Welcome!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Today: God-driven!
Passage: 1 Peter 1, Acts 16
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: (1 Peter 1: 1-2, NIV 84-emphasis added)
On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) three thousand people were added to the body of Christ; after that we see five thousand people
But God did not allow them all to stay together in one place
Persecution came, and they were scattered all over
It was God’s plan that His children take the light of the gospel everywhere
Church grew through these scattered believers, even as they probably wanted to be all in one place together
It is very important to understand God’s will and purpose, in our personal life as well as family and the church
Many a time, we become like the people who built the tower of Babel
Sometimes, it may be God’s plan that you have a big local Church
But if we get crazy after a “Mega Church” concept, be careful!
The word of God and the Holy Spirit must be our basis for any concept that we have
A church of five people is not a failure, as long as God is with them
God is looking at the oneness within, the importance given to God’s word and the Holy Spirit
Sometimes, God takes you all alone and does something special and then puts you back, together with others
In the final chapters of Genesis, we see this man called Joseph, whom God separated from his family, processed him and then put back with the people
We also see Abraham and Jacob, with whom God did similar things
At the river Jabok, God got Jacob all by himself and made him into a totally different person. He graduated overnight, ready for action!
His graduation gifts were: a new name (Israel) and a limp on his leg
God’s ways are strange!
It doesn’t come the way we want it, but the way He wants it
The answer to our prayer can come in the most unexpected way!
We will run away from it, saying “Lord, No!”
But after sometime, we will understand that it was the answer to our prayer!
The Church of the first century that went through so much of persecution, was growing in quality and quantity
God was with them; Christ was the head. The head makes the decisions
When we assume/imagine God’s will and do things, it will end up creating something which neither we, nor God would be pleased with
Before taking any action, it is better to get confirmation from God
God may speak through people; but mostly, God speaks through His word and the Holy Spirit, directly to us. When it comes through another person, we have the responsibility to verify, if it is from God or not
The success of the first century Church, as mentioned in the Bible, was that they heard the voice of God before making every step
If the Holy Spirit told them “go”, they went. If it is “No”, they didn’t!
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. (Acts 16:6-8, NIV 84-emphasis added)
God bless your steps, as you make it in God’s way!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are my head, the head of my family and the head of my Church. Help me to make every step according to your will. Amen