Good morning to all on this Sunday morning. Waine and I are in Thomaston and it is just gorgeous. Hot yes but also gorgeous. We had an old friend, Joe Hargrove a cardiologist from Little Rock visit us yesterday and it was good to catch up. We have known Joe for probably 30 years and it is amazing that when you have true friends, you may not see each other often but there is true warmth and feeling when you do get together. Aleron was named one of 40 young Medical Professionals by the National Medical Association. The awards are being given at the end of July in Hawaii but he will not be able to attend. Congratulations Aleron!
I am continuing my journey in Acts chapter 23 verses 1-35, "Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’ Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.” The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”
Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.” He wrote a letter as follows: Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix:Greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin. I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him. So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.
When you are in the Will of the Father, nothing and I mean nothing that men try to plot against you will work. I have been witness to this in my own life. When you put your life and future in the God's Hand nothing that the evil one puts forth against you can defeat you. Let's face it. The Bible tells us that Satan's major job is to roam this earth seeking to devour all that exist. His plan is to have as many of God's creations dwell with him in eternity without God. Satan then thinks he will be the supreme ruler and not God. I am sure that even Satan now realizes his folly however because his nature is evil he cannot stop himself. He no longer has free will to turn from his sinful nature because he has become sin. Wow--an epiphany.
Likewise, God is love and can only be love. When we are not in His love then you know that sin abounds somewhere in your life that blinds you to the true love of God. God can't be anything but love. God cannot exist or dwell anywhere there is sin. He keeps His promises and unless you read His Word you have no earthly idea what those Promises are. One of His promises is that no calamity will befall the chosen--and just like in Paul's case He will protect you from others and yourself. He will protect you from your natural tendency to hurt others and yourself when you submit your will to Him. He will protect you from the ravages of disease, financial failures, lies and deceit when you believe and trust. Even when you don't God will only allow so much stress to affect you--only enough for you to turn your face to Him and receive the blanket of love and forgiveness through Christ.
If you find yourself in a mess today--even if its of your own doing, stop, drop and roll back into the arms of Christ, so like Paul a lesion of angels will be dispatched to protect you into a safe haven. Never fear the plots of people against you. Whom God ordained, He also predestined even unto death. God loves you best and will protect you --you need only ask.
Thank you God for being better to us then we are to ourselves. To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you.
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Stephanie
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