December 7 - Ephesians 3:1-5:14

Good morning everyone,

Ephesians 3:17-21, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

I love prayer. I love praying for my family, friends and even those who have no idea who I am, who are in trapped in situations where God’s intervention is the only hope they have. In Ephesians 3 Paul is on his knees before the Father, our Abba, praying for the family of God which would include all who have believed in Him in the past, all who believe in the present and all who will believe in our heavenly Father in the future. We are all family and as a family we need to stay connected. There is strength and power in meeting together for worship, teaching, fellowship but especially prayer. 

With just a few weeks left in this year I would encourage you make a goal, a “New Year’s resolution” if you will, to be a dedicated pray person for your church family in 2015. Start planning now for how you can be praying for them. You could be praying they have a hunger for the Bible. We should desire to be likeminded in Christ and in order to achieve that, then the church must be reading their Bibles. Right? We could also be praying for thankfulness. Seeking real joy in God because of what He has done for us in Christ. Other suggestions would be, holiness and unity. Pray for your pastors, lay persons and worship teams. They see more spiritual attack in a week then most do in an entire year. Perhaps you have some of your own thoughts on what to pray for and that’s awesome! It does not matter which direction you choose to go in your prayer, just that you go. Praying for your church is like filling a balloon with helium, the more it is filled, the more it will soar and not sore! (too corny?)

1 Timothy 2:1 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” Prayer is our key to God's door unleashing His power so that he is able to work in our behalf. Make sense? Prayer is our lifeline to God! One of the hardest things to believe is that God is intimately involved in our lives when everything is going wrong in our life. But what prayer does is transform doubt into trust. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..

December 6 - Acts 28:1-31,  Ephesians 1:1-2:22

Good morning everyone,

When we left off yesterday, Paul was prisoner on a shipwrecked vessel off the coast of Malta. God had come to him and revealed that everyone would be safe if they would stay together and head toward shore. They did and they were. We’re told, once on shore the islanders showed them unusual kindness. 

They stayed on the island for three months. Then with the winter behind them, the prisoners, soldiers and sailors hitched a ride on a ship heading toward Sicily. After a brief stop in Syracuse and Rhegium they arrived in Puteoli where they stayed for a week with some friends and then on to Rome. What a crazy long journey. Yes? What I found super cool was that when it was known that Paul was getting close, many brothers in Christ traveled some forty miles to greet and welcome him there. We’re told that at the sight of these friends Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

When in Rome, Paul called together the Jewish leaders, explained his situation and then we’re told he witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God. That from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some believed and were changed forever more, some were not.

Paul remained under Roman guard in a rented house for two years. He was able to receive visitors and was quite content to be able to continue his ministry, bringing the Gospel to all who were within ear shot. It is during this confinement Paul wrote what is now known as the “Prison Letters”, epistles to the the Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians. 

By reading the epistles Paul wrote you can get  a pretty good picture in our mind’s eye, of how things went for Paul in Rome. Somewhere along the way, he began to get the impression that he would be released from his confinement and be able to freely move about again. In Philippians he wrote, “I trust in the Lord that I myself also [as well as Timothy] shall come shortly.” He also planned to visit Philippi and Colossae, even suggesting that Philemon get “lodging” ready for him. Paul would continue to teach God’s Truth for several more years before being imprisoned again, but that’s getting ahead of the story.

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” 

As with Paul’s ministry, what begins here on earth with you and with me, will only get bigger, continuing to grow stronger generation to generation. Paul was an unsung hero of the faith who continued to work, through the Holy Spirit for the kingdom of God. You too can be, we all can be, unsung heroes for Christ, changing the world one person at a time by simply living as an example to what a God fearing Christian looks like and sharing God’s truth. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..

December 5 - Acts 27:1-44

Good morning everyone,

Yo Ho! Today we we set sail with Paul on his amazing journey which was taking him, as a prisoner, to Rome. Paul had requested as a Roman citizen, when realizing he would not get a fair trial in Jerusalem, to plead his case before Cesar. His request was granted and so Paul was being escorted by the Imperial Regiment with Julius assigned as centurion in his charge.

Having set sail in October, they chose a route that would keep them hugging the coast as this was a bad time of the year to be traveling on the open seas.  Ships in antiquity had no compasses so they navigated by the stars, so it goes without saying that when the skies were overcast, sailing would be impossible and indeed very dangerous. At one point Paul warned the captain that he should not go on, saying, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the pilot and the owner of the ship assured the centurion all would be well and so he decided to keep sailing.

