Where have all the god chasers gone? ...

[Mattie Qualls]

Acts 9

1	And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2	And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3	And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4	And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5	And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6	And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7	And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8	And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9	And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10	And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11	And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12	And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13	Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14	And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15	But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16	For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17	And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18	And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19	And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20	And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21	But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22	But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
23	And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24	But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25	Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
26	And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27	But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28	And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29	And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30	Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31	Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
32	And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
33	And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
34	And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35	And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
36	Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37	And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38	And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39	Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40	But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41	And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42	And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43	And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Do we chase God as we ought ...or is he busy chasing us trying to get our attention..

God is good..and we have to know him by name..He has many titles..

father, god, councelor, judge, almighty, Emmanuel, the word, etc...

but do we really know him? Are we chasing him like we should praying, fasting and seeking him in his word..seeking his kingdom and his righteousness? Or are we busy doing our own thing? Does he have to mighth near knock us down to get our attention? Do we know that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh? Do we know whom we serve and that his name is the only name under heaven given among men, whereby we might be saved?

Acts 4

1	And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2	Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3	And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4	Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5	And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6	And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7	And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8	Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9	If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10	Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11	This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12	*Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.*
13	Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14	And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Jesus is the way , the truth and the life....John 14:6

John 14: 5	Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6	Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7	If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8	Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9	Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10	Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11	Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12	Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13	And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14	If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15	If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16	And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17	Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18	I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19	Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20	At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21	He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

That same promised holy ghost spirit of truth..that comforting spirit God poured out on the day of pentecost...in Acts 2...

Acts 2

1	And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2	And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3	And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4	And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5	And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6	Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7	And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8	And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9	Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10	Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11	Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12	And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13	Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
14	But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15	For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16	But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17	And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18	And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19	And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20	The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21	And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22	Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23	Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24	Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25	For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26	Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27	Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28	Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29	Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30	Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31	He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32	This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33	Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34	For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35	Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36	Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37	Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38	Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39	For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40	And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

God himself came to this earth, robed himself in a fleshly body, and his own rejected him, but to those those who received him gave he power to become the sons of God....

1Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Without controversy...great is the mystery of godliness..God was manifest in the flesh..

come forth as a son to make a way we could become the sons of God IF WE believe....

John 1:1	In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2	The same was in the beginning with God.
3	All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4	In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5	And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6	There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7	The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8	He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9	That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10	He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11	He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12	*But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:* not just saying we believe on the name of Jesus to confession but in obedience to his word by faith and manifesting whom we confess...bearing out we received his ONE SPIRIT ..ephesians 4:5...that God himself poured out on the day of Pentecost...
13	Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14	And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

What's on our minds this morning as we begin our day..are we carried away by the cares of this life and lost in them? OR are we seeking, praying, & fasting for the way of jesus and that perfect path in truth and becoming the sons of God and worshipping him in spirit and in truth? God Bless Mattie