Day of Repentance

2 Kings 17

11b So the people of Israel had done many evil things, arousing the Lord’s anger. 12 Yes, they worshiped idols, despite the Lord’s specific and repeated warnings.

So the people of God did what was evil in God’s sight, even though they had specific and repeated warnings from the Lord. As a result of their willful disobedience, the Lord’s anger was poured out against them. Hmmm. I know that we are now under the Grace of Christ, but as Paul reminds us in the book of Romans, just because we have that Grace, doesn’t mean we should keep on sinning. God’s people, or at least people who claim to follow God, continue to do evil things arousing the Lord’s anger. Why shouldn’t we feel His anger burn against us? May this be a day of repentance for us all, starting with me. Lord, help me to change my attitude, to turn from the sin in my life and to obey You always. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

You Know My Name

Acts 19

13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

So, some guys thought they could cash in on Jesus without really being followers of His? Huh, sounds like some TV Evangelists of our day. All I can say is that if you are claiming to do anything in the name of Jesus, you had better be sure that you are indeed following obediently the King of kings and the Lord of lords. If the demons don’t know your name, it could very well be that your name doesn’t exist in the eternal realm (The Lamb’s Book of Life). Hmmmm...

More Accurately

Acts 18

24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

I love this story from the book of Acts. It resonates with me as an adherent of the Restoration Movement. While Apollos knew about Jesus, he didn’t know the whole story. Yet, when he encountered Aquila and Priscilla, they took him under their wings and explained the way of God even more accurately to him. As a result, he became a bold proclaimer of the WHOLE Gospel. there are many well-meaning folks today who have never been told the WHOLE Gospel. They only know what they have been taught by those who, for whatever reasons, have decided to water down the Word of God with man made doctrine. It is my pleasure and great privilege to lovingly guide folks to the Bible as the sole source of doctrine, so that they, like Apollos, may have the way of God explained to them more accurately.

I Never Grow Tired of Praising God

Psalm 145

1 I will exalt you, my God and King,

and praise your name forever and ever.

2 I will praise you every day;

yes, I will praise you forever.

3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!

No one can measure his greatness.

I could never grow tired of proclaiming the greatness of the Lord my God. He alone is worthy of all glory, honor and praise.

Open Minded

Acts 17

11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

It takes an open mind to seek the Truth of the Scriptures. We Christians are often accused of being closed minded by the pagan culture around us. Frankly, some of that is deserved. May we be like the Bereans, and open our minds to what God has to say in His Holy Word. We should not just take man at his word whether he is claiming to speak for God or for the culture around us. Let us search the Scriptures daily and make sure that our minds are open to what they teach, letting what man has to say be judged by God’s Holy Word alone.

A Necessary Step

Acts 16

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

In every conversion account found in the book of Acts, we find one common thread: immersion (baptism). The jailer asks plainly what must be done in order to be saved (verse 30). Paul & SIlas tell him that he must believe in the Lord Jesus (v. 31) and then they “shared the word of the Lord with him and with all his household” (v 32). We don’t have the exact words used by Paul and Silas as they shared the Gospel, but we do see the immediate response of the jailer and his entire household: they were immediately baptized. Let’s set aside any nonsense about the role of baptism in salvation. It is clearly a necessary step.

Disagree Without Being Disagreeable

Acts 15

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

Paul and Barnabas had been traveling partners for the LORD’s work, but they came to a point of disagreement that cause them to separate. Even so, their disagreement was not over doctrinal issues and it did not serve as a detriment to the Gospel. So they agreed to disagree, and each went their separate way to continue the work to which they had been called. Now, instead of one missionary team, there were two. We won’t always agree with our brothers in Christ, but we don’t have to be disagreeable about it. May God’s work continue and may we multiply the teams doing God’s work when a disagreement pops up. To do any less would be to bring dishonor to the name of Christ.

Undeserved Grace

Acts 15

11 “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

The Council at Jerusalem had a dilemma to solve. Some of the Believers wanted to place Old Covenant requirements on New Covenant followers of Christ. They were, in effect, claiming that the Blood of Jesus was not enough to cleanse people from their sins. Sometimes, we want to place extra requirements on folks as well. We would do well to remember that we are all saved the same way: by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” No need for extra requirements. Just obey the Gospel: Believe, Confess, Repent, Be Immersed into Christ, and live for Him daily. There is nothing we can do to “earn” the grace of Jesus, but our response to that grace is of eternal importance.

Pointing To God

Acts 14

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.”

So, people are trying to worship Barnabas and Paul as gods because of the works they perform. But these two men of God quickly try to put a stop to such foolishness, letting the people know that they are mere men, and that it is the God of the Universe Who should be worshipped. The God Who created the heavens and the earth. The God Who has revealed Himself through nature so that no man is without excuse. May my life point others to the LORD God Almighty always, and may His Name be praised forever!

lol

2 Kings 2

23 Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!” 24 Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them. 25 From there Elisha went to Mount Carmel and finally returned to Samaria.

