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  Rushing Streams Ministries

Thinking out loud

In need of a Friend

10/24/2015

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Picture
Acts 9:26 

Barely escaping Damascus, Saul returns to Jerusalem. 

In Jerusalem, the disciples remember his heartbreaking persecutions; they mistrust and shun him. 
The Jewish religious establishment now see him as a traitor and no longer accept him. No one trusts him. 

This is not the way to start a world changing ministry, yet, this is God’s plan.  Everything was changing. 

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  Acts 9:15 

His encounter with Jesus turned his world upside down; his theology is in shambles, his social standing is in the pit and most of all his relationships are gone. He no longer belongs in the world he knows 
Everything is radically changed.

Until recently life was so different: 

“I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”  Galatians 1:14 

Now, as God’s chosen instrument, he is alone, confused, mistrusted and shunned in a deeply hostile environment. He is no longer the golden boy of his religious community. 

But God never abandons him. He can’t; it is not His nature. 
God sends him a gift, a friend, Barnabas--the son of encouragement. 

In those moments when our life seems to fall apart, when we suddenly become strangers in a familiar world, we need someone to find us, to walk beside us without judgment, someone to comfort, encourage, console, and trust us. 

Barnabas bridges the gap between the believers and Saul, and becomes his friend. 
At any moment God may call us to be a Barnabas in someone’s life, or receive a Barnabas into our life, to restore or be restored.
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A Changed Life

10/16/2015

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Picture
Acts 9:20-25

From persecutor to persuader, the change is radical. 
The man who once terrified the followers of Jesus now proclaimed his Lordship with great power.

How can it be explained other than God’s plans will be accomplished irrespective of our plans.

Saul was part of God’s plan; he was the instrument needed for the changes that were coming.

For now, he baffled the Jews in Damascus, releasing some into fullness of life and others into murderous rage. 
His ability to persuade the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah had to be stopped.  Theological arguments would not do it; they seldom do.
Firmly held beliefs are written in the stony parts of the heart and they will be defended at all cost.
His testimony was obvious. It could not be countered. Like Saul before his encounter on the road to Damascus, they felt compelled to silence him. 
Saul had to die.

Firmly held beliefs can easily keep us from relating to Jesus or others who follow him.
When doctrine is more significant than people we may be missing the greatest call on our lives: to love God and those He loves.

Saul, who once breathed fury and hatred at Jesus and his followers, would eventually write, 
“…I count all things loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things and consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

And yet, in his passion to know Jesus Christ better, he never lost his love for the ones Jesus loved and died for.
“I have a great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those or my own race, the people of Israel.” Romans 9:2-4

Is this our heart?  To love Christ in the fullest measure, but grieve the ignorance of our brothers and sisters to the point of our being willing to renounce the very thing that gives us life and hope, for the sake of those who have no life or hope?
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Forget what is Behind

10/10/2015

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Picture
“Go into the city…you will be told what to do.”  Acts 9:8
No explanation, just a command.
Blind and shattered by an event he could neither explain nor understand, he waited.

“I am Jesus…”  The words still echoed deep within him.
Life could never be the same again.

On the road he met the one he was intent on destroying and in a moment his life was completely transformed. 
It had not been a gentle encounter. 
The violence of the confrontation had literally unhorsed him. 
Alone, in an unfamiliar place he waited unsure of what would happen next.  Three days and then the knock at the door, “Brother Saul, the Lord — Jesus, who appeared to you…”  This was a much gentler meeting; Ananias,  unsure but obedient, spoke words that brought comfort and healing. 
“He sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 9:17

Paul did not resist; the events of the last three days so mystified him he was left unsure and powerless. He simply submitted to Ananias.
“He was healed and was baptized…” 
He became what he hated three days before, a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
His changed heart did not change his passion; that was a gift from God. He  repented, refocused and quickly recommitted to the call on his heart: Serve God with all your heart.
“At once he began to preach in the synagogues.”

He did not allow his former ignorance to stop him from fulfilling the call on his life.
“…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13

Forget what is behind, it is a distraction and a snare that traps and limits us. 
Like Paul, once our eyes are opened, we press forward.
Fully committed to the only worthwhile goal, Jesus.
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Who are you? Acts 9:5

10/4/2015

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Picture
Saul (Paul) in his passion for God missed the very revelation of the one he now persecuted.
He was blinded to the truth, and spewed hatred at those who did not see “his truth.” 
Saul thought he knew God, believing that he had an obligation and authority to protect the all powerful God. 
On the way to protect God from the “heretics,” Saul was blinded and his eyes were opened.

“Who are you, Lord?” Acts 9:5   He recognized the one in front of him as Lord.

We must never forget that He is always Lord before He is a friend.

Without the realization that He is our Lord and beyond understanding, we can soon presume and move into the arrogance of a common friendship.

Like Paul and the disciples, we all need an encounter with Jesus that changes our beliefs about who He is.
“Who is this?"  Mark 4:41
“Who is this man…” Luke 7:49; 8:25; 9:9

Even John who thought he knew Him intimately, was totally overcome with a new revelation of the Lord.
Revelation 1:17 

Without wonderment and awe we drift into a relationship that lacks a deep sense of reverence. 

The mystery of Jesus is too large for us to even begin to understand. We will never know who He truly is and what He did on our behalf.
It is all His initiative. (2Corinthians 5:18)

As we seek Him more and more, that question has to arise in us, “Who are you, Lord?”
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    Thinking Out Loud

    These are short meditations on some of the thoughts and ideas we receive as we read, study or ponder the things of God.
    They are short blogs meant to cause us to think, explore, meditate or simply delight in the things of the Lord.


    Author

    In a counseling career spanning over 30 years, author and teacher Martin Frankena has shared the life-changing power of Christ’s redemption with individuals and churches in America, Canada, South America, and Europe.  Martin's heart is to further the Lord’s mandate of releasing people into freedom from bondages to experience greater wholeness and fulfillment in life. A major focus of the ministry is healing from generational issues.

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