Beating

8-2-2014         Acts 22:17-24

S.       17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

O.      Paul begins to explain his fear in coming to Jerusalem and his former standing as one that persecuted the church. The crowd erupts and Paul is taken into the castle to be beaten.

A.      Following God can bring us into some dangerous places. We must be courageous and keep on spreading the good news.

P.       Father; help me to keep my eyes on you instead of the circumstances around me, double my courage and my resolve. Amen.

Difficult Message

6-30-2014      Acts 17:24-34

S.       24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;27That 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:28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.33So Paul departed from among them.34Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

O.      Paul finishes his message in Athens with mixed results. He declares that God created everything and that Jesus rose from the dead to redeem lost souls. This point of resurrection was not received well and was the disruptive end to his dialogue.

A.      Many people will listen to our message until there is a reference to the supernatural. We must be prepared to proclaim the facts about the Life, death and the resurrection of Jesus, the whole story, the complete story without modification or omission.

P.       Father; Fill my heart and mind with your word. Help me to remember each detail as I share today. Walk with me in the fullness of your spirit. Amen.

New Town, Same Message.

6-25-2014      Acts 17:1-9

S.       1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

O.      Thessalonica is the next city to hear the news of Jesus. Once again trouble is stirred up by un-believing Jews.

A.      Some will hear and believe and others will reject the message of Jesus. I must remember it is Jesus they are rejecting and not to be offended.

P.       Father; renew my energy, fill my heart and lead me to the ones that will hear and believe. Amen.

More Help

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.  

Don't Miss Your Chance!

6-3-2014         Acts 13:44-52

S.       44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

O.      This is where Paul turns his attentions to Gentile populations.

A.      When people continue to turn away from the message I must refocus on another group. All must hear the story of Jesus.

P.       Father; lead me to the people that I can help. Give me discernment to know when it is time to move on. Amen. 

A Long-term Plan

5-31-2014      Acts 13:24-26

S.       24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

O.      Salvation preached to the Jews by John the Baptist is Paul’s reference point.

A.      We must connect the events God uses in our history to reveal the relevance of the place we are standing in today.

P.       Father; show us your hand at work in the past and today. Help us see your on-going efforts to save, keep and bless your children. Amen.

Preach about Jesus

5-30-2014      Acts 13:13-23

S.       13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land to them by lot.20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

O.      At Antioch Paul teaches in the synagogue that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah. He uses Old Testament references about the history of the Jews to establish his claims.

A.      I am directed by this scripture to use historical reference when establishing my claims concerning Jesus. I must guide my listeners to Jesus……no matter the reference…..I must preach Jesus, as Saviour, as Lord, and as soon coming King.

P.       Father; I come to you and empty myself that you will fill me beyond full. Fill me with your Holy Ghost and fire…….that I may preach Jesus……in Spirit and Truth. Amen. 

What------You Are Seeing Things.

5-24-2014      Acts 12: 12-17

S.       12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

O.      People have trouble believing when God performs a miracle. Peter needed to be persistent at his knocking to enter in and change the minds of the doubters. Peter wanted the message of his deliverance shared with the leaders of the Jerusalem church.

A.      I must never let up in my efforts to spread the gospel message, even when people are walking in un-belief.

P.       Father; give me boldness and help me to endure in the days when so few people believe in you or your miracles. Amen.

5-14-2014      Acts 10:23-26

S.       23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

O.      Peter and Cornelius finally meet and the first lesson Peter teaches to Cornelius is that worship is for God and God only.

A.      God uses many people and even angels to minister to us but our worship must be towards God only. I will always appreciate the blessings that come my way through other people but I must never worship any but God. I must not let others place too much importance on me or my ministry.

P.       Father; I bring to you a sacrifice of praise. To this I add myself, body, soul and spirit. Amen.  

A Change of Mind

5-13-2014      Acts 10:9-22

S.       9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

O.      Peter receives a vision from God to prepare his heart and mind to accept non-Jews into the church. God is about to send Peter to the house of Cornelius.

A.      I must not become hardened in my heart. I must be ready to hear from God and willing to step out in faith and minister to “anyone” that God may lead me to. There must not be barriers between me and the lost.

P.       Father; open my eyes like you did for Peter. I truly want to serve you and help others to do the same. Amen. 

Jesus is "The Christ".

4-8-2014              Acts 2:29-32

S.            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.

O.           Peter confirms that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, the Christ! Peter also declares that the people speaking in tongues that day are all witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. These statements are a “legal claim” for Jesus being the long awaited ruler of the Jews.

A.           I too must declare the truth as to who Jesus really is. Jesus is the King; of the Jews, of my heart, over all creation, King! He is my Lord, my Saviour, my Healer, my Friend, my Protector and so much more, more that words are able to explain.

P.            Father; I come to you today to bring my sacrifice of praise, my love and gratitude for all you are, all you have been and all you will be…..forever. Thank you, Father, for accepting me into your kingdom. Amen.

Peter's First Sermon

4-6-2014              Acts 2:12-21

S.            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 shew 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.

O.           Peter begins his first sermon; defending his brethren against wrong accusations, declaring Joel’s prophesy to be fulfilled and describing the “end of days”. Peter also opens the way to God to “whosoever” through Jesus, The Christ.

A.           Applying these scriptures will require a lifelong effort. I am one of the “whosoever” and very thankful for that. I am filled with the Holy Ghost (1968) and thankful for that. I must be living evidence of these two gifts in a lost and dying world. There is an “end of days” coming and I must be ready, prepare others to be ready, while never breaking fellowship with God.

P.            Father; you fill me with joy, peace and love: I am grateful. Speak to the world through me. I surrender all that I am to you. Amen.           

Who-so-ever

3-25-2014           Matthew 27:51-54

S.            51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

O.           The temple veil of separation is now split wide open. This gives “whosoever” entrance into the Holy of Holies. Graves are open, giving up the saints and a Roman Centurion declares Jesus to be the Son of God.

A.           I will declare Jesus as the Son of God, Lord of Lords, King of Kings and as my Savior. I will inform everyone possible of the Veil being removed and how anyone may enter into the Holiest place……and meet Jesus.

P.            Father; lead me to the people that are ready and need to hear about your love. Give me wisdom to speak your message in power and love. Amen.

SOAP >> Matthew 27:37

S.         Matthew 27:37 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS  IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

O.         Even Rome saw Jesus as a King.

A.         I will remember that a King gave his life for me.

P.          Father; may Jesus show through me this day to all I meet.        Amen.

              Jewish people are still looking for their King.

              Wars and elections are deciding who will be King.

              I have my King and enjoy living as a "Kings Kid"!

              All because I discovered Who I AM.

Meet Liam, my first great grand baby.