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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Acts 12:18. The scene is a prison in Jerusalem from which Peter has been miraculously set free during the night. There was quite a commotion in the morning. They had searched the prison for Peter. Every sentry and guard who had been on duty that night, with the responsibility of looking after Peter, was killed.
The scene changes again, north to the coast at Caesarea. Herod moves to Caesarea. He is the grandson of the Herod who murdered all the children of two and under when Jesus was born, and the nephew of the Herod who killed John the Baptist.
Do you see how evil can extend its influence beyond our generation if there is no repentance and confession and forgiveness through the Blood of Jesus Christ? This is very serious.
One day Herod went too far. From his throne he spoke as if he were God, and the people shouted - "This is the voice of a god - not of a man." and he did not pass the glory on to the Living God. Herod rather enjoyed the adulation, and an angel of the Lord struck him down and he died, and was eaten by worms.
It is a dangerous thing to touch disciples of Jesus Christ the wrong way. We have seen how a Christian is one who has the anointing of Jesus Christ upon him - upon his life - and men like James and Peter certainly had that anointing of the Power of The Holy Spirit upon them. To do anything against men like that or even to say anything against anointed disciples of Jesus - is dangerous - highly dangerous.
It is dangerous to receive and accept the praise and worship of men. All the worship and glory and praise MUST be passed on to God.
If God has used you in any way - if Jesus has taken you and ministered through you - pass on any praise and glory to God the Father.
Verse 24. The Word of God continued to increase and spread. It doesn't matter what men do at times to disciples of Jesus Christ - to those who are anointed with the Love and Power and Spirit of God. The Word of God grows - the message of Jesus spreads.
What do we see in this Chapter? Persecution - prison - prayer - miraculous release and deliverance - punishment of Herod - with the spreading and growing influence of Jesus and His Word.
Expect a mixture of responses as you serve the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.
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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