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  Rushing Streams Ministries

Thinking out loud

Choosing Blindness

12/19/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Acts 12:18-22
Herod, an insecure ruler, craved public approval: a deadly blend. He was well aware of the events in Jerusalem and Judea.
His plan to execute Peter was only a people pleasing gesture.
Peter’s miraculous escape was perplexing. Herod, a man of few close friends and even less self-confidence, cannot admit that God is close and at work in the city. That requires humility.
In reaction Herod has the hapless guards executed.
And promptly leaves town.

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
Acts 12:19b

Caesarea is a city more to his liking, away from the spiritual tensions of Jerusalem.

He refuses to believe the reports and evidence of the all the events that witnessed to him. His blindness is a choice. A choice that keeps him, or anyone else, locked in insecurity, unholy cravings and the hunger for acceptance and approval of all but God.

A quarrel between Herod and the people of Tyre and Sidon provides another opportunity to acknowledge the God of Israel. A meeting is called.

“On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died."

When Herod, (who knew the law,) embraces the words of the people, approving of their idolatry, he signed his own death warrant.

How often are we tempted by the desire for the glory that comes from man, and in so doing, deny, or ignore the God of all glory.

The seductive beguilement of power, acclaim and riches and all the worldly benefits that come with it, is a deadly trap that will easily destroy us.

“Lord, protect us from the seductive power of the approval of man.
Keep us free from the wasteful and destructive desire of worldly glory that blinds us to your goodness and glory.”
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Prayers and Doors

12/12/2015

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Picture
Acts 12:1-17
James was dead and Peter was in prison.
Herod resumed the persecution of the church. The season of undeclared peace was over.
Across the city, behind closed doors, the church went into earnest and urgent prayer.    
There wasn’t much time; Passover was coming to an end and so was the life of Peter.
James was dead and Peter would soon follow.  They waited, their prayer seemingly unanswered. Confused and without direction, their faith began to wane; the situation was hopeless.

In prison, Peter is sleeping!  He has come to terms with his impending death.  Suddenly an angel awakens him. “Quick! Get up.”  The chains fell off. He has quick clear instructions.  “Get dressed, put on your sandals.  Put on your coat and follow me.”
Peter thought it was a vision. In the street away from the prison, the angel left.
Then came the sudden realization: it was not a vision.  “It is really true!”  He had not expected to be delivered.
Meanwhile at Mary’s house many had gathered for prayer.  This was the night before Peter’s trial and execution. Their hearts, and therefore their prayers were not expecting Peter’s deliverance; they were comforting and resigning themselves to his death and their loss. 
It is late when they are disturbed by the knock on the door.
A servant is sent to check.  She recognizes Peter’s voice and  overjoyed, she runs back announcing, “Peter is at the door!” 
She is told, “You are out of your mind.”  She insists.  Finally they conclude, “It must be an angel.” 
The possibility that in might be Peter does not enter their minds.
Peter’s persistent knocking finally convinces them. 
This was the last thing they expected.  We do not know what they prayed, but their earnest prayers had not the faith that included Peter’s deliverance from Herod.

Their prayers had summoned an angel to loosen Peter’s chains, open the door to his cell, move unseen past the guards and out to the streets through the now open prison door, but at the last moment they almost failed to open the door needed to receive the answer to their prayers.

This often seems to be our experience - we pray earnestly, but without expectation.  We do not truly believe that our prayer will be answered, and when it is, we are surprised and awed, rather than quietly grateful.

“Lord, thank you that you answer all prayer, even if it is with a, “No.” 
And forgive us, Lord, for expecting a, “No!”

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Barnabas - Father

12/3/2015

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Picture
Acts 11:24-26 
“…and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” 

Barnabas recognized his limitations. He needed help. 

“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.” 
He knew Saul, an impetuous man, but a man who was completely sold out to serve the Lord.

“So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people.” 

The young believers needed a mentor, a teacher, someone to love and nurture them. But most of all they needed a father to guide them through the searching, doubtful, and confused times. As Barnabas taught and fathered the new believers, Saul caught the significance of fathering.  He would later write. 
“Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.”  1 Corinthians 4:15

Fathering involves being present to encourage, to correct and to release into responsibility. 
It involves dedicating time to those who hunger for the blessing of presence that only comes with individual attention. 
As much as a child needs quality time with his parents, so a new believer needs quality time with a spiritual parent. 

Fathers must invest time, the essential commodity needed to nurture and to grow a strong, mature loving member in the community. 
In Antioch, fathering was evident. 
These sons and daughters of Barnabas learned to love and honor one another to such an extent that the community had a special name for them: Christians. 

“It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.” 
Acts 11:26 

A name that inspired honor and respect. 

Is there evidence of fathering in our community? 
Are we, as sons and daughters of the Living God, looked upon with honor and respect? 
Have we been fathered in the faith?
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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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