Luke the beloved physician shared how “Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands. Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things. And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation”, and in chapter seventeen and verse twenty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how people, “should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him” where we read:
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him,
though he be not far from every one of us:
The verse begins, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, ...” Luke began with the words, “that they should seek the Lord” which means “so people, both men and women, ought to look for, strive after and crave the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”, “if haply they might feel after him” or “whether then and therefore the people to whom God gave life, breath and all things may handle and verify God the Heavenly Father”, “and find him” which means “and discover, come upon and observe God the Heavenly Father”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “philosophers of Athens” that God gave people life, breath and all things so they would “discover” Him by “looking for” Him.
The verse continues, “.... though he be not far from every one of us:” Luke added the words, “though he be not far” or “God the Heavenly Father is not in any way separated, apart and a great distance away” “from every one of us” which means “from each, the whole, all and everyone who lives”. Luke shared how “Paul” said “God the Heavenly Father” is not a great distance away from anyone.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” wanted the “philosophers at Athens” to understand that God created everyone and gave them life, breath and everything they have so they would “search” for Him. The idea is that God wants people to be in a personal relationship with Him, and when they discover He gave them all things pertaining to life, they should seek His answer to salvation from sins through His Son Jesus. God loves everybody. He gave them the ability to live, and He wants them to live with Him forever. Sin within every person keeps them separated from a relationship with God, and when they submit themselves to His Son Jesus, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read “Paul's” words understand God's passionate desire to “save” all who will surrender their lives to His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares in God, “ we live, and move, and have our being”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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