SCRIPTURE
(Acts 28:27) "For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes; Lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them."
OBSERVATION
Paul has been taken to Rome to plead his defense for the charges that have been brought against him. He openly shares his faith and some believe, but many refuse to appropriate the truth of the gospel. They have become so inteligent in their own understanding that they cannot believe the truth.
APPLICATION
We may be excited about the truth that we know, but not everyone cares or wants to hear our insights. They may be dull of heart. Your actions will speak much louder than you words. Not every crayon in the box wants to be sharpened, but they still are crayons. Keep sharing the truth and looking for devine appointments to spread the message of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, I will be faithful to Your calling, despite what I see from the world. Keep my heart and mind pure, and may my actions always further Your kingdom.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
When 'Paul' Was Still 'Saul'
SCRIPTURE
Acts 25:22-24“Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said, he, thou shall hear him. And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the palace of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are hear present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.”
OBSERVATION
Found in Acts 9, Saul persecuted the Christians. He testified against them in the courts but he lied and used trickery. After he was converted, Paul spoke the gospel to everyone. From Acts 21-28, Paul is in jail. The multitudes were furious that Paul had been preaching to the Gentiles. The accusers used lies and treachery to trick the judges into sentencing Paul to death. Sound familiar?
APPLICATION
This reminds me of a children’s song, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” This is exactly what happened to Paul. We all judge. Whether you admit it or not, we have all judged someone in our life. Everyone is going to judge and be judged. It’s part of our fleshly nature. It doesn’t even have to be drastic to count. When you notice someone on the street or at work, our mind starts to criticize. Why did they wear that today? What are they doing? Why aren’t they doing that right?? God gives us this lesson about Paul to give us a wakeup call to ‘reprogram’ ourselves not to judge.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please help me not to be a judgmental person! Help me to see the good in people instead of finding a way to look down upon them. Thank you Lord for the story of Paul and the many lessons we can learn from it. Thank you for revealing another message from your word! Praise your wonderful name Lord Jesus, Amen.
Holly Ketz
Worship Department - Keyboard/Piano
Acts 25:22-24“Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said, he, thou shall hear him. And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the palace of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are hear present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.”
OBSERVATION
Found in Acts 9, Saul persecuted the Christians. He testified against them in the courts but he lied and used trickery. After he was converted, Paul spoke the gospel to everyone. From Acts 21-28, Paul is in jail. The multitudes were furious that Paul had been preaching to the Gentiles. The accusers used lies and treachery to trick the judges into sentencing Paul to death. Sound familiar?
APPLICATION
This reminds me of a children’s song, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” This is exactly what happened to Paul. We all judge. Whether you admit it or not, we have all judged someone in our life. Everyone is going to judge and be judged. It’s part of our fleshly nature. It doesn’t even have to be drastic to count. When you notice someone on the street or at work, our mind starts to criticize. Why did they wear that today? What are they doing? Why aren’t they doing that right?? God gives us this lesson about Paul to give us a wakeup call to ‘reprogram’ ourselves not to judge.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please help me not to be a judgmental person! Help me to see the good in people instead of finding a way to look down upon them. Thank you Lord for the story of Paul and the many lessons we can learn from it. Thank you for revealing another message from your word! Praise your wonderful name Lord Jesus, Amen.
Holly Ketz
Worship Department - Keyboard/Piano
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Journey
SCRIPTURE
Acts 21: 1-3
After we had torn ourselves away from them,we put to sea and sailed to Cos. The next day we went to Rhode and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail.
OBSERVATION
These Verses tell us that we will have times of fun, laughter, good friends, food and an enjoyful journey, but we will also have times of Trials of all kinds. But we need to know that God is with us and is molding and sharping us to be used by him. As a warrior sharpen's one's Sword and Spear for the battle.
APPLICATION
We, as the body of Christ, must share and encourage those that we work with,at church, home groups those that we share our life's with. As in Family, friends or in that group that we work with at church or just spend time with. So that we build up each other.
PRAYER
Lord, as each of us journey thru our walk with you, be it the good enjoyful times or the trials, help us to understand that the strength we need is there. ALL we have to do is ask and you Lord,will give it to us. So that our testimony, will be a light to a dark World. Thank You Lord for your Love for us. Amen.