Let me just say that I LOVE this story. The moral of course is that you should not mock a man that God has chosen, or bears might come out of the woods and eat you. lol

Bold and Succinct

Acts 13

23 “And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel! 24 Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized. 25 As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon—and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’

26 “Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us! 27 The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath. 28 They found no legal reason to execute him, but they asked Pilate to have him killed anyway.

29 “When they had done all that the prophecies said about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead! 31 And over a period of many days he appeared to those who had gone with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to the people of Israel.

32 “And now we are here to bring you this Good News. 33a and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus.

Inspired and led by the Holy Spirit, Paul preaches the Gospel message boldly and succinctly. Oh, that I would have even a tiny portion of that spirit of Paul! Father, embolden me to proclaim Your Good News about Jesus in such a manner that those who hear me, will listen and obey Your Word.

Sent Out By The Holy Spirit

Acts 13

4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the One Who sends us out to spread the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the One Who commissions us to speak on behalf of God. We need to take this high calling much more seriously than we often do, because it is the Holy Spirit Who is at work here. The Move Conference crew just returned with that predictable “bump” in enthusiasm and desire to live for Christ. Lord, help me to help them understand that it is the Holy Spirit Who is firing them up, and that they need to daily pursue Him and His calling. Remind me of that, too, please.

All In

1 Kings 19

19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!”

Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”

21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

I’m reading this passage with a whole new perspective having just finished Kyle Idleman’s book, “Not A Fan.” Kyle points out that Elisha was obviously a man of quite some means: he has twelve teams of oxen! Most people of that day and time were lucky if they had one team of oxen. When Elijah calls Elisha to follow him (the whole throwing the cloak on Elisha’s shoulders thing), Elisha responds by slaughtering the twelve teams of oxen, and using the wood of the plow to roast the meat. He then gives the meat away to his neighbors. Elisha wants everyone to know in no uncertain terms that he is all in when it comes to heeding the call of Elijah and the call of God. Lord, I pray that my actions show that I am all in when it comes to heeding Your call on my life. It is not enough to give You lip service, I need to give You my life service.

No Longer Silent

1 Kings 18

20 So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.

How much longer will the church in general waver, hobbling between various opinions? If the LORD is God, then shouldn’t we serve Him with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our minds, and with all our strength? But if the LORD is not God, then let us continue to join the pagan culture around us so that it is difficult to distinguish us from them. We already do a pretty good job of that, now don’t we? I want to be looked at by this pagan culture in which we live as someone who is DIFFERENT. That difference is Jesus working through me, and the Holy Spirit living in me! If no one can see that difference, then am I truly serving God, and do I truly believe that the LORD is God? I can no longer be silent on these matters.

Harmony

Psalm 133

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is

when brothers live together in harmony!

2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil

that was poured over Aaron’s head,

that ran down his beard

and onto the border of his robe.

3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon

that falls on the mountains of Zion.

And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,

even life everlasting.

Harmony is the way I would describe the way the leadership at Vero Christian Church gets along. It is so pleasant to labor for the Lord along side of men who enjoy one another’s company, and who are willing to do whatever it takes for the betterment of our congregation and for the Kingdom of the Living God. I praise the Lord for the harmony that exists within the leadership of our congregation, and pray that we can continue to do whatever it takes to further promote that harmony.

Living In Fear of the Lord

Acts 9

31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.

Now, most “church growth experts” won’t point out that true growth comes from the church living in fear of the Lord, but Luke points this out as plainly as possible in Acts 9:31, doesn’t he? I am afraid that the church has become much too comfortable with the Lord. Comfortable with the access to God the Father. Deluded into thinking that God is no longer Someone to be feared, revered, and awed. I am reading Kyle Idleman’s “Not A Fan” these days, and I am afraid that there are way too many fans of Jesus. I don’t want to be one of them. I would instead, prefer to be a completely committed follower.

No Exceptions To God's Rules

1 Kings 11

1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. 2 The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. 3 He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.

Why is it that when we are given clear instructions from God, we tend to want to think that we are the exception to the rule? As wise as Solomon was, he had this fatal flaw as well. God said “don’t intermarry with the pagan women” and yet Solomon does. When I read Scripture and see the clear commands of the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth, yet choose to ignore them to “do my own thing,” and then when disaster befalls me because of that...well, why should I be surprised? Father, help me to be more wise than Solomon in that I want to obey Your clear commands on how to live my life each day. Thank You for forgiving my sin of disobedience in the past, and may I stop making those stupid mistakes in the future!

Willing Hearts

Acts 8

30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter.
And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
33 He was humiliated and received no justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

While many things stand out to me in this passage, I want to concentrate on just two today: 1)Philip was willing to allow the Holy Spirit to direct his actions. 2) The Eunuch was willing to allow Philip to teach him about Jesus. A willing heart is necessary for God to do His work in and through people. May my heart be willing for whatever task God has in mind, wherever and whenever God chooses.

