We just talked about being led by The Spirit. I said this.
"I've sat down here. I have had a plan to talk about Peter walking on Water with Jesus. Or that Paul was the first Pope, not Peter. All of a sudden, I'm being led to talk about Adultery. But I do not want to talk about that, I want to talk about Peter. See, what I do not know, is that in the Ukraine, I'm using Ukraine because apparently, TAG is pretty popular there, there is someone right now going about their life. They are thinking about having an affair. They come home, and they sit at their computer. Surf the Web, and find TAG. They start reading about Adultery. They correct their thoughts, and do not do it. Same person. "stumbles" across TAG, reads about Peter. They go have the affair. They get caught, killed, their Wife is arrested or killed, or kills herself, their Children are left alone.
Wait, are you saying that, God will plan out a Message specifically for one person? Yup. You may only see one person reading. Or one person come to your Church. Or be able to witness to just one person. But what if that one person is the next Billy Graham. The next Pastor Rod Parsely. What if that one person is the next Saint Paul. If that one person, walks in, or by, or reads, whatever, and you are not talking about something that get's their attention, then what benefit would it be?"
Paul is a GREAT example. Actually, Ananias is a perfect example. You can find the story of Ananias in Acts 9. Saul is on the road to Damascus. Why? He was going there to hunt down God's Chosen People. He was going there to find Children of God, who proclaim Jesus is Lord. He is going there to rip them from their homes. To abuse them, kill them, and to bring them into bondage. To enslave these "Malcontents." These "Blasphemers." These "Heretics."
Saul is not a nice guy. He was there when Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," with a "face of an angel," did "great wonders and miracles among the people." Because Stephen Preached Jesus as Lord, Saul was there when Stephen was killed. "And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."{Acts 7:58} Saul "was consenting unto his death." {Acts 8:1} Saul rose in power and position doing the same things. Think Hitler.
Now we find Saul traveling on the Road to Damascus to continue his "mission." When Jesus Himself appeared before Saul who repented, and become a new person, also became blind at the sight. Jesus tells him to continue to Damascus and he will learn what to do there. Now we meet Ananias.
Acts 9:
I bet you this is not what Ananias had planed for that day. Maybe work? Maybe wash the cloths. Maybe just a nice relaxing day off. But go to a butcher, who is looking for HIM, to help him? To heal him? Yeah, not on the top of his list.
Now it does not say that Ananias was a Healer, Preacher, or anything but and ordinary, Faithful, Believing, God Fearing Man. He was so Faithful, that God called him and he said, "Here I am." It does not tell us that he was a great Saint. Just that he was "a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias." This may have been the only time that Ananias did anything "Note Worthy?" Or anything we would consider important.
We have discussed this list before. All these people, even today, would most likely be looked down upon, and rejected by the Church. A Drunk. An Old Man. Two Kids. A Day Dreamer. A Lair. A Stutterer. A guy with long hair who would be considered a Womanizer. A Prostitute. A Denier and a Hothead. A Murder. ETC. But let's now put names to these people.
Noah was a drunk. Abraham was too old. Jeremiah and Timothy were too young. Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a liar. Moses had a stuttering problem. Samson had long hair and was a Womanizer. Rahab was a Prostitute. Peter was a Hothead who denied Christ three times. Paul was Saul. Think of some of the others. Leah was ugly. Gideon was afraid. David had an Affair and was a Murderer. Elijah was suicidal. Isaiah preached naked. Jonah ran from God. The Disciples fell asleep while Praying. Martha worried about everything. The Samaritan woman was Divorced, more than once. Matthew was a Tax Collector. The list goes on.
However, in all these cases, they came to hear the Truth. Wither by God Himself, or through others. Now they have become those that changed the World. Those that we consider "GREAT Saints" The Holiness of the Holy, Children of God. People to Teach about and Learn from what they did and said.
So here you are. One of these people show up in your life. Are they not good enough to hear the Truth? Would you rather not talk to them? What would be the point? See above. Not to mention this little tidbit.
1 Peter 3:
But I do not know how to quote the Scripture by Chapter and verse. Doesn't matter. I'm not a Preacher. Doesn't matter. I'm nobody important. Doesn't matter. Why did God chose ME? Doesn't matter. Why this person or that? Doesn't make sense. Doesn't matter. When Ananias asked God why Saul? God answered " for he is a chosen vessel unto me." It doesn't matter if you get it or not. God has a plan and a purpose for everyone.
Because of one Person, Mankind fell. Because of one Person, Mankind was Saved. Because of one Person, Mankind found Grace and Salvation. Because of one person, A Nation was born. The New Testament was written. The World was changed. Because of the power of One, God shows us His Power and His Grace. Are you a failure, if during your whole life, you only reach one person? I suppose it all depends on who that one person is. Never under estimate the Power of One.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
"I've sat down here. I have had a plan to talk about Peter walking on Water with Jesus. Or that Paul was the first Pope, not Peter. All of a sudden, I'm being led to talk about Adultery. But I do not want to talk about that, I want to talk about Peter. See, what I do not know, is that in the Ukraine, I'm using Ukraine because apparently, TAG is pretty popular there, there is someone right now going about their life. They are thinking about having an affair. They come home, and they sit at their computer. Surf the Web, and find TAG. They start reading about Adultery. They correct their thoughts, and do not do it. Same person. "stumbles" across TAG, reads about Peter. They go have the affair. They get caught, killed, their Wife is arrested or killed, or kills herself, their Children are left alone.
