know what needs to happen.

[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

He is never far from me. He’s in me! But Paul said that if “haply the might feel after him, and find him.” Haply means by chance. It’s got to be a concerted effort. God is not going to bless overtop of rejection. Just as the people were searching for an UNKNOWN GOD, God had presented Himself to them, time and time again. He wasn’t going to make them accept Him. Nor once He’s saved us, is He going to make us “Experience” Him.

Tonight I needed a reminder of what it was like on my own Damascus road. When Christ came into my life and saved me from searching for peace, joy and happiness. All of which I found in Jesus Christ and experienced Heaven for the first time in my life. I have not always walked successful but Christ has never once failed to walk with me until I came out the other side of life’s circumstances. Yes, I’m a hot mess many days, but He gave me my very own mess kit for being a part of the army of God. It’s called the Bible. Praise Him! He alone is worthy.

Posted in Christian Service, Evangelism, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

Tired of Politics? Find Yourself a Mars’ Hill

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chick at mars

Monday morning. The start of the work week and for me a refocus following an awesome Lord’s Day. I was reading in Acts 17 this morning about one of the many adventures of Apostle Paul and was literally getting frustrated with the characters in the story. It was playing out in my mind like a movie screen reality and I could see the religious lot, with their pious faces, plotting the demise of the man who preached Jesus. Their faces would likely go flush, as men and women alike, one after another, believed Paul’s teaching and gave their lives to Jesus.

My heart broke for the family and friends of Jason who was arrested because they couldn’t lay hands on Paul. They’d take anyone; somebody had to pay for price for the upset in the community. And it was an upset. In verse 6 of that chapter they said of Jason and his friends “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” I wonder if that would be said of any of us. Not me… But in this political climate the name of Christ certainly has an impact.

I think I may have torqued Satan off when it comes to my blog because he has attacked my computer from every angle. This morning was another day of frustrations trying to get this blog posted. After umpteen restarts, a system restore and virus scan, I’m back in business but how mild in comparison to what Paul and his crew went through. I mean really, here I sit whining over computer glitches and these men were paraded around in public and beaten. Now I’m mad again, at me as well as the pious people of religion.

Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill speaking to the men of Athens (vs. 22b-27)

I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

So to those who have declared war against the God fearing nation of America, those within and without, I reiterate Paul’s message in kind.

You may not like my God, and you can ignorantly choose to serve the god of the unknown, it’s America, you have that right. But my God, Who, by the way, created everyone, regardless of their nationality or faith,  has determined already what day you’ll meet Him face to face. He will only let you go so far. He’s set the boundary on how far this godless bunch of office-bearers can go before He jerks a knot in them. And the God that you choose not to know, and the One that I am proud to know is very close. That brings me peace, and should bring you fear.

“Technical Stuff” and “Political Stuff” may drive me crazy, but knowing God, and that there is no limitation on what God can do causes my soul to joy and gives me the desire to find Mars’ Hill in my own  community and tell someone about Jesus so that others “haply they might feel after him, and find him.”

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance

Cure for the Common Cold

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chick in the snow

On a recent internet cruise (where I randomly google ideas) I googled the words “spiritually cold” and the following question came up on a city-data.com thread.

What if u r just plain spiritually cold and nothing holds any significance? I go to church it helps for the moment. I read the Bible and I believe what I read only to come back to a place of distance and coldness. What must I do not to be cold…?

My first thought was, “that’s so sad,“ and then I thought “that’s weird place to find someone searching for answers to such a question.” But it was a spirituality forum on city-data.com, so I guess that’s not so strange after all and praise God they were searching for answers. Most people who are spiritually cold just sit there freezing rather than searching for a solution to their inward drop in temperature. Nobody is immune; this morning it’s a balmy 7 degrees in my neighborhood, and if anyone goes outside without a coat, they’re gonna be cold. If I didn’t have the fires burning in my home this morning that arctic blast would work its way through the walls and windows and the house would be cold too.  The same is true of our spiritual house; if I don’t take some initiative to keep myself warm, the fire won’t go out, but it will get pretty chilly.