The trip, described by Luke, was full of danger. The waves so strong they had to drop sail and just go where the wind blew them. The waves being so large and strong they threatened to bust of the ship apart. More than once they feared for their lives prompting them to throw tackle and precious cargo overboard and look for safe harbors. But even with all their planning and precautions the storms would prove to be too much for them and the two thousand mile trip would end with the boat being shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

It is not a big stretch to know I am going to draw the parallel of Paul’s stormy voyage to the storms in our lives. Friends, we all will go through them, some quite insignificant then some with a category 5 hurricane force. But it is how we act, how we conduct ourselves in the midst of these storms that makes us who we are. Onboard Paul’s ship there were some who were prepared to run away, try to use their own strength to save themselves. When Paul found this out he said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” You see, Paul had heard from God, he knew they would make it to Rome, they just needed to trust in God and His strength to get them there.

No storm, whether big or small, is enjoyable. They beat us up, batter us around, often causing others, as well as ourselves, much pain and regret. Yet, I have found, even in my regrets, God grows me and comforts me with His faithfulness. He is faithful even when I am unfaithful. Psalm 46 encourages us with, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” When you are in the midst of a storm, don’t jump ship. Instead run to and put your faith in Christ Jesus. He waits with open arms. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..

December 4 - Acts 24:1-26:32

Good morning everyone,

As we begin this morning, Paul, has escaped a murderous plot against his life and is in Caesarea awaiting trial before Felix. His accusers, Ananias the high priest, Tertullus an attorney and several of the Jewish leaders arrived, traveling the sixty miles to bring false accusations against Paul.

Tertullus presented their case making three accusations against Paul in hopes Felix would deem Paul guilty and execute him. They claimed, 1) He was a trouble maker. 2) He was a ringleader of a religious cult. 3) He had tried to desecrate the temple. When they were finished Paul spoke in his defense, speaking directly to Felix as if a friend, discrediting the accusations. Paul accounted for everywhere he had been and what he had been up to pointing out he had broken no laws. But the coolest thing is Paul used this opportunity to share the Gospel and with that we’re told, “Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” But he never did.

Felix rejected the truth. He heard it, it even made him squirm a bit, made him feel uncomfortable; so much so that he sent Paul away choosing to put the conversation off until a “more convenient” time. I would suggest to you that things haven’t changed all that much in the two thousand years since. Too many people today are blinded, they have hard hearts and they just do not want to listen to God saying, “Come back later when it is more convenient.” We all know people like that. Right.

Paul never let that problem detour him he kept on sharing and re-sharing the Good News. He took God’s message to anyone and everyone no matter rich or poor despite rejection. After sharing with King Agrippa, he said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” I love that! What a beautiful prayer, one that we should echo for all those we know and love who continue to reject God’s precious gift. 

Praying is our greatest weapon in fighting for the hearts of those unsaved. In Matthew Jesus taught us how to pray to the Father, it is so easy to do. Our prayers don’t have to be long ones. In 1 Kings 18:36-37 Elijah spoke these few words, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again”, and that’s all that was necessary for God to answer and reveal Himself powerfully to everyone present. Is that awesome or what? Our Abba wants us to pray. In James it says, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” Let us all be a people in Christ who do ask and with a confidence that we will receive. Amen?

Have a great day to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..

December 3 - Acts 21:37-23:35

Good morning everyone,

Today as we begin, Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem, more for his own protection than anything else as the Jewish community misunderstood his message and tried to kill him. The Roman soldiers are taking Paul to the Antonia Fortress the equivalent to what we would know as “headquarters” until they can figure out what is going on and why the people are so hostile towards him. While on the stairs, leading to the top, Paul asks and was granted permission to speak to the crowd. 

Use your minds eye to see Paul whose been described as a man small in size having a balding head with wiry hair, he was well-built though bow-legged. He had eyebrows that met in the middle and a rather long, crooked nose. Standing there he would have been dirty and bloody from the beating the crowd had just given him. He was said to be a man who knew elegance and grace and sometimes had the countenance of an angel and there he is standing on the stone staircase, looking out at the seething crowd and all he wants is for them to understand the Truth and so he motions, perhaps with the sweeping of his arm and begins speaking to them in Hebrew, their own language. That got their attention. They were not expecting Paul to be a Jew since the accusation that brought them together was that he was "against the people” so when they heard him speak they became very quiet.

Paul, having their attention, gives them his testimony. Revealing he was raised and educated in their very same religion. He told them, “ I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.” Confessing in his old self he had even hunted Christians down, sending them to prison and going so far as to killing some for their faith. But then he literally saw the light, a light brighter then the sun itself which knocked him off his feet, falling to the ground where he heard the voice of Jesus of Nazareth ask him, “Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?” 

There are two things I want to point out here. First; Jesus said, “Why do you persecute me?” Not, “why are you killing Christians?” but “why do you persecute me?” Friends it is so important for us to understand we are one with Jesus. We are His heirs, what hurts us, hurts him. Crazy beautiful display of agape love. Right?

