Wonderful Jesus!

Forbidden to Preach!

Acts 16: 6- Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. NKJV

We have come to the 16th chapter of Acts. The Holy Spirit has been busy since we began in chapter 1. The disciples have been filled and refilled with the Spirit of God. They have been persecuted, we have seen miracles, and the church is filling with believers.

Now we see Paul, Silas, and Timothy working together in the ministry. As a matter of fact, verse 5 tells us that:

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 16:5 NKJV

They were having great success! People were being strengthened in the Lord and their faith was growing as a result. But not only was their faith growing, but daily they saw an increase in the number of people who became believers. I mean, they were on a spiritual roll, having a spiritual high. So they decided that they would go to Asia to preach the gospel.

They were looking forward to having as great of a time in Asia. They knew they would have hardships, and disappointments, if their track record held out, but God was with them. As they prepared to go, God told them not to go to Asia to preach.

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

Acts 16:5 NKJV

They were preaching and teaching the gospel, then the Holy Spirit speaks to Paul and his team and tells them they are forbidden to preach in Asia. Can you imagine Paul’s disappointment at the time? Can you imagine Paul’s confusion as to where they were supposed to go? They understood the Holy Spirit’s leading enough to know where not to go, but since He didn’t tell them where to go, they went to Mysia.

After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

Acts 16:7 NKJV

Nope! Not in Mysia. They tried Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them to preach there either. Have you ever tried to do something for God and it just didn’t work? Maybe you thought it would be a good idea to do a prison ministry, but God didn’t approve. Or maybe you thought it would be really neat if you could start preaching at the half way house on Saturdays, but God wasn’t in it!

That’s where Paul, Silas, and Timothy find themselves. At a loss at to what God wants them to do. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. By now, I’m sure they were battling a little frustration over what to do and where to go.

But it was while they were in Troas that God spoke to them. Finally, a word from God!

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Acts 16:9 NKJV

In a vision of the night, maybe a dream, Paul saw a man. This man was in Macedonia and he was pleading with Paul to come to Macedonia. They needed help in Macedonia to spread the gospel and Paul, Silas, and Timothy needed a place to minister. Through this vision, or dream, the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul and told him that his next ministry opportunity was in Macedonia.

Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:10 NJKV

So Paul obeyed. He, Silas and Timothy decided that the Holy Spirit was saying yes to Macedonia and they sought a way to make it happen.

Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony.

Acts 16:11-12 NKJV

Traveling from Samothrace they headed to a colony of Macedonia, Philippi! This is it! This is where God has put His stamp of approval on, so this is the fertile ground that they need to plant in. So they checked out the place. They hung around and talked with some people and got a little familiar with what was going on. Then they heard about a prayer meeting that was taking place.

And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

Acts 16:13 NKJV

Paul and his team went to the prayer meeting that Sabbath. They met some women there and spoke with them. While they were speaking, God moved on one of the women’s heart and caused her to hear the gospel message proclaimed.

Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

Acts 16:14 NKJV

Lydia. The Bible tells us that she heard Paul and his guys speaking the wonderful truths about Jesus. She obviously was a wealthy woman because she sold purple. She was from the city of Thyatira, but sold her purple in Philippi. But the most interesting tidbit about her is that she worshipped God, which was supposed to be taboo because the people of the guilds were more likely to worship other gods.

And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Acts 16:15 NKJV

Lydia’s heart was obviously opened to hear God’s word because she and her household got saved. But not only did they get saved, she offered the men a place to stay and they accepted.

This was the beginning of a church in Philippi. It was also the beginning of a church in Thyatira. All because Paul, Silas, and Timothy decided to obey God when He said, “Don’t preach here.” Life is so much simpler when we obey God. It is the beginning and the end of fulfilling God’s will for our life. Even in tough places, and Paul experienced those also, it is better to be in the will of God for your life than out of the will of God. If God says, “Don’t preach”, then we shouldn’t preach. If God says, “Don’t go”, then we are not to go! Whatever God says is the place that we want to be. Smack dab in His will! Wonderful Jesus!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

John 20:1-Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

The tomb is empty! And because it is empty, we live! Have a wonderful day in Christ Jesus! Wonderful Jesus!

