Accepted

Accepted

Acts 15: ⁵ Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and elders met to consider this question. ⁷ After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸ God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹ He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ¹¹ No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

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It felt like I grew overnight when I put on a pair of pants and they were too short. While I wanted to be taller, now my clothes did not fit. People were already laughing at me about my hair, now this was added. And, with the new height, I looked skinnier. “I’m never going to fin in” I said to myself.

• Many times I have been laughed at.
• Many times I have been on the outside of the crowd.
• Many times I have been the one who was outcast because I did not fit in.

Confusion erupted as some of the believers, who may have been going to church a long time, were part of the political party that had JESUS killed, namely the Pharisees. “Be circumcised to keep the law of Moses” was their stance because humans could easily see evidence of acceptance. Peter spoke against this prejudiced thinking.

• GOD wants me to tell people they are accepted.
• GOD wants me to let people know HE does not discriminate.
• GOD wants me to inform people that HE purifies the heart by faith.

Accepting people just as they are is important to GOD. HE looked at my sin and while I was in the middle of committing the act, HE died for me to take the blame. JESUS accepted my belief in HIM, knowing I would commit sin, over and over.

It is though grace of our LORD JESUS that we are saved. HE wants people to understand they too are accepted, just as they are. I am grateful to be accepted into the loving family of the FATHER, SON and the HOLY SPIRIT.

• Are you outcast?
• Are you seeking to be understood and looking in the places, you know in your heart, that are wrong for you?
• Will you believe in JESUS and be accepted into HIS loving family so you will never be thrown out again?

Accepted

Accepted

Acts 9: ²⁶ And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. ²⁹ And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. ³⁰ When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

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When the reorganization was announced, I was shattered. I mean I spoke negatively about the department I left and was now told I had to go back, otherwise lose the job. I tried showing people how hard I worked, but was met with disbelief that I could ever be sincere. I needed an advocate.

• There were times when I could not push my way into a group.
• There were times when my past caused problems for the present.
• There were times when I was not accepted because of the things I said and did.

Saul persecuted anyone who spoke in the name of JESUS, or at least he was in charge of those who did the killing. When he was confronted by JESUS HIMSELF, he changed wholeheartedly and became a strong force for GOD. But the persecuted did not believe in Saul.

GOD did not zap their minds so they could see the sincerity in Saul. He needed an advocate to speak on his behalf. Fortunately Barnabas must have gotten word from Ananias, the one sent by the LORD. Barnabas became an advocate for Saul and the disciples believed.

• JESUS is my advocate and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me.
• The HOLY SPIRIT speaks on my behalf, begging for my forgiveness to the FATHER.
• The FATHER is my forgiver and pours out HIS grace because I believe JESUS is my advocate.

Being accepted into GOD’s family felt great. I mean even though I messed up time after time, GOD saw me and said “Come to ME and I will give you rest.” I could finally rest from what I was searching for. I may not be accepted by humans, BUT GOD always accepts me. I believe in the love of JESUS.

• Are you searching for a group to accept you?
• Do you seek love and are willing to accept something that may be a lie or even harmful to you?
• Will you turn your life to true love, which is JESUS, who is your advocate?