Bible Study - Acts 26

Read Acts 26

I love how much I can relate to Paul right now, and how God is using Paul's story to affect my life 2000 years later. Even though Paul has been locked up for the greater part of three years, he never gives up faith in God. 
Paul holds on to the promise that he was given when this all started;

Acts 23:11 

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

As God has promised Paul, God has promised me. Because of His promises, I know that I will prosper, and that I have a hope and a future;

Jeremiah 29:11 

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.

Paul knows these things, and he knows that it is only through his faith in God that he has come this far. That is his testimony, and mine. I know that I have only come this far because I have faith in God. And because of this, He has already started to use me to affect those around me for good. 

Acts 26:22

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.

As much as it may never look like it, God is always by your side, preparing you for battle, and fighting it with you. He is always up to something good in our lives, even when we can't see it. That is where faith comes in. We have to trust Him enough to know that He has not left us, and that He will keep his sacred promises with us.

Dear Parents - Confide in Your Children

Dear Parents,

Tell your children what troubles you, confide in them. When they are in their teen years they need to know more than ever what the real world is like. They need to know that life is not about

relationship status, getting drunk and having sex. Our teens need to know that they are valuable, unique, trusted, and above all; loved.

It can be difficult to maintain a close, intimate relationship with your child. during their Jr/Sr high school years especially. Tell them something that you appreciate them doing, something unique about them that you enjoy seeing, something you wish they did differently - constructive criticism here, don't bash them for doing something incorrectly, tell them why you would have them do it differently. Tell your child what bothers you, let them know what your values are, and the battles that you are facing.

Let your children know that it is ok to mess up, but that we need to learn from each mistake. Let them know that you mess up too, you are human. Just like them.

Worship - Letting Go

Worship - 10,000 Reasons

Awesome worship song right here!

Bible Study - Acts 25

Read Acts 25

It is crazy the things that people will dispute. As Christians it is important to hold our ground, and stand up for what we believe.

If someone has a legitimate problem with something we have done. Let them say so, but do not fight back in harshness. Instead speak clam, and in a tone of love. If it is for God that trial comes to you, do not be afraid, for He is with you.

Be bold in what you do and say, but do not try to overwhelm people, or try to force love into them. For they will submit out of utter fear, rather than love. That is no good equation for success.

Bible Study - Acts 24

Read Acts 24

I want you to do some thinking on this one.

Looking at verses 24-27:
Why was Felix afraid of the words he heard from Paul?
Why was Felix partial to the Jews?
Why did Felix not want to make the decision himself?

How does this chapter apply to your life?
Do Something: Now, apply it to your life.

Bible Study - Acts 23

Read Acts 23

God is always watching over us, He will never look away from us. This is shown in chapter 23 when Paul's nephew heard what was being planned, and was able to tell Paul and the commander. Thus saving Paul's life from ambush.

In the midst of the chaos, God tells Paul that he will live to teach in Rome as he has in Jerusalem. When we give our lives to God, He will bless us beyond our imagination.