Alive in Christ Jesus! Repost!

Colossians 2:13-14- And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. NKJV

I’ve been reading the New Testament, and I just finished the book of Colossians. While in it, I ran across some verses of scriptures that brought joy to my heart. They reminded me of our blessed relationship with Jesus. One of the first things Colossians reminded me of was that we are to be rooted in Christ. Since I wrote a blog on that a year ago, I have attached it to this post.

The book of Colossians is short and a quick read. But it is packed with truths about our Savior and who we are in Him. In the text for this post, Paul wrote that we have been made alive together with Him.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.
Colossians 2:13-14a NKJV

I want to argue a point that I believe is consistent with Paul’s view of our life in Christ and, therefore, God’s viewpoint. Because I jumped into the middle of the thought, I need to backtrack a little to keep it all in context. In verses 11 & 12, Paul wrote:

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Colossians 2:11-12 NKJV

Paul stated that the Gentile believers had received circumcision when they received Jesus, but not the circumcision of the cutting away of the foreskin like the Jews. This circumcision was a spiritual circumcision that happens in the heart of every believer. And therefore, there was no need for anyone to be circumcised in order to be a part of the people of God. This verse is like a parallel to what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11-13 NKJV

Here, Paul stresses that the Gentiles were a people who did not know God and, therefore, had no hope in the world because they were outside of the covenant of circumcision. But because of the blood of Jesus, the Gentiles, along with all Jewish believers, were made near to God. Or, as we say, they were saved!

Another point about circumcision is that for many Jews, physical circumcision was their badge of honor that they were the people of God, irrespective of how they lived their lives. However, many prophets understood that the circumcision of the covenant of God required a life that promoted God. Moses spoke of uncircumcised lips, the prophet Jeremiah wrote of an uncircumcised ear, and Ezekiel spoke of an uncircumcised heart, giving insight into the position that circumcision wasn’t just about the cutting away of the flesh.

Paul also wrote that we “put off the body of sin” when circumcised by Christ or born again. One commentator noted that Paul was suggesting that this putting off the body of sin” was a reference to that we no longer belong to our natural families, but are a part of the family of God. Another commentator wrote that “the putting off the body of sin” caused the individual to cut away the things in their life that prevents them from being submitted to God. The Greek word for “putting” suggests more of a putting away, like an old garment. Meaning, that this circumcision that happens in us is a putting away of the old man and his sinful nature, much like the second commentator I mentioned. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Paul continues by stating that when we are baptized in the water, its spiritual significance shows that when we go under the water, we are buried with Him, and as we come out of the water, we are raised with Him through faith. I believe this is something all Christians can agree upon. Paul is laying the foundation for how we become alive in Christ Jesus.

Now, I return to the key verse,

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us
Colossians 2:11-12a NKJV

In this verse, Paul again distinguishes between the circumcised and the uncircumcised, as in Ephesians. The uncircumcised in the flesh are dead in their trespasses and sins. This is the picture of the life of the unsaved person. As Paul mentioned in Ephesians, this person is without hope because they are without God. They are sinners.

But to those who have been forgiven their trespasses, they have been made alive together with Him! New life has come to that individual because they are a new creation. Paul wrote these words in Romans:

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:10 NKJV

Jesus lives, and therefore, we live also. In Him! Sinners are separated from God, but we have access to Him through the blood of Jesus! We are alive because we are no longer sinners; if we are still sinners, we remain in our sins and are dead in them.

I am on this train of thought because it depresses me to think that Christians are satisfied with saying they are “sinners saved by grace”! I want to shout that you are either a sinner or saved by grace! Pick one! Either the blood of Jesus cleansed us of our sinful nature and made us new creations, or it didn’t! Paul stated:

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

This is what I believe. I am alive in Christ Jesus because I have become the righteousness of God in Him. Jesus knew no sin but took my sin so that I could be free from the bondage of sin. I wish I could shout it to the world. I wish I could help everyone see it. Because when we begin to see ourselves as God sees us, maybe it will take the struggle out of being alive in Him! Do I sin? Yes! But I don’t live a life of sin. I live my life surrendered to God. And when I sin, I have an advocate in Jesus. My beloved sisters and brothers, live your life in Him to the fullest because of all that He accomplished in you through the Blood of Jesus! Wonderful Jesus!

