ENJOYING ACTS

Today is Thursday.  I so enjoyed our Walk Through The Bible last night.  It was a joy!  Today, I read in Acts and it is always a blessing and a challenge.  It challenges us to biblical Christianity.  We see those who gave their lives for the truth.  What a blessing to have this godly heritage of committed apostles of Jesus Christ.  Here are a few thoughts: 1) JUST THE RIGHT WORDS- In Acts 10:22 says that Cornelius the centurion was visited by an angel  to see out Peter, "to hear words of thee".  This is what the messengers sent fro Cornelius told Peter.  Now when he got there, Peter starts preaching and in verse 44 it says:  "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."  Cornelius and all that were with him got saved!  Wow!  That is wonderful.  Now, what are the right words that they heard.  What were the words that Peter was speaking?  In verse 43 we find... "That through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."  This is the Gospel:  "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."  Also, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  So these words were "Just the right words!"  Last Sunday night, a young man was introduced to me, and Katrina who brought him said:  Pastor, I asked ________ if he was saved, and he doesn't understand what that means, can you explain it to him.  I did, and he was readily saved.  The power of the Gospel to saved all who believe!  Praises! 2) THE GLORY, NOT THE GORY- In Acts 12:23, we see that "the angel of the Lord smote him" (Herod).  Now why?  Well, in verse two of this chapter we see that he had James, the brother of John killed with the sword.  In verse 4 we see that he captured Peter, and had the same plans for him after Easter.  God responded to the prayers of His people and sent an angel to get Peter out of prison.  He was guarded by sixteen soldiers who were all killed as a results of not holding Peter (vs. 19) But no.... these are not the reasons Herod was killed by God.  It was not the gory, but the glory.  Herod made a speech in verse 21 and 22, and they said it was the "voice of a god, and not of a man." and in verse 23: "And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."  Though Herod had done many "gory" things, he died, because he did not give the "glory" to God that he should have.  Oh brother and sister.... let us "Give God the glory, due unto His name."  3) GOD'S WITNESS- Acts 14:17 says:  "Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."  Paul is preaching and is saying that God's witness is His goodness, His rain sent from heaven, and the fruitful seasons He has sent for men to enjoy.  Nature is God's witness!  So that all men are without excuse.  God's Word says it... so be it! Well, hope you have a great day.  I have so much more I could write about, but time is gone.  God bless! Pastor Mike Mutchler