Many seek success for their ultimate badge of accomplishment. But, even more fulfilling in a person’s life is how significant they are.
Being successful can mean many things and for the most part reflects on personal achievements. Significance on the other hand portrays your life affecting others in a meaningful way. The Book of Acts lays out the history of Christianity. Not only was there great success on the very first day, but what would close it out was declared of great significance in the lives of mankind.
Before the first day of Christianity, two angels declared, “...This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). The new Christians would be able to move out with great confidence knowing their hope of Christ return.
Some ten days later on the day of Pentecost the apostles received the gift of holy spirit and spoke in tongues. They were quite the opposite of being men behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, becoming men of God demonstrating His power. On that first day there were “about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41) added to the Church.
The early Church boldly taught God’s Word and demonstrated the power of the gift of holy spirit. It was not hampered by the heavy persecution laid upon them. The pinnacle of this awesome outreach and display of power is recorded in Acts:
Acts 5:12-16:
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
All this success was not without its challenges. The enemy, the devil, is doing all that he can to thwart the believers efforts. His tactics in the past has been to get them fearful of the high priests, that would throw them in jail.
Acts 5:17-19:
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
After bringing them out of prison, the angels encouraged them with a simple but proven formula:
Acts 5:20:
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
GO: The key to “going” is not where you go. It is having the mind set to love on
people with the agape love of God when you go. In the book of Acts you see the believers going out with the goal of blessing people. Instead of just living their lives within themselves, they purposefully were looking to touch hearts. For us in our times, what helps us do this is to get out of our “comfort zone” and reach out to those in
need. As Mary Ruth says, as we purposely spend time to reach out, we are doing it to
“love on people.” In the early church they went where there was a need. We too should go to where there is need. The one place we have been going to is Old Town, where there are all kinds of people. Because we have been doing it for a while, the newness of it has now become a comfort zone. Every time we go, we reach many people with the love of God, prayer, and inviting them to fellowship, making a significant effect on their lives.
STAND: Taking a stand for our Heavenly Father is the easy part. He stood for us giving us His Son. Now we stand for Him in our everyday life. As we go, we take the stand to share and “love on people.”
SPEAKING THE WORDS OF LIFE: Speaking the Words of Life is one of life’s paramount privileges. We might not want to drown people with Scriptures, but we do want to rescue them with the Words of Life.
Our Heavenly Father has made us so we can live a life of significance. Our lives matter and what we do for Him now, touching people with the loving truth, will have significance for eternity.
We got together, before going to our favorite place to love on people and bless them, and Paula prayed and said something like this: "Heavenly Father may we go forth with the same kind of joy our Lord and Savior had when the Bible says, "For the joy that was set before Him, he endured the cross."
That just blew my heart, when she prayed that. What a wonderful attitude to have when we go out to purposely love on people and bless them with the love of God. It is a great joy to share our lives with people. Sometimes we look at our spiritual task as a burden. Jesus' ultimate task of giving His life over for you and me was a JOY! Again, that just touches my heart.
By the way, what happen in the next two hours was some of the most exciting times I have ever had. The four of us who went, prayed for some 20 people (It seemed like they were lining up waiting for us to finish with one person so we could pray for them). One was praying to get off the streets and off his meth habit and was so grateful to be taken to a Christian disciple ranch. One guy, was a Christian rapper and he sang to us and then hung out with us and actually help pray for people. He was so blown away with what we were doing he could not leave. Matthew, who we met at this same place two weeks ago and was so blessed with our fellowship (He has been attending all the fellowships he could get to and has grown tremendously) came later and was blessing people and ministering to them as well!
It would take several pages to write all the great Godly things that happened. What a joy it is to work in the Family Business!
Agape,
Bob
A smile, a thank you and a genuine gratitude is what I see in the eyes of this man whose name I do not know. He is grateful not only for my prayer, but the fact that I noticed, that I took the time to recognize him and speak well of him. All I do is reflect on what my Heavenly Father has told me many times, that He loves me and really cares for me. I am at a location near the train and bus depot where all walks of life are moving from one place to another. People are on the go and trying to do what it takes to survive. The fact that I recognized them as a person, rather than one without value getting in the way of those who are busy living life, makes them feel good. I feel joy.
God invented this feeling of joy that for some reason makes us soar in our minds with fulfillment and a sense of significance. Our Heavenly Father has engaged our minds to be overwhelmed with satisfaction because of actions we have taken that have affected others in a way they feel loved. There is nothing like it. To have joy, to feel joy. It only comes by selfless helping of others.