David Nelson
Worship Department - Sound Team
Acts 21: 1-3
After we had torn ourselves away from them,we put to sea and sailed to Cos. The next day we went to Rhode and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail.
OBSERVATION
These Verses tell us that we will have times of fun, laughter, good friends, food and an enjoyful journey, but we will also have times of Trials of all kinds. But we need to know that God is with us and is molding and sharping us to be used by him. As a warrior sharpen's one's Sword and Spear for the battle.
APPLICATION
We, as the body of Christ, must share and encourage those that we work with,at church, home groups those that we share our life's with. As in Family, friends or in that group that we work with at church or just spend time with. So that we build up each other.
PRAYER
Lord, as each of us journey thru our walk with you, be it the good enjoyful times or the trials, help us to understand that the strength we need is there. ALL we have to do is ask and you Lord,will give it to us. So that our testimony, will be a light to a dark World. Thank You Lord for your Love for us. Amen.
David Nelson
Worship Department - Sound Team
Friday, October 24, 2008
Encouraging words...from a friend?
SCRIPTURE
Job 15:32-34
“Like trees, they will be cut down in the prime of life;
their branches will never again be green.
They will be like a vine whose grapes are harvested too early,
Like an olive tree that loses its blossoms before the fruit can form.
For the godless are barren.
Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn.
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil.Their womb produces deceit.”
OBSERVATION
As Job endured the worst time of his life, his “dear” friend, Eliphaz, blamed Job for his own misery. Righteous, learned men accused Job of fabricated flaws because they could not conceive a good man receiving so much undeserved wrath. Job must have reaped what he had sown. How many times do we hear that in church today- that we reap what we sow? How many times has Satan quoted that truth to us to prevent us from fulfilling our destiny? How many times do we smugly blame the unfortunate brother and sister for their misery without the full knowledge that God possesses about that life? Could it be that only suffering can produce the brokenness required for humbleness before God?
APPLICATION
My heart was seared when I read these verses in Job and I immediately sought out “safer” verses for today’s reading in Acts 19 & 20, but the Lord would not let me off the hook. Eliphaz may as well have been addressing me, not Job, because I have really felt I have been cut down in the prime of my life and that it was my fault. I have believed the false teaching that if I don’t respond to God’s call, He will discard me and use somebody else. So while I have battled on the enemy’s terms – being kept busy with despair, hopelessness and resignation, I have often given up and seen myself as second-had goods. I never quite seemed to measure up to where I thought I should be, or, at least, I could have held onto the good place I once was. I have felt that I was on the outside looking in - at the Beautiful Land just beyond my reach. Of course, Satan would quote scriptures and dutifully remind me that when God resists the proud there is no remedy. I readily agreed with my tormenter since the Lord told me as a new Christian that We would deal with pride. At that time I had been so battered and bruised by life I had no idea what He was talking about - but I never forgot what He said. So I didn’t recognize Satan’s condemning voice that sounded like so many other voices – my parents, the Catholic school nuns, my husbands and finally myself, until my sense of worth was gone. In addition, several years ago, I invited the Holy Spirit to remove pride from my heart until I was free from it. How hard could that be? Then God would just totally mess with my mindset, my worldview, my upbringing and the good teachings of churchiantiy. Without Him, I could have never realized that hopelessness, despair and resignation are all forms of pride. These “things” (or, more accurately, “spirits” because they have a life of their own) set themselves up as higher than God’s Word. So did that really mean God Himself is resisting me all the days of my life? Although, the enemy’s tormenting reminders caused me to “forget” Christ’s redemptive work on the cross on my behalf, God has never forgotten me. My God gently reminds me of my identity as His Chosen Daughter. My God is for me because I am for Him. When I display pride by going off my own way, He steps back until I “get it.” Then We continue on as I humbly accept forgiveness and resolve to be more vigilant. As I undergo God’s specialized training and discipline, He directs my steps since He has ordered them for me. Through today’s journaling I have realized that the missing element in my spiritual journey has been my agreement with God’s Word. Yes, I have read, yes, I have digested, confessed and believed God’s Word. I just have not believed the really terrific parts were for me. See what pride does? Who am I to say how, why or where God can use me? Even, if it’s for something bigger than I ever expected. Or something smaller. Wow.
