Berea

A friend wrote to me that people read everything I write to see if it is true. It is good to search the Bible to see if what is read is truth. Personal stories cannot be checked by the Bible, so they should be used only to illustrate a Bible truth. There is another group of people who want to find fault with or to condemn what you say. They sometimes say they are doing it for the sake of truth, but usually they are coming from pride or envy, to destroy and not to encourage. I respect those who see the good and encourage the good while helping to keep truth as taught in the Holy Scriptures.

 

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Act 17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Act 17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Act 17:14  And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Act 17:15  And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. 

The Bereans searched the scriptures to see if what they were hearing was true. They were more noble, with higher aspirations, well behaved, honorable. There was another group who followed Paul and Silas in order to silence them and to destroy them, because of envy and lack of faith. They stirred up the people against the true witnesses. Paul was sent away, but Silas and Timothy staid behind for a time. Are you called to witness in difficult places? Preach the word and be faithful to the word of God as the Spirit leads you.

 

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Armed and Ready

Ezek 22:30  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Neh 4:7  But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
Neh 4:8  And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
Neh 4:9  Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

The workers had to be on the alert because the enemies of God's work had come together to try to stop them.

 

Many thoughts come to my mind about this. Always we look to God when the enemy plans his attack. We must realize that we are in a spiritual war. First we are to pray and to seek his word. If we read the Bible through and read the Bible every day then the Holy Spirit will bring scriptures to us that we can use in the problems we will face.

 

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

 

We are to stay in God's armor day and night. The enemy attacks in the night time as well, usually in our thoughts and dreams.

 

Neh 4:17  They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Remember that if we are in Christ we are not alone. God has our front, sides and back. His arm is our weapon as we do the work of God. I have heard of the power of the press to form public opinion. The powers that be may control the press, the news broadcasts and they may search all ways of expression to shape things their way. In Christ Jesus we are free. We use our freedom to pray for those in power that God would bless and that peace may prevail. We speak the message of hope and redemption for those who are bound by sin. Jesus will make you free. Put away your anger and malice and put on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The world needs truth and mercy and God's love.

 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Psa 89:2  For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

Be of good courage

  

Josh 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Josh 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Josh 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Be strong and of good courage, not bad courage. Some are bold to do evil, this is not God's command. We are to observe to do all according to God's word. We fail when we leave his word. Our courage is not just our bodies strength but also our soul, our godly Character and trust. Our faith in God keeps us going and not with many words but by his word and promises.

1 Cor 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1 Cor 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1 Cor 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Cor 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Watch out for lusts of the flesh and pride of life. Submit all to God as the Proverb says.

Prov 3:1  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Prov 3:2  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Prov 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Prov 3:4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Prov 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Prov 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Prov 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Prov 3:8  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Have good courage and obey God.

Lev 26:6  And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
Lev 26:7  And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Lev 26:8  And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

The people of God are to have courage, for God goes with them. Pray for our military and our government leaders that they trust God and are of good courage. We are not to serve the devil, but the Living God. We take our orders from above, not from evil but from our righteous commander. Be a good soldier of the LORD, stay in his word and his will so that we will go forward as the victorious people of God.