Keep Saying It! Repost!

Psalm 35:7-Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” NKJV

Have you ever had some exciting news that you just wanted to shout out loud to everyone who passed by? Maybe you were in love, and you wanted the whole world to know! Or maybe you finally got that dream job with a nice salary, and you wanted to scream at the top of your lungs because you were more than thrilled! I remember feeling exactly like that at various times in my life! Some news is so wonderful; you just have to share your joy at the top of your lungs because you want to burst!!

That’s the feeling that David’s words evoke in my mind! He wrote:

Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause;
Psalm 35:27a NKJV

The 35th Psalm covers people attacking David, even betraying him. He couldn’t understand why they were coming after him:

For without cause, they have hidden their net for me in a pit, which they have dug without cause for my life.
Psalm 35:7 NKJV

What reason did they have to come against him, David asked? What did he ever do to them but bless them, pray for them, and try to help them? Have you ever felt like this? Read his words:

They reward me evil for good,
Psalm 35:12 NKJV

Been there! And,

when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart.
Psalm 35:13 NKJV

Have you prayed for people like you were praying for yourself? Has your heart ever hurt over their situation so much so, that it was as if you were going through the problem instead of them? I know David, and I aren’t the only ones to experience this!

So from David’s point of view, what could he have possibly done that would cause others to come at him in this manner? We know of a couple of times in his life when this psalm could have been constructed. He fought Saul’s battles, and Saul hunted him down to kill him. He loved Absalom, and Absalom, his son, hunted him down to overthrow his kingdom. That’s too much! He just had a hard time with other people in his life!

David wasn’t perfect, but David’s problem was that he was favored by God! He couldn’t help all of the great things that were happening to him. It wasn’t his fault that while he was tending the sheep, the lion and the bear came, and he was victorious over them. God protected him! It wasn’t his fault that he took Goliath down with a stone! God guided that stone! And it wasn’t his fault that he was a warrior, a great leader, and a great king! It was the Lord! And the favor that was on David’s life, caused others to hate him and to fear him!

But David said:

Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause;
Psalm 35:27a

Everybody who is for me, who is on my side, shout for joy and be glad! David’s cause was righteous! He was doing what God told him to do! So instead of focusing on all of the things that hurt him, and he had been hurt, David knew that his cause was a righteous cause!

As the people of God, we are favored by God. Sometimes, the blessings flow in such a way that it seems almost unfair! We have difficult times, and tough situations in life like everybody else, but we know that we are blessed and favored by God! His hand is on us! We have overcome great obstacles! We have seen Him move on our behalf! He has been faithful! Because we have stayed the course, even in hard times! Our cause is His cause, a righteous cause!

Then David said:

And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Psalm 35:27b NKJV

Say it continually! Say it over and over again! Say it night and day! Whatever you do, don’t stop saying,

“Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Psalm 35:27b NKJV

God delights to bless us! He takes pleasure when we prosper! Prosperity isn’t always about money, although I believe money is included. Prosperity happens when we are healthy, or when our children are all doing well, or when our family is strong! Prosperity happens when our ministry is still going and growing, or doors of opportunities are opening up for us that we didn’t knock on! There are all kinds of ways to be prosperous, and David said that the Lord has pleasure in prospering us! And most of the time, we keep silent, but there comes a time when we have a need to shout out that He has been so good to us!!

That’s where I am at tonight! The Lord has been so absolutely, positively, good to me, that I had to take some time and shout it out! “Let the Lord be magnified because He has taken great pleasure in prospering me!”

And I have found that the more that I say it (continually), the more that He just keeps blessing me! Maybe that’s the point of the psalm! We will all have difficult days. But if in those times when we feel like we have given people our all, we have done more than should be required of us, and they are still not grateful, or worst, they attack us; it’s time to give God some praise!