PRAYER
Here I am Lord – it’s taken me a long time to get here, but here I am. I have asked you to forgive my same failures over and over again to the point where even I have gotten sick of hearing about them. I have finally realized that nothing is too big for You to forgive when true repentance is in my heart. Not only that, but some things I can’t ask forgiveness for because I don’t control outcomes of everything. You do. Who am I to get angry with You for not doing things the way I think You should? I am sorry for that, Lord. Your brain is better than mine – I should know that by now. It is my job to be obedient, even if the outcome for me is personally painful. Anything you ask of me is worth interrupting my comfort zone and plans. I’m just passing through here anyway. Thank you for not getting sick of me, or giving up on me. I am now living my life in the “believing zone.” I believe by Faith that each moment of my day is divinely orchestrated by You. I believe that the fire in my belly is about to erupt into a full Holy Ghost explosion that will impact my world by Your grace. Ready when You are, Lord. In Jesus’ Name.
Vicki Nelson
Worship Department - EasyWorship Operator
Job 15:32-34
“Like trees, they will be cut down in the prime of life;
their branches will never again be green.
They will be like a vine whose grapes are harvested too early,
Like an olive tree that loses its blossoms before the fruit can form.
For the godless are barren.
Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn.
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil.Their womb produces deceit.”
OBSERVATION
As Job endured the worst time of his life, his “dear” friend, Eliphaz, blamed Job for his own misery. Righteous, learned men accused Job of fabricated flaws because they could not conceive a good man receiving so much undeserved wrath. Job must have reaped what he had sown. How many times do we hear that in church today- that we reap what we sow? How many times has Satan quoted that truth to us to prevent us from fulfilling our destiny? How many times do we smugly blame the unfortunate brother and sister for their misery without the full knowledge that God possesses about that life? Could it be that only suffering can produce the brokenness required for humbleness before God?
APPLICATION
My heart was seared when I read these verses in Job and I immediately sought out “safer” verses for today’s reading in Acts 19 & 20, but the Lord would not let me off the hook. Eliphaz may as well have been addressing me, not Job, because I have really felt I have been cut down in the prime of my life and that it was my fault. I have believed the false teaching that if I don’t respond to God’s call, He will discard me and use somebody else. So while I have battled on the enemy’s terms – being kept busy with despair, hopelessness and resignation, I have often given up and seen myself as second-had goods. I never quite seemed to measure up to where I thought I should be, or, at least, I could have held onto the good place I once was. I have felt that I was on the outside looking in - at the Beautiful Land just beyond my reach. Of course, Satan would quote scriptures and dutifully remind me that when God resists the proud there is no remedy. I readily agreed with my tormenter since the Lord told me as a new Christian that We would deal with pride. At that time I had been so battered and bruised by life I had no idea what He was talking about - but I never forgot what He said. So I didn’t recognize Satan’s condemning voice that sounded like so many other voices – my parents, the Catholic school nuns, my husbands and finally myself, until my sense of worth was gone. In addition, several years ago, I invited the Holy Spirit to remove pride from my heart until I was free from it. How hard could that be? Then God would just totally mess with my mindset, my worldview, my upbringing and the good teachings of churchiantiy. Without Him, I could have never realized that hopelessness, despair and resignation are all forms of pride. These “things” (or, more accurately, “spirits” because they have a life of their own) set themselves up as higher than God’s Word. So did that really mean God Himself is resisting me all the days of my life? Although, the enemy’s tormenting reminders caused me to “forget” Christ’s redemptive work on the cross on my behalf, God has never forgotten me. My God gently reminds me of my identity as His Chosen Daughter. My God is for me because I am for Him. When I display pride by going off my own way, He steps back until I “get it.” Then We continue on as I humbly accept forgiveness and resolve to be more vigilant. As I undergo God’s specialized training and discipline, He directs my steps since He has ordered them for me. Through today’s journaling I have realized that the missing element in my spiritual journey has been my agreement with God’s Word. Yes, I have read, yes, I have digested, confessed and believed God’s Word. I just have not believed the really terrific parts were for me. See what pride does? Who am I to say how, why or where God can use me? Even, if it’s for something bigger than I ever expected. Or something smaller. Wow.
