[Faith-talk] Fwd: Morning Thoughts for Thursday, April 28, 2011

[Amy Ragain]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Stephen Smith <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Date: April 28, 2011 6:57:45 AM CDT
> To: Morning Thoughts 1 <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Subject: Morning Thoughts for Thursday, April 28, 2011
> 
> Obedience: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
> (Matthew 7:21, NIV)
> 
> - From Bible Promises for iPhone
> http://biblepromises.reigndesign.com/
> 
> Acts 1:1-11 (NASB)
> [Ac 1:1] The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. [3] To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. [4] Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,”He said, “you heard of from Me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
> [6]  So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; [8] but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
> The Ascension
> [9] And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. [10] And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. [11] They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
> 
> Good morning beloved family!!  As I reflect on the Word this morning, I envision the period of time Jesus spent ministering on earth - about three years.  Initially received with wild acclaim, as folks observed the miracles He performed to establish His authority in the minds of man.  then, as His message became more pointed, more focused on His mission, jealousy in the minds of "leaders of the faith" began to erode support for the Truth.  Jesus was tortured and crucified; died and was buried; then He arose from the grave, and as the stone was rolled away, He came forth and showed Himself to His disciples and to hundreds more.  He instructed and gave hope where there had been only weeping and fear.  After 50 days, Jesus ascended into heaven, and His Holy Spirit was dispatched from that same Throne of Glory to empower the believers, to preach the Gospel, locally, state-wide, country-wide, and to every corner of the world.  
> 
> From that time nothing has changed.  The Holy Spirit remains, empowering believers for the same mission as 2,000 years ago; and also for inviting lost souls into the very presence of God, that they might receive the same love and truth, and mission.  Reflecting on the opening scripture today, how can we say we are saved if we have no part in the mission for which we were saved?  Are you in ernest?  Then seize this very minute!!  Things you are called to do, begin it!!  Step out in the power of the Lord, as He gives unction.  Declare your salvation!!  Live every minute for God's Glory.  Love God and love your neighbor, whomever that may be!!
> 
> I love you so, because the Lord first loved me!!
> 
> <3Steve:-))