It has been forever. I'm sorry I haven't done what I was supposed to do. I know you'll forgive me, and I thank you for that.
Thank you for the gift of life to us Gentiles, and the examples of faithfulness in your Word. Thank you that we know the whole story and the ending isn't hidden from us. In case you didn't know, Satan loses. Booyah!
Love,
Acts 11
So. According to the evidence shown by Peter (and it is extraordinary evidence), Gentiles are now allowed to be Christians. Everyone was content then, but as we can see later, there were some debates about circumcision and stuff like that. Thank you God, for accepting Gentiles so that we may have life as well (life to the full! as Tammy S would say).
The persecution is still scattering the people, and most were just preaching to Jews, but now there are people preaching to the Gentiles as well. I don't know if it's because they heard that Peter did, or if they were also just led by God to preach. But either way, it's awesome to see how all of this is taking off!
Barnabas goes to help with the harvest in Antioch, and I love the verse showing what he found there: "When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." And this beautiful picture was happening all over the region. And people were believing, even though they knew persecution might come upon them!
He gets Saul to go with him (who had been in Tarsus all this time) to help in Antioch. And that's where the term "Christian" was coined.
Someone predicted a famine, so everyone pitched in to help the affected area. That is community. Can we live up to that standard? That's what I'm going to try to do.
Proverbs 14:6 The mocker seeks wisdom but does not find it. Why do you think that is? I'm not sure, but it seems like a mocker doesn't take the words of people who are low in circumstance, or different from him. But that's usually where one can find the best, truest wisdom.
Verse 22 those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Awesome! (dance)
Verse 23 ALL hard work brings a profit. Even if it's a volunteering job. Why? Because the profit doesn't have to be money. Sometimes it's just the blessings you get from God for helping ungrateful people, or doing a menial task in secret. :-)
Verse 26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. SO true. My parents are prime examples of this verse :-)
I think my favorite part of Hebrews 11 is the part where they say they were strangers in this world, looking forward to a better, heavenly country. It always challenges me to start living by faith in that way right now. I mean, the end stuff about getting cut in two? That's a barbarian warrior deal, but I can't apply that to my life right now except to know that being a Christian is usually full of persecution, and often ends in brutal death. Jesus was the rule, not the exception. (I had to think for a second, I had "often ends in death," then realized that's the case for everyone except Enoch. Hehehe. And those rapture people.)
Oh, that's another favorite part: Whose weakness was turned into strength. Yesssss....
And Revelation 21-22 show what we are looking forward to. What kind of heavenly country we are going to enjoy. Ah! I love a good ending to an awesome story. I've still got my individual story to write, but the main plot is all figured out, and the ending is no mystery. How we get there will be different, but the end is all we need to keep going! Awesomeness!
One random thing: I can't imagine a gate being made out of one pearl. Not just because that's so glorious, but because pearls are round. Hehe. Not that that's really of any consequence. I'm sure it'll be beautiful to behold!