Are your actions saying "I'm READY"

Read Acts 8:26-35 NIV

We’ve all heard this story about Philip being sent by God to the Ethiopian---if not, read it the passage is above J  In reading this passage I realize the Ethiopian was Philip’s treasure and the Spirit gave Philip the clues needed to find him.  If you notice in the passage once Philip got to where the Ethiopian would be passing there had to be action on Philip’s behalf to approach the Ethiopian or address him.  Vs 29 tells us the Spirit told Philip to approach the chariot and stay near it--- even though the Spirit told him that Philip still had to speak.  Vs 30 tells us finally Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?”---then the Ethiopian replied no I need someone to explain it to me.  Here’s the thing---if Philip wouldn’t have asked, the Ethiopian wouldn’t have answered---how else would Philip have gotten onto the chariot? God calls us all to ministry, but in our answering there should be action.  It’s not like “ok, God called me here I am—do your thing God!!”  Hey, yeah He can do anything, but there needs to be action---preparation, movement, faith to do what God has called you to do!! If Philip was a man who didn’t know how to explain the Word of God or what it said—then guess what?? He was in trouble in this session!!  God was reminding me how important it is to know Biblical truths in the context of the Word.  Also, how important it is to know the whole Bible!! And to know the meanings of the Word---why?? Not everyone God sends me to is going to be an emotional mess needing to hear about God’s love---there will be people that it will be the knowledge of God that will draw them.  It will be God’s wisdom that will draw them and that wisdom will be made manifest through me!! Steven in Acts 7 impressed his enemies because of how he spoke and all he did was share the Old Testament and quoted the prophets!! 

We need to be preparing ourselves and allowing ourselves to grow in knowledge of the Spirit and Word.  We can’t put one ahead of the other---but more importantly if we want revelation we need to realize with revelation comes action!! God reveals us someone what are we going to do about it?? Philip moved and acted!! He was ready for God’s ministry for him because he showed it in his action!! 

May our actions tell God I’m ready for your calling!!

Adelante!

Bea Z

Generation Glory

Iglesia Cristiana Adonai

Youth/Young Adults/ Singles Pastor

Freedom

“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.  So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.  Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”---Gal 3:23-25 NIV

“Before this faith came, we were all held prisoners by the law. We had no freedom until God showed us the way of faith that was coming. In other words, the law was our guardian leading us to Christ so that we could be made right with God through faith. Now the way of faith has come, and we no longer live under a guardian.” New Century Version

What a revelation for me!!! What a renewal and refreshing thought!! I used to always think and believe the law in the Old Testament was something so how you say limiting and demanding.  But no when it was in effect it was to be a guardian!! It was to say “hold people down” until Jesus came—until the fulfillment of faith came—until it was time to believe and live freely.  Now that we are living in the grace of Jesus, we live a life in freedom but not a freedom in our flesh but a freedom in spirit!  Our flesh’s version of freedom will not please God—it will please itself. That’s why the law was needed—so flesh pleasing wasn’t running wild and ruining people’s lives.  Now that we are justified by faith it means we are made righteous even though we are not always righteous.  This sounds so simple but God has been revealing this to me; so man I am understanding salvation more clearly. A result of this revelation is I’m loving more…I’m loving the lost more---I’m judging less. I am not thinking things in my heart that is condemning people no matter who they are---I’m not always successful in this, but I am allowing God to work in me.  I believe many of us especially those of who were born in the church need to have a revelation of true salvation and how it works. We need to understand the concept of grace and Jesus justifying us.  We like to justify ourselves all the time, but how does Jesus justify us? We no longer need a guardian we have Jesus, and our relationship with Him isn’t one of guardian and person needing guardianship but rather a love relationship with passion! A Passion for prayer and the word and passion for spreading His gospel. The reason I wouldn’t  and couldn’t evangelize before was because I didn’t have a true understanding of salvation and God’s gift etc. But man the past 2 weeks I’ve had such eye opening revelation on this topic---its given me the chills no joke. I have felt the fear of God like never before and a reverence for His work---its unexplainable. Yesterday I had an experience I was sitting down with my Bible and prayer journal in hand and started writing. All of a sudden as I was writing I started to weep and something took my hand and I kept writing. They weren’t my words—they were God’s words.  I wanted to stop writing out of fear---but kept doing it---and when I stopped read what I had written and God again spoke to my life. He was writing me notes on this topic based on my devotional time.  I was fed so much I went to church stuffed!! I kept thinking about this topic of faith and being justified by faith.  What justifies me is my faith---if I believe in Jesus for salvation I must believe Him for everything else. The enemy attacks our faith because that is what justifies us and opens us for blessings! 

