Refuge for a Single Mom

Recently, during a church board meeting, focused on `re-grouping` and `re-structuring` our `outreach` efforts, our Pastor concentrated mainly on Acts 2 which outlines the original spread of Christianity and the power of the church.

I felt very motivated and inspired from this, so I thought I might share it!

Acts 2:37-47

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles` teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;

and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This basically sets the guidelines for salvation, the `steps` so to speak.

“Be saved from this perverse generation!” ~ That sounds familiar!  I still find myself in amazement at the corruption that continues to plague our society.  Most of which is completely legal!

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles` teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  ~  How many of us could actually use the words `continually devoting` in reference to our teaching, fellowship or prayer?  To anything that pertains to God?

“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs . . . “  I STILL feel a sense of awe when I see God`s work and supernatural power!

“praising God and having favor with all the people”  Do you receive favor?  I can tell you first hand, if you approach people with sincerity and with the love of God shining through, you will be surprised at how many times you will receive His favor ~ for no apparent reason!  Let me give you an example . . . I had returned an item and I waited 6 weeks for the credit to be applied to my credit card . . . nothing happened!  Once again, I called the company and explained the circumstances.  Like most other representatives, this gentleman could have demanded proof of the return or presented me with some sort of series hoops to jump through!  He did not.  He immediately issued me credit for the item and for several other charges I had incurred due to his company`s error.  (Credits that were not originally offered to me!)  The total for this ended up being $88.98!  That`s a chunk of change!

My main point here is simply this . . . get excited about God!  Approach everything in life BECAUSE of God!  Get excited about eternal life!  This world we live in is just temporary!  If the moms at the PTA give you a hard time and judge you ~ so be it!  If the ladies in the hair salon whisper because they know your ex-husband ~ so be it!

Personally, I`m tired of the judgment!  I have carried guilt, condemnation, fear, insecurity and all sorts of other kinds of `junk` around for long enough!  The people looking down their noses at you do not have a clue what is going on!  Stand up straight!  Hold your head high and look to your Father in Heaven for support!  He created you in His image!  He created you with a plan!  You are a beautiful, magnificent daughter of the Almighty God in Heaven!  Praise God!

Ultimately, this is your ministry!  People (sinners) will see your beauty (inside and out) they will begin to yearn for what you have (God)!  You certainly do not have to be arrogant about it, but just be you, be the YOU that God personally made you to be!  Be the YOU that has been born again ~ made new!  I was reminded recently that God knows how many hairs are on your head!  If He is concerned about something so insignificant, imagine how much thought and time and love He put into who you are!  Glorify Him in everything you do!  Amen!

Labels: Repentance, Salvation