Bible Study - Acts 9

Saul is transformed into Paul. Saul was Satan’s greatest advocate at the time. Saul of Tarsus was a schooled Jew, and believed that God had called him to destroy the Christians however, it was quite the opposite. Saul, of all people God had to chose from, not one of us would have said it would be Saul. But his transformation is one of the greatest testaments to the love of our Father. If God was able to turn the prosecutor Saul into the apostle Paul, how much more can He turn the drug addict, or the abuser, next door to a disciple?

It all begins with an act of Love. While Jesus was here, he spent his time with the sinners, and the thieves showing them love and acceptance. The word ‘christian’ means ‘little Christ’ which means that we act as Jesus did. Brothers and Sisters, humble yourself, and love on the unloveable.

Bile Study - Acts 8

Over and over, all through Acts we will see that God’s love is greater than anything that we could hope to gain from this world. Even Simon was so moved by the Holy Spirit that he followed Peter and John with the people who had once followed him. It is so easy in this world to get caught up in the spotlight that we don’t give the glory to God. Tonight my youth pastor talked about how the first step in us fulfilling our calling, is to accept that we can’t fulfill our calling. He has a point.  

I love this story about Philip it reminds me of how radical God is, and  what awesome, supernatural things He is capable of doing.

There is Nothing Your Parent Loves More Than You - Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

Dear child, through your entire life you will take after your parents, you will have like mannerisms, thoughts and actions. Do not be afraid to correct them, tell them something that you want them to change about the way they act about a certain issue, or how they treat you. Then watch how they respond to your request. A good parent will work to be a better model for their children. You may not see it right away, and they may not act upon it right away, but there is nothing a parent loves more than their child.

Bible Study - Acts 7

Here we see the benefit of biblical knowledge. I know it looks as though it did not work, but he had a valid point, and the people despised him for it, they knew it was true, but didn’t want to believe it. The stoning of Stephen is referred to by Saul after he becomes Paul, and Stephens last words show us just how real God is. Because, without God, no one would say such things at their death. Jesus Said it, Stephen said it, will you? Will you find yourself so in love with God, that you can forgive those who took your life from you?

Worship - Forever Reign

Bible Study - Acts 6

Peter realized how small, yet significant, the food problem was. So he assigned seven men to the distribution of food. That would become their role in the mission, Peter would go out to spread the gospel, and Stephen would spread it with the food. So often we get caught up in going out, and spreading the word to people in other countries, and nationalities, that we forget to minister to those around us. The Bible gives us a perfect example of this, and shows us that we can affect those around us through simple tasks, like serving food.

Stephen became hated by members in the Synagogue of the Freedmen. They tried and tried to dismantle him, but he was well educated, and nothing they said against him went without rebuke. Then the devil, in his evil ways, convinced men to witness falsely against Stephen at the Sanhedrin. This world is always looking for ways to dismantle us, and force us to bow to it. We need not be afraid of what it may do to us, all we have to do is trust God and, as you will see, so much good can come out of something horrible.

Rest in the LORD - Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

We are called to be an example to everyone around us “in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” This calling was originally given to Timothy, while he was still very young, by Peter. We have since adopted it as God’s word to us, that we may set the example of His will through this earth. It is difficult to be bold enough to stand out in a world of similarity. But, as God’s children, that is what we are called to do. We are called to be difference, and the only way we can do that, is through God. Dear child, rest in the LORD, and He will give you the strength to stand out for what you believe!

"Random" - What Are Your Motives for Posting Social Media?

Found an interesting article that really made me think about my social media motives.

Before you post something on Twitter, Facebook, Flicker, Instagram, Youtube, or any of the other thousands of sites out there, think about what you are expecting to gain. Are you trying to share a simple message, make someone's day? Or are you looking for acceptance? I have some friends who post/share things on Facebook about 20 times everyday, and I know that all they are looking for is something to fill a void, they want to feel accepted in the online world, because they don't feel accepted in the real world. I personally don't post much, and I'm ok with that. I'm ok with not having a bunch of notifications every time I get on Facebook, but do I like it when they are there, I do enjoy them. But if all you seek to accomplish is approval, look to the people around you, who will spend time with you, and listen to what you have to say?

Bible Study - Acts 5

Ananias and his wife would not give wholly to God. We still do this today, whether we are scared of God, or do not trust Him.
Most of us have some part of our lives that we try to keep from God. But this ends up hurting us, for we are not putting our full trust in the LORD, out God, and King. Simply stated, if we fall to the enemy's will, we will surely die. As was the case for Ananias and his wife.

So great were the works of God through these men that people crowded the streets with the hope that Peter's shadow would fall crossed them.
We need to walk with such an expectance of God, that we are set apart from everyone around us. People should be able to walk by us and feel the presence of God just pouring out of our lives. This happens when we abandon ourselves completely to God, holding nothing back.