We are no longer under a guardian---so why act like we need one??? In our intimate relationship with Jesus we know what we can and can’t do but it’s not a burden to us—but rather out of our love and devotion we just do!  We don’t desire anything of this world—we don’t desire the off limits---we want nothing to do with it.  So why would we act like we need a guardian?? We have Jesus and He has us;  there’s nothing more spiritually romantic that this!

Adelante!!

Bea Z

Generation Glory

Iglesia Cristiana Adonai

Praise Him in front of other gods.

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.—Ps 138:1 NIV

As you know God’s been teaching me to worship and praise this whole month---and wow…so much to share and apply. But I wanted to pass this little bit of learned wisdom from God today.  Read the verse above---it’s very self-explanatory.  God wants our worship and praise to not just be at church or HOP meeting. He wants us to sing His praises in front of others; other gods it says here! What was David doing in front of other gods??  He says he would worship before them too!! Maybe he couldn’t help but be surrounded by false gods.  Today we can’t help but be surrounded by false gods or unbelievers. They are everywhere!! And are we singing His praises in front of them?? Are we worshipping God in front of unbelievers?? This is something I was challenged to!! Imagine if we can’t even step outside the comfort zone at church with worship…well we’re not going to do anything out there!! Worship to God doesn’t just involve and isn’t limited to the church building. Psalms is full of passages that says I will praise God anywhere and everywhere! I will ascribe to Him glory and honor. This means I will attribute many miracles and works to Him.  I will point the finger to Him when I tell people of what I have and receive!! Today while you work, drive, play, rest---worship God. When you’re in the presence of other gods worship God!  When you’re in front of the ones who don’t believe God is good sing His praises!!

This morning I received an unexpected gift from God! I needed a monitor to use at home with a computer that was gifted to me. My boss gave me a brand new monitor that had been gifted to him from someone else he didn’t use…brand new never used! Great way to start the week—God giving me something unexpected but I’m not going to wait for Him to answer or give me to praise Him. My morning started with praises, my night (last night) ended with praises, my week ended and started with praises---don’t wait for answers to praise! Praise Him in the doubt and uncertainty of any situation. Paul and Silas did---so can you!!

Adelante!!

PS.
Areli shared with me this morning how she awoke to Psalm 16 and I read it right after and check this out vs. 4 (NIV)

Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.

Right on with my experience below on previous email.  Not only should I praise in front of other gods but also why even mention their names? That is a form of me worshiping them. We as believers praise movies, actors, sport stars, worldly musicians more than the real God! Why even mention them? Why praise their works. Think about whose works you praise more?? Who do you give more credit to?? That is a form of worship.  Worship the true God.  Some may ask themselves…are we only to talk about God and Godly things?? Ummm…YEAH!!! At least me!! Why? How? It’s that thing called LOVE!!! Its that thing called OBSESSION!!

That’s what the Psalms are about---an magnificent obsession of one man and musicians obsession with the one true God.

Don’t worship the world anymore---enter into a new dimension of worship. One fueled by fasting and prayer and Word!

It’s the only way to stay afloat today!

ADELANTE!!
-Bea

Iglesia Cristiana Adonai
Generation Glory
Youth Young Adults Leader