Acts chapter nine is one of my favorite stories concerning the acts of the Holy Spirit. The man who was to become the great apostle—Paul of Tarsus—was caught red-handed by the Holy Spirit as he was riding off to imprison Christians for their faith. Just because he did not believe what they believed, he wanted to rid the earth of them. Just because he thought that the believers were hurting Judaism, as he knew it to be, he wanted to rid the earth of them.
Fortunately, God is not afraid of big mouth, know-it-alls who are unafraid to voice their opinions and even demonstrate a willingness to back it up with warlike actions. Who in your life that’s fits this description? You need to have faith in God’s ability to save your big mouth, cocky, pugnacious friend or family member! Start believing God for their conversion. Ask God to catch them in His net like He did Saul.
In fact, after you read this blog drop to your knees and offer up this prayer to the Lord.
“Dear God, bring strong willed, unbelieving __________ to You in a dramatic way! Leave no stones unturned! Catch them in Your salvation net! May they immediately, like Saul, begin to share Your word and their conversion story with others. I ask You these things in the name of Jesus! Amen.”
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Bloggers, the purpose of this daily blog is not for me to preach to you or for us to preach to one another. Rather, we are to find encouragement to successfully complete our 40-day journey. We are also to offer praise reports citing how God has helped us reclaim areas of our lives that have been stolen by Satan or had been lying dormant through our own neglect or discouragement until now.
Cyndi’s testimony blessed me and even helped Erica (as did Wilene’s words) see how one has to be Spirit-directed even in sharing our faith.
So, drop a few lines—nothing lengthy—sharing how you’re reclaiming areas of your life through this journey. Remember, brief is good. And, if you have any sticking points or require further clarity with my daily blog, please let me know. Have a great day!
Fortunately, God is not afraid of big mouth, know-it-alls who are unafraid to voice their opinions and even demonstrate a willingness to back it up with warlike actions. Who in your life that’s fits this description? You need to have faith in God’s ability to save your big mouth, cocky, pugnacious friend or family member! Start believing God for their conversion. Ask God to catch them in His net like He did Saul.
In fact, after you read this blog drop to your knees and offer up this prayer to the Lord.
“Dear God, bring strong willed, unbelieving __________ to You in a dramatic way! Leave no stones unturned! Catch them in Your salvation net! May they immediately, like Saul, begin to share Your word and their conversion story with others. I ask You these things in the name of Jesus! Amen.”
╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬ ╬
Bloggers, the purpose of this daily blog is not for me to preach to you or for us to preach to one another. Rather, we are to find encouragement to successfully complete our 40-day journey. We are also to offer praise reports citing how God has helped us reclaim areas of our lives that have been stolen by Satan or had been lying dormant through our own neglect or discouragement until now.
Cyndi’s testimony blessed me and even helped Erica (as did Wilene’s words) see how one has to be Spirit-directed even in sharing our faith.
So, drop a few lines—nothing lengthy—sharing how you’re reclaiming areas of your life through this journey. Remember, brief is good. And, if you have any sticking points or require further clarity with my daily blog, please let me know. Have a great day!
Hello Everyone,
ReplyDeleteSorry for taking up space - do get carried away when it comes to sharing how God has set me free. Hope everyone have a great day today :)
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Hello all. I jsut wanted to share that this 40 day journey has been helping a coworker of mine. She is not a member of Christ Church and has only visited once. She lost her husband in June and mother in law a month before that. She has been in a state of depression since then. She has some good moments, but I haven't seen real joy in her in a while. I invited her to participate, and for the first time in a long time, she is excited about something. She looks forward to our talks and we keep each other on board with staying on top of the readings. I myself am just a 5 month old Christian and was just baptized on Sunday. I'm just so glad that God is using me to help others see the light that He shines.
ReplyDeleteSunday's 8am sermon, "Bad Past, Good Future," so resonated with me. Through the message, the Holy Spirit reminded me to add something very important to my "take back" list: my child-like and complete trust in God that was eroded because of painful parts of my past. During the journey, I want to have the kind of trust that my 5 year-old niece had when she said to me, "Aunt Tuey, I know you'll never let anything happen to me."
ReplyDeleteWilene, please keep posting your thoughts because they bless me and the other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteAhki, it is amazing how God allows nothing to go to waste or be limited to a certain group. Keep us apprised of your friend's healing progress.
Tammie, thanks for helping us see that Operation Take Back is not limited to tangible items. Intangible things like faith, trust, hope, etc. are also part of our quest, as we seek to reclaim areas of our lives.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Food for thought... (Power of Prayer & Faith)
ReplyDeleteI was reading Acts chapter seven again and Stephen's last words of prayer caught my attention Acts 7:60 "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." I was reminded of what Jesus said on the cross, Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
By faith Stephen prayed, Act 7:55, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and remained in Operation Take Back during his persecution until he fell asleep. Although the prayer was general in tone, it was specific to one person and as a result, Acts 9:3-6 Saul's conversion was God answering Stephen's prayer.
My point is Spirit filled prayers of faith = Operation Take Back
Stuart,
ReplyDeleteGreat post ....... well said, we need to be led by the Spirit of God to be victorious in our lives!