Acts 2:41-42
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (KJV).
Have you ever seen a TV show or movie that you have been anticipating the ending of? However, as you continue enjoying the show and intrigued to know how it’s going to end, you see, “To be Continued”. Because of our interest in seeing the ending, we will make the sacrifice to do all we can to wait for the media to continue the ending of that show. I rejoice today, because as believers walking in Christ, baptized in His name, and filled with His Spirit, we are carriers of His Glory. Nothing can stop us from continuing to spread the Good News! This Gospel will continue everywhere we go! It’s not controlled by man on whether it will continue, but since the Word of God stands, it shall continue. The one thing God honors above His name is His Word (Psalm 138:2). We don’t have to put it on pause, wait for another episode or season to continue with the Good News. We must be ready at all times! For His Word says, in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”. Hallelujah!!!!!
If we make ourselves available unto the Lord, He will hasten His Word. Jeremiah 1:11-12 says, “Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the LORD unto me, thou hast well seen: For I will hasten my word to perform it” (KJV). The Pulpit Commentary, gives us a detail description of the meaning of the almond tree. The almond tree, means “wakeful;” and the almond blossoms in January; it’s the first to “wake” from the sleep of winter. The Lord was literally saying, He’s awake over His Word; alluding to the meaning of the Hebrew word for almond.
The Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Jeremiah, giving him a vision concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and the captivity of the people (Jeremiah 1). He was commissioned by God to speak “Thus sayeth the Lord”. Even if Jeremiah didn’t want to deliver that word- he had no choice. Jeremiah 20:9, declares, “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (NLT). At times Jeremiah would get frustrated with the struggle of delivering God’s word. When he had those moments and choose not to say anything, his misery increased all the more. However, God’s word was so strong in his life, that he felt like it was fire in his bones. He had to open his mouth, regardless of the outcome.
Not everyone will believe or receive the Word of God, but regardless of the world’s view, the Gospel will continue. For upon this rock, Christ has built His Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18).
As we go throughout this week, I want to encourage you to continue daily in the Word of God. There are many in the Word of God, that are exemplary examples we can look to. Let us go forth, like the Samaritan woman at the well, that left her water pot, and said, “come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29). The Word, didn’t stop with that woman. It continued, as many others who heard it, believed. The Bible continues on to say in John 4:41-42, And many more believed because of his own word; and said unto the woman, now we believe not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world”.
OOOOOH, Praise God!! The Word will always be available to us, as we continue to make ourselves available to mediate upon the Word of God. For heaven and earth will pass away, but God words will never fail (Matthew 24:35). As we continue as His disciples to tell the world about Jesus, let us be open- minded as we go in Jesus’ name. You may be in the grocery store, on your job, or traveling on the plane. Where ever you go, be intentional and carry your Bible, and a Gospel tract to teach all the plan of Salvation. Your testimony alone, on what the Lord has done for you can change someone’s life.
We must be ready!! For we are living in a world, that if we are not careful, we get pulled away with its cares. The second coming of the lord is soon! Jesus promised His disciples that He would come again. “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!” (Mark 13:32-33, NLT).
The Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God”. On the day when Christ returns, we want to be ready with our minds stayed upon the Lord.
On the day of Pentecost, after Peter spoke boldly unto the people, they gladly received his word, were baptized – about 3,000 souls were added unto them. However, they didn’t stop there, “…. they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. Let us not delay, stop, or restrain from following the process that the apostles’ continued in. This Gospel is “To be Continued” everywhere we go.
Prayer:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. We thank you for your Word that is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. We pray that your Word will consume us, just like Jeremiah, the Samaritan woman and many others who had great encounters with you. We are living in perilous times, and know the enemy desire to sift as wheat, but thank you for being the author and finisher of our faith. We pray for the Spirit of wisdom, knowledge, understanding for it’s not by might or power, but by your Spirit alone that we can do anything. Lord, we ask for your strength to continue spreading the Good News of the Gospel we pray, in Jesus name. Amen
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