What Message are You Spreading?

Good morning to all on this last Sunday of 2013. Waine and I are in Thomaston and I have been up for a while--had to go the hospital for a couple of my patients. Waine has gone to church and after I have my devotion and write my blog entry I am going to try and get some sleep which is virtually impossible for me during the day. Waine and I just got back from Orlando where we spent a week with Freddie, Tracy, Kai and Hailie. It was a GREAT visit and I miss the rug rates already! 2013 was a GREAT year for Waine and I; lots of spiritual and economic growth. We pray your 2014 is prosperous, safe and full of spiritual and physical health.

 

I am continuing my journey in Acts 7 verses 1-60 " Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’ Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’ He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.  Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. 

 

“When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites.  He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’ But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?  Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness. This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us. But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made. But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?  You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile’ beyond Babylon. 

 

 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.  But it was Solomon who built a house for him. However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’ “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him—  you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” 

 

 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

 

Stephen was stoned because he stood up to be a witness for God through Christ. Where ever the Word of God is spoken and lived, Satan will mount an opposition to it. The Sanhedrin or secular Jewish leadership certainly saw Christianity an affront and threat to their Power Base. The more the common folk heard the Gospel of Christ and the cornerstone of teaching that one should follow and worship the One and True God, the more at risk the Sanhedrin and its hold on the Jewish community. All Stephen was doing was recounting the very events that were foretold in the Jewish Holy Book of the tine.  The members of the Sanhedrin Court were well aware of the prophesies but did not embrace the fact that Jesus the Christ was the ultimate fulfillment of their scriptures to date. They thought they could silence the message by killing the messenger however all they did was provided more power to the life and testament of Stephen. What a powerful example set by Stephen. Stephen understood his role completely in spreading the Good News of the redemption that is possible through a commitment to Christ.

 

God is looking for some modern day Stephens! When is the last time you risked yourself to preach the Gospel of Christ. When is the last time God was pleased that you spread the truth about Christ despite opposing views. The furtherance of the kingdom rests on the shoulders of the Faithful --the time is drawing near that Christ will come to claim His Bride the Church. Will your love ones and friends be able to say they were made ready by your testimony? We each have opportunities daily to witness with our mouths and our lives. We can make a difference daily for others to come to know the Peace Like a River; the Abundant Life; the Glory who is God.

 

To know Him is to Love Him. To Love Him is to Serve Him. To Serve Him is to Love You.  Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

 

Stephanie



....And his face was that of an Angel!

Good morning to all on this Sunday before Christmas. As I am writing this journal entry Waine and I are busy getting ready to head to Orlando to visit Freddie, Tracy, Kai and Hailie. Aleron will join us on Tuesday. It is a blessing to be able to get away for a week and have the office covered. God has truly brought us a mighty long way!!!! Waine and I truly pray that your Christmas is filled with laughter, joy and the Spirit of God.

 

I am continuing my journey in Acts 6 verses 1-15 "In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  

 

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel." Amen and may God add a blessing to he reading and hearing of His Word.

 

I love this chapter. It is so practical! Although the disciples were growing in Faith and bold in their ministry, there were still practical events of every day life that had to be handled. The disciples were full time Ministry workers. They quit working their pre-conversion jobs and spent their entire time witnessing and growing the body of believers. They were now preaching in the surrounding land of Greece (Hellenistic Jews) and converting these Jews to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These Hellenistic Jews then began their full time ministry, quitting their secular jobs to devote themselves to the preaching of the Gospel and expansion of the kingdom. Their wives were complaining the bills were not paid and the children were not fed which were issues that needed to be dealt with and had been dealt with for the Hebraic Jews. So instead of fighting among themselves they came up with a solution appointing those among them to care for the needs of the families of the Hellenistic Jews and put Stephen in charge. God is always a particle God. When you commit yourself to the ministry of God, He will take care our needs even before we do. He can see "around the corners" and always has a solution if we keep our Spiritual eyes open.

 

Also what is predictable, is that when you submit your will to that of the Father and are faithful, there will be those around you to try and shake your faith with threats of harm but look what Stephen did. He just kept his eyes on the Cross. The accusations and threats did not bother him in the least. He had the "face of an angel". He was on the proverbial mountain top and KNEW from whence his salvation and strength came. There are times in my life when I have been "there". When I know with assurance that my "story" will end in victory. The winds and the waves that Satan sends your way cannot shake you because you have the "face of an angel". To have this face you are looking in the EYES of God. Of what a peace that you will feel. When you truly cast all your cares on Him you will have the face of an angel because you become the reflection of God's love. As you go about your work week seek the Face of God and have Peace!

