April 15, 2014–No one can refute your testimony

April 14, 2014 By

Day 36: Acts 24:1-27

Ron and Nancy MillsI want to state from the outset of this article that our limitless God can and does intervene in our lives in such a way, that regardless of the barriers or opposition that may confront us, we will still be able to move forward into those things He has prepared for us.

As we read Acts 24, we see Paul being confronted and accused of all manner of evil in front of a governor who was historically noted for his cruelty. Governor Felix was a covetous and wicked oppressor. He hired and protected assassins who “eliminated” those who spoke against his governing policies.

It was also public knowledge that the Jewish religious leaders hated Felix. It was to this governor that the high priest and elders came with the following salutation: “Honourable Felix, you have brought our people a long period of peace, and because of your concern our nation is much better off.  All of us are always grateful for what you have done.”

I don’t think it surprising that after hearing the salutation, Felix did not give much credence to the Jews’ accusations or testimony against Paul. Flattery may be nice to hear, unless you know for certain it IS flattery and spoken insincerely simply to acquire an advantage, as in this case.

We have read about so much opposition against Paul. He has been persecuted, injured, oppressed, falsely accused, prevented in his efforts, and yet Paul remains steadfast in his goal of preaching Christ crucified for the redemption of mankind, both Jew and Gentile. This is Paul’s only crime. Sharing the message of love and good news is the only thing Paul is guilty of. Oh yes, he also brought healing to many people!

Yet the religious leaders fear him because the message of the cross has proven to be powerful. It sets prisoners free and brings wholeness to the broken. Religious dogma is a lot of argument, but has no power to change lives.

Paul’s strength came from his relationship to the Jesus who met him on the road to Damascus. Not once do we see Paul waver in his commitment. I believe his former identity as a persecutor of Christians caused him to understand that no one is beyond the saving grace of the cross. Paul identified with and understood those who came against him. Paul’s background qualified him for his mission.

Paul never tired of the message. He spoke often of his Damascus Road experience. It was his story. He had lived it, and no one could take it from him. Listeners had to choose to either believe or not. If they watched Paul’s life, they knew his story was true.  That is why the religious leaders hated him. They could not refute his story or his life, but neither could they bring themselves to acknowledge that their ways were wrong, that they had rejected and killed the Messiah!

If only they had understood that Christ’s words from the cross could include them! “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

My friend, your testimony is the most powerful thing you have. The story of God reaching you, however He did that, is true. Because you know He reached you, you can also be sure He will reach others through you. Your story is the testimony of a miracle.

And your testimony, like Paul’s, carries the power to bring others to Christ. It’s not about a religious argument. It’s not about doctrine. It’s about the power of forgiveness, and its ability to change a person from the inside out.

I encourage you to let your story be told.

Filed Under: Ron Mills

April 14, 2014–Protection in the midst of Persecution

April 14, 2014 By

Day 35: Acts 23:12-35

Darren & LydiaAs I was meditating on this Scripture wondering what my focus should be, I was searching the internet when I came across a very interesting prophetic statement.  It read: “Walk by faith and not by sight.  As you take steps of faith, depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you; if you live your life too safely, you will never know the thrill of seeing Me work.”

My previous entry was about Paul pursuing Jerusalem even in the face of prophetic words that he would face persecution and even prison when he arrived there.  This did not stop him, but he was resolute in the face of this news and continued on his journey.  In this passage we see Paul being protected from a mob.  He could have avoided this had he not gone to Jerusalem, but he understood God’s greater purpose in his heart.

I have not faced a great deal of opposition to date in my ministry.  Certainly I have had my detractors and those who would speak against me, but I have not had a mob wait in ambush for my life wanting to kill me because of the words that I was preaching.

I recall the life of John Wesley, who is a great inspiration to me.  He was a man who walked mightily in revival in the earth.  I recall reading stories about how mobs would come to the house in the towns where he was preaching and call him out.  They intended to harm him but when he would present himself it was said that the Spirit of God on the man had a way of calming them down.

Wesley was very familiar with persecution.  People would often throw rocks at him.  One time he realized that he had not been hit with a rock in over a week, so he jumped off his horse, got down to pray and cried out to God to forgive him for anything he might have done to stop the persecution.  In the middle of his prayer someone got upset with his loud prayer and threw a rock at his head.

When God speaks He means what He says and if He says that you are going to preach the gospel and face persecution and overcome, then He means it.  What we need to do is step out into the sound of His voice and do as He says.

One time I was preaching in Kansas.  After I had finished preaching the last evening, we were going to go and eat at a restaurant.  We were rejoicing in the car because God had done great things.  In the middle of the rejoicing, a man came out of a house on the street that we were driving on and started to shoot a gun into the vehicle ahead of us.

My friend who was with me said, “You know we just almost got killed, don’t you?”

I said, “It wasn’t even close.  The guy was a couple of hundred feet away.”  I said this as we were driving by his house.

The next day on the plane I realized we had indeed come close to being shot in a random shooting.  But the peace of God was with me through it all.  I have been back to that city twice since and we have seen greater outpourings with many people touched by the power of God.

The Lord also said to me in that moment, “You will come closer to trouble than this.”  A part of me got excited.  I don’t say this recklessly.  I realized through that crisis that I couldn’t experience parts of God’s protection unless such things happen and I wanted to experience it.

I pray today that you will have the strength to face what comes in your path. May you step out in new ways and glory in the protection that God provides for your life.

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning