God’s Word Says….

The Amplified Bible: Acts 13:45–48

45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, filled with envy and jealousy they contradicted what was said by Paul and talked abusively [reviling and slandering him].
46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out plainly and boldly, saying, It was necessary that God’s message [concerning salvation through Christ] should be spoken to you first. But since you thrust it from you, you pass this judgment on yourselves that you are unworthy of eternal life and out of your own mouth you will be judged. [Now] behold, we turn to the Gentiles (the heathen).
47 For so the Lord has charged us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles (the heathen), that you may bring [eternal] salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. [Isa. 49:6.]
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).

My Thoughts…..

In another part of scripture we are told that God’s Word will not be returned void. In other words, when your preacher, who is used by God, speaks the Word this week, and hopefully you will be present, his efforts will not be a waste of his time and that of God’s. When God has a message, it will be proclaimed. Now, pay attention to verse 46 and notice where Paul and Barnabas told the Jews that since they rejected the Word, they will now take it to the Gentiles (the unsaved non-Jews). This is very much aligned with God’s Word in other places where we are told that God’s Spirit will only deal with us for a time. In other words, you can only reject Him so much. Now reflect to your own scenario friend, and imagine for a moment that God is speaking to you through the preaching of His Word, or through another witness, and although you are touched by God to accept Him as Lord of your life, yet you decide to turn away and wait until later.

Challenge……

Now place yourself at the foot of the cross, and explain to God why He should allow you into heaven, because you never did get the opportunity again on earth to invite Him into to your life. Brother Ed, this is totally scare tactics, you might be saying. But friend, with all the love in my heart, I want to clearly say to you that this is a very sad reality for many. In reading this devotional today, you are being encouraged once again by God to seek Him, because your worldly spirit would never lead you to meditate on the things of Christ. Pay attention to what God is saying in His Word today. Don’t reject Him again today, friend. Jesus loved you enough that He willingly died on a cruel cross, in pain and agony that could have been avoided, yet He did it in love for you. Let this be the day that you show your appreciation for what was done, in love, for you on Calvary. Let this be the day that you accept the Word of God and His only Son. It would deeply sadden me to know that at the foot of the cross, you are told “away from me, for I do not know you”. I am longing to hear the words “welcome home child of mine, enter into my kingdom and sit with me, let’s talk for a few hundred years!” Choose today who you will serve – where you will spend eternity. Don’t put it off, please?

Prayer……

Lord Jesus, I know that You are perfect and that You alone make no mistakes. I therefore feel like You led me to this passage so that I might share Your Word with someone that You will lead to read and meditate on this today! Please tender their hearts, and as they read, please speak clearly to them so that they may make a decision today to accept You, Your love and Your sacrifice, in return for the assurance of their salvation and their ultimate destination in heaven with you! As You have led me to write this, please also lead the readers to receive the Word and act appropriately upon it, for it’s in Your precious name that I pray, AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.