Acts 19:1-22 Paul In Ephesus

Acts 19:1-22 NIV
Some amazing things were going on in Ephesus when Paul was there. People were coming to faith; they were receiving the Holy Spirit, the sick were being healed and demons were being exorcised. Paul was a busy man or maybe it would be more correct to say that the Holy Spirit was mighty active in and through Paul?

How active is the Holy Spirit in your life? In our life together? Think (really think) about the amazing things God has done for you and share those stories with others. If you can't think of any amazing things, maybe it's time to take a closer look at what it is that we really believe. Do you believe that the God who created the heavens and the earth can do all things?


Pastor 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 4:1-22 Isolated for Jesus

Acts 4:1-22 NIV
It's kind of unbelievable when you think about it. For healing the lame man, in the name of Jesus, Peter and John were thrown into jail. Because a man who could not walk before and now can, two men are brought to trial. The elders of the church and teachers of the law really don't know what to do with these men. They are running around healing people in the name of Jesus and the evidence is before them. The forty year old man who was lame and who now is not lame, also stands before them. Tough call! How to stop these trouble makers who are running around healing people?

They decide they are just going to ask them to stop doing that; to stop talking about Jesus and to stop doing anything in his name. Of course, they refuse.

Things have not changed all that much over the years; except that in this country (USA) we don't usually get thrown into jail for healing someone. Although, I do recall an elderly woman, whom I met when I was selling insurance in North Carolina some 30 plus years ago. I returned to visit her a couple of times before I left the area. Her parents had been slaves. Her life had not been easy by any stretch of the imagination; yet, her faith was strong. She was a faith healer. In fact, as a gift that Christmas (she was overjoyed that someone had come to visit her), she prayed over me, in the name of Jesus, and a cyst in my wrist was completely gone. Yes, it was healed instantaneously. This 90 year old woman had no other friends left alive. Her family, embarrassed over her call to minister to others and proclaim the name of Jesus, had deserted her. Her children and grandchildren did not communicate with her. The state had, in fact, ordered her to quit healing people or she would be arrested. She lived in a one room shack alone; deserted by her family, her friends, her neighbors. She was in effect isolated from the world because of her faith. But, she was not alone. She had Jesus and in His Name she lived.

It did not matter that the state had ordered her to quit healing people. She continued praying for others in the name of Jesus. Not everyone will understand or accept the lives we live in faith in the Son of God. We may and most probably will be judged for our faith. But, what others may think of Jesus should not deter us. May we all be so bold in our faith, willing to be called out for praying and doing good for others, in the name of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 6:22-24 Finidng Jesus

John 6:22-24 NIV
What are you looking for? How hard would you look to find it?

The crowd was looking for Jesus. They knew he hadn't left in the boat with the disciples. They had not see him walk on the water to join the disciples in their boat. They wanted to find him. They wanted to see him. They wanted to hear him. They wanted to be healed by him. So, the whole crowd got into boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. They were trying hard to follow him.

How far would you go to find Jesus? You really don't have to go far. It's not that hard to find him. He is with you now and always. You just have to open your eyes and ears and heart and let him in.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 5:1-15 Confess That You Have Been Made Whole

John 5:1-15 NIV
Today, as yesterday, we have a healing. Jesus asks the lame man if he wants to get well. Why would he do this? I'm thinking, as I said yesterday, it may well be that not everyone actually wants to get well. It might appear to some that being made whole is going to include a change or two. You just might have to pick up your mat, walk, and follow Jesus. At the least you might have to publically acknowledge that Jesus is the reason you have been made whole.

This lame man was unaware who Jesus was when he was healed so he could not tell anyone who had healed him. But, later Jesus saw him again and stopped to talk to him; exhorting him to "stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." (vs 14) Now that the man knew who had healed him, he went and told the Jewish leaders that it had been Jesus who healed him.

May God help us to openly and publically confess that we, too, have been made whole through the blood of Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 7:1-17 - Authority Over All Things

Luke 7:1-17 NIV
What authority Jesus has!  He heals the sick and dying and doesn't even have to be present! He raises the dead! He Himself is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!

Who would not share the stories of Jesus' power; of His authority over even death? Who would not? Many don't. It appears to me that many "Christians" this is a small thing; so trivial that they think it not something worth sharing. Maybe, they think others will laugh at them. Maybe, they don't believe it themselves. Maybe, they just think it a myth or a nice story.

We talk about the power (or lack of) of our presidents, kings and queens all of the time. Well, Jesus has power even over them. Spread the word... Jesus has power and authority even over death. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. If you believe this, confess it with your lips.
God's Peace - Pr. J