Almost
“You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:24-28, NIV)
When I read these words, I want to shout, “Believe, Agrippa, believe! Paul is telling you the truth. Just believe!”
Many sermons and devotions have been written around these words of King Agrippa who was almost persuaded. Sermons and devotions crafted by those who believe. Sermons and devotions received by those who believe. All of whom want others to believe.
And yet, this believer wonders if I too am almost persuaded. Don’t get me wrong. I love Jesus and am so thankful that He gave Himself for my sins. I rejoice in His resurrection and look forward to His return.
Still in some ways, I am almost persuaded.
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20, NIV)
If I truly believed this verse, I think more mountains would have moved.
The entire book of the Acts of the Apostles is a testament to what can happen when believers act in faith. People were healed, the dead were raised, and prison gates miraculously swung open.
Why isn’t today’s church more like the early church? Why don’t we live in faith like they did?
Do we truly believe that Jesus is who He said He was? Do we understand what happened at the resurrection? Do we trust God completely?
Or are we almost persuaded?
Today, God is pleading with us: “Believe, My child, believe! The Bible is the truth. Just believe.”
Will you have faith as small as a mustard seed? There are mountains that need to be moved.
By LaRaine Rice
“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:24-28, NIV)
When I read these words, I want to shout, “Believe, Agrippa, believe! Paul is telling you the truth. Just believe!”
Many sermons and devotions have been written around these words of King Agrippa who was almost persuaded. Sermons and devotions crafted by those who believe. Sermons and devotions received by those who believe. All of whom want others to believe.
And yet, this believer wonders if I too am almost persuaded. Don’t get me wrong. I love Jesus and am so thankful that He gave Himself for my sins. I rejoice in His resurrection and look forward to His return.
Still in some ways, I am almost persuaded.
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20, NIV)
If I truly believed this verse, I think more mountains would have moved.
The entire book of the Acts of the Apostles is a testament to what can happen when believers act in faith. People were healed, the dead were raised, and prison gates miraculously swung open.
Why isn’t today’s church more like the early church? Why don’t we live in faith like they did?
Do we truly believe that Jesus is who He said He was? Do we understand what happened at the resurrection? Do we trust God completely?
Or are we almost persuaded?
Today, God is pleading with us: “Believe, My child, believe! The Bible is the truth. Just believe.”
Will you have faith as small as a mustard seed? There are mountains that need to be moved.
By LaRaine Rice
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New Year's Day 2022All Things NewA New NormalA Renewed MindA New MissionA New BeginningSpring is Coming...God's Not DeadHis Presence As I Pray With Other BelieversHis Presence As I Fill My Heart and Mind with His WordHis Presence As I WorshipHis Presence As I WriteHim AloneGoodbyesOur Friend and So Much MoreTrust Your Gut...The Flooding of the Holy SpritLiving By the SpiritDon't Just Stand ThereThe Futility of Human EffortThe Will of God for YouThe Internal Battle for ControlEvery Good Tree Bears Good FruitAchieving Victory Over SinIlluminating Properties of SnowSearching
February
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March
On the DefenseNot in My House!We Have a Barn Burner!Drop the Rock!Scripture Memory Verse for MarchThe Glory of God's RedemptionSalvation Comes from GodEncountering ChristChanged Hearts and LivesCompleting the Unfinished WorkPsalm 131Something Came UpUnoffendableSpeaking Our LanguageTo Love or Not to LoveShake It UpPsalm 131Sola GratiaFreed by GraceAmazed by GraceScandalous GraceEvidence of GraceWhat God Has GivenThe Travel PlannerWhat Makes You Curious?Strengthened by Other BelieversImposters Exposed
April
A Farewell to EphesusScripture Memory Verse for AprilHappy EndingsSomething You Need to Know About PaulAlmostBlank PageSuper ChristianThe Prince of PeaceA Special CrossMore Than an Empty TombTwo Things to RememberResurrection LifeWhat We Wear MattersA New LifeProgress ReportGospel GrowthPraying for the Global ChurchA Powerful Prayer GuideDelivered from Darkness