Don't you just love this picture!?! I thought it was so cute, but anyway, I bet a lot of you are wondering what in the world is she going to post about, right? Well, let's get down to business!
We have just started our soulwinning classes back up at church, and we have been using the Soulwinner's Club put out by the Sword of the Lord. As we were watching the first video this week, Dr. Larry Staner mentioned something that stood out in my mind and has been on my mind for the last couple days.
He was reading over in Acts about the early church right after the Lord had ascended up into Heaven:
Acts 1:12-15 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
He went on to say that at the first they started out with only 11 in the upper room, but then grew to 120, then Dr. Staner went on to read more in Acts about Pentecost:
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And then yet again, he read:
Acts 4:2-4 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And one more time:
Acts 4:16-21 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
After he read all these different verses, he said one thing that stood out in my mind..."Aren't you glad that these people took the things that they had believed and learned seriously? Because if they hadn't you and I would not be here today." As I sat there in the class, I wondered will I leave anyone behind that I have passed on what I have believed and learned from the Lord. Am I serious about the ministry of telling other about Christ? Am I serious about reaching my little kids in children's church? Am I serious about serving through my piano playing, allowing the Lord to use my playing to prepare the hearts of the people for the Word of God? Am I serious about telling others that I meet on a daily basis about Christ? Am I Serious? Are You Serious?
So as we approach this Lord's day, let us enter the church with maybe a new "seriousness" about the work of the Lord. Not that we can't laugh, be happy, but realize that everything we do or say will affect someone for eternity whether we know it or not. Let's allow the Lord to use us this Sunday and everyday to the week to be "serious" about Him and His Word, about telling others, about serving others, about living for Him! Have a great weekend!
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