August 28, 2020. Proverbs 14 cont..., Acts 22 Cont...

 Acts 22 cont..

....as the High Priest and all the council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from the them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 

• Persecution is best defined as someone who seeks to punish/ or persecute you because you believe in God.
• God is not the author of persecution.
• In their minds Paul is a trouble maker and he deserves to be mistreated. 
• The persecutor believe they are doing God's will. 

What does Paul do? 

Paul tells them about his conversion; he tells them.... He was a persecutor just like them. 

About noon as I came near Damascus suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?

Who are you Lord? I asked.

I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting, he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. What shall I do Lord? I asked. 

Zealous for the Law or characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent.

From the people perspective the persecutors were: 

• devoted
• active
• diligent about keeping the Law and they felt it was their DUTY to make sure that everyone else was doing what was living according to the law and Jewish customs.

From God's perspective

• They lacked his spirit 
• they hid behind pointing fingers at others. 
• They were in need of God's Spirit.

The problem with their minds:

• their ideas were faulty
• Their ideas/thoughts were not inspired by God. 

"Get up, the Lord said, and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do. My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the Law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, Brother Saul, receive your sight! And at that very moment I was able to see him. 

Then he said: God of our ancestors has chosen you  to know his will and see the Righteous one and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on  his name.

When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to me. Quick! he said. Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me. 

Lord, I replied, these  people know that I went from one synagogue to another imprisoning and beating those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. 

Then the Lord said to me, Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles. 

Proverbs 14 cont....

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, 

and the good rewarded for theirs.

The simple believe anything, 

but the prudent give thought to their steps.

The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, 

but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. 

A quick tempered person does foolish things, 

and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. 

The simple inherit folly, 

but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Evildoers will bow down in the presence of good, 

and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor are shunned everyday by their neighbors, 

but the rich have many friends.

It is a sin to despise one's neighbor, 

but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

Do not those who plot evil go astray?

But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. 

All hard work brings a profit, 

but mere talk leads only to poverty. 

The wealth of the wise is their crown, 

but the folly of fools yields folly. 

A truthful witness saves lives, 

but a false witness is deceitful. 

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, 

and for their children it will be a refuge.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, 

turning a person from the snares of death. 

A large population is a king's glory, 

but without subjects a prince is ruined. 

Whoever is patient has great understanding, 

but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. 

A heart at peace gives life to the body, 

but envy rots the bones. 

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker, 

but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. 

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning

and even among fools she lets herself be known.

Righteousness exalts a nation, 

but sin condemns any people.

A king delights in a wise servant, 

but a shameful servant arouses his fury. 

Have a great day!