Even When Scared, Let Us Obey the Word of God
We hear statements, and sometimes we even repeat the statements we hear; however, not all words spoken by humanity are statements of fact. Some are slogans that sound pretty, that seem right, and even appear “biblical;” nevertheless, sometimes the words people speak are nothing but pure lies. “God helps those who help themselves.” This statement is a LIE!
Jesus spoke against this—listening to lies spoken.
&
Jesus told us plainly—what we must instead do as we walk through life.
Let us listen to Jesus recorded in RED within God’s Holy Word.
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars.
See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
[7 October 2023 will forever be a day of remembrance.
- Deadly, evil atrocities occurred as Hamas, a terrorist group, attacked Israel.
- Deadly, life-altering earthquake & after-shocks ravaged Afghanistan.]
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
(Matthew 24: 5-13 NASB)
God uses his children to touch the world.
God used a man named Ananias, so why would we think that God would not use us too.
During the time of the early church, there was a man, Saul, a terrorist who persecuted Christians. He received the backing from the high priest to commit this evilness. One particular day, Saul was traveling to Damascus to persecute “any belonging to the Way, both men and women, [so] he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (The Acts of the Apostles 9: 2b NASB)
The Holy Spirit of God spoke to Ananias, a servant of God.
Ananias was commanded by Almighty God—
“And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,
(The Acts of the Apostles 9: 11-12 NASB)
and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him,
so that he might regain his sight.”
Even When Scared, Let Us Obey the Word of God
“But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;
(The Acts of the Apostles 9: 13-16 NASB)
and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Even When Scared, Let Us Obey the Word of God
“any belonging to the Way, both men and women, . . .”
- Share the work the Holy Spirit leads us to do in Jesus’ name.
- Surround yourself with other believers in Christ.
- Live for Christ day-in & day-out.
- Do the work Christ Jesus commands—Love others—even those who cannot help themselves.
- Let us love others as Jesus taught us to love.
- Walk in community, in fellowship with other children of God, as brothers & sisters-in Christ.
- Love the lost.
- Love the lost—out loud in situations & in the way the watching world just might not understand.
- Love those who sin differently than we (do). &
- Love and care for those who already follow Jesus as Savior & Lord.
“So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said,
(The Acts of the Apostles 9: 17-19 NASB)
“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming,
has sent me
so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And immediately
there fell from his eyes [from the terrorist’s eyes, Saul’s]
something like scales, and he regained his sight
and he got us and was baptized;
and he took food and was strengthened.”
Let Us—
- Love as God commands!
- Love others as Jesus taught us to love.
Let Us—
- Remember, the Word of God reminds us over & again—We are at war, not against mankind, but against the prince of darkness—the Devil, who only “comes to kill & to destroy” & take away everything that is of God.
Yes, Let Us—
- Always remember—This battle is a war for souls!
- Help the cause for Christ!
- Lead others to come to know Christ as Savior & Lord!
- See how God transforms their whole being from inside—out!
The Gospel message & Jesus Christ Himself promises us—He is coming soon!
- Soon could be TODAY!
The Gospel message of Christ Jesus IS NOT A LIE BUT 100% TRUTH!
The apostle Paul (the man formerly known as Saul) became a missionary to the Gentile nation, and he became the instrument God said Saul would become. Ananias was given an opportunity to be used by God, and Ananias obeyed God!
The apostle Paul penned these words to a young preacher, Timothy, words that are recorded in the Word of God, words that encourage us to see how God still uses those “any belonging to the Way, both men and women, . . .”
“It is a trustworthy statement,
- deserving full acceptance,
- that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,
among whom I am foremost of all.
Yet for this reason I found mercy,
so that in me as the foremost,
Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
- Now to the King eternal,
- immortal,
- invisible,
- the only God,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
(The First Letter of Paul to Timothy 1: 15-17 NASB)
The Gospel message & Jesus Christ Himself promises us—He is coming soon!
Even When Scared, Let Us Obey the Word of God
Finally, let us pause to listen to the gospel, the TRUTH, Jesus Himself speaks to us, those who are to do the work the Holy Spirit of God leads us to—every moment of every single day we remain alive.
“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
(Matthew 24: 11-14 NASB)
Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”