Acts 26:19 
For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision
 
These are the words that the Apostle Paul addressed to King Agrippa.  Paul's words shed an immense ray of light on the character and activity of the great apostle.  In this portion of scripture, Paul gives his testimony to King Agrippa and Governor Festus.  In this, Paul gives a very accurate picture of what he was like before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  By his own admission, he was truly a prosecutor. 

Can you imagine the splendor, the ceremony, the showy display as Governor Festus, King Agrippa, Bernice and their ranking officials all entered the palace room?  You can almost hear trumpets blaring.   You can see them in their finery.  Here they come parading in: proud, wealthy, and powerful.  Each one wearing their fine, colorful garments as they take their seats.  Of course their seats are raised, as they looked down on the poor folks who would come into their court to be heard and helped.  Then here comes Paul, a small man, weighted down with chains.  He shuffles into the room, stood for a moment, and when the investigation was formally handed over to King Agrippa by Festus, Paul begins his defense.
 
Paul speaks of his own vanity and pride.  He wanted to make a name for himself by cleaning up the earth of “those” saints.  Paul tells them of all the people he had killed.  How he had accused Christians.  How even when the Christians were dying he insulted them.  He became more and more intoxicated with power because he had letters of authority.  But then he gets to the critical turning point!    It was mid-day and everyone was taking a rest, but Paul was not taking a rest, he was on a mission, rushing to kill people.  However, he was stopped by a bright light from heaven.  They had all fallen on the ground and Paul heard the words: I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.  Rise up.  He then continues to tell his audience that since that day he has not been disobedient to that heavenly vision - the heavenly call that he had received from the LORD.  Paul informs his hearers that he witnessed to all men-everywhere.  He preached repentance and the need to turn to God and to do the works of repentance.  He preached only the Scripture.  He preached Christ’s death and resurrection.  He told Agrippa and Festus that he was obedient to the heavenly vision, to the call of Jesus.
 
He lets them know that his call was from Jesus and he lets them know that he was the most unlikely person in the world to receive a call from God, but it came any way.  The Lord Jesus appeared to him and called him and the call was a command, a demand, a charge, a mandate, a decree, an ultimatum, a stipulation, a claim and a dictate.  Are you getting the message?   The Lord’s call was not up for discussion or debate.  There was no need to confer with family or friends, no need to seek out other people’s opinions concerning the call.  The Lord called Paul and the Lord expected Paul to fulfill his call.  Paul states emphatically that he had not disobeyed the heavenly call.  The charges brought against Paul, who was now before King Agrippa, were unjust.  He wanted them to know that he was not disobedient to God.  He had been faithful to the Lord, doing exactly what the Lord wanted done.  Yes, he was a sinner: but the Lord in His mercy saved and called him, and he was now obeying the Lord. 
 
He tells them that the Lord commissioned him to preach to the Gentiles and the Lord promised to deliver him from them.  Wow what courage!!   Here is Paul speaking before two powerful Gentiles - a King and  Governor, neither of whom can touch him because he has appealed to speak to Caesar, the Emperor, and yet he is able to preach the gospel to both of them.  The Lord means business when HE calls a person.  The call is from heaven; therefore it supersedes all other calls and interests.  It is not up for discussion nor is it to be subjected to any other desire.  God knows the need of the world for the gospel, and he knows whom HE wants to fill that need.  So, the best thing to do when we hear the call from the Lord is to surrender to it...immediately!
 
Paul gave his resume in a few words.  We get the impression that Paul said these words emphatically, and not as a weak, old man.  He said them because he was filled with sorrow and full of affliction for his past but that the Lord saved a wretched like him and like us.  Oh, that each of us Christians could say the same thing that we have not been disobedient to the call that  we have received from the Lord.
 
I want to point something out, in this scenario.   Who had the real power?  Was it those who were dressed in their finery, or was it the crowd that was listening, or was it the one man who was in chains?  The answer is the man in chains.  Yes, Paul had the power.  He spoke of a suffering Christ, of His resurrection from the dead - this is reality.  This is the truth of the gospel.  The swords and spears of the guards, the chain mail worn by the officers standing beside the governor and king, these are as delicate as fabric and just like fine cobwebs and temporary as butterfly wings.  You see in this one instance that the power of this world is a fraud.  The man in chains was the one who was really free.  And those who proclaimed their freedom by their splendor and pageantry were really bound.  That means that they were bound for all eternity in hell.
 