Right there, in the midst of all of that, we should just keep saying, and maybe even shouting it out, that God is not only good to us, but it gives Him pleasure to be good to us! Wonderful Jesus!

Salvation

Acts 15:1- And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” NKJV

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Recently, I read a poem by Langston Hughes titled “Salvation”. In the poem, Langston describes how his auntie wants him to be saved. Her church is having a big revival service. Every night he went to church, people sang, prayed, shouted, and got saved. Many were added to the church. Then, the night came for him to be saved. Auntie placed him on the mourner’s bench, the preacher preached, the congregation sang songs, and then came the time for him to be saved.

My aunt told me that when you were saved you saw a light, and something happened to you inside! And Jesus came into your life! And God was with you from then on! She said you could see and hear and feel Jesus in your soul. I believed her. I had heard a great many old people say the same thing and it seemed to me they ought to know. So I sat there calmly in the hot, crowded church, waiting for Jesus to come to me.

Langston Hughes, “Salvation”

Unfortunately, it never happened. He never saw a light. He didn’t experience God coming inside of him. He didn’t feel Jesus in his soul. Nothing. Because he was waiting for God to do something in his life, and nothing happened.

In our verse, there is another group of people seeking salvation. As a matter of fact, they have been told that they are saved. But some men came from Judea and told them that they weren’t saved.

“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:1 NKJV

What a disappointment! Paul and Barnabas have told these people that they are saved, and some other people have come and told them that they have to be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, or they cannot be saved! What’s the truth?

In Langston Hughes’s poem, he wrote:

I was saved from sin when I was going on thirteen. But not really saved.

Langston Hughes, “Salvation”

Many people today are getting saved, but not really saved. Langston spoke of waiting and waiting for Jesus to come to him, but He never came. So eventually, he just stood up and received “salvation” because he was tired of waiting and it was getting late.

Others come to the altar because of the Pastor’s persuasion, or the fact that someone else went, or because it is just the thing to do. But obviously, it isn’t in the going to the altar, or waiting to see Jesus, or any other thing, except what you believe.

Peter said,

“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:7-9 NKJV

Peter and the other apostles and elders are in a meeting where Paul and Barnabas have traveled to get the facts straight. After much arguing and bickering had transpired, Peter stood up and said that God had used him to share with Cornelius the word of the gospel. And after they heard the word, they believed. Then God, knowing the hearts of the people who were present, gave them the Holy Spirit and purified their hearts by faith. Just like he did with Peter, James, John, and the other disciples. Without distinction.

In other words, once the gospel is declared, people have to decide for themselves if it is true or not true. Is Jesus who He said He is? Did God raise Him from the dead? Is He the Son of the Living God? Can He forgive their sins and make them whole? Did He come that they might have life and have it more abundantly?

I’m convinced that Langston Hughes was never introduced to Jesus. He was introduced to preaching, singing, praying, and shouting, but he was never introduced to Jesus!

That night, for the first time in my life but one for I was a big boy twelve years old – I cried. I cried, in bed alone, and couldn’t stop. I buried my head under the quilts, but my aunt heard me. She woke up and told my uncle I was crying because the Holy Ghost had come into my life, and because I had seen Jesus. But I was really crying because I couldn’t bear to tell her that I had lied, that I had deceived everybody in the church, that I hadn’t seen Jesus, and that now I didn’t believe there was a Jesus anymore, since he didn’t come to help me.

Langston Hughes, “Salvation”

How sad! He was hungry for God. He wanted to know Jesus as the “old folks” in the church knew Jesus, and yet, he went home unsatisfied because they didn’t tell him the gospel of Jesus Christ. And so he cried because he had lied and deceived everybody in the church, and he didn’t see Jesus!

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

Acts 15:10-11 NKJV

Peter said it quite well in this chapter. It’s not Jesus and something else. It’s not Jesus and anything. It’s simply a faith in Jesus that His grace is sufficient to save us today as it saved them back then. You don’t need to be circumcised, and you don’t need to see Him. You simply believe that the gospel is true and that He so desperately wants to save you, and you can be saved.

