Lost Souls

7-28-2014      Acts 21:40

S.       40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

O.      Paul begins his speech to the Jews in the Hebrew tongue.

A.      With his life in danger Paul still wants to explain his conversion. He wants everyone to understand his faith. He is more concerned for the souls of others than for his own life. I want to have this same type of devotion and dedication to others.

P.       Father; I want to share my faith, even to people that disagree with me. I need to love others more than I love myself. Teach me this level of love. Amen. 

Give to the poor.

7-19-2014      Acts 20:35

S.       35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

O.      Honest words about meeting the needs of others and the ultimate word on giving.

A.      Supporting the weak is more than money. Weakness comes to us when we are afraid, lonely and hurt. Supporting people in these times is just as important as filling their bellies. I will attempt to be there for the ones that are in these difficult times.

P.       Father; I see hurting people in every direction I look. I see hungry people in every direction I look. Guide me by your Holy Spirit in all my efforts to help and support. I am overwhelmed and inadequate for the task. I need you Father to fill me up and then pour me out. Amen.

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6-18-2014      Acts 16:1-4

S.       1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

O.      Paul takes on Timothy as his student/helper here. Timothy is circumcised (no explanation is given as to why Timothy did not fall under the decision made at Jerusalem) and the group moves on to spread the word and the results of the Jerusalem council.

A.      God will place certain people in our lives that are to work alongside us. Working together can bring better result with less strain on a single individual. As we learn to depend on each other we gain better understanding about depending on God. The goals are unity, harmony and peace. These are in short supply in today’s me-istic society.

P.       Father; grant me wisdom and discernment to recognize which individuals I am to work beside. Speak into my spirit your holy instruction that I will know when to be student and when to be teacher. Amen.  

The Un-Friendly Church

Ever attended a church where you felt unwelcome? I Have! Spent Saturday afternoon looking at the outside of the buildings and making sure I could find my way there with my half open Sunday morning sleepy eyes. Whispering a prayer at each location I would ask God for direction as to which church to return to for worship. What a shock to enter the building, a few minutes early, and suddenly discover that I was the invisible man. Not a handshake or hello, not a good morning to be heard. Lots of people rushing around getting ready for something and from the looks on their faces, it was going to be serious. Maybe the preacher had just passed away, a cancer found, a leaky roof over the kitchen or some terrible news beyond human endurance revealed. Being around church most of my adult life I just lowered my head, in respect, and quietly took a seat.
All of a sudden the music started, everyone stood up, and an avalanche of joy and laughter filled the room, So I joined in and filled my spirit up to the brim. Good worship, good preaching and praying sure lived in this place. Then, just as quick as it started, it quit......bang......it was over. I was so filled with blessings I wanted to tell everybody how good I was feeling, but, to my surprise, the whole group went silent. Not a handshake or hello, not even one amen.
Not one single person ever spoke. I looked for the preacher at the door......he was not there. So, I went on my way, sad, alone and confused........after all my effort to be on time, to pray for God's direction and to try and fit in..........the sign in the church was wrong.........."The Friendly Church".........had a bad day.
Why did God send me to this UN-friendly place?  He opened my eyes to a need in that place and spoke to my heart.......go back.....go back and be the friendliest person you can be to EVERYONE!