So how do we keep the fires burning when life gets chilly? When our pastor of 22 years left in 2014 I worried about our church growing cold as time passed without a new pastor in place. I’d seen it countless times in other churches when the pastor left, slowly the congregation dwindled and struggled to stay encouraged. I don’t take it lightly that God placed me in a church that when faced with the loss of a leader, there were leaders in place that took charge and our church actually grew a little during those times. So how did we do it?

Body heat.

Funny thing about the temperature of a cool room, get a bunch of people in it and it can be sweltering hot quickly. As a church family we stuck closely together. When the doors of the church were open, we were together.

Key – stay faithful. Regardless. No Excuses. Satan will give you any number of excuses that you’ll deem worthy for staying home from church. Don’t buy into any of them, because he knows that there is safety in numbers, both physically and spiritually speaking. Are you in a place of frustration…if at all possible stay put for a while and pray harder until God clearly shows you a path. I hate cold weather, it’s painful to my bones and I immediately want to be warm. But there’s also something about it that invigorates the body. It cause you to get moving! Spiritual coldness can do the same thing if you’re aware of it. Start looking for a place to get moving, a ministry or place of service.

This morning as I prepared this blog I had an “oh snap” moment where I realized it was trash day… 7 degrees… ugh! But it’s a necessity of life and so I bundled up and headed out. A few minutes of getting my things to the curb and I felt the need to do more, so I trekked next door to my Mother’s home and carted her trash to the curb too. Woohoo… bonus points with Mom! A few bonus points with God too no doubt. If I’d stayed in the warmth of the house, necessary things wouldn’t have gotten done and I’d have missed out on a blessing.

The common cold, is a plague in the church. What is it with human nature that causes a comfortable life to be a less productive life? Whether we’re spiritually cold or just in an uncomfortable place we need to stay connected to people. There are times to get away and let God speak to us alone, but that’s not usually a place of service, that’s a place of discovery.

If you’re in one of those moments in time where you just can’t feel God moving, maybe it’s you who need to get moving.

Not satisfied with the direction of your church? Start moving in the direction you feel God leading you and see if anyone follows. They may be waiting on you.

Not heard from God lately? Start moving closer to Him, read His word, hang with His people, listen intently.

That thread on city-data.com was from 2010. I hope that gal got moving. This morning, I hope we’re all moving!

Acts 17:27-28

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

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Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Not a Few!

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Not a Few!

rockstar mom

Acts 17:4

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Elevated to an uncommon plateau, the women of Acts 17 must have made quite the impression on Luke, the writer of the book of Acts.  Important women in the community now consorting with the Christians and being saved… and not just a few of them! My oh my, what a testimony of the influence that we can have on our communities. If women of that day, who were more often than not viewed as a piece of property, could influence a multitude of people in their city, what can we accomplish if we’d set our minds to it.

It’s been a heavy burden on my heart lately that I don’t speak out as often or as boldly as I should; that I waste more time than I can afford on nonsense when I should be about the Master’s business. There are days I wish I was as brave as those street preachers who sacrifice themselves on the altar of ugly. Because that’s how people treat them when they see them open air preaching… ugly! I know why, because they’re convicting, but that doesn’t make it right in this supposed free country. Everyone wants the freedom speak their mind but Christians are not allowed to have an opinion at all. And not until the anarchy that’s making its way across American in rapid speed takes the rights of non-Christian’s as well, will they understand. But enough of that soapbox.

My point here today is defining your chiefdom. We’re all famous in our own world but what are we doing with that influence. I have no doubt that my children love me, they both verbalize it quite often for  which I’m grateful, but how much do I use that influence to encourage them for Christ? I try not to be a nag about church… I know it will have an adverse effect. After all they’re grown women. But am I vocal enough in a non-judgmental way to let them know that time is running out? Look at our world and the control that the Islamic State has over us by inciting fear. It consumes the television news and the internet cyberspace constantly. So instead of talking about Jesus, we’re talking about them… there’s something wrong with that.

Today we need to talk about Jesus. You’re a chief in your own land… use it wisely today. Commit to talking about Jesus as much as they’re talking about Islam. If we all did that, we’d influence “not a few!”

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