God's Vision Has not Boundaries!

Blessed Sunday to all on this beautiful and sunny day. It's about 65 degrees and sunny. Very pleasant for February. Waine is on the golf course enjoying his friends. I am going to the gym, hallelujah! We are on the count down to the Jenkins-Tamori family reunion in Houston over the Easter holiday. Can't wait to see my extended family. I am sure a good time will be had by all.

I am continuing my journey in Acts 12: verses 1 - 25 " It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.  He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.  After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.  So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.  He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the Word of God continued to spread and flourish. When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

This Jewish King Herod was really full of himself. He actually thought himself greater than the God of Moses and the God of Christ. He really thought he had power over death and life for God's anointed. I am sure many who read this passage think it is symbolic or a fairy tell. I am the kind of Christian who believes the Bible literally. When Christ talked in parables He told you He would be doing so. When the Bible gives you an account of things that happened, they really happened! Herod was trying to kill the early Christian church, one disciple at a time. Herod actually thought he could control the spread of the Good News by persecuting and killing the early Christian leaders. Not so. God had a purpose for Peter and it was not yet finished. Even though Peter was in jail, the jail couldn't hold him! The Lord sent an angel to free Peter and then escort him out of prison. God's Vision is never altered or hampered by men. The only person who can control God's vision for your life or my life is God and me. If I am doubting or lack faith the time table for my deliverance can be altered by my thinking and lack of faith. The timetable may be altered but the plan never is! God will smite your enemies for you and has for me. He will move folk out of the way so that YOUR WAY is cleared. This is accomplished all through your faithfulness and reliance on the Word of God and His will for your life.

If you have Herod's in your life, don't look to them for salvation or relief. Instead look within to the throne of grace so that your life can be fulfilled. Never fear those that can harm the body. Fear the God that can affect both your body and soul.  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

Are You Standing in God's Way?

Good morning to all on this wintery day in February 2014. Waine and I are I Thomaston. We visited the Orlando tribe last weekend for a short visit and I am finding that the little cherubs leave little time for reflection.  They are full of life, vin and vigor; Waine and I delight in all of our grandchildren and hope to be remembered as grandparents that loved them. We had another storm come through Georgia last week. The ice storm was not has bad as the one two weeks ago but the affect was the same. People did not want to venture out and school has been closed since last Wednesday. Waine and I are prayerfully expanded the practice into another region of Georgia. Please pray for t his venture and uplift us when you have us on your heart.

I am continuing my journey in Acts chapter 11 verses 1-30, "The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was.  I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’  “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.  He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”  When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the Word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.  He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,  and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.   During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. " Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

What a BEAUTIFUL passage. The beginning of Spreading the Good News to all the world through the disciples that Christ chose. God through Christ took 11 men and spent time with them so that they could be changed and then inspired to continue His work of salvation long after the death and resurrection of Christ. He, the Lord, was able to use them because they (the disciples and other converts) had turned their hearts and thus their lives to Christ. They were not perfect; they had real human flaws as you can see from this chapter. The Christian Jews questioned why uncircumcised people were being given the gift of eternal life. These Jews were still steeped in the tradition of the Law and yet God was able to use them because they had surrendered their hearts and minds to Christ. It is likewise with us. We are human 100% of the time and God understands that. We have hopes, aspirations and fears; that's our human nature. God does not fault us for our human nature and He knows even before we do how easy it is to fall prey to it. What He works with us on is the miracle of FAITH that elevates us above our human nature. He takes ordinary people and performs extra ordinary miracles all made possible because of our faith. Never doubt the power of your Faith! It is working to effect the change that you have prayed for. You may not see it now but it doesn't mean that your Faith has not set things into motion to bring about the change that God will make perfect through you. Just as David impetuously selected the 5 smooth stones from the river bed to slay Goliath, we too should act impetuously when God's hand touches our heart.

As a devout Jew, Peter was taught not to mingle, not to dine with those who were not circumcised according to the Law of Moses. Yet he too was witness to the new dispensation revealed through Christ. You can speak boldly because this Faith that is talked about in Acts 11 is the same faith that took Christ to the Cross and the same faith that brought Christ from the dead. When you have the opportunity you should share this faith with others so that their eternity can be secured just as the eternity of the Gentiles because of the faith and obedience of this band of 11.

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

When God Gives You a Vision, He also Gives You Provision!!

Good morning to all on this wonderful Monday morning. Waine ad I were in Atlanta yesterday; Aleron hosted a Super Bowl party and we went down to be with him. It was 70 degrees. What a difference a couple of days makes. Last week was also the week in which Atlanta and Thomaston was blanketed with snow and freezing snow. All of which are gone. We had a lot of "firsts" at ZOe last week--we had the highest census on Monday - we saw 115 patients; we had the lowest census ever - we saw 4 patients on Wednesday the day after the ice store; and we had the busiest Saturday this week - we saw 30 patients. In all of it God was steady and I thank Him for all His blessings.

