What is a Nobleman?

Acts 10: 10-11
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews/
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Apostle Paul was known for starting riots everywhere that he went. It wasn't his intention, it seemed that trouble just seemed to follow him. In those days Christianity was in its infancy. There were many who wanted to snuff out this fledgling "religious movement" because they felt that it threatened their traditions. It hadn't been that long since Paul himself had changed sides. After his conversion he often found himself on the wrong side of the mob.

Thessalonica was no exception. When he came into Thessalonica he began to preach. It wasn't long before he had quite a group of believers. Acts 17:4 says that a great multitude of devout Greeks and many of the chief woman believed what he was saying. This naturally didn't sit well with the religious leaders who saw their control over the people slipping away. Before long another riot ensued and Paul and Silas had to flee by night unto Berea.

Here is where things get interesting. The Bible says of the Bereans that they were more "noble" than the people in Thessalonica  and received the word with readiness of mind searching the scriptures to see the truth in the matter. When something new is preached to us there will always be one of at least two reactions. Either we can reject the truth that we hear or we can have an open mind to search the scriptures for the truth of the matter.

The Bible calls those who will search the scriptures and accept was is written therein "noble." To be noble means to be royalty. This tells us how God views us when we are willing to accept and do our best to live by his word. One can be a pauper but if he accepts the truths of scripture, in God's eyes he is a nobleman. I want it to be said of me that I was "more noble." I want the blessings of God on my life, don't you?

 

Jesus still heals

Last night I was looking through some scriptures on healing. I looked up the word heal in my concordance and started going through every scripture listed. I found this one in Jeremiah that seemed to leap out at me.

Jeremiah 17:14 - Heal me, O Lord and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

Corrie ten Boom used to tell a story about a young lady in Germany. The young lady was very sick and her brother had spent much time in prayer for her. He was reading his Bible one day and came across Mark 16:18: "And they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." He was so excited that he went to his sister and asked her if she believed the Bible. She replied that she did. He read her the scripture and then asked again, "do you believe this." She said, "I have never heard it, but I believe it because it is in the Bible." He then laid his hands on her and prayed. God immediately healed her.

The young lady went to her pastor on the next Sunday and told him what happened. She asked him if he had known that scripture was in the Bible. His reply stunned her. "My dear lady", he said. "I'm sorry to have to tell you but that verse is not part of original scripture. It was added centuries after the original was written." She was shocked for a moment and didn't know what to think. Then she looked at him and replied. "Oh what a magnificent book the Bible is that even an added verse has such power that I am healed."

I want to tell you today that there is power in the name of Jesus Christ to heal. God still does miracles. He has not changed because he is the same yesterday, today and forever. That being the case, what he did before he can and will do again. If you need healing today it is yours for the asking. God is a healer of ever physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional illness.

You don't have to say some magic words, have the atmosphere just right or anything else. He is ready and waiting to heal you. If you or someone you know needs healing claim this promise today. Call on the name of Jesus. Praise him for being the healer in your life. He is not only drawn to your needs but he inhabits your praise. (Psalm 22:3) Praise him for the healing and victory you need and he will be there right on time.

James 5:14 says we can call the elders of the church to lay hands on us and pray and we will be healed. If you need a miracle and you have prayed without results it is time for you to obey the scripture. Call for Godly elders who believe in the power of prayer. Let them pray with you, for you, and see what God will do.

I know we have all seen people who believed God and didn't get healed. We know there is a time for everyone to die. We can't avoid that. But the sickness you are in now does not have to be the one that takes you out. And you don't have to be sick when you do die. It is not God's will for you to suffer. He wants to heal because He is a healer by his very nature. Call on Jesus today. Let him show you his power. His able.

Jesus still heals!

Trusting in Jesus,

Sullivan Jones

The Most Important Things

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
⁴⁰ But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
⁴² But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The gospel of Luke tells us a story about Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus. Perhaps you've heard of Lazarus? He is famous because Jesus raised him from the dead. In Luke chapter 10, however, the emphasis is on Martha and Mary. You see it was Martha who received Jesus into her house.  If it had not been for Martha, Lazarus would not have been raised from the dead. Why? Because Jesus would not have been welcomed into this home. He would not have been around to raise Lazarus from the dead; the friendship would not have existed. Verse 38 makes is clear to us that it was Martha who received (invited?) Jesus into her home. Yet it was Martha who received the strongest rebuke from Jesus.

At first glance it doesn't seem to be right. Martha was cooking and cleaning while Mary was in the living room (probably with the men) listening to Jesus talk. Martha simply asked Jesus to tell Mary that she was needed in the kitchen. It seemed a reasonable request. But instead of sending Mary to the kitchen Jesus invites Martha to the living room to sit and hear him teach. I know I'm using my imagination to fill in the gaps but bear with me. Mary is so desirous to hear Jesus words that she is literally sitting on the floor at his feet. Martha is concerned with feeding the crowd in her home. While this may have seemed like a noble cause it was not the most important thing. She had the king of kings in her home yet she was worried about cleaning the drapes.

Our lives in 2013 are so busy. It seems to take all day at times to get one task accomplished. We start off in the morning with good intentions to accomplish much yet at the end of the day we are bone tired and feeling as if we got nothing done. I'm sure this was how Martha was feeling. She was a conscientious worker, no doubt, and wanted to get all her tasks in order. Yet Jesus was asking her to reevaluate her priorities.

I believe there are two lessons to be learned from this story. Number one, Jesus must always have the number one spot in our lives. We can get so busy doing the things of life that we don't take time for him. We can be so busy doing things for him ( church work, etc.) that we neglect our personal devotion time with him. In the end all these things will not matter if we don't know Jesus.

Number two is the importance of family and friendships. There is a principle here that we often miss. Relationship building. The relationships that we build in life are more important than the tasks we accomplish. While Martha was busy cooking and cleaning Mary was developing a friendship with the One who would later raise her brother from the dead.

Lord, help me to look beyond the tasks of the day and be sensitive to the people in my life. Each of them is important. Perhaps you've placed them around me so that I can minister to them. Don't let me be so caught up in serving the physical needs that I neglect the spiritual. Though I will not neglect my duties, let me like Mary choose to put my energy into the most important things. Amen



Sincerely,

Sullivan Jones