Fans Vs. Followers

Acts 8

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

The thing about followers of Christ versus fans of Christ...when the going gets tough, the followers just spread the Gospel wherever they get going. Fans fade away. Followers preach Jesus. Fans pretend they are honoring Christ with their silence. Followers see opportunities. Fans see obstacles. Followers are obedient to Christ. Fans are fickle. Lord, help mold me into more of a follower ever day of my life.

Precious Gifts

Psalm 127

3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.

Solomon penned these words, and his wisdom shines through. I am so blessed. The children that God is allowing Peggy and me to raise for Him all love the Lord and serve Him whole heartedly. I could not be more proud than to be called Dad by Emily, Ian, Elliott and Abigail. Thank You, Lord for these precious gifts, and I rewarded far more than I deserve.

No Exceptions

1 Kings 3

3a Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except...

There it is. That word. Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, EXCEPT. God is not honored by our exceptions. God is not please with them, either. In fact, there can be no exceptions in our following of God and His commands. David had told Solomon to follow the Lord only and always. Solomon soon finds himself entangled in pagan practices because of the pagan wives and concubines he brings into his life. For someone who was so wise, Solomon, made a foolish, fatal mistake by allow exceptions in his walk with the Lord. Please, Father, help me to eliminate the exceptions in my life so that my walk with You can be closer than it ever has been in the past.

Courage

Acts 5

41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

Oh to have the faith and the courage of those guys described in Acts chapter 5! To be able to rejoice in suffering for the sake of Jesus...well, I would like to THINK that I could do that. Haven’t ever really been put to that test though. So, today, let my prayer be that God would give me the strength to stand up for Jesus NO MATTER WHAT. I have only one message for this world, and that message is; “Jesus is Messiah.”

No Other Name

Acts 4

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

We preacher types often want to compare ourselves to Peter. Bold, brash, speak before thinking Peter. That is the Peter before the Resurrection. Post Resurrection Peter is Bold, Confident in Christ, and No Nonsense in his approach. Now, THAT’S the Peter to which I want to be compared. The one who unashamedly and fearlessly proclaims the name of Jesus tell all that there is no other Name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Proper Credit

Acts 3

12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.

While I don’t perform miracles like healing people, I do want my every action to bring glory and honor to God through His Son Jesus. I am humbled when folks carry on about a worship service or a song we have done on a Sunday and I want to always quickly give the credit where it belongs: to God. Any good thing I may do is because of my relationship with Jesus and because of the talents He has seen fit with which to bless me. May all I do and say bring Jesus glory always, and may I be humble enough to remember the Source of any good work in my life always.

Gospel Invitation

Acts 2

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

As the first Gospel sermon concludes, those who have been listening respond with the only logical question there is: “what should we do?” They have been moved to a time of decision. Peter tells them in plain language exactly what they should do: they should repent (turn from sin and turn towards God), and be immersed (baptized) into Christ in order that their sins can be forgiven, and so that they may be filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit. That same invitation is applicable today, and the promise still holds true as is explained in verse 39. Since we know that God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but wants all men to come to Him, then we know that God is calling EVERYONE to accept this Gospel message and invitation.

Gospel Invitation

Acts 2

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

As the first Gospel sermon concludes, those who have been listening respond with the only logical question there is: “what should we do?” They have been moved to a time of decision. Peter tells them in plain language exactly what they should do: they should repent (turn from sin and turn towards God), and be immersed (baptized) into Christ in order that their sins can be forgiven, and so that they may be filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit. That same invitation is applicable today, and the promise still holds true as is explained in verse 39. Since we know that God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but wants all men to come to Him, then we know that God is calling EVERYONE to accept this Gospel message and invitation.

From Where My Help Comes

Psalm 121

1 I look up to the mountains—

does my help come from there?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth!

I look to my Lord for my help every day. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who do the same. Last night at praise team rehearsal, we took time to circle around Joe Clark, lay hands on him and pray. He has had a rough week traveling to KY to take care of the business of taking care of his Mom. I love Joe so dearly, and it was such a privilege to be able to lift my brother in Christ up in prayer. We know that our help comes from the Lord. I will praise my God this day not only for the help He so graciously provides, but for my Christian family through which He provides much of that help!

Redemption Story

2 Samuel 19

24 Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.

26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best. 28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”

29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”

30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”

Having just read, a couple of days ago, the story Ziba told David when the king was in exile, I must admit that I am relieved to get “the rest of the story.” Mephiboseth is the crippled son of Jonathan, and is Saul’s grandson, whom David has taken in and treated as his own son. What a great story of redpemption, grace, forgiveness, and love. It is the story of my life in relationship with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Thank You, Father, for loving me like David loved Mephibosheth.

Praise Flowing Lips

Psalm 119

171 Let praise flow from my lips,

for you have taught me your decrees.

172 Let my tongue sing about your word,

for all your commands are right.

I have so much for which to be thankful. I have so much for which to praise my Lord and my God. If I started now, I could not list everything for which I should sing praises, even if God granted me a thousand years more on this earth. Frankly, I don’t want anywhere near that many years here. I’ll take my songs of praise with me to the very throne room of God, and sing them there throughout eternity!