Cause an Investigation

 

Cause an Investigation

Acts 25: ¹³ A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. ¹⁴ Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. ¹⁵ When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.

 

¹⁶ “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. ¹⁷ When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. ¹⁸ When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. ¹⁹ Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. ²⁰ I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. ²¹ But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”

 

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“How did he get promoted?” I questioned. I mean, this guy was not leadership material. Now I was curious. I asked him what changed. He said I needed to attend a specific leadership class offered at the company. I took the class and was promoted five times afterwards.

 

• When I want something, I look into it.
• When I seek something, I ask questions.
• When I desire something I investigate it.

 

Festus had company arrive. King Agrippa and Bernice came to pay their respects to him. He discussed this high profile case, telling them what Paul had done. He was shocked to learn what the dispute was about. The Jews claimed JESUS was dead and Paul told the truth about HIS resurrection. Festus did not know how to investigate the matter.

 

• GOD wants me to stand firm for HIS truth.
• GOD wants me to tell people about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to live a life that causes people to investigate JESUS.

 

People seek something meaningful in their lives. GOD has shown me that HE is the most meaningful pursuit I could ever chase. No matter where I go, GOD wants me to be ready to explain that JESUS is the Savior and anyone who believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life. I hope my life points people to JESUS.

 

• Are you living your life for GOD?
• Are you pointing people to HIM so they can investigate JESUS for themselves?
• Will you let go of trying to control people to GOD and allow them to seek HIM for themselves today?

Excited Curiosity

John 4: ²⁷ Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

²⁸ Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” ³⁰ They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

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“Want some concert tickets?” the clerk asked. “Of course!”, I answered. After getting the tickets, I told several people about the music store. I went back more and more. “What else do you have?” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I am curious about what I can get.
• Sometimes I get excited about something that has been done for me.
• Sometimes I tell other people what I am excited about.

The disciples found JESUS speaking to a woman. “What was she up to?” they thought suspiciously. They also thought, “Are you crazy?”, pointed their thoughts to JESUS. But something amazing happened.

• JESUS wants me to be excited about HIM every day.
• JESUS wants me to tell people about HIM as often as I can.
• JESUS wants me to be bold about HIS goodness to whomever HE sends me.

“Could this be the Messiah?” the woman said to people. She was excited and so should I. When my excitement is met with doubtful questions, I am to remain excited and focus my efforts on HIM. The woman’s excitement and curiosity filled me up. I am glad JESUS went out of HIS way to meet with me the same way HE did for her.

• Are you excited about JESUS?
• Do you feel compelled to tell others about HIM?
• Will you live your life with purpose today and allow GOD to speak through you?

Curiously walk right through the door

Revelation 3: ⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

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Trembling, I sat in the waiting area ready to meet the group of executives and reviewing my background in my mind. When they brought me in I felt at ease and we had a good conversation until they asked me “that” question. “How do you feel about downsizing half the staff here?” “Rotten” was the answer. Immediately I saw the door shut and that opportunity went away.

• Sometimes I build up expectations in my mind and I get slammed down to earth with reality.
• Sometimes I want something so bad only to find I can’t have it and I get disappointed.
• Sometimes I try for the prize only to realize my efforts weren't good enough.

Disappointment places a fork in the road for me. Either I am going to become “discouraged” which will lead to me not listening to GOD or I will choose to be “curious” which leads to life. Of course GOD wants me to choose the latter of the two.

• When I am curious about GOD I seek what HE is all about.
• When I am curious about GOD I look for HIS desires.
• When I am curious about GOD I search for HIS people, HIS ways, HIS situations no matter how much strength I have.

JESUS said “I am the door.” HE also said “What I open no one can shut and what I shut no one can open.” HE has opened the door for me so many times and all I had to do was walk through it. HE shuts the door on my evil desires and opens the door to a path that leads to life.

GOD knows me. HE knows what little strength I have and HE is pleased with my pitiful efforts to serve HIM. HE places the door in front of me and HE wants me to be curious enough to walk through it. My curiosity of HIM grows my faith.

• Have you already made up your mind that GOD can’t use you?
• Is your heart so filled with stone that you cannot follow HIM anymore?
• Are you still curious about HIS ways or do you think you know it all?
• Won’t you seek HIS new adventure or are you convinced you are at the end of the road?