The second is; We should all be prepared to give, share our testimony as to how we came to Christ. Explain why we believe in Jesus, and what this means for our future. We should all be able to tell anyone at any time, who Jesus is, the significance of what He went through, how this relates to our eternity. We should be able to articulate “Why do we believe what we believe.” Make sense? We should practice it, go over it in our heads from time to time. I am not suggesting we all go stand on a street corner and recite it daily but that we are familiar with what changes choosing Christ as our personal Savior has had on our lives so that when asked you can easily, comfortably, specifically, like Paul tell our story and bring glory to God. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..

December 2 - Acts 20:13-21:36

Good morning everyone,

Today’s scripture finds Paul setting sail for Jerusalem. Paul’s friends warned him not to go, fearing he would be beaten and imprisoned, but Paul knew God had a plan and it included him being in Jerusalem. So off he went. He, of course, was misunderstood, his presence ensued a riot and he was, in fact, accused, beaten and hauled off to prison by the Roman authorities.

One of the most difficult lessons to learn in life is that service in the kingdom of God is not always easy. Even the most faithful of God’s servants must endure hardship and trials. Paul suffered a great deal for the cause of Jesus Christ but through it all the Lord sustained and protected him and gave him the opportunity to preach the gospel before kings and rulers.

We too are here on earth to be used by God. Our personalities, that is to say who we are, where we work, the people in our lives, are all God’s perfect design. Each one of us was uniquely molded, like clay, with a purpose in God’s determined plan. God never says, “Oops, how did that happen?” Before you, before I, took even one breath, every day, every step and every circumstance in our life’s plan was recorded. That blows me away. When I try to wrap my head around it, it just keeps growing. Our God is so big and so awesome. Right?

In God’s plan He uses our strengths, the gifts He has given us to achieve His goals. He guides us through different seasons in our lives where we can be asked to go into uncharted territory that are essential to the plan. They could be frightening, maybe even dangerous but we should all go boldly where God calls us to go. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” How amazing is that?

So, talk to God. Listen carefully, pay attention to the plan He has for your life, then boldly go. In Hebrews it says, Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Philippians 4:19 says, “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” Our God loves us so much. We may get some bumps and bruised but we know the end of the story and that makes it all with it. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..

December 1 - 2 Corinthians 11:1-13:13, Acts 20:7-12

Good morning everyone,

The scripture we read this morning had Paul defending himself against charges false teachers of the day were making against him. He told them, and please as you read this, see it in your mind’s eye. He said, “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” Of course I have read this before but today I am struck with how dedicated and unashamed Paul was in doing what God has called us all to do, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 It gave me pause to consider; How bold am I for Jesus? How bold are you for Jesus?

Contrary to what some of you may believe, I am not a bold person. I am not a person who likes confrontation, it scares me to death and for the most part I avoid it at all costs. It’s been my philosophy, concerning God, not to debate or try to “push” my way of thinking off onto anyone. I will give my opinion, if asked for, but I like calm quiet waters. It is for certain I would never put myself in a situation that could leave me embarrassingly tongue tied. To this I just have to say, “Shame on me! And shame on you too if you are the same way.” Look at all Paul suffered for the love of mankind, to get them to choose the road to heaven, to choose life, while I sit back, applaud and say “Good job.”  

Well, it is time to stop running and stand up for Jesus and what is right. God doesn’t want us to be afraid. He calls us to be bold, courageous, and to know we can handle anything that comes our way! In 1 John we’re told, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Our God is not a God of fear. 

Just for the record, I have friends I know are reading this who are out there on the front lines of the battle field who are bold and daily present God’s Gospel to many a strange face, some even hostile. You may or may not understand my fears, but I totally want to be like you, you have been an amazing example. I pray for you always. 

I thank God for opening my eyes and revealing to me that I am ready to be bold for Jesus. That I should just strap on my armor and stand firm. That I need no longer run from a frightening conversation but rather look them in the eye and let God speak through me. Still terrifying? You bet! But the Bible is pretty clear as to what happens to people who run away from what God has called them to do. They end up in the wilderness. That’s not where I want to be. And let’s face it, what’s the worse that will likely happen to me, someone will no longer speak to me? That is not nearly as severe a punishment as the floggings Paul received for speaking up with God’s truth.

How about you? Are you in a wilderness today because you are fearfully avoiding confrontation? Like me, and please pray for my boldness, you don’t have to stay there all your life and keep running away from things. You can get out of that wilderness and live in the promised land God has for you. 

Here is a fun fact, Reverend Dudley A. Tyng (1825-1858) was a powerful preacher known for taking strong stands against evil, no matter what the cost. His sermon regarding the evils of slavery in America resulted in him being dismissed as pastor from his church. One afternoon at a YMCA mass meeting Tyng delivered the Gospel to 5,000 men. That day more than 1,000 of the men responded to the alter call, to receive Jesus as their Savior. Just over a week later, Tyng was in a fatal accident but before moving to heaven he whispered a final message to friends and family, “Let us all stand up for Jesus” prompting George Duffield Jr. to write:

Stand up, stand up for Jesus!ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss: From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead, Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

And all God’s people said …… Amen.

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all ….