THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
It had been raining really hard, but the hitch-hiker had finally caught a ride. They had only traveled a few miles when he realized "fear was on every side!" The windshield was spattered with mud and they had barely missed several collisions.
Finally the hitch-hiker asked, "Wouldn't it be wise to wipe off the windshield?"
The driver said, "Son, it wouldn't do a bit of good! I left my glasses at home!"
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Acts 8:1-6
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
KJV
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
As we prepare for the new year of 2005, we perhaps should take perspective from the new Christian church of Acts.
People in high places of authority were persecuting the first church of new believers in Christ as Lord and Savior. Many of them were being hunted down like animals, beaten, placed in prisons, and even killed. One of their greatest and strongest persecutors and prosecutors was a man named Saul. He had been there when the people had stoned Stephen because of his profession of faith in Jesus as the CHRIST!
Saul was obtaining letters of authority from the Sanhedrin (Judaism's top authorities). He was taking those letters and chasing people down, and bringing them back for mock trials.
God was fulfilling the prophecy He had spoken in Zechariah 13:7:
"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."
But even though Jesus had died on the cross, and had been placed in a tomb, He had RISEN! And, He had spent 40 days with His disciples energizing them for the work of spreading the gospel.
They had FEAR ON EVERY SIDE! But when they were scattered, they CONTINUED to PREACH THE GOSPEL!
There is great anxiety hanging over the USA today! There seems to be "FEAR ON EVERY SIDE!"
There is:
The threat of terrorism,
The possibility of a total breakdown of our economic system,
The threat of nuclear war,
The threat of companies closing and jobs being lost,
The threat of imminent danger from: auto accidents, cancer, heart attacks, burglars, murderers, kidnappers, etc.
Anxiety clouds the spiritual horizon for all people today, especially Christians!
Gambling addictions and alcoholism are ruining families. Sexually transmitted diseases are ruining lives because America is falling for the lie that sex is free and without consequence. Homosexuals are telling us they should have the right to marriage, and many people in positions of authority are falling for that lie. It is a lie which threatens the integrity and sanctity of marriage, and defies logical explanation to children.
Anxiety and fear is ON EVERY SIDE!
But we have CHRIST! He is the GOOD NEWS for 2005!
We have the WORD of God which is ALWAYS truth!
Let us determine in 2005 to preach the truth and proclaim the gospel as never before!
Love ya,
Bruce