And when we finished our course
from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais,
and saluted the brethren, and
abode with them one day.
Acts 21:7
I have been making the effort to slow down my oftentimes much too busy pace...
from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais,
and saluted the brethren, and
abode with them one day.
Acts 21:7
I have been making the effort to slow down my oftentimes much too busy pace...
...both to rest and to enjoy the winter. I've also been trying to allow myself more time for reading God's word. Change for me is indeed coming, and it's a good thing for sure.
This week I have been reading from the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles, seeing how the early church not only grew in size, but how they did things. For the first century church provides the pattern for the present day church to follow and model ourselves after. With, of course, Jesus Christ being both Chief cornerstone and the church's Head.
I have noticed, as well, that sometimes God does a quick work. In Paul's travels, for example, he stayed in some places for only a day. While at other times he stayed at certain locations for months or years. Yet from this I can observe that not every ministry activity needs to be a long and drawn out operation. In fact, there are times when God can encourage a soul and minister to a person's heart in an instant. In just the space of a day, the Holy Spirit can do a work that will last for eternity.
Whereas, men, in our pride and religiosity, often have ways of making Christianity very complicated. We may spend many months doing some kind of work for the Lord. Yet in the end there may well be nothing to show for all our fleshly labors. I myself have been guilty of this. I'm certain I have done some "Christian" works that were without the Spirit, and therefore have no eternal value.
But the Lord is forgiving, and He knows that everyone who is of the body of Christ is a work in progress. However, reading the book of Acts, I can see that I still have much to learn.
D.B.
This week I have been reading from the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles, seeing how the early church not only grew in size, but how they did things. For the first century church provides the pattern for the present day church to follow and model ourselves after. With, of course, Jesus Christ being both Chief cornerstone and the church's Head.
I have noticed, as well, that sometimes God does a quick work. In Paul's travels, for example, he stayed in some places for only a day. While at other times he stayed at certain locations for months or years. Yet from this I can observe that not every ministry activity needs to be a long and drawn out operation. In fact, there are times when God can encourage a soul and minister to a person's heart in an instant. In just the space of a day, the Holy Spirit can do a work that will last for eternity.
Whereas, men, in our pride and religiosity, often have ways of making Christianity very complicated. We may spend many months doing some kind of work for the Lord. Yet in the end there may well be nothing to show for all our fleshly labors. I myself have been guilty of this. I'm certain I have done some "Christian" works that were without the Spirit, and therefore have no eternal value.
But the Lord is forgiving, and He knows that everyone who is of the body of Christ is a work in progress. However, reading the book of Acts, I can see that I still have much to learn.
D.B.