PRAYER
Here I am Lord – it’s taken me a long time to get here, but here I am. I have asked you to forgive my same failures over and over again to the point where even I have gotten sick of hearing about them. I have finally realized that nothing is too big for You to forgive when true repentance is in my heart. Not only that, but some things I can’t ask forgiveness for because I don’t control outcomes of everything. You do. Who am I to get angry with You for not doing things the way I think You should? I am sorry for that, Lord. Your brain is better than mine – I should know that by now. It is my job to be obedient, even if the outcome for me is personally painful. Anything you ask of me is worth interrupting my comfort zone and plans. I’m just passing through here anyway. Thank you for not getting sick of me, or giving up on me. I am now living my life in the “believing zone.” I believe by Faith that each moment of my day is divinely orchestrated by You. I believe that the fire in my belly is about to erupt into a full Holy Ghost explosion that will impact my world by Your grace. Ready when You are, Lord. In Jesus’ Name.
Vicki Nelson
Worship Department - EasyWorship Operator
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Boldness
SCRIPTURE
Job 13-14; Acts 17-18
OBSERVATION
Job 13-14: It surprises me the boldness of Job in talking to his friends in the first part of chapter of 13; he truly shows his knowledge and wisdom of God. But as the chapter continues, when Job is supposed to be talking with God, you see him speaking more at God than to Him, and his boldness moves to a sort of whining and complaining before God. Haven't we all done this before? When describing God to unbelievers or those who would challenge our faith, haven’t we acted the same way? We get a boldness and sort of anger that rises up within us. But then when we stand before God in prayer we whine and cry like we don’t believe God will hear us. Where is our boldness then? should we not have the same boldness that we displayed earlier?
Acts 17-18: We see here how the Lord was using Paul to spread the word. Between the two chapters I love when Paul visits Athens and reasons with the philosophers there. Using their own idol as a door way through which he was able to speak to them concerning God, and his reasoning was so thorough that these philosophers invited him to return at another time and speak to them more about God.
APPLICATION
The Word says we are to approach God with boldness. All of Job's arguments to God are truthful, but they lack faith, and the word says that without faith it is impossible to please God. When praying let us ask God for the boldness and faith to stand before Him, for He gives without reserve. We must remember God is the Father of everything, and the True Father abounding in love.
PRAYER
I pray that God would use us so boldly and thoroughly. We should dig deeper into the scriptures and gain a deeper intimacy with God so that we can take advantage of the opportunities God sets before us. Let us wait upon the Lord and rest in His shadow.
Joel Hendrick
Worship Team - Electric Guitar
Job 13-14; Acts 17-18
OBSERVATION
Job 13-14: It surprises me the boldness of Job in talking to his friends in the first part of chapter of 13; he truly shows his knowledge and wisdom of God. But as the chapter continues, when Job is supposed to be talking with God, you see him speaking more at God than to Him, and his boldness moves to a sort of whining and complaining before God. Haven't we all done this before? When describing God to unbelievers or those who would challenge our faith, haven’t we acted the same way? We get a boldness and sort of anger that rises up within us. But then when we stand before God in prayer we whine and cry like we don’t believe God will hear us. Where is our boldness then? should we not have the same boldness that we displayed earlier?
Acts 17-18: We see here how the Lord was using Paul to spread the word. Between the two chapters I love when Paul visits Athens and reasons with the philosophers there. Using their own idol as a door way through which he was able to speak to them concerning God, and his reasoning was so thorough that these philosophers invited him to return at another time and speak to them more about God.
APPLICATION
The Word says we are to approach God with boldness. All of Job's arguments to God are truthful, but they lack faith, and the word says that without faith it is impossible to please God. When praying let us ask God for the boldness and faith to stand before Him, for He gives without reserve. We must remember God is the Father of everything, and the True Father abounding in love.
