This is the final chapter of Acts where Paul gets bitten by the snake and he "shakes" it off. I remember the sermon Jerry spoke on "Shake It Off". It was a powerful sermon on getting rid of things in your life that the enemy would like to use to keep us from being used by the Lord. It was the enemy's tactic - and still is - to deter us from the purposes of God in our lives and sometimes we just have to "shake" him off us. That snake was sent by the enemy to destroy Paul but he refused to let it. Not only did he shake it off but he believed God was going to keep him from being poisoned because he knew God's promises. Our faith has to be stronger than the things the enemy throws at us. People watching us will be totally surprised - they are expecting us to swell up and die - but we will stand, healed, in His Name!!! Then they will turn to Him because of our testimony of faith!!!
As this is the last chapter of Acts - we are going to take the next couple of weeks off and change our format for the rest of the summer. In the mean time, until July 1st - if any of the leaders who are able to post on this blog want to share something - please do. I will be posting from time to time so keep checking - in fact, sign up to follow this blog and you will get updates on your email.
See you in a couple of weeks!!
3 comments:
I didn't know that following meant you get updates on your email! I'm still a bit of a blog dummy. =)
I love that "shake it off" message from Paul and think about it often. He did not let the enemy hold him back at all and then he also refused to believe it would cause him continued harm. That's a faith walk!
Amen to everything you said, Pastor Susan! People watch us closely to see who God is and if our daily living reflects this God we proclaim to belong to and serve. Verse 15b stood out to me as I read this chapter. “When Paul saw them (Christian brothers and sisters), he was encouraged and thanked God.” Are we encouraged and do we encourage each other – the Body of Christ – when we see each other on Sunday morning, on Wednesday night, or sometime or somewhere in our daily living? Are we thankful for each other? Encouragement is as simple as a hug and a smile. This verse challenges me to show and to verbalize encouragement and thankfulness more often. So I begin now . . . I am thankful for each of you ladies who are part of this ladies’ leadership team. Each of you is valuable and precious. God has given each of you a unique gift to bring to my life, to this team, and to LCC that no one else can provide.
One small phrase caught my attention in Paul's encounter with the snake: "into the fire." Paul didn't shake the snake off into anywhere else but into the fire - a place where it would die and not have opportunity to attack Paul again nor anyone else. That spoke to me about when i get rid of things in my life that keep me from being used of God, that i need to totally get rid of them - see them die.
Also, verses 25-29 where Paul quotes Isaiah about the hearts of people growing dull, their ears and eyes not truly receiving the Gospel ... that is a sad situation... and i pray that my heart, eyes and ears are wide open.
But that passage is also such a great reminder of how God's salvation message is for anyone who will hear it! I sigh with relief that we have the privilege of serving such a gracious, loving God!
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