13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. - Acts 19
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” - Acts 20
Message:
Knowing GOD is more important than knowing about GOD. The truth lies in your heart.
Observation/Promise:
There are many religious people in this world. And Religion can be an act that can be played upon. But GOD knows the truth, the truth lies in your heart. People can be religious, act faithful, pretend to be spiritual gurus. But the True disciples of Yeshua are known by their fruits. Yeshua says in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
True Disciples of GOD do not depend on others to supply their needs. Like Paul he worked hard on his own to be a blessing to the ones he shares the good news with, not to be a burden to them.
True Disciples of GOD do not depend on others to supply their needs. Like Paul he worked hard on his own to be a blessing to the ones he shares the good news with, not to be a burden to them.
Command/Application:
Be Real. Be true to yourself, to your frustrations, to the things you don't understand and carry them all to GOD. Do not pretend to be strong if you know you are weak, but be confident that even in your weakness GOD is holding you up never leaving you. For those also that try to please GOD, be careful that you do not end up pleasing people instead. There is a thin line between a follower of Yeshua and being a people pleaser in church. Sometimes when we follow Yeshua, we disappoint others especially those that has confined us to be what they think we should be. But GOD wants us to be more that what we think we are and what others expects of us. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Do not let the opinion of others affect you but let GOD and His will transform you. Work hard to supply your needs. Do not depend on others, depend on the provisions of GOD. For when we bless others whom we are also sharing our faith with, we become credible and even more believable. We are not sharing our faith because we need something from them, we share our faith because we want to bless them.
