Persecution And The Harvest

Are we walking in the full measure of this new life?  

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If you were asked if you are a jealous person, how would you respond?  When another person gets promoted or recognized for doing something noble, how do you feel? Can you rejoice with that one who has been rewarded?  

Having a jealous thought, now and then, is a normal reaction, but when someone is filled with jealousy, that’s a different story.  

In today’s reading, “The High priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.”  (Acts 5: 17)  

  • We can’t be filled with the Holy Spirit and with jealousy.  They don’t mix!  

The apostles were gaining notoriety, as they were doing great exploits for our God!  The high priest couldn’t handle it!  So, they arrested the apostles and put them in jail.  Yet, God intervenes supernaturally.  An angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brings them out!  He instructs them saying, “Go stand in the temple courts, he said, and tell the people the FULL measure of this new life.”  (Acts 5: 19-20)

Are we walking in the full measure of this new life?  Are we satisfied where we are spiritually with just our salvation, not yearning for more?  The full measure is life in the Spirit.  “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.”  (John 6: 63)  

What measurement of faith and devotion to God are we walking in?  

  • Those who want more of God will receive a full measure.  

In the morning the Sanhedrin sent for the apostles in jail, and find them not there.  The officers report, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”  (Acts 5: 23)  

  • A full measure of faith produces a supernatural lifestyle.
  • God wants to open up the doors of our hearts to receive the full measure of faith and power in our life.  
  • Prison doors open when we are obedient to the call.  

Someone runs to the Sanhedrin and tells them that the apostles are standing in the temple courts teaching.  So they go and get the apostles, not with force, and bring them in for questioning.  While being questioned, they say, “We must obey God rather than men.”  (Acts 5: 29) 

The Sanhedrin had given them strict orders not to teach about the resurrection of Jesus, but they didn’t listen.  Their obedience and allegiance were to God, not to men.  They had been instructed by the Lord to go into all the world, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  

  • The call of disciples is still the same today.  

A Pharisee, named Gamaliel, speaks up saying, “Leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men, you will only be fighting against God.”  (Acts 5: 38-39)  

  • God’s purpose in our life will be marked with a boldness and a tenacity, that won’t back down or back out.  
  • In your pursuit of serving God, don’t fight against men. 

“We fight not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers and principalities, of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”(Ephesians 6: 12)

  • Put your full armor of God on, not your boxing gloves.  
  • Persecution may still arise, but God’s purposes shall continue.  Go the full length and in the full measure.  

So after the Sanhedrin question the apostles, “They had them flogged.  Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”  (Acts 5: 40)  

How did they react to this persecution?  “The apostles left…rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”  (Acts 5: 41)  

  • Remember the special call of missionaries, they are risking their lives for the gospel.  

Let me tell you, flogging is certainly not a pleasant thing.  It is being beaten with a leather strap, forty lashes, minus one.  

Did they stop preaching?  Nope!  “Day after day in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”  (Acts 5: 42)  

  • Only the Spirit of God, in full measure, can produce this. 
  • This was not man’s will, but the calling and urgency of the Spirit bringing it to pass.  
  • This was “dunamis” (Holy Spirit) power.  

Job needed some of this power to sustain him in his suffering.  He needed some relief.  He was not only dealing with painful sores all over his body but enduring the criticism and painful counsel of his miserable comforters.  He tells his friends, “My  mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief?”  (Job 16: 5)    

  • Words of encouragement and comfort bring relief.  

Describing himself he says, “My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes; yet my hands have been free of violence, and my prayer is pure.”  (Job 16: 16-17)  He didn’t curse at them either!

  • In times of pain, lashing out at others is not the answer.  
  • Talk to God and remain pure in your prayer.  
  • Our advocate is on High.  (Job 16: 19b)  
  • The end of suffering will come.  

Persecution and having the full measure of the Holy Spirit will enable us to endure.  A strong-willed person won’t even be able to endure, what they were up against.  This is all for a purpose, not revealed yet.  

One of the quotes in the Old Testament reading is, “Do not muzzle an ox while treading out the grain.”  (Deuteronomy 25: 4)  

  • Loosening the grain from the straw was what the ox was called to tread.  
  • The grain shall be preserved and separated from the straw.  
  • This separation is part of the harvesting process.  

Every process we endure, even persecution, and separation is meant to produce the harvest.  Keep bringing it forth!  

(Acts 5: 17-42, Job 16, Deuteronomy 25-27, Modified)

 

 

 


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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com