THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of religious service when she was startled by an intruder. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled, "Stop - Acts 2:38!" (..turn from your sin...) The burglar stopped dead in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done.
As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you."
"Scripture?" replied the burglar, "She said she had an AXE and two 38's!"
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________SCRIPTURE____________________________________________________________________
Acts 18:9-10
9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT______________________________________________________________________
Last night I went to Crossroads Baptist Church in Grayson, La. and heard a great revival sermon from Bro. Bill McCullen. The sermon was from the two verses above about the presence, protection and power of God.
There is no reason, Christian, to fear anything in this world. We have the promise of God's presence in our lives. Jesus has promised that when we are going for Him, He will be "with" us!! (See Matthew 28:20) God also told Joshua the same thing (See Joshua 1:9).
We also have the promise of God's protection in our lives. God told Paul in our text today that "NO man shall set on thee to hurt thee..." How can anyone hurt us when we already HAVE eternal life? What could be more harmful than death? Yet death only ushers us right into eternal joy with the Savior!
We also have the promise of God's power. Remember, He is the Awesome, the Almighty Who created heaven and earth by breathing out His Word! He stopped the Sun and the Moon for the Israelites in their fight against the Amorites (Joshuah 10:12-13). He healed the demoniac, the leper, the lame, and even the DEAD! He is God All-Powerful! And He is FOR US!
But one other thing, I'd like to mention. God's people! God has promised us the presence and comfort of His people. When we are saved, we become part of the "family of God." We are injected into the church - the "body" of Christ. His people will comfort and minister to us.
When we have Christ's love we have the "perfect love" which casts out all FEAR! (1John 4:18)
Let no fear be in me, Lord, this day. But let me rest in Your love, Your presence, Your protection, Your power and Your people!
Love ya,
Bruce