In the Bible, the disciples of Jesus Christ returned from being out witnessing and ministering to people, helping them get delivered and set free from the bonds of the devil, and it says: "the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "...Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name!" (Luke 10:17). They were doing the will of God and setting them free.
Virtually all service to others done with the love of God results in joy. There might not be a specific Chapter and Verse on this, but this comes close: "Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all." (Philippians 2:17). Even when Jesus took on the ugly task of the cross, He endured it for the "joy that was set before Him." (Hebrews 12:2). When born again believers recognize who they are in Christ and lovingly walk out on it and serve others, this combination produces joy. To see people respond to the love of God in manifestation is so thrilling and heart satisfying.
Let's bless each others and especially those who may be down and out or not being recognized by our society. When they respond by a smile, realize you have touched a heart for God.
"...But are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:24).
Agape,
Bob
(Note: Jeanie and I are very blessed with 3 children and 4 grandkids)
God loves to answer your prayers.
Grandparents love to answer requests from their children and especially their grandkids.
(It is inevitable there will be a response in both cases)
Our Heavenly Father has promised and is extremely open to hear and make happen any request.
Grandparents promise the world and will do anything to bring it to past for their children and grandkids.
(It is inevitable there will be a response in both cases)
As grandparents, we soon miss our total involvement with bringing up our children. Sure, we traditionally say, "I cannot wait to be empty nesters." But if the truth be told, there is a huge void that gets missed by us grandparents, when we have the whole house to ourselves. Much of the void is made up when opportunities arise to help the kids, and yes, especially the grandkids.
As our Heavenly Father, God is so immersed with His love for us that He never kicks us out of the nest. He cannot get over calling us His dear children or beloved ones. He so desires to bless us and is thrilled when we come to Him in prayer.
Do not take prayer lightly. Use it. Believe in it. Rejoice in it. Know you can come before His throne of grace, boldly, in the time of need. (Note: Throne of grace not judgement) Hebrews 4:16.
Go ahead and let the Father spoil you with answered prayer; as we grandparents spoil our grandkids by lovingly helping them.
(It is inevitable there will be a response in both cases)
Psalm 6:9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; (ASV)
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (ESV)
Agape,
Bob
PS There is a dynamic sharing on The Power of Prayer by Ben Dixon on the internet. Just search the name and title.
Have you ever gone bonkers? (If you are unfamiliar with the word “bonkers” it is defined as an English term meaning to bonk your head on something). In a practical sense it is when you realize that you have forgotten something, and being frustrated that you have to go back and get it, you knock your head against the wall or the nearest object.
I just did this yesterday. I had an errand to run. I got everything that I needed. I checked my schedule. Everything was in order. I went outside and got into my car. Jeanie was with me and we buckled up and I started the car. Then it hit me as I drove down the street, I realized that I had forgotten my wallet. I went bonkers. I bonked my head on the dashboard to reward my craziness.
Spiritually, I have done this as well. There have been times when I go out in the world, living life, and opportunities arise to witness the love of God to people. What do I do? I will say something like, “That is too bad you feel so separated from God, I feel for you.” Then off they go still wondering. That is when I go spiritually bonkers. Why didn’t I remember that I have the spirit of God in me. With that spirit in me I can wisely share the love of God with them or offer to pray for them! Thankfully God is forgiving and He will give me more opportunities. I figure, I better take advantage of God’s grace or my head will get a permanent bump from bonking it off the walls.
Sometimes we forget to utilize the power we have in us through the gift of holy spirit. Sometimes we forget that we have the greatest source of power, knowledge, wisdom and discernment. Sometimes we forget we can heal people, we forget that we can believe to bring to pass the miraculous. Sometimes we forget that we have the gift of holy spirit in us, which is Christ in us (Colossians 1:27) and that we can do the works that He did and greater works. Sometimes we forget that greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. What do we do then? We go bonkers and bang our head against some object to shake up our brain so that in the future we will not forget Ephesians 3:20.
Ephesians 3:20: (ESV).
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
We have resident within us the gift of holy spirit. It is there 24/7. It is there all the time. It never takes a vacation or leaves us. Unfortunately we forget that we have this spectacular power in us all the time.
We never have to spiritually go bonkers again, if we remember the eternal presence of the gift of holy spirit in us. We are incredibly loaded having the spirit of God in us.
Let’s stay sharp and in remembrance of the spirit of God in us, so that we never need to go bonkers again forgetting God’s spirit is always at work in us.
Agape,
Bob