Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Nov 19th, 2013 Just for Ladies by Mrs. Camille Stahl

Today’s Passages –Acts 11 – 13; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 91 – 95;Proverbs 19)

Scripture Memorization for November – The Kenosis Passage – Philippians 2:5 – 11

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 51:11

Read a great article by Pastor Cary Schmidt – “Shattering Pastoral Caricatures“

Read the “1119 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Begotten from the Grave” & “The Beginning of the Journey“

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” (Acts 12:1-7)

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Corinthians 10:13)

Peter was always getting in trouble for preaching the Gospel, but that never stopped him.  He keeps going for the Lord.  You would think that because he was doing God’s will that his life would just fall into place.  No worries, no trials, just smooth sailing.

We too strive to do the will of God and serve him as we try hard to serve our family.  As ladies, we are keepers of our home, raise our children, and serve beside our husband.  But like Peter, we find ourselves in prison bound with chains.  Most ladies have more on their plate then they should because of one reason or another.  Our time is spent doing all we have to do and more.  Satan is right there trying to defeat us.  He keeps us too busy so there’s no time for us to spend with God.  We then fall into a pit and there seems like there is no way out.

In l Corinthians 10:13, it says “…make a way to escape…”.  God did not create us to be overwhelmed with our serving Him or our family. Let’s take a look at a few suggestions that can help us break the chains of prison Satan has us in.

First we must make time every day to spend with God.  Some will say, “But I don’t have time”.  This is the most important start of your day.  We cannot neglect God if we expect Him to do a work in our life. Make Time.

Second, make a list of what you need to accomplish.  Cross off the things that bog you down.  Learn to say NO, because I am already over committed.  We have complicated our lives beyond what God would have for us.  Get rid of the extra stressful burdens.

Next, remember that God will always provide a way out if we follow.

“And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.” (Acts 12:8)

Peter had to follow the angel out, as we also must follow the Lord.  Without the angel, Peter had to do something, he put his garments on, then followed. If Peter didn’t follow, he might have lost his way and found himself back in prison bound in the chains.  We must make changes in our lives, and then follow Christ.  Follow Christ.

Last, I want you to notice that Peter was on his death bed.  The Bible says “…And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night…”. Herod wasn’t going to wait until after Easter, he wanted to get rid of Peter right away.  But by the Grace of God, He delivered Peter at the last moment.  Sometimes God waits to answer our prayer or to deliver us out of our chains.  Then when He does, we can give Him the praise and the glory for what He has done.

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. (Act 12:11)

Wait on Him.

Thank You!

John 5:13