Establishment of the Church

Acts 1:1. In the book of Acts, Luke continues the story he began in his gospel, covering the 30 years after Jesus was taken up into Heaven. During that short time the church was established, and the gospel of salvation was spread throughout the world, even to the capitol of the Roman empire. Those preaching the gospel, though ordinary people with human frailties and limitations, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the good news all over the world. In the book of Acts we learn about the nature of the church and how we, like these early believers, can turn our world upside down.
Act 1: 3. Luke says that the disciples were eyewitnesses to all that had happen to Jesus Christ, his life before his crucifixion, and the 40 years after his resurrection as he taught them more about the Kingdom of God. Today people still doubt Jesus’ resurrection. But Jesus appeared to the disciples on many occasions after his resurrection, proving that he was alive. Consider the change the resurrection made in the disciples lives. At Jesus’ death, they had scattered , were disillusioned, and feared for their lives. After seeing the resurrected Christ, they became fearless and risked everything to spread the Good News about him around the world. They faced imprisonment, beatings, rejection, yet they never compromised their mission. They knew Jesus was alive, and the early church was fired with their enthusiasm to tell others. Twenty centuries later we can still be confident that our Faith is based on fact.
Acts 1: 4,5. The Trinity is the description of the unique relationship of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If Jesus would have stayed on earth, his physical presence would have limited the spread of the Gospel, because physically he could only be only in one place at a time. After Christ was taken up into Heaven, he would be spiritually present everywhere through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent so that God would be with and within his followers after Christ returned to Heaven.
Acts 1:6. During the years of Jesus’ ministry on earth, the disciples continually wondered about his Kingdom. When would it come? What would be their role? In the traditional view, the Messiah would be an earthly conqueror who would free Israel from Rome. But the Kingdom Jesus spoke about was, first of all a spiritual kingdom established in the hearts and lives of believers. God’s presence and power dwell in believers in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8. Jesus had instructed his disciples to witness to people of all nations about him ,but they were told to wait first for the Holy Spirit. God has important work for you to do for him, but you must do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. We often like to get along with he job, even if it means running ahead of God. But waiting is sometimes part of God’s plan. Are you waiting and listening on God’s complete instructions, or are you running ahead of his plans. We need God’s timing and power to be truly effective. God’s gospel has not reached it’s final destination if someone in your family, your workplace , your school, or your community hasn’t heard the Good news about Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:13,14. When you face a difficult task, an important decision, or a baffling dilemma, don’t rush into the work and just hope it comes out the way it should. Instead, make your first step prayer for the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance.

Waiting for God to work does not mean sitting around doing nothing. We must do what we can, while we can, as long as we don’t run ahead of God.

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The day of the Locust

Joel 1:1. Joel was a prophet to the nation of Judah, also known as the southern kingdom. Although the 12 tribes of Israel had been united under David and Solomon, after David’s death, the kingdom had been divided into two parts. Two of the tribes, Judah and Benjamin, stayed loyal to David’s line and accepted Solomon’s son Rehoboam as king. They became the southern kingdom, also called Judah. The other ten tribes followed Jeroboam, set up a new kingdom with a new capitol at Samaria, and called themselves Israel or the northern kingdom. The book does not mention when Joel lived, but many believe that he prophesied during the reign of King Joash. But the date of Joel’s book is not nearly as important as its timeless message:sin brings God’s judgment, yet with God’s justice there is also great mercy.
Joel 1:3. God urged parents to pass their history down to their children, telling over and over the important lessons they learned. One of the greatest gifts you can give younger people is your life’s story to help them repeat your successes and to avoid your mistakes.
Joel 1:4. A locust plague can be as devastating as an invading army. Locusts gather in swarms too great to number and fly several feet above the ground, seeming to darken the sun as they pass by. When they land they devour almost every piece of vegetation, covering and entering everything in their path. Joel’s detailed description has caused many to believe that he was referring to an actual locust plague that had come or was about to come upon the land. Another view is that the locust symbolize an invading enemy army. Both may be foreseen. The locusts represent devastation, and Joel’s point was that God would punish the people because of their sin. Joel calls this judgment the ‘’ day of the Lord’’.
Joel 1:5. The people’s physical and moral senses were dulled, making them oblivious to sin. Joel called them to awaken from their complacency and admit their sins before it was to late. Otherwise , everything would be destroyed , even the grapes that caused their drunkenness. Our times of peace and prosperity can lull us to sleep. We must never let material abundance hinder our spiritual readiness.
Joel 1:15. The ‘’ Day Of The Lord’’ is a common phrase in the Old Testament and in the book of Joel. It always refers to some extraordinary happening, weather a present event, like a locust plague, an event in the near future, like the destruction of Jerusalem or the defeat of enemy nations, or the final period of history when God will defeat all the forces of evil.
Joel 1: 15-19. Without God, destruction is sure. Those who have not personally accepted God’s love and forgiveness will stand before him with no appeal. Be sure to call on God’s love and mercy while you have the opportunity.