 

 

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you! Now, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

 

Stephanie

Cross references:

1. Numbers 6:24 : S Ge 28:3; Dt 28:3-6; Ps 28:9; 128:5
2. Numbers 6:24 : 1Sa 2:9; Ps 17:8
3. Numbers 6:25 : Job 29:24; Ps 4:6; 31:16; 80:3; 119:135
4. Numbers 6:25 : Ge 43:29; Ps 25:16; 86:16; 119:29
5. Numbers 6:26 : Ps 4:6; 44:3
6. Numbers 6:26 : Ps 4:8; 29:11; 37:11, 37; 127:2; Isa 14:7; Jer 33:6; Jn 14:27

 

 

 

 

 

Behold--I am God!

Good morning to all on this Sunday morning. Waine and I are in Thomaston and enjoying a lazy Sunday morning. Its so good to wake up next to and with your Best Friend! Its been cold and rainy in Georgia; good days to be in and reading a good book. My beloved is editing his first novel with a diligence that is truly impressive. The practice is going well; Flu season is every pediatricians' friend. Waine and I truly pray that this season finds you and your family healthy and in the comfort of each other's love.

 

I am continuing my journey in Acts 5 verses 1 - 42, "Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” "Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. 

 

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.  

 

Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.  “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”  At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.  “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging Him on a cross. God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” 

 

When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

 

What a powerful story! What a powerful message! I was perplexed at the beginning of this chapter with the account of the death of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. It just seemed so harsh to have them die. They did give a portion of their wealth to the church, didn't they? Then I got it. God requires that we freely give of ourselves to Him. When we hold back any portion of ourselves, we deceive ourselves and we experience the "death" of our spirit. God doesn't need our money or our wealth--He doesn't even need us. He made us because He wanted to bestow His vast love to another being--us. He wants us to experience the vastness of His love and we can't experience it when we hold anything back. He is able to supply us with everything we need to be fulfilled. He opens doors that are closed; He covers us with protection; He elevates us to His purpose. We only need to "die" to self and acknowledge His presence and Power in our lives. His angels are dispatched to protect all of us who have professed that Christ is Lord.

 

He also allows the rain to fall on BOTH the just and unjust. Our job is not to worry about the outcome; our job is to be obedient just as Peter was in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. I think the message of Ananias and Sapphira is clear. Deception will kill the spirit that lives within each of us. Whether a person wants to admit it or not, each of us are born with the Spirit of God within us. That spirit lays dormant and will eventually "die" if we don't get plugged into the Power of God through confession of our sins and acceptance of Christ as the only path to God, the giver of life. There is no other great being out there. The spiritual life and path is made whole through God and He states that the path to Him is made through Christ and Christ alone.

 

Many prophets have come and gone. When they crossed their own "Jordan" and they awakened into a new reality that there is only one God and His name is Jehovah. At His right hand is Christ who sacrificed all that  none should perish. If these prophets died and did not accept Christ as the path to God BEFORE their deaths, the gate is closed forever. What a waste and what a tragedy.

 

My prayer today is that if you don't have Christ as Lord of your life you make s change today. Don't be like Ananias and Sapphira and lie to yourself. Give your all to God and accept His Gift of eternal life and redemption.  To know Him is to Love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you.

 

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

 

Stephanie

 

 

 



...And They Spoke the Word of God Boldly!

Good morning to all on this wintery Sunday morning. Waine and I are in Hawkinsville and its my  last weekend here. The weather is in the high 50's which means golf weather for Waine. These little weekends of being away with  my hubby are truly special. We get to lie in bed and just talk from A-Z.  We get to do that from our own bed now!!

 

I am continuing my journey in Acts 4 verses 23-36, "On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against His anointed one. Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against Your Holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. They did what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly.  All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

 

When Christians are of like mind (the mind of Jesus) there is truly nothing that they cannot do. These Christians prayed together concerning the threats made by the Sadducees. They didn't try and take matters into their own hands; instead they gathered together and prayed in one accord just like the Bible teaches us today. Mathew 18:20 teaches us that! Look at the great things that were being accomplished because the Apostles had no fear. They fellowshipped one with another. Shared all they had and the passage states that all were fulfilled. The strength they drew from each other empowered them to be bold in their ministry so that others might come to know the Jesus that they knew. What is ironic is that Peter, who had denied Christ 3 times out of fear, was now proclaiming the deity and sanctity of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Fear is the great tool of Satan. When you live in fear you will not realize the love and power of God. I look at my own life. There are times when I am in sync with God. I boldly proclaim the promises of God and know that I am the child of the King. There are other times when God is not on the throne of my life and fear enters in. Fear then brings doubt and doubt will create havoc. Havoc is a downward spire of one bad decision after another. What brings me forth is the Holy Spirit who never leaves me; He is there to remind me that I need only turn back to my source. Its as easy and as hard as that. I have to stop relying on my "feelings" and turn back to walking in faith. The more steps I take in faith the bolder I get. At times I just quote the promises of God over and over until I am out of the clutches of doubt and havoc. God tells us "not to lean on our own understanding" and truer Words were never spoken.

 

When is the last time you spoke boldly about your love for God through Christ? When was the last time you just turned away from your own thinking and took on the mind of Christ? Here's praying that you do so today. To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you.

 

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

 

Stephanie



There is Power in the Name of Jesus!

