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  Rushing Streams Ministries

Thinking out loud

Out of the Shadows

7/31/2015

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“The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people.  And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” Acts 5:14-16 

This was more than a confrontation of ideas and ideals. This was a great truth encounter, a wrestling for the minds of the people. A battle for the hearts and lives of men and women. 

The battle was no longer confined to the corridors of the temple; it moved to where it mattered most--the place were the people lived. 
Suddenly the streets were filled with the sick, the oppressed, the hurt and the possessed, not only from Jerusalem, but also from the towns in the area. 
The pain, the brokenness, the despair and those things hidden because of shame, were suddenly exposed for all to see. 
Things were not well with the people.

The weight of a life resigned to secret dreariness was suddenly wrenched aside by the unexpected and triumphant entry of healing and joy in their midst. 

This was a revelation of God, something no one had seen or expected; this was glorious!


Knowing that healing was available, the streets became an emergency room. All those who had been hopeless, now waited for a shadow to pass over them, a word, or a touch and life. 
The air was energized with a new expectation; they were not just hoping for relief, but fully anticipated wholeness, total restoration. 

The center of attention was no longer the temple, but what was happening on the way to the temple. 
God had moved into the street to meet the needs of His people, and was doing it through uneducated servants who believed Him and the one He sent, Jesus. 

God has not changed. He still moves, and waits for us to believe enough to create an atmosphere in the streets, the side streets and the alleyways that will bring those who are desperate out of the shadows and into His sudden touch.
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The Gathering Crowds

7/23/2015

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“Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” Acts 5:16-18

The people were filled with joy and a reverent awe; God was in their midst.
But not everyone was thrilled.

“But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail” Acts 5:17-18

These unprecedented occurrences were a threat to their influence, and in their fiery passion they were blinded to God’s presence.

When authority becomes a privilege, rather than duty, it creates a gulf between them and those they are called to serve.

The disciples, however, were amongst the people, bringing hope to those whose needs were beyond their own ability to handle.  Isaiah 61:1-4

Unwavering in their determination to show the love of God, they preached the good news, healed the sick, and set the captive free.
By their resolve to follow Christ, they were becoming the spiritual leaders of the city.

The battle lines were more defined each day; the evidence would not change the ruler’s position.
Their answer was to proclaim, “This is not of God.”
Their solution, was to silence the disciples, and attempt to impose even greater controls.

“They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”  Acts 5:40

The move of God, it seems, is always resisted by the few who profess to be the voice of God for the people.

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

To suffer dishonor, shame and humiliation for whom they believed in was for them an honor and a sign of favor.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:26

The disciples knew “His Voice,” and followed in total disregard for what the world did or thought of them.

In the midst of all our daily confrontations, this is our constant challenge: not only, ‘Whose voice do you hear?’ But, ‘Whose voice do you follow?’
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A Great Fear

7/17/2015

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Acts 5:11-16
“And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.” 

What happened could not be contained. It soon spread into the city.  When God is moving, whispers and walls are not a problem. 

This is not the usual way to start a church; it was certainly not a seeker friendly movement. 
The fear could not be denied, the signs and wonders could not be denied, and the holiness of the disciples could not be denied. It separated the curious, the self-centered and the self-sufficient from the hungry. 

Something extraordinary was taking place. 
God was moving in a way that could not be ignored, or explained. 

It was changing the spiritual atmosphere of the city and the region. 

There was no longer a middle ground. Only those who were wholehearted dared to enter; all the rest gave the disciples a wide berth. 
Awe and expectation were in the air. 

Holiness was being manifested apart from the long practiced religious forms, giving rise to a growing excitement that frightened some, but became a life line to others.


When Peter’s shadow suddenly carried a “healing touch,” there was no denying that something extraordinary was happening in the city. 

As the news spread, the people in Jerusalem and the surrounding cities came with their sick, afflicted and hopeless. All who came expecting, received. 

The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira were not wasted; they were a catalyst for a move that would change the city, the region and eventually the known world. 

God wastes nothing; even the deaths of those who try to deceive Him were used for the benefit of others. 

“You intended to harm me, but God had worked it out so that many could be saved.”  Genesis 50:20
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Putting God To The Test

7/10/2015

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“Jesus said to him, [Satan] “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test,” Matthew 4:7 

In this move of God, Ananias put the Lord to the test. 

“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…”  Acts 5:3 

Satan wanted a seat of influence, a way into the community. 
So Satan “filled” Ananias’ heart with an offer. 
A promise of recognition, a position of significance and influence in the growing community. The offer was too good to pass up. He could gain that through a lie, “I gave it all.”  In other words, “I did not hold back.” 

A simple bit of deception, how bad could that be if it accomplishes our purpose, and besides, who would know? 
What was the big deal anyway?
Money was given; what was the difference if he kept some for himself? 
How could a lie be such a dangerous thing?

That is our challenge as well, maintaining our integrity in a world where a lie can seem so much more convenient. 

We live in a world where truth is often inconvenient, when it is easier to slip in a little deception, a few partial truths to accomplish our purpose. 

Ananias lied, he did not have to. 

James warns us; 
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:13-14 

Paul also warns us, 
“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23 

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7 

When we sow a lie, we sin, and we reap the consequences. 

Lying to the Holy Spirit is a dangerous thing. 
We must never forget that when the Holy Spirit is at work, in that place, “If you lie, you may die.”
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Encouragement

7/3/2015

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“… there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”) 
“… He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.” Acts 4:-36 

There were others who gave; what made Barnabas stand out? 
It was not the gift, it was the giver. 
I can only conclude that he personified the Word of the Lord. 

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13 

He loved the Lord, and therefore he loved the people; all else was insignificant. 
His love and care inspired them to love and give of themselves and what they had. 
He was truly “Barnabas,” a “Son of encouragement!” 

As a result of the love of Christ flowing through Barnabas and others, “…there was no one needy among them.” 

Acts 4:34

Love covers not only a multitude of sin, but also covers needs. 1 Peter 4:8-9

Everything was changing among the people of God. 
They became kingdom minded: something bigger than themselves. 

They began to participate with God by giving what they had. 
Self-serving and greed were transformed into compassion and grace. 

It was no longer a matter of petitioning God to “Meet their needs.” 
They embraced the Spirit of the Lord and participated with Him by giving what they had. 

Trusting God for all things, they could let go of all things. 

 They laid down what they had for others, and by having less were free to become more.
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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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