Know Your Rights!!!

This blog is read in 15 countries around the world.  Unfortunately what I write today may seem particularly American.  Sorry about that.

I think it is vital that we all understand our laws and know our rights.  There are many Christians that think we should always just acquiesce and not question authority.  If government says that is the way it is, then we should just shut our mouths and accept it. 

Let's see if Scripture gives us any guidance on this.

Acts 25:9-12(NKJV)

9But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”

10So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 

11For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

In this example Paul knows that the Jews are trying to railroad him.  Does he sit there and take it?  Nope.  What happens?  Paul clearly knows his rights and he exercises them.  He doesn't just sit there and go off like a lamb to slaughter (that part has already been played!)

I think that is a good lesson for us all to learn.  We need to try and be agreeable and get along with all but we don't have to sit there and take it if someone tries to violate our rights.

Bound In the Spirit

Have you ever felt bound in the Spirit?

Acts 20:22(NKJV)

22And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 

To me it sounds like a description of when you feel God compelling you to do something.  I think we've all felt that at one time or another.  A lot of times we resist, at least in the beginning.  But the feeling won't go away.   The sooner we give in and go with the flow, the sooner life gets back to normal. 

Being bound in the Spirit is a good thing.  Next time you feel it coming on, don't fight it.  God has something great in store for you!

"let us not fight against God."

Acts 23:9(NKJV)

9Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; £but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

Have you ever been in a situation where you have wrestled with God?  You know what I mean.  You know God is trying to tell you something.  He is trying to lead you in the direction He wants you to go, but you resist.  We've all been there haven't we?

How did it work out for you?  Personally I have found out, time after time, that God' usually get's His way.

That's why I'd say the above Scripture is good advice.  Save yourself some time and aggravation.  If God takes the time to communicate with you directly, just say yes and get to work!  :)

"TO THE UNKNOWN GOD"

Acts 17:23(NKJV)

23for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 

Man seems to have in inner need to search for and worship God.  What's interesting though is that some people think they are smarter than God.  I'm reminded of the people  who pick and choose.  Their hearts are in the right place.  They want to do good and they want to worship.

The problem I see is that they seem to pick and choose what they consider to be the "best" from several religions and throw them together.  As if their judgment is superior to God's. 

Folks there is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ.  That is what the Bible tells us.  Now it is either 100% true or it isn't.  If you think it isn't then you are saying that the God of the Bible is a liar because His Word clearly tells us that it is true.

If you think it is true then you have already accepted Jesus as your savior haven't you?  If you still haven't made that commitment, why not do it right now?  Just ask Jesus to come into your life and lead you.  Tell Him that you believe He is the only way to Heaven.  Just have a conversation with Him.  "Dear Jesus…."

Oh no, please don't go!

 

Acts 21:10-13(NKJV)

10And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 

11When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

12Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 

13Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Now not many of us are going to be called on to sacrifice our physical lives for Christ.  But symbolically speaking God will call many of us to surrender our lives in other ways.  It may be in the way of giving up a lucrative career to go into ministry.  It may be a call to the mission field.  It could be any number of things.  It could happen to us or to others we know.

Here is a question.  If it happens to others would you be supportive or would your first response be like many of the people in this Scripture who tried to  persuade Paul not to follow God's plan because you feared for their safety? 

If it were you that were called how would you respond to the concern of others?  Would you let it sway you from God's purpose or would you hold fast?

Having been in one of those positions in the past let me offer my prospective.  Never get between someone else and God.  If they feel called then be as encouraging as can be.   Don't focus on the possible sacrifice they may make, focus on the great reward that will be theirs for being willing to serve God, no matter what.

Nothing else in life will compare to following God's plan!

I am innocent of the blood of all men

This verse sheds light on the true redemptive power of Jesus.

Acts 20:26(NKJV)

26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

This is Paul speaking.  Innocent of all blood?   Before he met Jesus he had sent a lot of people to their death for believing in Jesus.  How can he be innocent?  Forgiven maybe, but innocent?

But that is what the Bible tells us.  That is what the saving grace of Jesus Christ does.  We aren't only forgiven, we are cleansed and innocent.  That's a whole lot more than just being forgiven. 

Do you let things from the past haunt you?  Why?  If you are a believer in Christ there is no need.  You are innocent.  You get a fresh start!

If you aren't a believer yet, why not?  Wouldn't you like a fresh start as well?  It's easy to do.  Just ask Jesus to come into your life to guide you.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  Let him know what is weighing you down.  "Dear Jesus….."

Great, now you too can experience the fresh start if innocence! 

Job the Enabler

One of the saddest things I see in my financial practice is families that don't know how to say no to the kids, especially adult kids.  They enable them.

Job was a famous Biblical enabler.  Here is how Job enabled his kids.  Anyone remember who that worked out for him?

Job 1:4-5(NKJV)

4And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 

5So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed£ God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.