If you haven’t given your heart to the Savior, then I encourage you to not let another day go by. He isn’t in the feelings or the singing, He isn’t in the dancing or shouting, He isn’t in the persuasion of the altar call. His gospel message is simple: If you can believe, then receive Him today.

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12 NKJV

Wonderful Jesus!

Stand Up Straight!

Acts 14:1-Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. NKJV

Paul and Barnabas have made their way to Iconium. They went to the synagogue, as was their custom, to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that while they were sharing, a great multitude believed.

Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

Acts 14:1 NKJV

But the enemy wasn’t happy with the results—he never is! And as the multitude believed, those who did not believe stirred up the waters.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

Acts14:2 NKJV

They poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren. So Paul and Barnabas stayed there for a long time. It doesn’t say how long they remained, but we can assume it was longer than a few months.

Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Acts 14:3 NKJV

While they were there, preaching and teaching, signs and wonders were being done by their hands. We don’t know what those signs and wonders were, we are just told that they were done. I can imagine that healings were taking place. People’s needs were being met. God was moving amongst them. And the people believed all the more.

But the enemy was not happy! He continued to stir up trouble, to the point that the city was divided. Half believed and half didn’t.

And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.

Acts 14:5-6 NKJV

As you would imagine it, things became pretty rough. They decided to stone Paul and Barnabas, causing them to flee to Lystra.

And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.

Acts 14:8 NKJV

Paul and Barnabas continued to evangelize. At Lystra, Paul was preaching, when he saw a man who had never walked. Perceiving that this man had the faith to be healed, Paul said:

“Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

Acts 14:10 NKJV

Can you imagine? You’re sitting in a church setting, and a person you know has been without mobility for the entirety of their life suddenly is told to get up, and they do it? I don’t know what church you go to, but in my church, we would go wild! Well, that’s what happened in Lystra! The church went wild and said,

“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

Acts 14:11 NKJV

So they went a little wilder than we would have gone, but the point is they thought the gods had come down amongst them.

And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

Acts 14:12-13 NKJV

We would think that God had done a notable miracle. We would have rejoiced that the person had been healed. We would have given God the glory! But they thought the gods had come down to them and proceeded to prepare to make a sacrifice.

But Paul and Barnabas were irate! They couldn’t believe what was happening. Before their very eyes, the people were going to sacrifice to them. So they tried to stop it!

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

Acts 14:15-17 NKJV

But the people wanted to sacrifice to them. And Paul and Barnabas could hardly stop them. But Jews from Antioch and Iconium had come to Lystra. And they saw their chance to get rid of Paul and so they stirred the people up.

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

Acts 14:19 NKJV

The people dragged Paul out of the city and stoned him. And thinking they had killed him they turned away.

However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Acts 14:20 NKJV

But the Bible says that is not how the story ended! The disciples gathered around Paul. And what do you think they did in that circle? They prayed! And God did an unusual thing in that he raised Paul up and they went into the very city of the people who stoned him. Then they departed to Derbe!

Paul and Barnabas are out to share the gospel. They meet with obstacles on every hand, but they persevere and share the message of hope that they believe will change people’s lives. They return to cities where people love them and hate them. They strengthen the people in churches and place leaders in positions of authority, all in the name of Jesus! And then they returned to Antioch, where they were commissioned to go forth!

Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Acts 14:27-28 NKJV

Paul and Barnabas have completed a journey of faith! They have shared the gospel and have seen amazing results. People have been healed, delivered, and made whole all by the name of Jesus! Thousands have come to Christ and churches have planted. And now, they are home for more teaching and preaching, and rest and relaxation, for the journey before them are filled with obstacles to their faith.

Today, maybe you see yourself in Paul and Barnabas’ travels. Maybe you are just starting out, have been around the block a few times, or are resting. Wherever you find yourself, know that God is with you. He is there to encourage you and to uphold you. He will bless your coming and going and will fill you with the assurance of His love! Be encouraged today! Wonderful Jesus!

When the Holy Spirit Leads!