Good morning to all from Phoenix Arizona. Waine and I are in Phoenix to celebrate Mackenzie's 16th birthday!! She picked us up from the airport--she is driving!! I can't believe that is has been 16 years. She is a junior in her Health Sciences/Engineering magnet school and is committed to her vegetarian lifestyle. We had a marvelous evening which started with a play about Martin Luther King's last day on earth--"Mountain Top". If you are able to see the play its well worth it. Brooks has grown taller and is quite handsome. Has matured a great deal from the summer. Freddie and Tracy and the kids were up for Thanksgiving and we enjoyed them immensely. Aleron and his friend Simon also joined us as did Ms. Bertha's daughter and granddaughters. Velma, Michele, Marco and Kenzo drove up from Miami. That was a wonder present and I so enjoyed having my family around me. Everyone said that was the best turkey I ever made. I guess my culinary skills are improving. I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was meaningful and filled with family and friends.

 

I am continuing my journey in Acts 4 verses 1-22 " The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is "the Stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone." Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in This name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. " Amen! May God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

 

When the  Holy Spirit gets a hold of you, silence is not an option! I am always filled with the Holy Spirit and when I allow myself to get off the throne of my life and the Holy Spirit takes over, I am a different person. I know no fear. I am bold in my proclamations and I live without confidence and boldness. There is no fear of failure; no fear of threats of what men can do to me; no fear of loss; no fear of harm because when you are in the God Zone you understand that nothing bad can befall you. When you allow the Holy Spirit to take the throne of your life you have a peace that SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING!! This is what Peter and John were trying to convey to the Jewish religious leaders. Remember these are the same guys who had just crucified Jesus. They were full of themselves because they thought they are quelled the influence that Jesus had and then these two upstarts begin to perform miracles too. Instead of repenting of their sins, these religious leaders begin to plot how to control Peter and John. What they don't understand is that you cannot control the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John kept their focus on the "Cross" the Power imparted to them was and is unconquerable!

 

The same Spirit lives in us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to "rest, rule and abide" we become as Christ ordained it. We are able to do greater things than He did. That's His promise. Most of us don't live this victorious life because we allow the constraints of the world to limit us. Think, however, about the times you prayed for a miracle and was granted that. Remember the feeling you had. Remember your bold proclamations that "this is not how my story will end" and then remember the redemption that followed. This is how we are to live our lives. Like Peter and John we are to proclaim the Good News so that those in the darkness can come to the Cross and the Light. Five thousand men were saved! When was the last time an unbeliever came to Jesus because of your  life and your proclamations. This is our purpose as Christians--let our Light so shine that others may come to know and love the Jesus of the Ages. Jesus the Christ who sacrificed Himself so that we could live victorious. Not to live victorious is not honoring Him. To know Him s to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you.

 

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you  and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

 

Stephanie



At A Gate Called Beautiful!

Good morning to all on this beautiful Sunday morning. The cold weather has finally hit Georgia. It's in the low 50's this morning but Waine and I have been able to have a relaxing  morning at home. No planes to catch. No "rounds" to make. Just chillin' at home. I am coming to look forward to and appreciate these quiet days at home. Had a nice dinner with Aleron last night before he started his night shift at the hospital. Its good to be friends with your children.

 

I am continuing my journey in Acts 3 verses 1-26 " One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.  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.  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  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.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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.  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.  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?  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. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 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.

 

Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,  and that He may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.  Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets. 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. Anyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from their people.Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 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.’When God raised up His servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways. Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the hearing and reading of His Word.

 

At a gate called Beautiful is where the beggar sat. He was not able to go inside of the court because he was not able to walk. He had to rely on the kindness of others at the gate called Beautiful. The beggar could see all the marvelous things going on inside the gate; he could smell all the wonder aromas of the foods being offered for sale; he could hear the laughter of the people who were enjoying themselves--if only he could walk into the court yard, beyond the gate called Beautiful.

 

This is how I see the people in the world. They are sitting at the gate to eternity because they are weak and begging. They were born to be sons and daughters of the King but sit at the gate because they do not accept the free gift that if offered to them which is the salvation which comes through Jesus the Christ, the Messiah who has been sent so that we don't have to sit at the gate. Unlike the beggar in the 3rd chapter of Acts, they don't take the right hand of fellowship that is offered to them through Christ; they sit and beg. Oh how much more abundance is in store for them if they would just take what Christ offers which is unconditional love. There is no need for any man or woman to sit at the gate of eternity and beg. Begging will not help them or any of us. Once we cross the River Jordan the gate will be closed. Our lives are to be a witness just as the beggar's life was. He was so excited about his healing he had to tell everyone. No pretense; he just had to tell everyone he was healed. How many lives would be won to Christ today if Christians showed that type of joy.  How many others will be left at the Gate called Beautiful because we are hiding our light.  Let your light and joy shine today so others may come to know and love the God that never holds anything against us. He offers passage through the Gate.

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Stephanie