Acts 8:4-8 – Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Wherever God placed them, wherever they went, at every opportunity, they preached the Word. What is our excuse? We might lose our job? They were being pursued for preaching the Word and many of them were imprisoned or lost their lives. Yet we don’t preach the Word because we might lose a job, or some “friends.” (If they were really friends they would not disassociate their selves because we share our love for Jesus.) Family, we can make every excuse we want to but the fact remains that we are called to share the Gospel (Mark 16:15, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:12-15) and these disciples did and we too often don’t. Let’s not let ourselves make excuses or rationalize, if we are disobeying a command of Jesus, let’s look at the Truth face to face. Family for what reason, what possession, what person, or what job do we choose to disobey Jesus? The Word of God warns us that in the End Times the persecution against us would be great (Matthew 24:9, Revelation 6:9-11, Timothy, 1 Peter 4:12-14.) Family Matthew 24:12-13 states that in the End Times, as wickedness grows in the world (As it now does), that as the mores of the world pull further from God, many who have claimed Jesus will have their love of God grow cold. They will choose to mold to the ways of the world and leave the “old ways” behind. They will choose the world rather than what Jesus taught. They will twist the Word of God to fit the changing world. Family, beware and be strong. Hold strong to the teaching of the Word and teach our children before the world seduces them away. Family and Friends, people whom I love and pray for, please, please cling to Jesus and His Word.
“When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” Over and over again we see that the miracles and the healings in the Bible were meant as a sign to show when and whom God was using to give His message. We must remember that nowhere does it say God will stop doing miraculous healings, miracles, or even supernatural knowledge and people who can discern and cast out evil spirits. It is ridiculous that those who will adamantly proclaim that the devil has existed and still exists, and so do the demons that serve him, will then say that demons don’t possess humans or attack them. Even those who claim to be students of His Word will deny the supernatural. What cannot be understood they dismiss. Yet they miss that they dismiss the supernatural because of lack of understanding of the miracles and healings, and yet even the early biblical disciples did not know how God did the supernatural, they just knew that God did. People we don’t understand how God moves supernaturally, we just need to embrace that He does. Also, be careful with definition of miracles. God interrupts rules. Don’t join scoffers, even Christian scoffers, who think that God can’t provide for small needs in supernatural and God ordained ways. Don’t deny that God still works supernaturally. Don’t believe that all the supposedly psychiatrically damaged just need medication or man’s wisdom, sometimes, not all the time, they need God’s power to break a demonic hold (though no demon can possess a Christian because of the Holy Spirit residing within). I would rather give God credit for everything than give Him little or no credit for the good things that happen to me. I may be called a fool. Yes, I a fool for Jesus who thanks Him for all the good in my life. I pray I never become too “smart” to do so!
“So there was great joy in that city.” Wherever Philip (A disciple/deacon, one of The Seven (Acts 21:8)) went he shared the Gospel. Philip was bold and was firm in his conviction to do what Jesus said rather than what any person said. He eventually was crucified, upside down, for his faith. Jesus was his pearl. How about us? Is Jesus our pearl that we most desire? Or is He one of a list of things we want for our lives? Family, may we love Jesus our Savior and Lord more than any other thing or person. It is what Jesus demands (Matthew 10:37). God, Jesus, must come first in our lives. Only He can provide all that we seek and need. Let’s cling to Jesus and receive all of God’s promises. Let’s cling not only to the promises of God, but also to the commandments of God. Jesus must be our number one and He has no competitors. Praises to our God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.