PRAYER
I pray that God would use us so boldly and thoroughly. We should dig deeper into the scriptures and gain a deeper intimacy with God so that we can take advantage of the opportunities God sets before us. Let us wait upon the Lord and rest in His shadow.
Joel Hendrick
Worship Team - Electric Guitar
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Inspiring Women of the Bible
SCRIPTURE
Acts 16:13-15
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.
OBSERVATION
One of the most amazing things about the Book of Acts is that it reads like a movie script! A good story must have good characters, and the Book of Acts is full of them! The person of Lydia has long inspired me because she is a business owner, a leader of her household, a worshiper and a good hostess to visitors to her home. Another striking thing about this passage is that Paul, Silas and Timothy are speaking to the women gathered at the river. They saw women as being equally in need of hearing the Gospel. In Jewish tradition, women were usually separated from the men in synagogue. Not so, in this case.
APPLICATION
This passage reminds me of the eagerness of the Gentiles to do what is right to please the Lord. Lydia is a worshiper and a believer. There is no guile in her attitude toward Christ. She is an inspiration.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for inspiring men to write about all kinds of people in the Bible. Their stories inspire me and give me hope that I can live a life full of You despite the troubles of the world. Thank you for giving us Your Word and these men and women of God who were eager to spread the good news of Jesus Christ! Amen.
Paula Aiton
Worship Department - Woodwinds/Keyboard
Acts 16:13-15
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.
OBSERVATION
One of the most amazing things about the Book of Acts is that it reads like a movie script! A good story must have good characters, and the Book of Acts is full of them! The person of Lydia has long inspired me because she is a business owner, a leader of her household, a worshiper and a good hostess to visitors to her home. Another striking thing about this passage is that Paul, Silas and Timothy are speaking to the women gathered at the river. They saw women as being equally in need of hearing the Gospel. In Jewish tradition, women were usually separated from the men in synagogue. Not so, in this case.
APPLICATION
This passage reminds me of the eagerness of the Gentiles to do what is right to please the Lord. Lydia is a worshiper and a believer. There is no guile in her attitude toward Christ. She is an inspiration.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for inspiring men to write about all kinds of people in the Bible. Their stories inspire me and give me hope that I can live a life full of You despite the troubles of the world. Thank you for giving us Your Word and these men and women of God who were eager to spread the good news of Jesus Christ! Amen.
Paula Aiton
Worship Department - Woodwinds/Keyboard
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
We Must Continue In The Faith
SCRIPTURE
Acts 14:22
"Strengthen the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
OBSERVATION
This verse plainly says to us that we MUST go through many trials, the testing ground to the growth of our faith. We need to strongly urge each other in the midst of trouble to not give up and keep our eyes on the prize, entering the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION
The sharing of our lives with other believers is crucial, so that we can encourage each other to keep going and not give up. If you don’t have a small group to share your life with, join one. These groups play an important role in our Christian walk. Iron sharpens iron.
PRAYER
Lord I ask for encouragement to those who are going through trials. You said you will never leave us nor forsake us and that your burden is light. Give us strength to overcome the trial laid before us. That our faith may grow and that our testimony will help others. Help us to keep our eye on the prize which is entering the Kingdom of God. Amen
David Ketz
Worship Team - Drums/Acoustic Guitar
Acts 14:22
"Strengthen the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
OBSERVATION
This verse plainly says to us that we MUST go through many trials, the testing ground to the growth of our faith. We need to strongly urge each other in the midst of trouble to not give up and keep our eyes on the prize, entering the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION
The sharing of our lives with other believers is crucial, so that we can encourage each other to keep going and not give up. If you don’t have a small group to share your life with, join one. These groups play an important role in our Christian walk. Iron sharpens iron.
PRAYER
Lord I ask for encouragement to those who are going through trials. You said you will never leave us nor forsake us and that your burden is light. Give us strength to overcome the trial laid before us. That our faith may grow and that our testimony will help others. Help us to keep our eye on the prize which is entering the Kingdom of God. Amen
David Ketz
Worship Team - Drums/Acoustic Guitar
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