THINKING

Why do we focus more on people than God? If someone says the wrong thing to us we become angry even when we know that they are not properly informed. We worry about what others think of us and how we will be received. I am praying for a lady that thinks the whole world hates her. She never has peace. Please God, teach her to look at you instead of those around her. Teach her to bring her thoughts into alignment with your Holy Word. Amen

S.O.A.P.

3-24-2015      Romans 12:3

S.       3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

O.      Man must think of himself in the proper manner.

A.      I am not above others in any form. All are created in the image of God. I must guard against conceit and arrogance. I will be the man God would have me to be.

P.       Father; open my eyes to the evil of conceit and arrogance and keep me from that trap. Amen.

3-25-2015      Romans 12:4-5

S.       4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

O.      All believers are of one body.

A.      The goal is unity with each person filling their respective place. I will seek to live the second great command; love thy neighbor.

P.       Father; Show me how to fill my place in this world and support those around me with love and understanding. Amen.

Christ-Like --- WOW --- Novel Idea!

When will Christians stop acting like satan? We need to start over on this Holy Road and remember the way Jesus lived and how he treated people. Pray for our enemy, heap coals of fire (love) on their heads and do them no harm. Christian......Christ-like......NOT; devouring, selfish, mean, etc. etc.

9-23-2014      Mark 3:1-3

S.       1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

O.      People are watching Jesus and looking for some fault or sin (Judging Him).

A.      I will also watch Jesus, not to Judge him, but to learn his ways, his love and his personality.

P.       Father; open my eyes that I may see and understand the ways and ministry of Jesus. Help me to become more like him every day. Amen.

9-24-2014      Mark 3:4-5

S.       4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

O.      Jesus asks: when is it right to do good deeds? He is angry over the un-caring attitude of this group. Then Jesus heals a man with a withered hand.

A.      I must never become hard-hearted or legalistic when it comes to the blessings of God. I should desire blessings and miracles for those around me regardless of the traditions of this world.

P.       Father; create in me a heart of compassion for hurting people and guide that heart by your Spirit rather than by my feeble mind. I submit myself to do your will. Amen.    

Open Doors

8-17-2014      Acts 25: 22-27

S.       22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

O.      Festus brings Paul into the court room a third time, this time to establish a letter of explanation to send along with Paul to Rome. Agrippa is present.

A.      Each step of Paul’s life is filled with new opportunities to tell his story to new people. We must tell and re-tell our story as well. Tell your story to as many as you can.

P.       Father; Thank you for receiving me into your family. Thank you for forgiving me my sin. Thank you for directing my steps. Help me Lord to tell others just how good you have been to me. Amen.

Citizenship

8-15-2014      Acts 25: 1-12

S.       1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 1 2 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Unto Caesar shalt thou go.

O.      Changes in Roman leadership bring about yet another trial for Paul before Festus. Paul claims his right as a Roman citizen and Festus is constrained to send Paul to Caesar. This ruling stops the Jewish people that were trying to kill Paul.

A.      God will use many different methods to protect his children as they labor for him and obey his voice. This negative circumstance that Paul lived was turned into opportunities to spread the gospel into new and almost inaccessible places.

P.       Father; protect me, fill me and lead me into every place where I can spread your word. Amen.

Two Years in Jail

8-14-2014      Acts 24:24-27

S.       24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

O.      Paul has many opportunities to convert Felix to the faith. Felix never seems to understand or find it “convenient” to become a Christian. Paul was a prisoner for two years with Felix.

A.      We should never give up on anybody as we spread the gospel. Our circumstances may be unpleasant and not to our liking, but the work of the Lord should never stop.

P.       Father; the plight of Paul seems very unfair but you used him to take the gospel into many unreachable places. Help me Lord to focus on your work instead of my circumstances and difficulties. Teach me the same values that Paul lived by and keep me from distractions as I labor for you. Amen. 

I will Not be HURT!

7-27-2014      Acts 21:37-39

S.       37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?39But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

O.      The captain holding Paul finds out that he has the wrong man in custody. Paul still wants to speak to the very people that have hurt him.

A.      We must communicate with people if they are to learn who we really are. We must not lose our compassion and love for the ones that have hurt us.