I am continuing my journey in Acts 10 verses 1-48, "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.  Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.  As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.  But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. “We are witnesses of everything He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,  but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. hen Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days." Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

When God gives you a Vision He also makes Provision! Hallelujah! Jesus came that ALL might be saved. Christ's original ministry centered on the Jewish nation; His disciples were Jewish and their vision of spreading the Gospel up until this time was centered on converting Jews for Jesus. Earlier in this book you saw how God used Saul - Paul to spread the message to the non-Jewish nations however this task was too great for one man. God had a plan though; He provided a Vision to two of His Saints--Cornelius and Peter. One Roman and One Jew. Remember God made the Promise to Peter that on the Rock of His Faith, God would build His church however up until now Peter was very choosy and myopic about who he preached the Gospel to. The Romans were the sworn enemies of the Jews and yet God provided Peter with a Vision of his future as a Preacher to all nations. Likewise Cornelius was a Gentile Roman. Not accustomed to Christianity. The Romans were expressly forbidden to participate in the teachings of Christ, but Cornelius also had a Vision. Both these men became instruments of God through their FAITHFULNESS. They were both obedient to the Vision provided and both were given the Holy Ghost Provision which accompanies the faithfulness of believers. Their faith led others to Christ and the Good News. They both divorced themselves from their fears and entered into a relationship with God so that others could come to know the love and care of God through the sacrifice of Christ.

The sermon we heard yesterday was centered on the 9th chapter of Ezra. Christians are told not to be "unequally" yoked. Most interpret this as not marrying a non-Christian only. The pastor yesterday expanded this by admonishing us to not be unequally yoked to the precepts of this world. We are to be in the world but not of it. We are to provide the world with a glimpse of the supernatural power of God through Christ and most of all the love of God through Christ. If we are just like the world, then how is the world going to see God through us. We are to  be like Peter and Cornelius. We are to be different. This message was particularly meaningful to me. I constantly struggle to demonstrate the Power and Love of God through the ministry of my practice. When I am frustrated with staff and patients it is very hard for me to remain the vessel through which the love of God will shine and    even though its hard, its my mission and part of God's vision for my life and the lives of those He sends to me. Pray for me that this part of my life will be surrendered to God on a daily basis. The His Vision for ZOe will be fulfilled through my obedience.

To know Him is to Love Him. To love Hi is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. Nay 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



Speak Truth To Power!

Good morning to all on this Monday morning. It was pretty hectic this weekend. Waine and I snuck off to Orlando to see the Munchkins. It's been pretty cold in Georgia. Last week it was down in the single digits in the morning. Its supposed to be warmer this week so we are back to having a typical winter. The practice is going fine and now that school is back in session fro the winter break we have a lot of sick kids coming in daily.

I am continuing my journey in Acts 9 verses 32-42 "As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.  There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.  “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.  All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.  In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.  Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon." Amen and may he Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

Signs and wonders! Christ promised His disciples that they would be able to do all He had done and then more and it would appear that the "ACTS" of the Apostles described just that. Peter and the other disciples were able to convert large numbers of Jews and Greeks because of the miracles they performed--healing the lame and infirmed. Raising people from the dead. They were able to do this through the power of Christ. This account specifically states that Peer prayed and THEN commanded Dorcas to rise. Peter enlisted the power of the Holy Spirit and then SPOKE TRUTH TO POWER. Many people both Christians and not often voice why these powers are not with us today. I am not one of those. I don't need to know why some things happened in the time right after Christ ascension to believe that there is a God and our salvation comes through Christ, His Son. I KNOW that the redeemers lives and that He is here to assist me today with my own "Dorcas and Aeneas" issues. I am to ask believing and not doubt the power of God to provide the PROVISION for His VISION. I am to ask as if what I am praying for has already happened. Not compromise His power through my actions which means my unbelief. When I take matters into my own hands, I am not exercising my faith. My job, our job as Christians, is to channel the love and thus the Power of God through our obedience. I think these accounts are reminders to us that God is real and He provides real solutions so that others might come to know Him through our obedience.

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

The WORD!

Good morning to all on this Sunday morning. Waine and I are in Thomaston, GA just getting back from Kingston, JA. We had a lovely week there and got a lot accomplished. Its good to be back stateside and good to be home. Waine has said that it has taken me a while to call Thomaston home but it is that. I feel right at home here in this house my beloved chose. It is home base for now and we have hunkered in. Georgia had a VERY cold spell while we were gone. Temperatures down to 9 degrees. Our patients still showed up to the office though. Couldn't add a picture this morning. My Blog has been acting weird but we will prevail.

