ACTS

Today is Wednesday.  We had 250 teens last night, and it the same growth takes place we will have well over 300 teens tonight for the teen revival.  44 were saved and the teens applauded each decision for Christ.  It was indeed amazing to see.  Though most are public school teens, you can see that the Holy Spirit was moving in the service and spoke to them.  Please pray for the big service tonight.  We had no clue what to expect, but much more than we expected is happening! I'm reading in Acts today, and it is a blessing.  Here is a thought or two: 1) EASTER- I had someone tell me Sunday that they did not like the KJV mentioning the word EASTER, since it had it's start in heathen worship.  Well, in Acts 12:4, is the only time the word is given, and it is referring to the day "Easter" that the civil government recognized.  It makes no reference one way or another about it being good or bad.  It was not referring to the resurrection, since Christians had no holiday at this time commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I'm guessing you realize the months we have came from "unChristian" things as well.  But as with language, something that starts out one thing takes on another meaning as time goes on.  We don't worship a "Christmas tree", but people did worship trees at one time. (Hyper Environmentalist might still do.)  Because you give your children candy at Halloween (Oct. 31) doesn't mean you are observing "All Saints Day".  It just means you were looking for an excuse to give a treat to your children and other children.  The meanings have shifted.  In fact, Christmas was for Christ's birth, but our society has even taken that and shifted it's meaning to only commercial endeavors.  Anyway, this is my simple explanation and see that the translators of the KJV were accurate in using the word to date the event as a secular holiday that occurred.  2) AFTER MINE OWN HEART- In Acts 13:22, it is recorded that God found a "man after mine own heart" who was David the son of Jesse.  This does not mean that David had the heart of God, it meant that David was "after" the heart of God.  He was going for it!  He did not possess, nor do we ever possess the great heart of God, but we should always be "after" the heart of God.  We fail, but God doesn't.  We do not love perfectly, but God does.  But, we can be after the heart of God.  Psalms 42:1  "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."  Here we see that David was "after" the LORD.   Are we?? 3) RECEPTIVE-READINESS-RESEARCHED  This sums up the Berean people.  They were receptive to the Word that Paul preached. (Acts 17:11 "they received the word"); Then they sowed a "readiness of mind" to accept the Word of God.  They were not biased against the Word of the LORD.  Then they "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."  This describes the fact that they researched what Paul preached.  Oh for the people who are receptive, have a readiness, and research their Bibles to see if such things are so.  Well, so much for today.  Have a blessed day and keep our teens in your prayers.  Pastor Mike Mutchler