Romans 1:1-7 Bound and Free

Romans 1:7 NIV
We have finished reading the book of the Acts of the Apostles and have heard much about Paul. Paul is the accepted author of this Epistle to the Romans. We have to back track a bit from where we were yesterday to being Romans. The letter was written before his bondage by the Romans. Paul begins the letter by stating that he is a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God. It is through Christ that this Roman Jew has received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name, among whom we are also the called of Jesus the Christ.


Paul is a bondservant of Jesus Christ. He has been call apart from the world to proclaim the name of Jesus to the world. So have we. So have all who believe. By the grace of God we are bondservants to Christ; bound by faith to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. We are bound to Christ. Even while we are free in this world; we are bound to the Word of God. Thanks be to God!


Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!


God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 8:1-3 Dragged Into Prison

Acts 8:1-3 NIV
Around the world today, people are persecuted for their faith. They are dragged out of their homes and into prison for what they believe.

After St. Stephen was killed, people went their own ways hoping that they wouldn't be noticed by the persecutors. They were afraid and rightly so; for their lives were on the line. But, the apostles did not run. They stayed in Jerusalem. They may have been afraid; I know not, for sure. But, they did not run. There was only a handful of men left in the church in Jerusalem to take the heat. The church in hiding only served to empower Saul's boldness and desire to destroy the church. "Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison." (vs 3). They were easy prey as they stood and hid alone.

In the face of persecution, may the church on earth, stand boldly and face our accusers with the authority of Christ that the devil will have no power over us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Acts 5:11-16 Believers Do Not Fear To Follow

Acts 5:11-16 NIV
There are some things that we should stay away from. There are those things that we might and probably should fear. After the death of Ananias and Sapphira at the hands of God, many who otherwise might have associated with the believers in Jesus, stayed away. I'm thinking that they understood that pretending to serve God in Christ Jesus was probably not a real good idea. Attempting to lie to God is not wise. They feared being confronted as Ananias and Sapphira were confronted. (Acts 5:1-11)

This was a very good time. The Gospel was shared. Multitudes of people were healed. The power of the Holy Spirit was active through the apostles. Peter did not even have to lay hands or pray for some of them to be healed; all that it took was for his shadow to fall on them. Talk about faith! So; although, there were many who did not believe that stayed away; others came who did believe. The church on earth was full of faithful followers and it grew.

The church on earth is indeed persecuted in many ways; yet, at the same time we have something precious that those who are merely pretending to be followers and stay away do not. We do not have to fear death, for by faith in the Son who gave himself for us; we have been made whole and reconciled to God our Father in His Kingdom for all eternity. Death has no power over us.  

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Acts 2:22-47 Change

Acts 2:22-47 NIV
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Apostles proclaimed the Good News that Jesus was the Messiah, the one whom David had prophesied would come. Peter warned them to save themselves from the corrupt generation. The multitude heard all of this. Many received the good news of salvation through Jesus and repented of their sins. 3000 were baptized that day.

I have said it myself, even as I have heard it thousands of times: "Change doesn't happen over night." Yet, these 3000 changed in one day. They believed and their lives were turned around. They wanted to lead a new life in Christ. And, so they did... They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. They were filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They met together daily, breaking bread together, praising God, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If we are going to try to change ourselves, without the help of God, it indeed may take a very long time and it may never happen. But, with the help of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be changed even in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Repent and live life as a member of the family of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Join us in a couple of hours as we break bread together and praise the LORD!

Luke 9:10-17 Feed 5000

Luke 9:10-17 NIV
The apostles had been busy healing the sick and kicking out demons. Yet, when the crowd of 5000 men (plus) were hungry after following Jesus and listening to him, the apostles didn't have a clue. Jesus tells them to feed them. But, how? How are we going to feed them? We have nothing to feed them with!

Power to drive out demons, but not the ability to feed the hungry? That doesn't compute! Jesus takes the little that they have: five loaves of bread and two fish, gives thanks to God, gives it to the disciples to distribute, and they feed everyone, with leftovers, to boot.
The power of God to care for His people should never be underestimated. The apostles were a bit slow in understanding this; but, I think that we might even be slower.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 30 - Who is Agur?

Our last few weeks during our Wednesday Bible Study at Zion, Skanee, has been interesting. We are studying "Acts of the Apostles" and are trying very hard to keep all the names straight. So many men had the same name and others had them changed. Simon is Peter or Simon Peter not to be confused with the other Simons. Mark is John Mark or John who is also called Mark, not to be confused with John the Baptist or the Apostle John who was exiled to Patmos.

So who is the Agur son of Jakeh whose sayings we read in Proverbs, chapter 30? We don't know. That's it. We really don't know. This name is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. The first verse is a little confusing in light of the rest of the sayings attributed to Agur. "I am weary, God, but I can prevail." Then he goes on to say that he has no understanding and asks God, who does, to help him. How then can he say that he can prevail? It is not he, but God who prevails for him. It is the son, whom Agur speaks of in verse 4, that prevails for us all. It is the Son, Jesus the Christ, who prevails for us all.

So who is Agur son of Jakeh? He was a man inspired by the Holy Spirit to confess that he was but a brute, who lacked understanding and wisdom. That he could not know the knowledge of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J