Acts 13:2-As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” NKJV

In chapter 13, the church in Antioch has a strong leadership team; Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. As they are fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit says to them:

“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:2 NKJV

In other words, the Holy Spirit clearly tells the leadership team in Antioch that He has work for Barnabas and Saul to do and they must be sent out to do it. As they continue to fast and pray, they lay hands on Barnabas and Saul and send them away. Saul, Barnabas, and John Mark begin their journey in Seleucia. They travel to Cyprus and then on to Salamis. They were preaching in the synagogues. But when they got to the island of Paphos, they met up with some resistance.

Sergius Paulus was the proconsul, and the Bible tells us he was intelligent. Bar-Jesus, or Elymas, was a false prophet, and someone Sergius knew. As they begin to share the word with Segius, Elymas interferes, trying to turn him away from faith in Jesus Christ. But Saul, or Paul, as he begins to be known by, looks at Elymas and says:

“O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

Acts 13:10-11 NKJV

This is interesting because Saul has been playing it pretty cool up until this point. He has been preaching and walking away from conflict. But now, we see him dealing with conflict. A sorcerer tries to intervene while Paul shares the gospel, and Paul deals with him. He told the guy that he was of the devil, he was trying to pervert the gospel, and therefore, he would not be able to see for a time. And you know what? It happened as Paul said. He went around looking for someone to guide him around. This event was so convincing, that the proconsul believed what Paul was saying and chose to follow the Lord. That was God’s stamp of approval on the ministry to Paul!

Oftentimes, we think that the proof of our ministry is how many people come to the altar, or how many people we minister to. But that was not the case with Paul and Barnabas. As they ministered the word, the proof was in the signs and wonders that accompanied their ministry. It was their stamp that they were speaking on behalf of the Lord. And in this instance, a false prophet was the recipient of God’s correction.

Paul and Barnabas traveled on to Pisidia. John Mark had left them and returned to Jerusalem. While in Antioch, they met in the synagogue and Paul began to preach. He preached about the Exodus and the Promised Land. He told them about the 450 years of judges. About Saul, King David, and later the Messiah, King Jesus. He shared with them how Jesus was crucified and yet he rose again. He preached the gospel!

The following week, the whole city turned out to hear them preach. There were Jews and Gentiles and the mix. But the Jews became angry, while the Gentiles were receptive. The Jews began to revile them, blaspheming and contradicting the good news! They were so upset with Paul and Barnabas, that it caused them to say:

“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Acts 13:46-47 NKJV

This was good news to the Gentiles. Many of them believed in the Lord and glorified the word of God. And the Bible states that the word of God spread throughout the region!

But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

Acts 13:50 NKJV

Can’t you just see this? The gospel going forth, the Gentiles getting blessed, and the Jews are upset over the situation. They were so upset that they stirred up other prominent men and women in the city. They were responsible for stirring up a spirit of persecution against Paul and Barnabas and getting them expelled from the region. But God was faithful and brought them out!

They shook off the dust of the city and headed to Iconium. But something wonderful happened,

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:52 NKJV

The disciples were doing the work of God. He had set them apart for ministry. He was the One directing their paths, and therefore, He was the One in charge. And so, they were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit!

As I write this blog, I can’t help but think about my own life. For over 20 years I preached and taught the Word of God. Then the pandemic happened and we left our church. Now we are grounded in another Bible teaching church. It’s wonderful!

This chapter has reminded me that I must wait on the Lord. He calls people for certain jobs or responsibilities. He places us in the body as He sees fit. Maybe my time of preaching has come to an end, or the Lord will get it started back up, I don’t know. But what I do know is that God is so faithful. He has me in the palm of His hand and He won’t let go. He will continue to use me for His glory as I surrender my life to His will. To Him be all the Glory! Wonderful Jesus!

Stirring Up Trouble!

Acts 12:1- Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. NKJV

We’re familiar with the Sons of Thunder, James and John. After all, they were two of Jesus’ favorite disciples. When Peter was mending his nets, James and John were there, and Jesus told them to cast off into the deep. James and John were also there when Jesus was transfigured on the Mount of Transfiguration. And, James and John were at the scene when Peter’s mother-in-law was healed of her fever. But did you know that James was the first member of the apostles to be martyred?