Paul was not only obedient in the good times when he was surrounded by victories and successes, but always even when others would feel their hearts freeze up and their throats get dry. Paul was obedient in spite of the ingratitude of those he loved most and by whom he was loved the least in every condition of his agitated existence: in poverty as also in abundance.  Paul never wavered not even a single time.  For Paul even death was considered gain.  It would bring him to an encounter with Jesus, the object of his vision and the hope of his heart.  He never allowed his heavenly vision to vanish. We all get tired, we all get hurt, we forget that heavenly vision that was given to us by our Lord.  We have to be reminded that we need to draw from the fountain of life: Jesus Christ.  We need to live in community with Christ.
 
In the history of King Xerses you can read that in order to maintain and keep his hatred against the Greeks alive, he gave orders to a slave to whisper in his ear every day at dinner time the words that said: “Remember the Greeks,” “Remember the Greeks.”    As Christians we must always keep the infinite love of our Lord in our minds,  “Remember the love of Jesus.”   “Remember the love of Jesus.”

What is it that GOD has called you to in this New Year?  Let's follow this lesson from the Apostle Paul and live out our calling!   Do not be disobedient to your heavenly vision.

Has anyone noticed that we Americans have become an ungrateful people?  Even though we live in one of the top 11 wealthiest countries in the world; we seem to be hearing and seeing people always complaining and whining.  Even when we do get some things, it is never enough.  Our attitude is, “Well, it’s about time I received something; however, others still have more than me.”  In our culture, we are constantly bombarded with messages that say we MUST get the next newest thing: a car, cell phone, computer and even the next wife or husband.   It is the cause for dissatisfaction among American Christians although we already have more than we need!  This is referred to as an Entitlement Mentality.

As Christians we either believe that everything is from the Lord or it isn’t.  In Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him.”   Unfortunately, in this world there are many things designed to distract us from the graciousness of God. That means we must learn to cultivate a mindset of looking for God’s goodness in the mess of our lives. Remember that all things are not good. However, God makes all things work to the good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).  Don’t be distracted by the things you see and hear on radio, television and newspapers. As Believers we are to set our eyes on the goodness of God in Jesus, this will give us a reason to be grateful!! When we see how gracious God is then gratitude is our natural response!
A grateful attitude doesn’t happen by accident which means it is to be a habit of attitude and action so make it part of your daily routine.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it says: 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 100 says: Serve the Lord God with gladness. Gladness here means delight, overflowing joy, festivity, mirth or laughter. You can’t serve God with grumbling inactivity.
 
Let me give you an example of what I mean.  German pastor Martin Rinkart served in the walled town of Eilenburg during the horrors of the Thirty Years War from 1618-1648. Eilenburg became an overcrowded refuge for the surrounding area. The fugitives suffered from epidemic and famine. At the beginning of 1637, the year of the Great Pestilence, there were four ministers in Eilenburg. However, one abandoned his post for healthier areas and could not be persuaded to return. Pastor Rinkhart officiated at the funerals of the other two.
 
As the only pastor left, he often conducted funeral services for all those who died- about  5000 in all. In May of that year, his own wife died. By the end of the year, the refugees had to be buried in trenches without services.
 
In the face of overwhelming pressure, constant risk and horrendous conditions, Rinkart never stopped ministering to the people of his city. He gave away nearly everything he owned to the poor and needy, though he could barely clothe and feed his own children. He mortgaged his own future income to provide for his family and his community.
 
After nearly thirty years of ceaseless struggles, it began to look like peace was within reach. Wanting to give his children a song to sing to God in thanks at the dinner table, Rinkart sat down and composed what would become one of the most well known hymns of all time — “Now Thank We All Our God"
 
Yet, while living in a world dominated by death, Rinkart wrote this timeless prayer for his children—a reminder to be grateful to God for all things, at all times:
                    Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices;
                    Who wondrous things hath done, In whom this world rejoices.
                    Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath led us on our way,
                    With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.

Life is a gift from God to be lived for God. When our mouths are full of thankfulness they can’t be full of grumbling, whining and complaining.

Being ungrateful can be deadly to our spiritual life, for it hurts God and damages our soul. Being ungrateful to Jesus means discounting his salvation and turning away from Him. That’s why the Bible teaches us to carefully examine our hearts. Only by looking to the cross of Christ can we attain God-pleasing thankfulness.

Choose wisely!