Welcome to His Encouragement Thursday! I don’t know about you, but Thursdays are my struggle day of the week. By Thursday, I have already been working hard at school and at home, and I just wish it would hurry up and be Friday already. LOL! I definitely need a little extra Jesus time on Thursdays.
Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I Am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’
Acts 13:40-41 (ESV)
I know I have been on a Psalm 91 kick lately … but I have to take a pause and talk about these verses from Acts 13. They are brain-popping amazing! I promise I will get back to Psalm 91, but God’s putting it on my heart to talk about Acts 13:40-41 and pose to you, dear readers, some questions, which means I got to listen to His command.
In the annual Bible study I’m following this year, I’m currently in the middle of Acts. Acts 13 walloped me. I actually said to my hubby, “Did you know this has been in the Bible the whole time?!” He good-naturedly laughed at me because he, too, has had those moments with his own Bible reading. You know those moments — those times you’re reading something in the Bible and it’s like the first time you’ve ever seen the verse or concept before, and it just seems to fit so perfectly with where we’re at in the world or where you’re at in your life. It’s those moments God speaks so loudly and clearly to you. I LOVE those moments, and I think it is a testament to just how cool and creative God is — His Word truly is active and sharp every single day!
But I digress.
Re-read the verses I shared today. What sticks out to you? What screams at you?
For me, it is several things all at once. First, it is the word scoffers and the phrase “a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.” Second, it is the word beware and the fact that some Prophet of old made a prediction.
What is a scoffer? According to the dictionary, a scoffer is a person who mocks or makes fun of someone or something, often because of religion or moral values. It is someone who MAKES FUN OF or MOCKS someone or something they don’t agree with.
Scoffing has become a professional sport in today’s world. Everyone scoffs everyone. Everyone FEELS they know more or better than everyone else. Pride really has taken a foothold in almost everyone’s heart. What has been getting to me lately is how ugly people are towards each other … especially when FACTS are presented. Holy cow, don’t mention an actual fact, you’ll get eviscerated by practically everyone. It’s crazy. We live in a day where TRUTH is heralded as FAKE NEWS and FAKE NEWS is heralded as Gospel TRUTH. Isaiah is probably in Heaven shaking his head at all of us saying, “I told you so!” (Isaiah 5:20).
But the Prophets of old warned us this would happen — BEWARE, people will NOT believe even if you sit down and show them proof. They don’t want proof of the Truth. Honestly, they don’t want the Truth. They want their truth and their feelings and their proof. We, actual God-fearing men and women, should NOT be surprised by any of this. Not only does Paul tells us in Acts, but Habakkuk the Prophet tells us this exact thing in Habakkuk 1:5. In fact, he is the Prophet Paul is talking about when he says, BEWARE, lest what the Prophets declared comes true.
“Look amoung the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I Am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”
Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)
Are you a scoffer? Are you the type of person Habakkuk and Paul are referring to? In these last days, when people speak are you quick to dismiss what they are saying just because you may not like it or agree with it? Do you get immediately angry and defensive? Do you do everything in your power to shut that person up? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, you just may be a scoffer and mocker.
When people say something and you don’t like it, have you ever considered why you might not like what is being said? Have you read the reports the person is sharing? Have you looked at the graphs and documents and personal testimonies BEFORE making a judgment? Have you analyzed WHY you think you are so sure you are right? Have you prayed to God asking that He lead you down HIS right path? Have you asked Him to show you the truth in a matter?
I implore you, dear reader, to really consider these verses today and the questions I have posed above. There is no judgment here. Only concern. We are running out of time to get our hearts right with God. God is DOING a GREAT work. He is active right this second. Can you see His works every day? Do you see how Prophecy is coming true day by day? Are you on His side? Or are you too focused on what feels right to you? Got to honestly get to the bottom of these questions before it’s too late.
The next time someone says something to you that you don’t like, instead of scoffing and mocking and doing all you can to prove him/her wrong, maybe take a second to pray and ask God to show you the way…HIS way! Cause honestly, maybe you are being played by the devil. Scoffing and mocking feed into the devil, NOT Jesus Christ. Whose side are you really on? Just because your friends say the same thing you do doesn’t mean you are right. It’s not confirmation of anything more than you choosing your own way. Be like Hezekiah — take your feelings and thoughts and truths to God. Lay them before Him and see what He has to say (2 Kings 19:14).
The Christian Fiction Girl 
This is great Nicole. I have had those moments too and I love them. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much for reading my post today. 😀
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