The Apostles were taken prisoners, in an act of jealousy, because of God's good works through them. However, an angel of the LORD came to the apostles, and released them of the shackles, telling them to keep teaching at the temple in Jesus' name. And so they did. When again they were taken to the high priest, he was determined to put the men to death. But it would not be so for a Pharisee, Gamaliel, spoke that Peter and the other disciples may live. For he said, "if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God."
I could speak at lengths about this, but I will keep it brief. nothing you seek to do yourself will work, it will fall apart, but if you are dependent on God, and His plan for your life, you will have success beyond imagination. It all comes back to trusting God, and giving Him your all.

This also relates to being the Bride of Christ, when you marry someone, you are giving them your entire life, trusting them to provide for you and keep you safe. How much more shall we put our trust in He who formed us in the womb?

Worship - Spontaneous

Bible Study - Acts 4

Because of the miracle God worked through Peter and John, the men of the law sought to banish the use of Jesus name. However, the works of God are too great to be stopped, and many had already come to know Him. When the believers prayed, and were reliant upon God, he shone even brighter through their lives, and they became one.

We need to start living as one with the other believers around us. If we are the Bride of Christ, why are we not one?

         

Don't Lose the Child Inside - Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

Dear child, get older, learn, mature, grow up. But don’t lose the child inside. Being mature is more knowing when to be serious, and when to joke around, then just being serious. When you are young, act young all the time. When you get older, know when and how to act young, and do it. Life is not fun unless you are able to embrace the fun times, and enjoy them for what they are!

Why Did God Put Us On Earth?

My friend shares this sermon on facebook, and I just have to share it with you too. Not sure who it is by, but it's good. My youth pastor just talked about Moses on Wednesday, it's awesome the things that God uses in our loves to get through to us! Live Jesus Conscious!

Bible Study - Acts 3

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

**NOTE: Starting with Acts 4, I will not be posting the whole chapter. You need to learn to use your bible, I encourage you to use an actual bible, not a bible app or biblegateway.com.**

Peter takes none of the credit for God’s great works. This is a huge part of being a christian, all the glory goes to God, not to you. Peter tells us this in 1Peter 5:5:

“God opposes the proud

    but shows favor to the humble.”

Every good and perfect thing comes from God, it is time that we realize that. Though God may use our body, every good thing that He does through us, is His work, not ours.

Worship - How He Loves

Bible Study - Acts 2

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,

   I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

   your young men will see visions,

   your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women,

   I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

   and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

   and signs on the earth below,

   blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

   and the moon to blood

   before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls

   on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.

   Because he is at my right hand,

   I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

   my body also will rest in hope,

27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

   you will not let your holy one see decay.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life;

   you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried,and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:

   “Sit at my right hand

35 until I make your enemies

   a footstool for your feet.”’

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Here, we see the disciples receiving the gift that Jesus told them about when He left them. The men became blessed by the Holy Spirit, with the ability to speak in the tongues of all nations. Some men thought naught of it, but others were able to see the miracle taking place, and when the Spirit spoke through Peter, those around him believed.

God wants us to be close with Him, He wants us to eat with Him in fellowship, the early church displayed this very well, by eating every meal together, in fellowship with God.

Remember Him - Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

You are going to find yourself in a place where you have no idea what to do. (It’s pretty much inevitable) And you are going to have to find something to do about it. It will not be easy, you are going to have to trust, you are going to have to persevere, you are not going to make it through alone. Darling, remember who always has your back, and look to Him in your time of strife.

"Random" Post - Building Relationships

It’s amazing what spending time with people who don’t point out faults, or dwell on them, can do for a person. This past weekend, I spent time with people that I had only met once or twice in my life and, by the end of the week, you would have thought we had always known each other. I was reminded of who I am, of what I want to accomplish in life, how I need to live life, and how to live life to the fullest. I was reminded that I don’t have to be afraid of what others think of me, I can just be myself, and the right people will love me.

It’s amazing what can come of a relationship built through the love of Christ. There are not words to describe what it feels like to talk with someone who invites you to laugh with them, not just listen to them laughing at you. To stop what you are doing to go have worship and prayer time before heading into a new year. To be able to speak truthfully, and not be making fun of people, to be able to have fun, and also be serious. I can not describe the kind of relationships that I built this weekend, I can only tell you that as you spend time with God, and Godly people, you will build relationships that can be broken by nothing.

Bible Study - Acts 1

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;

   let there be no one to dwell in it,’

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

These men had walked with Jesus for three years, and He had been the one they all looked up to. Judas had betrayed Jesus to death, this is why Judas was to be replaced. The men at first were scared to be without their leader, unsure of what to do next.

When Jesus left them for the final time, all they wanted was for Him to come back to them. When the men appeared beside them, they were given the strength they needed to do what they knew needed to be done.

A great read: Luke’s Story by Tim LaHaye, and Jerry B. Jenkins