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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 13:9, we read of Saul being filled with the Holy Spirit as he confronts Elymas who is opposing Saul. Elymas had been involved in the occult. Knowing how to be filled with the Holy Spirit is so essential for all types of ministry in The Kingdom of God, and if we are filled with The Holy Spirit there is no room for other things to get in.
Saul looks Elymas straight in the eye - "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right. You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery!" That is plain talking. It also happened to be true. "The hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you are going to be blind." And, in the name of Jesus, Paul turns a man blind. This is Paul's first miracle!
Imagine saying all that - speaking in this manner - and blinding someone who opposes your ministry. Would you be prepared to speak in such a way if the occasion presented itself? Here is a warning to us. Never oppose an anointed servant of the Risen Jesus. We never know what we are letting ourselves in for. No longer could Elymas read the teacups, or the cards, or other occult signs and materials.
As disciples of Jesus, sometimes we are called upon to say things that are not nice! This passage is just packed and crammed with lessons and principles for ministry in the Church. Where is the love of Jesus in these verses? In Paul's concern for the governor. When Sergius Paulus, the Governor, saw what had happened, he believed, and was amazed. He heard the preaching and teaching, and saw the Power of God in action.
There are times when people have to see the Power of the Living God. They have to become aware of the Power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus Christ is at work - and when men are on mission - unusual things can be said - and unusual things can happen - but when Jesus Christ is at work, people also come to believe.
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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