Acts 29 Today

ACTS 29 TODAY

coming to the knowledge of the TRUTH

As followers of Jesus (this is the description of the 1st disciples, then followers of the way, then called Christians by the gentiles) we face many trials, tribulations, and test in this life as preparation for the age of eternity.

It seems the most difficult test by far is the test of SUCCESS.

The world sees success by financial gain mostly, because that will bring about material gain, also fame and clout, prestige, pride, and arrogance. It Maybe summed up in these words…..YOUR BEST LIFE NOW…..ALL ABOUT YOU, ALL ABOUT NOW.

As followers of Jesus we are not even interested in what the world believes is success because WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD, THE KINGDOM WE SERVE IS ANOTHER KINGDOM, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN WHICH WE ARE ALL AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST.

We have no interest in FINANCIAL GAIN, we ARE NOT CHASING THE MONEY, BECAUSE WE HAVE SOMETHING MORE POWERFUL THAN MONEY, WE HAVE THE NAME OF JESUS. Peter said, SILVER AND GOLD HAVE I NONE, BUT WHAT I DO HAVE I GIVE TO THEE (THIS CRIPPLED MAN NEEDED SOMETHING MORE THAN MONEY) IN THE NAME OF JESUS…..RISE UP AND WALK.

There were 2 Catholic Cardinals sitting on the veranda enjoying the spectacular view and having a glass of fine wine one day. One of them said, well we no longer have to say SILVER AND GOLD HAVE WE NONE…….and the other one said…….yes and we can no longer say rise up and walk either. (not picking on Catholics, it could B many different brands) after all REV means REST, EAT, AND VISIT. (NOT IN ALL CASES)

A man named Charlies Westley said, THE MAN WHOM GOD DELIGHTS TO BLESS HE NEVER CURSES WITH SUCCESS.

What is often called success has destroyed countless lives in the world, and many also in the church. A Chinese man who spent 20 years in prison for his faith in Christ said, he saw a lot of people who began good in the faith…..but did not finish well.

I to have seen many of my friends who started well, strong, and full of faith, only to stop or completely leave the race and it breaks my heart to hear about these dear ones who got so beat up by the world and the Church that they just gave up. One died in a bathtub drunk, another one is living in the wilderness watching movies and drinking all day.

Many big ministries have not finished well, and I cant even remember some of the names now but at one time they were a big deal in Christian circles, like shooting stars we looked at them and said…WOW….then a few years later they disappeared because of sexual issues, or money issues, or misconduct of some kind and all because of what most would call SUCCESS.

When we become successful then most people become SELF RELIANT, WELL I DID THIS, AND I KNOW WHAT AND HOW TO DO THINGS NOW AND WITH THIS COMES PRIDE, ARROGANCE, THE BETTER THAN THOU ATTITUDE…..AND THEN WE FALL.

WE WILL ONLY FINISH STRONG BY THE MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE KINGS OF ISRAEL ONLY A FEW FINISHED STRONG.

Was Jesus successful? YES, AND WHAT WHERE THE SIGNS OF HIS SUCCESS? A BENTLEY CHARIOT, NO….A LEAR JET? NO…..LOTS OF FLASHY CLOTHES? NO….A BIG HOUSE? NO……A MEGA CHURCH WITH MEGA BUSINESSES? NO…..A HIGH EDUCATION WITH LOTS OF DEGREES? NO…..NONE OF THE THINGS WE WOULD EQUATE TO MEAN SUCCESS DID HE HAVE. YET HE IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MAN WHO EVER LIVED ON THE PLANET.

HIS SUCCESS WAS FINISHING THE WILL OF THE FATHER FOR WHICH HE WAS SENT…..NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE.

When I was young and dumb I wanted my Lear jet and Bentley to, but now I am so glad I never got them, nor do I want them now as there are more important things to have in my life, LIKE OBEDIENCE, TRUST, WAITING ON GOD, HEARING HIS VOICE AND ONLY DOING WHAT HE SAYS TO DO, WHEN HE SAYS TO DO IT, AND NOTHING MORE, BECOMING MORE INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH HIM, GROWING IN WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.

THINK ABOUT IT…WHO ARE WE IMPRESSING WITH OUR FANCY CAR, HOUSE, CLOTHES, OR POSITION? IS IT GOD? ….OF COURSE NOT…..ITS OTHER PEOPLE WE ARE TRYING TO IMPRESS WITH OUR SUCCESS, AND OUR REWARD COMES FROM THEM WHEN THEY OOOW AND AAAHHH ABOUT OUR 200$ TIE OR 100$ SOCKS OR THE BLACK CAR WITH THE NAME THAT IMPRESSES SOME PEOPLE, COME ON FOLKS WE DONT NEED SELF AMBITION, WE NEED SELF DENIAL.

I have never had to be tested with success so I can not speak from 1st hand experience, as I have never been what you would describe as successful at anything (except maybe making a mess of things) LOL.

OK this will make some feel better about this, I do realize that God calls some people in His kingdom to operate with much wealth and money for His purposes, I get it and I know some people that are called to that ministry.

Its just that sometimes we get so caught up in the SUCCESS MODE, 10 STEPS TO SUCCESS, 7 METHODS FOR SUCCESS, 8 WAYS TO SUCCEED WITHOUT REALLY TRYING AND ON AND ON.

THE WORD SUCCESS IS ONLY IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE ONE TIME.

KEEP THE WORD OF GOD IN YOU MOUTH SO YOU CAN SPEAK IT

MEDITATE IN THAT WORD DAY AND NIGHT

SO THAT YOU WILL…..DO…..WHAT IT SAYS TO DO

THEN………THEN…….THEN, WHEN IS THEN? WHEN YOU HAVE DONE WHAT IT SAID TO DO.

THEN YOUR WAY WILL B PROSPEROUS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE GOOD

SUCCESS. (HEARING GODS VOICE AND OBEYING )

AND REMEMBER NOBODY BUT NOBODY CARES HOW MUCH YOU KNOW

UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH…..YOU CARE

AMBASSADOR LARRY