God judges all people for their sins, but he is merciful to those who turn to him and offers them equal salvation.

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The Book Of the Law Found

2 Kings 22:1,2. In reading the Biblical list of kings, it is rare to find one who obeyed God completely. Josiah was such a person, and he was only eight years old when he began to reign. For 18 years Josiah reigned obediently, then when he was 26, he began the reforms based on God’s laws. Children are the future leaders of our churches and our world. A person’s major work for God may have to wait until he or she is an adult, but no one is ever too young to take God seriously and obey him. Josiah’s early years laid the base for his later task of reforming Judah. God can use you regardless of your age.
2 Kings 22:4. The doorkeepers controlled who entered the temple and supervised the collection of the money.
2 Kings 22:8. This book may have been the entire Pentateuch or just the book of Deuteronomy. Because of the long line of evil kings, the record of God’s laws had been lost. Josiah , who was about 26 years old at this time, wanted religious reform throughout the nation. When God’s Word was found, drastic changes had to be made to bring the kingdom in line with God’s commands. Today you have God’s word at your fingertips. How much change must you make in order to bring your life into line with God’s word.
2 Kings 22:11,14. When Josiah heard the law, he tore his robes in despair. He immediately instituted reforms. With just one reading of God’s law, he changed the course of the nation. Today many people own Bibles, bur few are affected by the truths found in God’s Word. The Word of God should cause us , like Josiah, to take action immediately to reform our lives and bring them into harmony with God’s will. God freely selects his servants to carry out his will, rich or poor, male or female, king or slave.
2 Kings:19. The hardest part of repentance is changing the attitudes that originally produced the sinful behavior.

The easiest thing about telling the truth is that it is never questioned !!!!

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Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1:1. The story of Ruth takes place sometime during the period of the rule of the Judges. These were dark days for Israel, when everyone did as he saw fit. But during those dark and evil times, there were still some who followed God. Naomi and Ruth are beautiful examples of loyalty, friendship and commitment to God and to each other.
Ruth 1:2. Moab was the land east of the Dead sea. It was one of the nations that opposed Israel during the period of the Judges, so there was hostility between the two nations. The famine must have been quite severe in Israel for Elimelech to move his family here. They were called Ephrathites because Ephrath was an earlier name for Bethlehem. Even if Israel had already defeated Moab, there still would have been tensions between them.
Ruth 1:4,5. Friendly relations with the Moabites were discouraged, but probably not forbidden since the Moabites lived outside the promised land. Marrying a Canaanite and all those living within the borders of the promised land, however, was against Gods law. Moabites were not allowed to worship at the tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the exodus from Egypt. As God’s chosen nation, Israel should have set the standards of high moral living for the other nations. Ironically it was Ruth, a Moabitess, whom God used as an example of genuine spiritual character. This shows just how bleak life had become in Israel during those days.
Ruth 1:8,9. There was almost nothing worse than being a widow in the ancient world. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored. They were almost always poverty stricken. God’s law, therefore provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow, but Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel. Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. Although she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives over, even though this would mean hardship for her. Like Naomi, we must consider the needs of others and not just our own, as Naomi discovered , when you act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow your example.
Ruth 1:16 Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn’t stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Jews were not the only people God loved. God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know him. This was fulfilled when Jesus was born as a Jew. Through him, the entire world can come to know God. God accepts all who worship him. he works through people regardless of their race, sex, or nationality. The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God’s impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness.
Ruth 1:20-21, Naomi had experienced severe hardships. She had left Israel married and secure, she returned widowed and poor. Naomi changed her name to express the bitterness and pain she felt. When you face bitter times, God welcomes your honest prayers, but be careful not to overlook the love, strength and resources that he provides in your present relationships. And don’t let bitterness and disappointment to blind you in your opportunities.


When I am praying for you, what you don’t believe in is not important. What I believe in is!!!
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Love

Romans 12:9. Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others, how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of other’s needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways that you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ.
Romans 12:10. We can honor others in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. We honor our bosses so they will reward us, our employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will donate to our cause, the powerful so they will use there power for us and not against us. God’s other way involves love. As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ’s church. Does God’s way of honoring others sound to difficult for your competitive nature? Why not try to outdo one another in showing honor? Put others first !!
Romans 12:13. Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host, the home must be spotless, the food must be very well prepared and abundant, the host must appear relaxed and good natured. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guest. Their needs, whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance, are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home, it can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is a can of soup. It can even happen while the host and guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are to tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.
Romans 12:16 Many people use their contacts and relationships for self ambition. They select those people who will help them climb the social ladder. Christ demonstrated and taught that we should treat all people with respect, those of a different race, the handicapped, young and old, male and female. We must never consider others as being beneath us. Paul says we need to live in harmony with others and not be to proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. Are you able to do humble task with others? Do you welcome conversation with unattractive, non-prestigious people? Are you willing to welcome newcomers and entry level people? Or do you only relate to those who will help you get ahead?
Romans 12: 17. These verses summarize the core of Christian living. If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we experienced God’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. And remember, Grace is undeserved favor. By giving an enemy a drink, we’re excusing his misdeeds. We’re recognizing him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins, just as Christ did for us.
Romans12:19-21. Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiveness toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. Lend a helping hand. Send him or her a gift. Smile at him or her. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

When we fight all of our battles down on our knees, we win every time.

