Shake It Off!

I stopped making New Year's resolutions awhile back because the resolutions seemed to set me up for failure. I don't know about you, but I have enough failure in my life without inflicting more on myself.  Therefore, my resolution is NO MORE RESOLUTIONS!

Last Saturday at Vineyard Recovery Church, Seth Barber spoke about loss and making a decision to continue on in spite of the loss.  That message really hit a chord in my heart because recently I have suffered a gigantic loss.

His message set me up for my devotions Sunday morning. Isn't that just like God? He really wanted me to get this message.

In Acts 13:42+, Paul and Barnabas and many of the disciples were in Antioch preaching the Good News mainly to the Jews.  Gentiles were present, but God intended that the message be preached to the Jews first.  Many people had become believers, and these believers were urging Paul and the others to continue (persevere) in the grace of God.

When the prominent Jews saw the crowds of listeners, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict the message, calling the disciples blasphemers.  Instead of whining over this rejection, Paul boldly proclaimed that God had made him a light to shine to the ends of the earth and that he would now focus his attention on the Gentiles who rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord and believed. This made the prominent Jews persecute the disciples even more and drive them out of their district.

What did Paul, Barnabas, and the others do?  They followed Taylor Swift's timely advice -
"SHAKE IT OFF! SHAKE IT OFF!"

They shook off the dust of their feet in protest and moved on to another place continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

So, whatever you're facing, whatever you've lost big or small, don't give up! Don't give in!
Don't give out! Don't become offended at God! Persevere! Shake it off and continue onward in the grace of God! His grace is enough for all the "whatevers" in life.

We are little lights He has strategically placed in this cold, dark world. So, shine! Shake off the dust from the previous place and get up, wash and dress yourself, and go filled with His joy, His purpose, His Spirit.

There's going to be a whole lot of shaking going on.