verse 7 - "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
We are not God. Too much time is spent discussing the end of age when Christ will return (i.e. the Rapture). Our focus should not be on the finish line, when we have an entire race ahead of us. We need to focus on the task at hand. God sees the big picture, we do not. We don't get to know the "when's" and the "why's" of what happens, so that we might be able to prepare for the next event. We are to walk with Him by faith - day-by-day, moment-by-moment; seeking His will for our lives, and trying to live it.
verse 8, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
I love this verse. There is not even a hint of a suggestion in this. There is no place to argue or to debate. There is no question. There is a command - you will.
I should never doubt the mission of Jesus in this world. I am to be at it, all followers of Jesus are to be at it. But we are not at it by ourselves or under our own power or strength. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us and through us that brings the fruit.
From the Message -- verses 7-8 He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
How comforting is this! Being Christ's witness seems like a really big responsibility and I am so ill-equipped; but after reading these words, I know I don't have to worry about how to do it or if I'm doing it right. I have a Helper!
It is not for you to know the times or the dates that the father has set :
15In those days Peter stood up among the believers[c] (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."
We are not to know how or when or why our all powerful, all knowing God will answer our prayers. We are to instead focus on going out and letting others know about Jesus and how he has helped in our lives. We should be thanking HIM and Praising HIM that he has well equiped us to perform this task.
There are times that we can all seem selfish or unpatient waiting for that answer from our prayers, waiting to see that finish line. We are not to focus on the Whys, whens or what ifs, but we are to renew our minds in him daily preparing us for what ever might come up. We are also to Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strenghten your heart; wait, I say on the Lord ~Psalm 27:14.
It is too easy for us to try to run ahead of God, but when we do so then it's like getting out of a Jeep that stuck in the mud. We can choose to get out and to trudge thru even more problems that could become deeper and harder, or we can wait inside and pray, and allow God to enable us to see us thru and allow us to grow stronger in Him. I would much rather wait on God, then to fall flat in the Mud with satan's swine.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
verse 7 - "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
ReplyDeleteWe are not God. Too much time is spent discussing the end of age when Christ will return (i.e. the Rapture). Our focus should not be on the finish line, when we have an entire race ahead of us. We need to focus on the task at hand. God sees the big picture, we do not. We don't get to know the "when's" and the "why's" of what happens, so that we might be able to prepare for the next event. We are to walk with Him by faith - day-by-day, moment-by-moment; seeking His will for our lives, and trying to live it.
verse 8, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
ReplyDeleteI love this verse. There is not even a hint of a suggestion in this. There is no place to argue or to debate. There is no question. There is a command - you will.
I should never doubt the mission of Jesus in this world. I am to be at it, all followers of Jesus are to be at it. But we are not at it by ourselves or under our own power or strength. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us and through us that brings the fruit.
From the Message -- verses 7-8
ReplyDeleteHe told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."
How comforting is this! Being Christ's witness seems like a really big responsibility and I am so ill-equipped; but after reading these words, I know I don't have to worry about how to do it or if I'm doing it right. I have a Helper!
It is not for you to know the times or the dates that the father has set :
ReplyDelete15In those days Peter stood up among the believers[c] (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."
We are not to know how or when or why our all powerful, all knowing God will answer our prayers. We are to instead focus on going out and letting others know about Jesus and how he has helped in our lives. We should be thanking HIM and Praising HIM that he has well equiped us to perform this task.
There are times that we can all seem selfish or unpatient waiting for that answer from our prayers, waiting to see that finish line. We are not to focus on the Whys, whens or what ifs, but we are to renew our minds in him daily preparing us for what ever might come up. We are also to Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strenghten your heart; wait, I say on the Lord ~Psalm 27:14.
It is too easy for us to try to run ahead of God, but when we do so then it's like getting out of a Jeep that stuck in the mud. We can choose to get out and to trudge thru even more problems that could become deeper and harder, or we can wait inside and pray, and allow God to enable us to see us thru and allow us to grow stronger in Him. I would much rather wait on God, then to fall flat in the Mud with satan's swine.