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Wisdom Is Supreme

Proverbs 4:3,4. One of the greatest responsibilities of parents is to encourage their children to become wise. Here Solomon tells how his Father, David, encouraged him to seek wisdom when he was young. This encouragement may have prompted Solomon to ask God for a discerning heart above everything else. Wisdom can be passed on from parents to children, from generation to generation. Ultimately ,of course, all wisdom comes from God; parents can only urge their children to turn to him. If your parents never taught you in this way, God’s word can function as a loving and compassionate mother or father to you. You can learn from the scriptures and then create a legacy of wisdom as you teach your own children.
Proverbs 4:5-7. If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it. This will take resolve, a determination not to abandon the search once you begin no matter how difficult the road may become. This is not a once in a lifetime step, but a process of choosing between two paths, the wicked and the righteous. Nothing else is more important or valuable.
David taught Solomon as a young boy that seeking God’s wisdom was the most important choice he could make. Solomon learned the lesson well. When God appeared to Solomon to fulfill any request, Solomon chose wisdom above all else. We should also make God’s wisdom our first choice. We don’t have to wait for God to appear to us. We can boldly ask him for wisdom today through prayer. James 1:5 assures us that God will grant our request.
Proverbs 4:13-17. Even friends can make you fall. It is difficult for people to accept the fact that friends and acquaintances might be luring them to do wrong. Young people who want to be accepted would never want to confront or criticize for wrong plans or actions. Many other people can’t even see how their friend’s actions could lead to trouble. While we should be accepting of others, we need a healthily skepticism about human behavior. When you feel yourself being heavily influenced, proceed with caution. Don’t let your friends fall into sin.
Proverbs 4:23-27. Our heart , our feelings of love and desire, dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires, don’t go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Forgiveness is giving up the right to punish another person.



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Spiritual Blessings In Christ

Ephesians 1:3 ‘’Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing’’ - means that in Christ we have all the benefits of knowing God. Being chosen for salvation, being adopted as his children, forgiveness, insight, the gifts of the spirit, power to do God’s will, the hope of living forever with Christ. Because we have an intimate relationship with Christ, we can enjoy these blessings now. The Heavenly Realm means that these blessings are eternal, not temporal. The blessings come from Christ’s spiritual realm, not the earthly realm of the goddess Artemis.
Ephesians 1: 4 Paul said that God chose us in him to emphasize that salvation depends totally on God. We are not saved because we deserve it , but because God is gracious and freely gives salvation. We did not influence God’s decision to save us, he saved us according to his plan. Thus there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride. The mystery of salvation originated in the timeless mind of God long before we existed. It is hard to understand how God could accept us. But because of Christ , we are holy and blameless in his sight. God chose us, and when we belong to him through Jesus Christ, God looks at us as if we had never sinned. All we can do is express our thanks for his wonderful love.
Ephesians 1:5 Predestined means marked out beforehand. This is another way of saying that salvation is God’s work and not our own doing. In his infinite love, God has adopted us as his own children. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, he has brought us into his family and made us heirs along with Jesus. In Roman law, adopted children had the same rights and privileges as biological children, even if they had been salves. Paul uses this term to show how strong our relationship to God is. Have you entered into this loving relationship with God?
Ephesians 1:6 ‘’Freely given us in the one he loves’’ means that God graciously accepts us.
Ephesians 1: 7,8. Grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can’t earn salvation, nor do we deserve it, no religious , intellectual, or moral effort can gain it, because it comes only from God’s mercy and love. Without God’s grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is through faith in Christ
Ephesians 1: 9,10. God was not intentionally keeping his plan a secret, but his plan for the world could not be fully understood until Christ rose from the dead. His purpose for sending Christ was to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body with Christ as the head. Many people still do not understand God’s plan, but when the time is right he will bring us together to be with him forever. Then everyone will understand. On that day, all people will bow to Jesus as Lord, either because they love him or because they fear his power.
Ephesians 1 :11 God’s purpose is to offer salvation to the world, just as he planned to do long ago. God is sovereign, he is in charge. When your life seems chaotic, rest in this truth. Jesus is Lord, and God is in control. God’s purpose to save cannot be thwarted, no matter what evil Satan may bring.


Do the words of our prayers go along with the feelings in our heart.

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