ACTS

I'm in Acts today, and it the eve to Christmas eve!  Wow!  Looking forward to church tonight with my Church family!  Here are a few thoughts from Acts: 1) WHAT DIFFERENT PATHS- In Acts 13:1, it says:  "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul."  Now these names are prophets and teachers, but I want to point out one of them.  Manaen.  The Bible says "which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch".  The margin of my Bible has a note that says:  "Herod's foster brother".  They were brought up together, and yet one served God and one resisted God.  One died in chapter 12:23 because he took God's glory, and the other was a prophet and teacher of the Lord Jesus Christ.  What different paths... what different eternities!  One for God and good, the other for self and destruction.  We too decide our path.... chose wisely! 2) STILL TODAY!  Acts 13:8 says:  "But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation" withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith."  Now, Sergius Paulus, was a deputy of the country who desired to learn about God (vs. 7), but Elymas tried his best to  "turn away the deputy from the faith".  Today, we have many like Elymas.  When people are responsive to the Gospel, they seek to turn them away from the LORD.  I have seen it out witnessing, and I have seen it at church.  The scoffer, the ridiculer of God and the Bible.  God will deal with them in His own timing, and that dealing may be for eternity unless they repent.  Just know that it will be that way till Jesus comes.  Expect the mockers like Elymas, but keep telling the old, old story of Jesus and His love! 3) SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DAILY- In Acts 17:11, we see the people of Berea, who "were more noble that those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."  They "searched the scriptures daily"!  Isn't that what God would have us do?  Yes, we draw strength and instruction from God's Word, and we need both.  Instruction to know what to do, and strength to do what we know.  A winning combination.  Search God's Word daily! Well, I've shared with you just three thoughts of many I saw this morning as I searched the scriptures.  Hope you have a blessed day and Merry Christmas!!   Pastor Mike Mutchler