This is what I learned today as I studied my Bible ...
GOD drives out the darkness in my life! 2 Samuel 22:29-31 "Suddenly, GOD, your light floods my path, GOD drives out the darkness. I smash the bands of marauders, I vault the high fences. What a GOD! His roadstretches straight and smooth. Every GOD-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him makes it." And HIS SPIRIT is upon me! Luke 4:16-21 "HE came to Nazareth where HE had been reared. As HE always did on the Sabbath, HE went to the meeting place. When HE stood up to read, HE was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, HE found the place where it was written, GOD'S SPIRIT is on ME; HE'S chosen ME to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent ME to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is GOD'S year to act!” HE rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on HIM, intent. Then HE started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.” And there are no limits to the wholeness HE brings! Isaiah 9:2-7 "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—light! Sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—all their whips and cudgels and curses— Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days! For a CHILD has been born—for us! The gift of a SON—for us! HE'LL take over the running of the world. HIS names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. HIS ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness HE brings. HE'LL rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. HE'LL put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this." And the issue is never what they do to me, but what CHRIST does through my obedience! Acts 21:12-13 "When we heard that, we and everyone there that day begged Paul not to be stubborn and persist in going to Jerusalem. But Paul wouldn’t budge: “Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene and making it even harder for me? You’re looking at this backward. The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master JESUS does through my obedience. Can’t you see that?” And the most wonderful thing when JESUS said "I AM JESUS!" Acts 26:15-16 “I said, ‘Who are you, MASTER?’ “The voice answered, ‘I AMJESUS, the One you’re hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I’VE handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you." And here's a reference to the Old Testament Paul used in his defense to King Agrippa, "Everything I am saying is completely in line with what the prophets and Moses said would happen!"Acts 26:21-23 “It’s because of this ‘whole world’ dimension that the Jews grabbed me in the Temple that day and tried to kill me. They want to keep God for themselves. But God has stood by me, just as he promised, and I’m standing here saying what I’ve been saying to anyone, whether king or child, who will listen. And everything I’m saying is completely in line with what the prophets and Moses said would happen: One, the Messiah must die; two, raised from the dead, he would be the first rays of God’s daylight shining on people far and near, people both godless and God-fearing.” And the last thing Paul said to King Agrippa ... You believe ... don't you? Don't answer that - I know you believe ... remimding me to don't ask a question I already know the answer to! Acts 26:25-27 "But Paul stood his ground. “With all respect, Festus, Your Honor, I’m not crazy. I’m both accurate and sane in what I’m saying. The king knows what I’m talking about. I’m sure that nothing of what I’ve said sounds crazy to him. He’s known all about it for a long time. You must realize that this wasn’t done behind the scenes. You believe the prophets, don’t you, King Agrippa? Don’t answer that—I know you believe.” And a response from King Agrippa after Paul's great story defending himself ... Acts 26:28 "But Agrippa did answer: “Keep this up much longer and you’ll make a Christian out of me!”
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