Making All The Difference - #MATD

WHAT DO YOU KNOW? (Excerpts from ACTS 15)

There was contention as to the matter of circumcision of the new believers who were gentiles.

'They can't be regarded as saved if they don't keep the whole of the Mosaic law, if they don't get circumsiced' (paraphrased comment of the Jews on this matter).

The unity of response by the apostles tells something.

They would have been pressured by the Jews into speaking to the Gentile believers to keep the ceremonial law of circumcision.

But the apostles knew their circumcision of the flesh could not determine or influence their salvation so it was unnecessary or burdensome to the non- Jewish believers to be cirmcised.

Dearly beloved,
What do you know?
Can you differentiate between what is expedient or necessary and what is not?

There are some things also that are not necessarily right or wrong but can question your salvation experience.

There are those things not outrightly a sin but when considered by others, can create a stumbling block in their heart on their journey of faith.

Can you confidently tell by the help of Holy Spirit what things written in the laws which are not presently necessary as a believer because it does not influence your salvation or the faith of another AND what things which are may not even written in the laws but are necessary to be kept as it can directly influence someone else's decision about salvation and affect your salvation in the long run.

Once again beloved, what do you know?
One of the ways the Devil gets believers is by ignorance !

And how do you get to know what you don't know?? ⁉️🤷🤷‍♀
By seeking knowledge!
From the scriptures and from the Holy Spirit._
Selah 🙇🏽

THE DOOR OF FAITH (Acts 14)
It was by faith that Paul and Barnabas came to Iconium.

It was by faith that great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

It was by faith that even after the unbelieving Jews caused a stir and the Apostles faced persecution, they still continued - coming to Lystra and Derbe.

It was by faith that cripple man hearing Paul speak believed that he could be healed, was healed.

It was by faith that Paul preached to the oblivious people of Lycaonia, the true God.

It was by faith that even after the stirring by the unbelieving Jews from Antioch and Iconium and Paul was stoned, he didn't die.

It was by faith that the disciples stood round about Paul and he rose up, continued preaching in that city and RETURNED AGAIN to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, "confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Vs 22.

It was by faith that the disciples continued despite all the oppositions.

Dearly beloved,

To be who God wants you to be and reach where God wants you to reach, YOU MUST CONTINUE, not by emotions or simple intuition or feelings or thoughts or people opinions, but By Faith.
You must continue by faith!

For without faith you really cannot please God.
As the door of faith was open to the gentiles (Vs 27), may the door of faith be opened unto all around you.

And may the Lord increase your faith!

RECEIVE OR OPPOSE.
(Excerpts from ACTS 13)

Dearly beloved,
Most times if we don't get God's leading in a particular area of service, when presecution comes, we have no WORD of assurance to fall back on.

Always get the word of confirmation.
Always ask God about the ministry He sent you to.
Confirm He sent you there not you sending yourself. So that when the time of presecution and stirring comes from opposers, just like the Apostles, you can be filled with JOY 😊 Vs 52.

FAITH IS LIKE MADNESS.

Most times as Christians, we do not believe in the possibility of what we are praying for? Infact the answer we seek, when it comes, will only sound like MADNESS!

In ACTS 12, the believers in the early church were praying for Peter who was imprisoned by Herod. James had already been killed, they couldn't watch Peter go and do nothing. They were praying!
And yes! The angel of the Lord came and brought deliverance to Peter in the prison.

What exactly where they praying for if they would rather believe it was Peter's ghost knowing on the door at that time than Peter himself?
They were surprised. It was too good to be true!

Dearly beloved, take note:

When you pray for that soul, please don't doubt. Don't give room for second thoughts and probably(s).
And don't you dare stop!
That miracle you're expecting might not really make any sense when God does it His will.
But have some FAITH!!!

(Excerpts from ACTS 12)

PETER DEFEND HIS CALLING
(Excerpts from ACTS 11)

Dearly beloved,
Someone must always have something to say no matter what you do.

So, simply ensure you do what's right.

