Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
We didn't get the rest of the story...
From Luke chapter 4: 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[e]
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[e]
...the rest of the story...
Perhaps you recognize the phrase, trademark of American radio legend Paul Harvey. I may borrow it for a theme of some of my posts in the future. Have you ever noticed that there is "more to the story" when it comes to popular Bible verses? Some of our favorites are not even complete thoughts and it is worthwhile looking around for, well, the rest
of the story! We could learn a great deal from doing this. Here's my first example, from Revelation 3:
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
We hear v.20 all the time, but v.19 reminds us that Jesus isn't all sunshine and lollipops, gently knocking on the doors to our hearts. He often has to straighten us out [read about lukewarm followers before that verse]. He continues afterward with a promise to those who overcome-and by implication, something NOT promised to those who do not overcome. May you hear what the Spirit says-to you!
of the story! We could learn a great deal from doing this. Here's my first example, from Revelation 3:
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
We hear v.20 all the time, but v.19 reminds us that Jesus isn't all sunshine and lollipops, gently knocking on the doors to our hearts. He often has to straighten us out [read about lukewarm followers before that verse]. He continues afterward with a promise to those who overcome-and by implication, something NOT promised to those who do not overcome. May you hear what the Spirit says-to you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)