By Andrew Williams
And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
Acts of the Apostles 15:31 NLT
Good morning fellow disciples.
WORD is defined as the expressed or manifested mind and will of God.
The messengers from Jerusalem had just gone to Antioch with the message from the apostles about what they should be doing as believers. This message was one that interpreted the WORD of God for the non-Jewish believers. When they heard this WORD from the apostles they rejoiced.
That message was this: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
Acts of the Apostles 15:28-29 NLT
God does not give us more than we can bear. Earlier, persons from Jerusalem had gone and disturbed the gentile Christians by telling them that they had to be circumcised and that they had to obey the law of Moses. When Paul and Barnabas consulted with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, God spoke through them and gave only these simple requirements mentioned above.
Sometimes men will cause persons to become more burdened because of their interpretation of scriptures. We should always go to God to find out from Him what His will is. When God speaks burdens will be lifted.
What a joy it is to hear the WORD of God and to receive peace when He speaks to us. Let us see God and listen to His spoken WORD. Let us listen to God and obey His simple instructions.
Prayer: Father God, Your WORD brings joy to my heart. Your WORD is not burdensome. Your WORD brings peace. Your WORD brings freedom.
We thank You for Your WORD. We will serve You wholeheartedly, obeying Your spoken and written WORD. Amen.