On this evening, Prayingforyou Ministires was blessed with an awesome word from God through Pastor Dale Anthony DeGroat. The title of todays message is None of These Things Move Me. Acts 20:17; 22--38 If you are fed up with the way things are going in your life and are on the verge of throwing in the towel, I urge you to hear this message for yourselves. There is so much more than what I have included in this recap, you will really appreciate hearing this message. Be among the whomsoever will crowd and dial 1-605-475-4099 access code 101176 # #, partake of this Word from on High. The setting for this text opens as a riot is taking place in Ephesus due to the greed of the silversmiths, led by Demetrius, who feared losing their business. The preaching that was taking place was not only upsetting to the pagans, who did not believe, but it was also upsetting to those Jews who had accepted God. They had accepted God, but were unfamiliar with the way these people that Paul was ministering to approached God. They were unfamiliar with its presentation. The silversmiths knew if Paul and his assistants came preaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ, there would be no need to make the idol statues of the goddess Diana, the goddess of fertility. This would demolish their business, so they provoke a riot. After receiving a word from the Lord that he was to go to Jerusalem, a controversial place for Paul due the gospel that he preached, Paul set out for his task. Jerusalem was a controversial place for Paul because of the message he preached to the Gentiles (meaning = non Jewish). He preached and taught them about not needing to go through the Jewish rituals to be saved, but what they needed was to accept the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ for their sins. Pauls preaching was in love and he shared that God has a love for us and He is inviting us into His family. Paul preached a message of repentance, which simply means being truly sorry for what you did and to change your mind and/or actions. Paul did not want to return to Ephesus because of his love for the Ephesians. He would be tempted to stay, so he stopped in nearby Miletus, a seaport, not far from Ephesus, where he sent for the Elders of the church. Paul shared with the Elders the mission God had for him, to return to Jerusalem. Pastor Dale caused us to reflect back over our lives, to a time where there had been a vision or a strong pulling/tug towards a career or a life change or a move, then the Spirit of God showed you there will be trouble ahead. The very thing that you had been hoped and prayed for comes along, but with it comes circumstances and situations, (mountains) that you feel you are not capable of handling physically, mentally nor spiritually. There are mountains to be moved in all of our lives. Paul shared with the Elders, he did not know exact details of what he would face, but he knew the Spirit of God clearly showed him that in city after city, there would suffering and imprisonment for him. Pastor Dale threw a plug at us by sharing, Everybody that warns you about what you are getting ready to face or do, is not from the devil. They are not all haters. Some who challenge you about your decisions and what you are getting ready to do, challenge you because they love you. Paul sent for the Elders of Ephesus to inform them and comfort them of what was getting ready to happen. This was his good-bye to them in person. He wanted to make sure the Elders knew, to be on their guard as shepherds over the flock. Beware of the savages that would come among them to distort the truth. He let the Elders know, that he would be faced with some difficult challenges, but he was called by God to complete a task. Paul knew, Yes these things await me but none of these things move me (vs. 24a NKJV)...not imprisonment, not sufferings, not tribulations, not speculations, not trials, not the naysayer, not weariness, not those that want me to turn around, not his physical condition, not mental anguish... NONE of these things. Paul wanted them to know he would will stay the course God has placed him on, he will not move. His greatest desire at that point was to finish his course (his ministry) with joy. Pastor Dale called our attention again to vs 24a None of these things move me. He went on to share with us that sometimes we have to call the people in our lives that love and care for us together, and explain to them that you know the difficulties you will face on the path that God has you on. If you start the course that God has called without an explanation to them, they will approach you time after time because they feel you havent heard what they are telling you. Their only interest is protecting you, saving your life or sparing you from difficult days by giving you warnings. You may need to explain to them This is the task that God requires of me, and I understand the difficulties that lie ahead, but I know the presence of God is with me to guide and keep me Sometimes the task may even be to love the unlovable. Regardless of what opposition we face in this task, the dirty looks, the negative words, the hateful disposition, we must to be steadfast like Paul. We must continue to love them with the love of Christ Jesus. Be aware there may be obstacles and hurdles designed to block you, to slow you down and discourage you. They will be revealed and you will be made aware of them. Thanks be to God, you dont have to be fooled by the possibilities that fear produces...False Evidence Appearing Real! The very same thing that says something can go wrong That same negative energy you use thinking of all the things that can go wrong, channel it towards the positive and watch the blessings of God be manifested. Pastor Dale gave some great examples. What if the doctor said that Im going to die, but what if I live because God said Not Yet!. What if Im called in the office at my place of employment to be told that my career has ended, but I end up getting a promotion. What if the professor dont believe in me and speaks failure over my attempts, but I study harder and end up at the top of the class graduating with honors. Pastor Dale ended on this note... Thanks be to God I have decided this thing... If it doesnt move me to action, then I refuse to let it move me to emotion! Paul knew was in front of him. He called the Elders in from another city to share with them what was ahead of him and that he understood their emotions...he even cried with them. But it didnt move him. Pastor Dale shared a story with us. The moral of this story, if God has called him to do something, and its not to your liking, sorry to inform you but, he just can seem to muster up any care whether you like it or not. And thats how we all should be when it comes to staying the course on the call God has for our lives. We should refuse to let what the naysayers think move us to emotion, but we should be moved by the measure of faith that comes from God. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Pastor Dale left us with some pointers: 1.) I am moved to action knowing that God can do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think. If you can imagine it, God can perform it and even greater. 2.) I am moved to action knowing that He will never leave me nor forsake me The battle is the Lords...He selects our battles. Sometimes your battle may be to stand still and know that He is God, let Him fight it. 3.) I am moved to action knowing that He that is within me is greater than He that is in the world God has made me His dwelling place. It is not I that is living but it is He that is living within in me. We must live according to the Spirit. Turn to Him and let Him give you the victory over every battle. 4.) I am moved to action knowing that God gives me the privilege of coming to Him. He has blessed me with the privilege of calling Him Father. Im not just anybody, I am an heir to the kingdom with power, authority and status. 5.) I am moved to action knowing that Jesus will return with all power of Heaven and Earth in His hands. Matthew 28 - I can now live life according to Gods way. 6.) I am moved to action knowing that Christ can live his life through me The life I live is not is not my own. I must allow Him to live in and through me The joy is at the end. Your faith can bring your future joy into the present. That fact that you believe that God can do what He said He would. He will be faithful to you if you do not give up. You can have joy about what is getting ready to happen. Praise Him on His promises, and praise Him when His promises have manifested. The task God has given us all is to testify the Good News of Gods grace, His unmerited favor. It is free to everyone that will accept it.God has the ability to look past who you are and see what you can become. Gods grace treats you as though you already are what you are afraid you will never become. Walk as though you are. My imperfection never wavered Him to cut off His love for me. None of my shortcomings and sins moves Him. There is so much more to this message. Please dont cut your blessing short by choosing not to dial in...1 605-475-4099 access code 101176 # #. I highly recommend you hear this. Pastor Dale... I am so grateful for this message. I was so on the verge of throwing in the towel. Thank you so very much for allowing the Lord to minister to us through you. ~Carmen
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 07:02:28 +0000
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