Don't be a people pleaser, always thinking what someone would think of you do what you wanted to do.

Ask yourself this: "who sent me?"
If JESUS, that's Great!
Then walk into every room like Jesus sent you.

Speak every message like the ambassador that you are!

Ambassadors are never shy! Never afraid to rep their country!
Be a true ambassador of Jesus!
Not a people-pleaser.

Selah 🙏

CORNELIUS.
(Excerpts from ACTS 10)

Not everyone can be like Cornelius...
Not every potential convert can call the preacher to come.

But God can always send you to a prepared, hungry heart.

It's unfortunate that most times, we're too afraid to go.

We can like Peter build up reasons like walls, excuses like castles!

And we can still like Peter, yield to God's call and obey the Spirit's directives!

Dearly beloved,
Don't be the reason why someone misses Jesus!!!

Sadly someone is yearning to hear Jesus and the other is too afraid to speak Jesus.

TALK ABOUT JESUS TODAY!

99 DAYS FOR THE THIEF, 1 DAY FOR THE OWNER!

Here I learnt something very profound about Apostle Paul (formerly Saul):
The instant transformation,
The radical change,
The crazy obedience,
The Insane devotion.

Did he receive an instruction to not eat or drink? Nope! But he was hungry other than food.
One encounter with Jesus was enough.
He plunged into full obedience, doing God's will with urgency without being cajoled or convinced.

Dearly beloved,

You've had dreams, visions, encounter, people have spoken to you.
You've received instructions but it's still very hard to obey the Lord with urgency.

Do you want to get into a hard spot with God before you finally obey?

Do you have to be blind first before you can finally see???

ANSWER THE LORD'S CALL WITH URGENCY!

(Excerpts from ACTS 9)

PRESECUTION IS SWEET!

Sounds controversial right? It hurts actually. Going to bury young Stephen.You can as well back out.
The pressure, the persecution!!!

The main aim was to break them!
Scatter them!
But what God ordains He sustains!

In verse 4 they went everywhere preaching the word.

Dearly beloved,
When the Spirit of God attempts to move you like He did Peter (while speaking with Simon) and Philip (encounter with the Ethiopian eu**ch) will you yield or will you be afraid of being persecuted?
And when persecuted will you go, scattered everywhere preaching the word, publishing JESUS??

(excerpts from ACTS 8)

POWER OF THE WORD! (excerpts from ACTS 7)

God's word is yea and Amen!
It can either make sad, make glad or make the people mad.

For Stephen, he was filled with the Holy Ghost, spoke the word with boldness without any fear of death or whatsoever. God's word it's like a hammer, a piercing sword. For Peter on Pentecost day, the said men and brethren what can we do. For Stephen, they stoned him. Can you live and die for God?

SPIRITUAL IN EVERYTHING!!!

Sometimes we ask ourselves, 'DO I HAVE TO BE SPIRITUAL IN EVERYTHING?'

7 men were selected to serve tables due to the complaints from the Grecian concerning their widows being neglected.
And the criteria for selection was that these men should be filled of the Holy Ghost and power.

Dearly beloved,
We have no excuse to work in the flesh whether in secular/commercial service or in spiritual activity.
In whatsoever you do, you are first expected to represent God.
When you are born of Spirit, a child of the Almighty God - saved, new creature, spirit filled, there is no excuse to walk in flesh (Romans 8:5)!

EXCERPTS FROM ACTS 6.

THE SAFEST PLACE?🤷 (excerpts from ACTS 5)

The safest place to be is at the centre of God's will.
If Ananias was here maybe he'd have told you:
You cannot win God's favour with sacrifices and good works.
Don't pretend.
You can't fool God. Whatsoever you do, do with all your heart. Don't be a hypocrite!
If you really want to do God's will, how about doing it his way??
The safest place is at the centre of God's will.
The Apostles knew this truth; they knew the safest place to be is at the centre of God's will.

Dearly beloved,
If you have decided to do God's will, do it in God's own way not yours.