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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are in Acts Chapter 8, and we saw how that wave of violent persecution, master-minded by Saul of Tarsus, got The Church of Jesus Christ on the move and out of Jerusalem. For some 3 or 4 months or so the Good News of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead and ascended, had been preached only in Jerusalem.
God was now using something which was not good - persecution - for good, and for His Glory, and for the spread and advancement of The Kingdom. We need to know this. Our gracious God can take what is not good, and use it to advance His Kingdom. The Risen Lord Jesus Christ can take our bad experiences and use them - to teach us - and minister to others. These are not easy lessons to learn and accept, but this is part of discipleship, and will lead to understanding and maturity.
When Philip went north to Samaria and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, many came to believe. Many were changed and transformed. Many were healed and helped, as they opened their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ and to the Power of The Holy Spirit, when Peter and John are despatched down to Samaria to see exactly what has been happening and to ensure that these men and women are properly 'born again'.
This is vitally important as we read and study the Bible.
[list]Are these studies positive and practical?
Are you being helped and strengthened and encouraged?
Are you open to the power of the Holy Spirit?
Are you 'born again' in the biblical sense?
Are you making sure that those with whom you fellowship are 'born again' fully and totally, as taught in the Word of God?
Are you sure yourself?
Are you able to share your testimony graciously and lovingly? [/list]
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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