Good morning! I often write notes so that I won’t forget. I use those notes when I have forgotten something or need to go back and make a reference to something. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to go back and check your notes? Today, we will see how a leader used past notes – the Bible to help the people remember.
Bible verse
12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter[c] has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 15 And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written:
16 ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house[d] of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles—all those I have called to be mine. The Lord has spoken— 18 he who made these things known so long ago.’[e] 19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.”” – Acts 15:12-21 NLT
Key Point
- “So that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord – including the Gentiles (non-Jews) – all those I have called mine. The Lord has spoken.” (v.17)
Reflection
The points made in these verses support the fact that Gentiles received the Good News prior to Paul and Barnabas sharing it. Peter spoke also to the Gentiles and they received the Holy Spirit. Now James, brother of Jesus is also pointing out scripture from the book of Amos to note alignment. It’s easy to get caught up in what the masses might say, but the question we should ask is what does scripture say about that?
Sisters and brothers, Jesus came for us all. There is salvation in no other name but Jesus. Whenever in doubt of what is being taught to you or said always go back to the scriptures – the Bible itself (not just one verse but the full context), it won’t mislead you.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for reminding us that we are loved and accepted by you. Lord, you have been so good to us, even when we felt rejected and alone, you were and continue to be with us. Lord, there are a lot of disputes and unrest in our nation today. Lord, the enemy is infiltrating our homes, communities, jobs, churches, and our nations leaders. But Lord, we know You see this. We know you hear the cries of those you call Yours. Lord, we lift our hands in full surrender to you. We give you everything that you have given to us, to use for your glory and purpose. Lord, strengthen us in faith and make us courageous and bold for the things that concern you. Lord, Your word says no weapon formed us against will prosper. That all things begin and end with you as the Alpha and Omega. That you will be with us, you will protect us, you will be our strength, that you will hear and answer us, that you will provide for us, and that you will give us peace. Lord, our hope, faith and trust is in you alone. Have your way in our lives today. In Jesus name, amen.
Events
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