Posted Apr 15, 2021 |
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“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:38-42
Okay so I know that was a longer passage than I normally write about but well worth the read.
This morning I was reading through this passage thinking about a conversation I had last night with one of my teens. We talked about how normal people in society crave recognition, positive affirmation, for the accomplishments they have achieved; running over others to obtain it. Admittedly, at times, I have been one of those people…guilty! A work in progress, I do not claim to be perfect by any means so I am sure I will mess up again but for now my heart is elsewhere.
I am hypoglycemic so fasting meals is not healthy for me. I have fasted other things in its place. You do this to see miracles happen. My miracles have been teenage girl’s purity project, health and safety, big life altering decisions. While reading this passage I just had the greatest desire to be flogged.
Who would really want that but if you notice in the last few verses it says that the apostles rejoiced.
They were happy for suffering disgrace for the Lord. I am not going to share all the details about my fasting experiences. What I will say is they had made me feel like I am suffering disgrace for the Lord. Some have been so sensitive to my heart that there has been a lot of crying. Oh well, bring on the flogging!!!
