Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Sunday November 15, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Acts, please read chapters 17-19 in your Bible or Click Here to read them http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-november-15

Today's Message: House For God
For centuries we have seen churches being built that have amazing architecture, statues, stained glass windows, and crosses. While these are very beautiful to look at, they are not a house for God in which He dwells in.

As Paul and Silas passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came upon a town called Thessalonica, “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people..........And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.” - Acts 17:1-5,10. As Paul stood before them and spoke the words from the scripture, people believed on Jesus Christ and repented for their sins. Even the wives of the leaders, the "chief women" believed and this upset the Jews, for when the wives believed, their area of influence and pressure over the leaders in the community would be reduced. When you have the ability to teach the truth from the Word of God, people will listen to you, but that does not mean that they will all believe. While there are a few who listen and believe in the Gospel, many will not and it is usually those who do not believe that create an uproar within the community.

However, we can not let anyone hinder us from our beliefs or stop us from teaching the truth, among them are always God's elect just waiting to hear the truth. We learn of this as Paul was in Athens, waiting for Silas and Timotheus. “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.” - Acts 17:16-20. The people of Athens had never heard about Jesus so this teaching that Paul was given was very strange to them. Now, with all these different religious forms in Athens, here comes Paul with an new doctrine that they haven't heard of before and they want to know what Christianity is all about. Many people are curious and in fact do want to know what Christianity is all about, while many see it as, do this, do not do that, or you will go to hell, it is not that at all. It is about believing in one man, Jesus Christ and accepting that He died for all and set us free from hell.

Paul noticed that the people of Athens were into idolatry and knew that these men just did not want to leave any religion or god out of their worship. Paul is telling them that it is obvious that you do not know God, and I am here to declare the true God unto you. “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.” - Acts 17:24-29. Paul is telling these men that God is not an image that can be created and worshiped nor can He be contained within four walls. He is the creator of all things and has control of everything in heaven and on earth.

God, was the creator of all things, and it is He that controls both the heaven and what happens on the earth. Man has always wanted to make a house for God to dwell in, where they can confine him, and then try to control Him to be subject to them. How can you make God a House, when He is everywhere? It is the Spirit of God that dwells in us that comes into a building, not a building that brings us to God. God is a living being like us, and to look at what God is like we must look at ourselves for we are His offspring. God is not an imaginary force off in some distant place, but a person with emotions, and jealousy just like man has. If we truly want the Spirit of God upon us, we must look beyond the buildings and statues and look to the only person who can give that to us, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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