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Today is Friday November 12, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Acts, chapters 9-10. In these chapters we will read about, Saul persecuting Christians, Jesus speaking with Saul, Saul losing his sight for 3 days, then gets saved, baptized, and begins preaching the Gospel himself, Cornelius, Peter, and the assurance that salvation is for both Jew and Gentile. All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-12

Today's Message: Never Counted Out
A vessel is a person regarded as a holder or receiver of something that is non-material. The Bible says, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity....If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - II Timothy 2:19,21. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior and live your life with Him in it then you are a honor vessel, a holder of the Gospel, meaning Jesus has entrusted you to represent Him with His precious gift, the Gospel to the lost.

While God will save anyone who believes in and trusts in His Son to save them it does not mean that they will all turn from their wicked ways and to Him. I know several people that have been saved and are still as worldly as ever, but we can never count anyone out. God has so much faith in us that He never counts us out, if you truly accepted that you are a sinner, believe in and trust in Jesus Christ, asked Him to forgive you and save you then God will never count you out. If you do not serve Him on earth you will certainly serve Him in heaven. However, that does not stop Him from trying to get you to serve Him here on earth first. “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:” - Revelation 22:3.

Saul, also known as Paul, despised the name of Jesus and set out to kill anyone, including the apostles and disciples, who preached and taught in His name. Little did he know that Jesus was watching him, and would make him the greatest evangelist of all time, who was accounted for writing most of the Epistles of the New Testament. “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.” - Acts 9:3-6,8.

The phrase “kick against the pricks” means that Saul was resisting the facts and authority of God. Every time he taunted and killed one of Jesus' disciples he was persecuting or crucifying Jesus all over again. Every person that persecutes a follower of Christ is resisting the authority of God and crucifies Jesus all over again. You can not believe in God and not in Jesus Christ, doing so always goes against His authority. The Bible is our authority and any person denies Christ he is going against authority because He is the Word made flesh. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14.

When Saul arrived in Damascus he was met by a man named Ananias, Ananias knew Saul's reputation and was a little scared to approach him, but Jesus assured Him that everything was going to work out. “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” -Acts 9:13-18.

Jesus chose one of the most ruthless people to be a witness to Him. Why? To prove that everyone, even the most ruthless Jesus hater, can be saved and used as a vessel. Paul was saved and never stopped preaching the Gospel to the lost and became a witness to all nations that even a murderer can be saved, turn his life around, and used of God as a testimony. God never counts anyone out. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13.

It is understandable to get upset at those who harm us or our loved ones, but anger, bitterness, and vengeance gets us no where, except even more anger and bitterness. Instead of trying to deal with the heartache on our own give it over to Jesus and He will give you peace. Remember, God will not let anyone go unpunished. Jesus saved Paul, but he did suffer much for His sake. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:18-21.

God uses every situation to strengthen us, grow us, and help us get closer to Him. Go ahead, get angry, but let go and let God take care of it. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ...Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:..And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” -Ephesians 4:7,26,30-32.

Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and have an awesome weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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