In Acts 12, we see that Herod has stretched out his hand against the church:

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.

Acts 12:1 NKJV

Herod, or King Agrippa I, was king at the time. It is said that he was the “most dangerous and potentially lethal human oppressor of the church (Kenner, Acts, p. 1864). We see this in Acts when he stretches his hand against the apostles.

Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Acts 12:2 NKJV

Just like that, he kills an apostle. James had seen the Lord perform miracles, witnessed his crucifixion and resurrection, been filled with the Holy Spirit, and was dead. We’re told in scripture that he was killed with the sword, which is supposed to have been a merciful killing. We are told historically, that he was decapitated. But he is dead!

And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Acts 12:3 NKJV

Then, because Herod saw that he had pleased the Jewish people, he took Peter.

So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Acts 12:4 NKJV

During the Feast, he took Peter and placed him in jail. His rationale for doing so was that he was to present Peter to the Jewish people after the Passover. But he didn’t count on the church getting together to pray.

The Bible states that constant prayer was offered up for Peter. Night and day people were gathered together with one mind and on one accord to pray. They probably prayed for Herod, for the release of Peter, and for divine intervention. Whatever they prayed, they did pray.

And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

Acts 12:6 NKJV

And Peter slept! Isn’t that interesting? Political unrest is happening. The king is wielding his authority and having people killed. Peter’s been arrested and delivered to four squads of soldiers for his imprisonment. And, the Bible states that Peter was asleep in the midst of all of this. It appears that the lessons that Peter was supposed to learn, he finally had gotten.

But God had a plan.

Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands

Acts 12:7 NKJV

An Angel. God sent an angel to Peter in the middle of the night. The angel struck Peter on the side and told him to get up quickly. Then his chains fell off. Peter thought he was seeing a vision. He didn’t realize that what was happening to him was real. God sent an angel to rescue him from jail and he couldn’t believe it!

The angel told Peter to grab his shoes and clothes and put them on. He took him past the first set of guards, and then the second set of guards. He took him through the city and to gates, which open on their own. And, he took him down the streets. Then the angel disappeared. Poof! And he was gone.

And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

Acts 12:11 NKJV

Then Peter came to himself, or to the realization that he wasn’t dreaming or having a vision. He was actually free! God had delivered him from Herod and from the expectation of the Jewish people. So Peter went to the home of John Mark, where they were praying.

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.

Acts 12: 13-14 NKJV

Peter knocked at the door of the gate and Rhoda came to answer it. When she heard his voice on the other side of the gate, the Bible says that because of her gladness, she didn’t open it. She was so thrilled that the prayers had been answered that she left the answer to their prayers on the street!

But the people reacted to her statement in amazement. Actually, they didn’t believe her.

But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

Acts 12:15 NKJV

They thought she was going crazy, or she had seen his angel. They were praying constantly for God to answer their prayers. They were praying constantly for Peter, but when he was delivered, they didn’t believe it. It makes you wonder what kind of praying they were doing.

But Peter kept knocking. He was trying desperately to get their attention.

Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

Acts 12:16 NKJV

And you know what happened. They were astonished! I thought they were having a prayer meeting for God to divinely intervene on Peter’s behalf? Yet, they didn’t believe that God would do it! What about us? Do we pray for God to do something for us yet without belief? Do we pray and seek God’s face, and yet doubt that He can move? I hope not!

Peter spoke to the disciples and then told them to tell James, the brother of Jesus, and the other brethren what happened to him. But back at the jail, heads are rolling!

Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

Acts 12:18-18 NKJV

Imagine Herod’s surprise the next morning when he sent for Peter. The guards had looked everywhere and couldn’t find him. Then Herod had them to look everywhere, and he still couldn’t be found. Herod questioned them about what had happened. How could they lose him, where was he at? But they couldn’t give him an answer, because God had delivered Peter out of their hands. So Herod did the only thing he could do, he had them put to death! Then he left town!

