Friday October 16, 2009 FRIENDS THAT DELIVER
After Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But everyone was afraid of him. They wouldn't believe that he was a disciple. Then Barnabas took an interest in Saul and brought him to the apostles. Barnabas told the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul had spoken about the one named Jesus in the city of Damascus. Then Saul went throughout Jerusalem with the disciples. He spoke boldly with the power and authority of the Lord. He talked and argued with Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. As soon as the disciples found out about this, they took Saul to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace. The number of people increased as people lived in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:26-31 When I first accepted Jesus as my Savior, I didn't hesitate to go visit or call my friends and share about the transformation in my life. One of my drinking buddies got angry at me and refused to talk to me, but two months later she and her boyfriend were both saved. Then, there was a couple I once worked for that I told me my newfound salvation would only last six weeks. Yet, they didn't just stop with those words of discouragement; they went on to warn me to stay away from the writings of Paul because he was a woman hater. While one part of their proclamation was proven false, the other words they spoke planted a seed of distrust for Saul that was only uprooted about ten years ago. Saul was severely misunderstood by the religious leaders as well as believers in the beginning of his ministry. However, it only took one man looking at him through the eyes of faith to help him rise above these negative seeds being planted in his life. As a result, not only did Saul become Paul, but the Christian church was planted firmly in the lives of people whose faith was passed down to us. When these believers saw that Saul was being threatened they took it upon themselves to find a place of refuge for him, they were truly a church. In these last days there will be emotional and verbal persecution, and possibly even physical persecution from outside the church. Therefore, we need to be extra careful that we not fall into the trap of discouraging and persecuting one another. Instead, let us build one another up in His love. Father, I am truly thankful that You delivered Saul of Tarsus from his tyranny of persecution of the church. I am thankful that You delivered him from persecution by the church and that You retained his story and his letters to strengthen us today. Help each of us press on in loving service to You and to one another. May Your church be strengthened and You glorified. O. Addison Gethers e-mail address [email protected] [email protected] twitter URL http//:twitter.com/OAddisonGethers Messenger contact window live/msn messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS rs --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/dbilg?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
