Acts 24:13, Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

Eventually when you or I stand for what is right there will always be those that oppose us. That falsely accuse us. As unpleasant as it is, I feel that the LORD wants me to deal with this subject before going on to something else. From my last post entitled "SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD", someone left a comment and accused me of being like that hate group that goes around protesting funerals. Mostly military funerals. (Hmm, that's odd. Seeing how patriotic I am. And still in the process of being cleared to go back in the military. How about that? The very idea of protesting a military funeral is disgraceful!) So, just like Paul here in the book of Acts. He was falsely accused and his accusers could not prove the things they said. So along with Paul I say to my accuser, or accusers, Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 

Actually I can prove by my life that what was said is absolutely ridiculous. Absurd. The very idea of being part of a group, hate group that is, and go and protest a military funeral?! Come on now. I find it ironic that the same people that gave Paul such a hard time are the same ones (same hateful spirited people) that will give you or I a hard time when we stand for what is right! Standing for truth's sake! I even talked about the Love Of God in the same post! The greatest thing about all of this is that I have God as my defence. My witness. And many others that would testify for me if necessary. But won't be necessary. After writing this post I hope not to address this issue any longer. If the truth be known the one that wrote the lie is probably the hateful one. Full of bitterness and deceit.

Verse 10 of chapter 24 of Acts Paul says in the latter part of the verse, "I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:" So, like Paul, "I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:" That which I have now done to some extent. And felt it necessary to do so. This forum, this ministry, my ministry that God has given to me I want always to be one that is above reproach. Even dealing with the negative which we have to do at times, with God it always turns around to be a positive. That which only makes us stronger. Reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures. That being Romans 8:28,

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

This scripture is powerful! Reminds me of another favorite scripture about the Word Of God. But, here in Romans we see a great and marvelous truth. ALL THINGS! Yes, all things. How is that possible? All things are possible with God. To them that believe. Notice in verse 28 of Romans how it says, to them that love God. Someone might say, "How do you know that you love God? Let's look at the Book. That's where all of our answers are. Let's look at I John 2:3-6,

And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that says, I know Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But, whosoever keeps His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. (Can you picture Jesus going and protesting a military funeral? No way! Actually, I am reminded of a funeral that He attended. What did He do? He raised the young man from the dead! He was the only son of this poor mother. They were on their way to bury this young fellow. That's the Jesus I serve!) 

I stated above how that Romans 8:28 is powerful, and reminded me of another favorite scripture of mine, it's found in the book of Hebrews. Here it is, Heb. 4:12-13,

For the Word Of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

With whom we have to answer! And one day we all will have to answer for the life that we lived in this body. I for one want to be able to say like Paul, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself! On that day to say cheerfully, I SAID YES TO JESUS! HE IS MY SAVIOUR! MY LORD! MY GOD! Also to be able to say with an honest and sincere heart the words that Paul said in the book of II Timothy 4:7-8,

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge, (not a bad judge) will give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

Are we looking forward to His appearing? Do we love the very thought? If not, why not? Not why not Minot. Which is where I was born back in 64. No matter though. Although I have fond memories of Minot North Dakota, (thanks to my Pop who faithfully took us every year on family vacations. Oh what fun we had!) it really does not matter where we were born. What matters is if we have been Born Again. Born from Above. Just like Jesus taught Nicodemus in the book of John. That's what matters most! Check it out for yourself! Read John chapter 3. Ask God to help you to understand. Do it with a honest heart and God will help you. He did me. And He will for all that would come to Him. Period! I even pray that God would open the eyes of the one that falsely accuses me. That's the Love Of God working in my life! Not hate! I hate lying! I hate every false way! As I should. Sincerely, R.C.

Acts 14:3, Long time therefore they abode speaking boldly in the LORD, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

What is it to speak boldly in the LORD? It means to be frank, or honest in speaking. Confident in spirit and demeanor. The way a person behaves towards others. Their conduct. Their bearing. Their appearance. All these things are important. Yes our appearance is important. God cares how we appear to others. As a matter of fact God says to avoid all appearance of evil. In saying that, people fake it all the time. But, eventually the truth is known by the way they live, or conduct their life. Their manner of life. Is it Godly? Is it one that brings honor to God? That's what being a real Christian is all about. There are many nominal Christians. In name only. But why pretend? Let's be real why don't we? Let's be honest with ourselves and others. And God. He sees and knows all anyway. That's what these men here in the book of Acts are all about. Being honest. Confident. Behaving themselves accordingly! They were the real deal! Real Christians. Sent by God. That's what we want. And R.C. MINISTRIES TO BE ALWAYS. Bold for the LORD. Honest.

Talking about behaving reminds of a scripture in I Corinthians 13:5. This chapter is about the Love of God. It is often referred as the love chapter. What the love of God is and is not. Here's 13:5,

The Love Of God does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; 

One reason these men here in Acts were able to speak boldly in the LORD is because they had the Love of God working in their lives! That's the key. THE LOVE OF GOD! Or rather, that's just one of the keys. Verse thirteen of that same chapter in I Cor. says that the Love of God is the greatest. These men were driven by the Love of God. Speaking boldly, speaking honestly in the LORD. Conducting themselves towards others in a Godly manner. We should conduct ourselves towards others in a Godly manner. One that would please God. This is what will bring results. Making a difference in other people's life for the better. For God. To bring honor to Him. To the one that died on that cruel cross that day for you and me!

One could say that these men here in Acts were well mannered men. Paul and Barnabas being their names.  Men with good manners. They were not behaving in a manner that was unbecoming of a Christian. How about you and me? LORD help us to behave in a manner that is not unbecoming to You. People of good manners. Godly manners. The Love of God working in our lives as it was in the lives of Paul and Barnabas way back in the book of Acts. Speaking boldly as they did. Speaking honestly and sincerely like them. To be continued. Sincerely, and Honestly, R.C.