May 26, 2018

We attended another graduation party this afternoon. The pictures tell the story of the honoree from birth to the present. They think, “I’m finished!”

Nope. Now they enter SHK – the “School of Hard Knocks.” You can’t skip out on this school. It comes to you. The number one thing it tries is to knock your faith right out of you!

Hebrews 2:1, “It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off.” The Message

Intelligence, education, common sense, or your job title will not keep you safe in SHK. You need the “Armor of God,” (Ephesians 6:10-18), daily Bible reading and prayer. Satan is sneaky. He works his way into your life to keep God out.

Acts 13:6-8, 10, “…a Jewish wizard who had worked himself into the confidence of the governor, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man not easily taken in by charlatans. …(7) He was as crooked as a corkscrew. (8) …he stirred up a ruckus, trying to divert the governor from becoming a believer. …(10) …inventing schemes to cheat people out of God.” The Message

You don’t go through SHK alone. God leads you. If you follow Him, He knocks out the enemies for you.

Acts 13:19, “…having wiped out seven enemies who stood in the way…” The Message

A favorite tool of Satan is compromise – and distraction. Adding something to your faith in Jesus.

“In the letter, it is Jesus-and-angels, or Jesus-and-Moses, or Jesus-and-priesthood. In our time it is more likely to be Jesus-and-politics, or Jesus-and-education, or even Jesus-and-Budha. This letter deletes the hyphens, the add ons. The focus becomes clear and sharp again: God’s action in Jesus.” The Message Introduction to Hebrews

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Hebrews 1:14, “Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?” The Message

In time, they will find the work God planned for them. The work will change them. When Saul stopped preaching to the Jews, he changed his name. From that time on he was known by his Roman name, Paul.

“Paul (Saul’s Roman name) now focused his strategy on Gentile evangelism. His sermons, as recorded in Acts, indicate the way the Good News was presented to the Gentiles (13:16-41) and to a sophisticated audience (17:22-31), emphasizing the activity of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus’ resurrection.” Chronological Study Bible Notes

Congratulations graduates!

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