2-4-21   THOUGHTS

Abraham was the father of the faithful.  God CHOSE His people, He PROMISED  His people and He caused them to live in ways that predicted the coming of His PROMISE.  Blood sacrifice, tabernacle/temple, priesthoods, Holy of Holies, all every day events laying the groundwork for MESSIAH. They lived in expectation.  The answer to God’s anger as they completely disobeyed Him time after time was MESSIAH and repentance!  
As we studied last night, I thought about Saul’s background.  He was a Jew’s Jew.  Educated by one of their best.  If anyone knew the promise, Saul did.  He went from waiting to seeing in a very physical way.  He was overpowered!  MESSIAH burst into Saul’s life.       “HE’S COMING” is now “HE CAME!”  
Before Agrippa, Saul (now Paul) says "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing  but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;”
Acts 26:19-23     "So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20  but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. 21  "For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death. 22  "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23  that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
 In one way, the conversion of Saul was a 180 degree change.  But in a different way, it was nothing less than the completion of all that he had lived!
Paul wanted so badly for his Jewish brethren to see what he had seen, to believe MESSIAH had come in Christ Jesus.  .
Rom 9:2-6   that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3  For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4  who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5  whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. 6   But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;
In verse 6, the concept of SPIRITUAL ISRAEL is described.  Php 3:3    for we are the [true] circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

My Prayer:
Oh God, thank you for all of history that has guided us to Christ Jesus, and thank you for your word that reveals all to us.  May we worship in your Spirit and glory in Christ Jesus.  Help us to put no confidence in the flesh.  Please, may we be with you eternally.
In the name of our savior Christ Jesus         Amen