You know how sometimes you might read a verse of scripture.....but not really "READ" it...or...you might not get out of it what somebody else does!!!
The following verse was used as part of a message that I heard recently....and I really liked the points that were brought out in the verse....so much so, that I had to write them out in my Bible so I'd remember them later on
(yes I do make notes in my Bible....it's MINE.....and it helps me to remember better!!!)
Acts 18:10 (KJV)
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee:
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee:
for I have much people in this city. Here is how this verse was broken down:
For I am with thee.....this is the promise of God's presence
No man shall set on thee to hurt thee.....this is the promise of God's protection
For I have much people in this city.....this is the promise of God's people
This verse of scripture was actually the Lord speaking to Paul in a vision. Paul had arrived in Corinth (Acts 18:1)....and the city was so corrupt that he felt totally out of place. Even though Paul was out of his "comfort zone"....the Lord was bringing him HIS COMFORT!!! He promised Paul that He would stay with him....that He would protect him....and that there were other Christians in that city there for Him to be with. Now...for what this verse means to me:
Even though this was the Lord speaking to Paul....it can still be applied to us today!!! Have you ever felt God's presence? I truly feel for those who have never been filled up with Him!!! Those who don't know, or understand....oh, what a blessing they're missing!!!
"For I have much people in this city".....simply means that we need to seek out Godly people to be around. Find a church where you feel comfortable worshipping....surround yourself with Godly people. If you work, seek out a fellow Christian to become friends with. There's a lot of truth in "birds of a feather flock together". So many times we work with, or in some other way are associated with people who have a totally different belief system than we do....or maybe they don't believe in God at all....their language is different than ours....they are so much more of this world than we are. Should we shun those people and take a "holier than thou" attitude? Definitely not....but....we also don't need to hang around them....because....often we feel like we can "change" them....when in fact so many times their habits and actions will rub off on us...instead of vice-versa. Continue to live as Godly a life as possible....and set an example for them to follow....and whether we think it's happening, or not....they're watching us!!
And, hopefully.....
some day.....
they'll want we we have!!!
They'll want JESUS, too!!!
Keep praying.....keep hoping.....keep trusting!!!
In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!
Oh yeah I do that alot. I don't think it helps being dyselxic and having a bad short term memory either. By the time I get to the end of the verse I forget what the beginning said. Its so annoying and takes like 5 times reading the same thing before I can remember enough of it to even start trying to understand it. I don't make notes in my bible though - there's not enough room LOL. Next time I need something explaining though I know where to come :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful God has sent me to a warm and friendly church, a family I can proudly hang out with. And I also have found Christian co-workers and thank the Lord that on Thursday we can spend about 5 to 10 minutes in a room to have prayer and read Scripture from the Bible and have a young man speak on that Scripture the message God laid on his heart. Just wonder how much longer will that freedom will last to worship God in a place of employment. But for now "Praise be to God". He's in control and yes birds of a feather do flock together. Love my flocks I gather with!
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