Wait, are you saying that, God will plan out a Message specifically for one person? Yup. You may only see one person reading. Or one person come to your Church. Or be able to witness to just one person. But what if that one person is the next Billy Graham. The next Pastor Rod Parsely. What if that one person is the next Saint Paul. If that one person, walks in, or by, or reads, whatever, and you are not talking about something that get's their attention, then what benefit would it be?"
Paul is a GREAT example. Actually, Ananias is a perfect example. You can find the story of Ananias in Acts 9. Saul is on the road to Damascus. Why? He was going there to hunt down God's Chosen People. He was going there to find Children of God, who proclaim Jesus is Lord. He is going there to rip them from their homes. To abuse them, kill them, and to bring them into bondage. To enslave these "Malcontents." These "Blasphemers." These "Heretics."
Saul is not a nice guy. He was there when Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," with a "face of an angel," did "great wonders and miracles among the people." Because Stephen Preached Jesus as Lord, Saul was there when Stephen was killed. "And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."{Acts 7:58} Saul "was consenting unto his death." {Acts 8:1} Saul rose in power and position doing the same things. Think Hitler.
Now we find Saul traveling on the Road to Damascus to continue his "mission." When Jesus Himself appeared before Saul who repented, and become a new person, also became blind at the sight. Jesus tells him to continue to Damascus and he will learn what to do there. Now we meet Ananias.
Acts 9:
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.Can you even imagine this. Here is a Faithful and Just Man named Ananias, minding his own business, doing what he thinks is God's Will, when God comes to him and says "Go heal Saul." He must of been like, What? Wait. You mean this Monster that is slaughtering and enslaving anyone who believes in the name of Jesus, is coming here to do the same, and you want me to go TO him? Wait, wait, wait. You said he was blind. GREAT. Couldn't have happened to a better person. You want me to heal him? Wait. You know he has the Authority, and the power of Government and Church to KILL me. Yet, you want me to go and heal him?
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
I bet you this is not what Ananias had planed for that day. Maybe work? Maybe wash the cloths. Maybe just a nice relaxing day off. But go to a butcher, who is looking for HIM, to help him? To heal him? Yeah, not on the top of his list.
Now it does not say that Ananias was a Healer, Preacher, or anything but and ordinary, Faithful, Believing, God Fearing Man. He was so Faithful, that God called him and he said, "Here I am." It does not tell us that he was a great Saint. Just that he was "a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias." This may have been the only time that Ananias did anything "Note Worthy?" Or anything we would consider important.
We have discussed this list before. All these people, even today, would most likely be looked down upon, and rejected by the Church. A Drunk. An Old Man. Two Kids. A Day Dreamer. A Lair. A Stutterer. A guy with long hair who would be considered a Womanizer. A Prostitute. A Denier and a Hothead. A Murder. ETC. But let's now put names to these people.
Noah was a drunk. Abraham was too old. Jeremiah and Timothy were too young. Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a liar. Moses had a stuttering problem. Samson had long hair and was a Womanizer. Rahab was a Prostitute. Peter was a Hothead who denied Christ three times. Paul was Saul. Think of some of the others. Leah was ugly. Gideon was afraid. David had an Affair and was a Murderer. Elijah was suicidal. Isaiah preached naked. Jonah ran from God. The Disciples fell asleep while Praying. Martha worried about everything. The Samaritan woman was Divorced, more than once. Matthew was a Tax Collector. The list goes on.
However, in all these cases, they came to hear the Truth. Wither by God Himself, or through others. Now they have become those that changed the World. Those that we consider "GREAT Saints" The Holiness of the Holy, Children of God. People to Teach about and Learn from what they did and said.
So here you are. One of these people show up in your life. Are they not good enough to hear the Truth? Would you rather not talk to them? What would be the point? See above. Not to mention this little tidbit.
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."{Hebrews 13:2}I know Pastors that Dream of having a Million Person Congregation. They want to look out every time they Preach and see a sea of faces looking back. Is that more Pride than desire for spreading the Word? It doesn't take a Million people. God can, and usually does, use just one. This is why
1 Peter 3:
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.And in 2 Timothy 4 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." As Ananias woke up that day not knowing that he would be called of by God to Heal Paul, you do not know who may walk into your life today. Are you ready?
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
But I do not know how to quote the Scripture by Chapter and verse. Doesn't matter. I'm not a Preacher. Doesn't matter. I'm nobody important. Doesn't matter. Why did God chose ME? Doesn't matter. Why this person or that? Doesn't make sense. Doesn't matter. When Ananias asked God why Saul? God answered " for he is a chosen vessel unto me." It doesn't matter if you get it or not. God has a plan and a purpose for everyone.
Because of one Person, Mankind fell. Because of one Person, Mankind was Saved. Because of one Person, Mankind found Grace and Salvation. Because of one person, A Nation was born. The New Testament was written. The World was changed. Because of the power of One, God shows us His Power and His Grace. Are you a failure, if during your whole life, you only reach one person? I suppose it all depends on who that one person is. Never under estimate the Power of One.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
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