P.       Father; cleanse my heart and mind of thoughts of retribution towards those that have hurt me. Teach me how to communicate love and forgiveness to each one. May people see more of you in me! Amen.

No Faith---No Results

7-9-2014         Acts 19:13-17

S.       13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

O.      Non-believers are trying to perform miracles and find that they have no power or authority. This failure causes many to change their mind concerning Jesus.

A.      Everything of a divine nature must begin and end with Jesus. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. I will seek to have Jesus as the very center of my life rather than someone I have only heard “about”.

P.       Father; wash all my sin away, I confess, I repent and I seek to have his redeeming blood cover me both inside and out. Use me today to help others in their walk and lead me to one that has never heard the words of life. Amen.

Hard Days

7-2-2014         Acts 18:5-8

S.       5 And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

O.      Paul reaches out to the Jews first but they will not accept the message. Here Paul declares that he will go to the Gentiles. The Corinthian church is established in the home of Justus.

A.      We must continue to try and reach people that appear to be against our message. As long as there is life there is hope. Our efforts may be rejected and even opposed but we must never give up on anybody. We must endure to the end of our days. Leading people to Jesus is worth any effort.

P.       Father in Heaven; relieve my pain and worry and replace these with joy and peace. The task seems too large and the load too heavy. I will step out in faith to declare your word. Open the doors of opportunity for this day and please be waiting on the other side of each door to guide my steps. Amen. Lord; please keep the family of my dear friend Ray close to your heart today. You called him home to be with you yesterday. We all know that he is with you but there is still sorrow and pain in our hearts at his passing. Help us to be strong for each other. Amen.

Doctrine

5-29-2014        Acts 13:12

S.       12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

O.      Confronting sin brings a man to repentance and belief in Jesus.

A.      Sin must be revealed and dealt with in a public manner.

P.       Father; give me wisdom and lead me by your Holy Spirit to deal with sin. Amen.

When man takes credit

5-26-2014      Acts 12:21-25

S.       21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

O.      Herod is judged by God and dies. The church grows and Mark travels with Barnabas and Saul.

A.      Man should never take credit for the mighty works of God. When God uses me to deliver a message, a healing or prophesy I will be careful to give the glory to God. I am a vessel, to be filled and refilled, poured out and filled again and again, a vessel not an angel or king or anything that is worthy of exultation.

P.       Father in Heaven; remind me of the danger of pride and self-exultation. Reveal the path for me to walk that will truly bring glory to you. Help me in my weakness to be courageous and submitted under your loving will. Amen. 

Politics before God

5-25-2014      Acts 12: 18-20

S.       18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

O.      Herod kills the guards that were on duty when Peter was set free by an angel. The local politicians start maneuvering to get back into a good standing with Herod.

A.      Sinful man will go to great lengths to avoid admitting that a “supernatural” event has taken place. Politicians will always look out for themselves and try to attach to the current leaders in power. I will attach myself to God…..in every situation…..even when I am un-popular and scorned.

P.       Father; I seek a right standing before you. Wash away all my sin, fill me with your spirit and lead me in each step I take. Amen.

Public Opposition

5-22-2014      Acts 12:1-4

S.       1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.2  he killed James the brother of John with the sword.3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

O.      Herod kills James and puts Peter in prison. The church is under great persecution.

A.      Herod was bowing to the desires of the Jews….his public…. trying to gain political favor. I must remember to seek God’s favor rather than that of man.

P.       Father; I seek your favor, your instruction and your will. Should I find dis-favor with man and this dis-favor lead to prison or death I ask for strength and courage! I want to remain faithful and true to you Lord. I commit my weakness to you in faith that you will abide with me through anything. Amen.

Are you "Doing it Right"?

4-3-2014              Acts 1:12-26

S.            12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

O.           About 120 men and women joined together in prayer and waiting (as Jesus had instructed) in an upper room in Jerusalem. A replacement was selected to the position held by Judas, Matthias was chosen.

A.           I too must follow the instructions given by Jesus. There is a time to wait. There is a time to go. There is a time for laughter. There is a time for tears. My Bible is full of instructions for living. I will read, learn and do. I always say; “You ARE what DO and you DO what you ARE”.

P.            Father; lead me, teach me, show me your plan for my life. I commit all I am to you. 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!