“Acts 5:13, “Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people ESTEEMED them highly” (AMP)
“ESTEEMED” = “Megaluno” (meg-al-oo-no) Strongs #3170. To Make Great, To Enlarge, To Magnify, To Increase, To Make Conspicuous (“Clearly Visible; Attracting Notice; or Notable” From the Latin “Conspicuus”, From “Conspicere” Which Literally Means “To Look At Attentively”), To Extol, To Show Respect, To Hold In High Esteem.
When Ananias and Sapphira Were Judged, Many Shrank From Associating With the Apostles and Their Services. However, Despite All of This, the Public Looked at the New Christian Worshipers Favorably (“Megaluno”).
In Fact, the Scripture Declares, “Meanwhile, the apostles were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Hall, and they did many remarkable miracles among the people. The other believers didn’t dare join them, though, but all had the highest regard for them. And more and more believers were added to the Lord, crowds both of men and women. Sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow would fall across some of them as he went by! And crowds came in from the Jerusalem suburbs, bringing their sick folk and those possessed by demons; and every one of them was healed.” (Acts 5:12-16 TLB).
Today, More Than Ever, As Believers We Need to Keep Our Witness and Testimony Honorable and Above Reproach. However, Even When Someone Close to Us, or Attached to Us Errs, This Scripture is Proof that it Doesn’t Have to Take Us Astray With Them or Cause Us to Suffer the Consequences of Their Choices! In a Nutshell: Their Decisions Don’t Have to Deter Our Destiny’s Assignment!
And Even Though A lot of “BELIEVERS” Shunned the Apostles Because of the Faulty Testimony of Two People Associated With Them, The Apostles Were Still Held In High Esteem Amongst the People! Maintaining Their Integrity and Character, the People Still Trusted Them, Learned From Them, Followed Them, and Many Were, As a Result, Added to the Church, Saved, Healed, Delivered, and Set Free!
People of God, Today, Work On Your Own Life and Lifestyle. Making Sure that it Reflects the Image and Likeness of God, in which You Were Created. Always Being Mindful That Whether in Public or in Private, We Are Christ Representatives: (“So we are Christ’s Ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s Personal Representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 AMP).
Even in the Midst of Mess, the Messengers Still Delivered Their Message, Make Sure You Do the Same!
“Where the Bible is ESTEEMED as the inspired and inerrant Word of God, preaching can flourish. But where the Bible is treated merely as a record of valuable religious insight, preaching dies.” (John Piper)
Proverbs 22:1, “If you must choose, take a good name rather than great riches; for to be held in loving ESTEEM is better than silver and gold.” (TLB)
Proverbs 17:28, “Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is ESTEEMED a man of understanding.” (AMPC)
Job 23:12, “I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have ESTEEMED and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (AMPC)
1 Samuel 18:30, “Then the Philistine princes came out to battle, and when they did so, David had more success and behaved himself more wisely than all Saul’s servants, so that his name was very dear and highly ESTEEMED.” (AMPC)
Proverbs 3:4, “So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high ESTEEM in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.” (AMPC)
John 11:5, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [They were His dear friends, and He held them in loving ESTEEM.]” (AMPC)
John 13:23, “One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved [whom He ESTEEMED and delighted in], was reclining [next to Him] on Jesus’ bosom.” (AMPC)
Romans 16:7, “Remember me to Andronicus and Junias, my tribal kinsmen and once my fellow prisoners. They are men held in high ESTEEM among the apostles, who also were in Christ before I was.” (AMPC)
1 Thessalonians 5:13, “And hold them in very high and most affectionate ESTEEM in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” (AMPC)
Enjoy the read and feel free to enter your email address to follow the bible cafe’s chef’s special of the day! Bon Appétit (‘Good Appetite, Enjoy Your Meal’)!
Love, Chef Shermaine
Chef Shermaine's Bible Cafe 