I am continuing my journey in Acts 9 verses 1-31 "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.  He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers." Amen and may the Lord ad a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

Where God gives you a Vision, He will also give Provision. What an example of this phrase. God had a plan for the spreading of His Word, not only to the Jews in and around the Roman empire where Jesus lived, preach, died and was resurrected but to all the world and for this task he needed a Jew who could speak Hebrew and other languages. In comes Saul the tax collector who was both Jew and had Roman citizenship. Saul was well known among the Jewish hierarchy that sought to suppress the Word of God and the new church. He was chosen by Jesus because of his unique pedigree and also, I believe, was chosen because he had been so against the preaching of the Gospel. His conversion would draw many to this new faith because when some one so anti-anything is then converted the truth is then established much faster. What the early Church needed were converts that never new Jesus but was touched by the message He left behind. In Saul's case Jesus spoke to him directly.

This has been my EXPERIENCE as a Christian woman. In many instances in my life God has spoken to me directly; has given me visions of my future and the outcome of y prayers. It didn't mean that He always took a bitter cup from my lips; even in trials He gives me hope by reminding me that no harm will come to me or my seed. That everything that I touch and bless will be blessed. That I would not be given anymore than I can handle. My job through the trials is to leave the future to Him and to pray for direction moment by moment. It is during these times that I profess that I need not know the future, only the One that controls the future. It is during these times that I grow in m faith. I am going through a growth phase as we speak and I am encouraged by these scriptures.


It was true of Saul's time and it is true today. Remember that the early Hellenistic Church was rocked by Stephen's death and what God gave them to replace Stephen was Saul--a firebrand. Oh that we could have the faith to embrace that God has a plan for His Church and a plan for each of us individually. When we submit our will to Him and live within the confines of "the Church" we are not only safe we are blessed beyond measure. There are those who embrace the blessings of God through Christ but who have not turned their lives over to Him. They have a sad future. I have family members and friends who always ask for prayer in tough times but then don't remember the God of their deliverance in their "good times". Bad times and good times come in a twinkling of an eye and just as He got Saul's attention He will get the attention of all who are chosen. Wouldn't it better to come without having to be "blinded" to see? As Christians we are commanded to spread the Good News of the Gospel--unadulterated or altered. It is the inspired WORD of God and if He had wanted the message changed I am sure He would have done so. Our job is first to believe and then to spread.


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

Worship in Spirit and Truth-Take on the whole Armor of God!

Good morning to all on this 1st Sunday morning of 2014! Waine and I are in Kingston, Jamaica and as I write this blog entry my beloved is off playing golf and I am enjoying this morning in  our "love nest" in  a sleeveless shirt sitting in 75 degree weather. My devotion for the week has been to give thanks for all things and my outlook has improved greatly. Its great to give thanks and to witness the glory of God!  There is record cold temperatures throughout the country and I am thanking God for the wonderful, warm weather on this little island that we love!

 

I am continuing my journey in Acts chapter 8 verses 1-40 "And Saul approved of their killing him (Stephen). On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.  Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.  But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,  because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that He may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” After they had further proclaimed the Word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. 

 

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”  And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. " Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

 

All through the scriptures we encounter both true and false prophets. It was common that magicians could amaze people with tricks and feats. I know most of us believe that these accounts of people appearing and disappearing are not literal, but I believe in a Spirit world. Christ talked about it a lot. In the old testament God would talk with Satan all the time about the protection of His chosen. I believe in the "spiritual warfare" that Christ and the early church disciples talked about. I believe that what we see with our eyes is just a small portion of the LIFE that exists. I think the bigger part of our lives exists in the spiritual life that cannot be seen with our physical "eye"  but can be "sensed" and felt in our souls.  This is the essence of this chapter. The acts of the apostles as told in this chapter is in terms of the power of the Holy Spirit and also they meet Simon that channels the power of the dark spirits.

 

As Christians we are to arm ourselves daily with the whole armor of God. In Ephesians 6:10 we are told "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." We are told to expect spiritual battles daily and how to overcome and be victorious!

 

We were having dinner with a friend last evening and this topic of conversation came up. I am a firm believer that our struggles are  not just in the flesh. I believe that the bigger struggle is the spirit battles that assail us daily. That's why we are instructed on how to guard ourselves properly. Have you engaged in something you knew was inappropriate only to say "why did I do that" or "why was I so mean" or "why did I speak so harshly". These are the spirit battles we must guard against. Remember you cannot see Satan and his minions but they are there  none the less so guard yourselves.  Bless yourselves also. You have the power to do that as well. You can bless your life daily, Bless all of your endeavors. Bless everything you touch. The disciples did and we can do even greater things. We just have to believe. This is why I always end my Blog entries with" 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