I tell you, if God doesn’t know how to stir up trouble, then who does? As I look at the political situation that we face today, I thank God for Jesus! I thank God that He is in control and has more than one way of saving us. I thank God that He is God and look to Him for strength and encouragement. I thank God for being able to stir up trouble for our enemies while delivering us out of all kinds of situations! Thank God for Jesus! Wonderful Jesus!

Called to the Carpet!

Acts 11:2-3- And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went into uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

What a wonderful way to start the New Year! My dearest family and friends, welcome to 2025!

Peter was an apostle to the Jews. He spent all of his time with the Jewish people, laughing, eating, praying, and teaching about the kingdom of God. But he is called to Cornelius’ house to share the gospel, and the Jews are upset about it.

And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

Acts 11:2-3 NKJV

Peter, however, was prepared to answer his brethren. He shared with them:

“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

Acts 11:5 NKJV

Peter understood where his brethren were coming from. Until this experience happened to him, he felt the same way. But God, in His infinite wisdom, knew how to deal with them. As Peter was praying in Joppa, God placed him in a trance. He shared an assortment of uncleaned animals with Peter three times and told him to eat them. Peter was such a Jew, that he told the Lord, no! Three times the Lord told him, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Three times! Looking back on the situation, I think I may have gotten it the first time, but Peter needed it three times!

At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing.

Acts 11:11-12 NKJV

Right about the time that Peter was in a trance, the three men came to Joppa. Two devout servants and a soldier from Cornelius’ house went to Joppa to get Peter. That was their mission. But had Peter not seen the trance, and not heard from the Spirit of God that he was to go with them, he wouldn’t have gone.

God certainly knows how to get our attention. But what are you to do when you don’t know what God is saying? After all, if God placed us in a trance every time He wanted something to get done, He’d see a whole lot better results!

I like how Peter started this whole conversation. I was praying!

Prayer is so important to the believer, yet we don’t pray like we should. We might pray if things get out of control, if our spouse decides to leave us, or even if we are in a bind. But that’s not why Peter was praying. Peter was praying because he found a power in prayer that changes things.

Peter was with the disciples when they requested from the Lord to teach them how to pray. Peter was with the Lord when He stood on the Mount of Transfiguration and Moses and Elijah appeared to Him. Peter was there when Jesus would steal away to pray.

And therefore, Peter saw the blind see, and the lame walk and the demon-possessed boy get healed. Peter saw Jesus walk on water and even walked on water himself. Peter saw deaf ears open and mute tongues speak. Peter saw the power of prayer at work. And so Peter did what he knew to do, he prayed!

As we go into this New Year, I encourage each of you to become pray-ers. People who spend time with God on a daily basis because they know that prayer changes things.

Peter also listened. He listened for the voice of God in his prayer time. He said,

Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing.

Acts 11:12 NKJV

God is a speaking spirit! He delights in sharing with His people the things that He has prepared for them. So, Peter hears three men are looking for him from Caesarea. They are Gentiles. And they are looking for him. But God has already spoken to him. Go, doubting nothing!

So Peter obeyed! One time I was praying to the Lord about a matter when He spoke to me. He said, “Why should I tell you what to do when you’re going to do your own thing?” I was shocked! I thought I was obedient to the Lord, and here He was calling me out for being disobedient! I fixed that thing and God has been merciful! But not Peter! Peter obeyed!

Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’

Acts 11: 12b-14 NKJV

Peter prayed, listened to God, and obeyed Him. As a result, the Lord saved an entire family and filled them with His Holy Spirit! That sounds like Jesus to me!

So Peter was called on the carpet. He had to give a reason as to why he was eating and fellowshipping with the Gentiles. But he did, y’all! He gave them the best explanation that they could have gotten. And you know what,

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Acts 11:18 NKJV

This year, start the year off right! Determine in your heart to be a person of prayer. Don’t wait until things get rough for you, pray now. Pray when you feel like it, pray when you don’t feel like it! Pray when you are going through, and pray when you have gone through! Pray! And then listen for God to speak to you and then obey Him! Wonderful Jesus!

Happy New Year!

Numbers 6:24-26-“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” ’ NKJV