Keeping on the move
Read Acts 8:1-8 what can we learn from this great record.
(I Recommend You read Acts Chapter 7 first to get the full Picture.)
Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
At the time of the death of the wonderful believer Stephen, there was a great persecution against the church at Jerusalem, which scattered the believers.
The god of this world (satan) was working through the religious people of that day by promoting fear and division to the point the believers were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Saul was making havock of the church through the death of Stephen and going after the believers and putting them in prison.
But the response of the believers was amazing they was not moved by fear of what was happening, they did not give up on God and live in defeat or hide behind closed doors, these wonderful believer that were scattered, shocked the devil by responding in faith, by preaching the word, their form of defence was offence, they kept moving,they did not give up in defeat,
Philip the evangelist went to the city of Samaria, and preach Christ unto them and the results of this was powerful through Philips preaching, and one of the reason for the results, was that the people was hearing Philip preach.
They listen to what he was saying because of the miracles he was doing, devil spirits were cast out and people were getting healed. signs miracles and wonders followed Philip because he believed and the people hearing Philip believed. Philip was walking by and being led by the spirit of God. the results of this was, there was great joy in that city.
When persecution comes your way and it comes in many forms what is your response you can determine how you will act. There are two ways we can react one is fear the other is faith. we decide.
It is very easy to get caught up with the fear factor of the times we are living in, but those that know their God (through relationship) shall absolutely be strong and do exploits, getting the right perspective of the time we are living in is very important, satan has adapted his methods from the times of the early church to the times we are living in now, we need to identify how he is moving today.
God by way of Paul exhorts us not to be ignorant of satan devices so we can stand against the wiles of methods of the devil, he is the cause of the problem you can not fight a spiritual battle with five sense means.
Read Ephesians 6:10-20
we decide to be strong in the Lord and take our stand to be bold as lion.
We have a mighty God who moves through you as you believe Him, He has his protection around you, and the best defence is offence, preach the word be instant in season out of season, we are ready to move can do believers.
God is with us and Christ is in us, so who can be against us, the world promotes fear, religion promotes fear, world leaders promote fear, but we promote and preach Jesus Christ and the love of God and grace of God to all mankind. The goodness of God leads people to turn around and move in the right direction through the preaching of the gospel and demonstrating the power of God through mighty sign and wonders which accompany us as we believe .
The best defence is offence, preach the word be instant in season out of season, we are ready to move can do believers. Time to live in the spirit and walk by the spirit and be led by the spirit of living God dwelling in you. Time to rise up make your stand, let people see and know what your truly about, no time to be a secret service Christian.
Have a great day
Laur x
