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I've had several conversations over many years with people who were not sure whose voice to listen to and act upon. Who has the final say? Whose in charge? What voice do I listen to?  I admit it, from a human perspective it can get confusing! We have hierarchal systems from government to schools to how our families run. There are cultural differences among ethnicities and nations to name just a couple. This is not a post to dissect these differences, but it is to help us hopefully see things from a greater (or more focused) perspective. So, here is where this question came from... As I was reading in Acts, God reminded me of something that happened to Peter and John not long after Jesus had risen and returned to heaven. My attention was grabbed when I came to these verses... >> Acts 4:19-20 << The temple leaders were indignant that Peter and John were confidently healing and relaying eyewitness accounts of Jesus not only rising from the dead, but now living in power and healing others through them! They thought they had silenced this conversation by killing Jesus! So, they tried to silence these guys by putting them in jail and then bringing them before their inquisition the following day. “By what power or what name did you do this?” they asked. (And here is where the Holy Spirit started to yank on my heart strings...) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (from Acts 4:8-12) It's really a fascinating picture of ordinary people who had spent quality and quantity time with Jesus, waited and received the gift He promised to them (Read Acts 1-2), and subsequently moved in boldness, power and wisdom without Jesus standing (physically) beside them! Thousands were coming to faith in Jesus and being baptized because of the disciples. (Read Acts 3-4) The bottom line is to hear the words of Peter and John as they responded to the command of the temple leaders... (and, by the way, they used the same tactic as Jesus did - - they answered with a leading question.) "But Peter and John replied, Hmmm. You be the judge. I leave that statement for you to think about. As for me, I felt the Holy Spirit challenging me and saying: "Don't allow the voice of fear and unbelief to dictate your voice and actions. Your children, spouse, friends, co-workers, people you lead, and leaders need to hear and see the testimony you carry. Don't allow His voice and ways to be silenced." I guess you could say that God got my attention. I am so glad that He continues to lead me back to His ways, truth and presence. I love Him for that! So, my friends... |
Inquiring MINDS
Please inquire for the word of the LORD today. 1 Kings 22:5
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