All Aboard

The conductor cries, “All Aboard”

Acts 11:1-4, “¹ The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him ³ and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ⁴ Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story.”

            I recommend you take a few minutes and read either the account here in chapter 11 or the full account in Acts 10. The devotional version is, God called Peter to go to the Gentiles and while he was there God allowed the Holy Spirit to work salvation in them. Before Peter was called only the Jews had been evangelized. This was new territory and not everyone was excited about the change.

^{Acts 11:18} When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

            Richard Leach makes a statement in, Ministering to Others, that I wanted to share, “Not everyone wants to make immediate changes. There are always early adopters, middle adopters, late adopters and never adopters.” When change comes to a group of people like it has in our own church we will see those same groups. I only can tell you that if you are of the never adopter mindset this may not be the place for you. I still love you and will continue to lift you up in prayer. I am a phone call or text message away when you are in need. To those who stay it really is important that we not bad mouth those who leave. God is always at work. If you are one who choose to go also choose your words wisely about why. We often forget others are watching that need Jesus and when they see us arguing, they are the ones who lose out. As an example we have several large churches in our area they are not for me. But every time I see friends of mine who go there I praise God that they are in church. If it was not for that mega church down the way they may not go at all.  It gives me hope that the seeds have been planted and God will bring a harvest.

^Acts11:19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. ²⁰ Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

            That was what happened at Antioch. Shortly after Stephen was stoned to death the persecution of the church began and individuals of the church began to preach Jesus outside of Jerusalem. And many came to believe both Jews and Gentiles. Today we need to find a way to get out from behind the walls of our churches but we need to go prepared to face a hurting world. God has a place for each of us to serve I have been in three churches since I accepted Christ. God has taught me and used me in a different way every time.

^{Acts 11:22} News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴ He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

            God chooses certain people at certain times to do his work. Each of us as we are filled with the Holy Spirit is so much more capable of meeting the trials of this world than we are by ourselves. Need to clarify something when you accepted Jesus the Holy Spirit comes to seal you and dwell in you. How much affect He has is based on your willingness to let go of the control of your life.

^{Acts 11:25} Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

            I believe one of the worst things we do as Christians is fail to work together to advance God’s kingdom. Society teaches that we need to work individually to attain a goal that brings personal satisfaction. So we will struggle with an issue instead of reaching out to someone else that has the answer or means to reach a solution. I can only imagine how pleased God would be to see us working together for His glory. When God calls, “All Aboard” where will you be. Have a Blessed and safe day.