forgiveness=perfection

Acts 10:43 “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Our Heavenly Father demands perfection to be with Him.  God knew you and I and everyone else could never accomplish perfection—we needed help.  The solution?—send His Son to be our Advocate.  Through Jesus each of us could receive forgiveness and stand before our God with both forgiveness and perfection.  So, why do we dwell on our errors (sins) of the past?  Answer=We shouldn’t.  Be faith filled and enjoy the love of our Savior.

Are you His favorite?

Acts 9:34-35 “Then Peter began to speak; ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.'” God wants all persons to be blessed by Him and share eternal life with Him.  Even though that is the truth many on this earth choose not to believe Him and are and will in the future suffer the consequences of their beliefs.  Man has a free will and even though God is love many foolishly reject Him.  He is our loving Father and we pray to stay faith filled in honoring Him.

humility

Acts 9:40a “Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed…” Peter knew the power of prayer.  He knew the power of humility.  He knew the power of having a concentrated presence with only himself and his God.  Peter had full confidence in God’s power to answer his request as his God saw was appropriate.  Peter was one with God.  Lesson:  Pray like Peter.

Good times

Acts 9:31 “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” After his conversion Paul showed his life as being full of the grace of God.  He spoke God’s truth while he lived God’s truth.  The community where he lived and spoke understood the huge advantage of living and sharing the Gospel.  The people lived enjoying the peace and security and forgiveness only God can provide.  Is that a lesson for you and me and all our Christian community? Have a great weekend.

God’s purpose never fails

Acts 9:22 “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” The Biblical account of Saul can only be described as miraculous.  A hater was turned into a lover.  An enemy was turned into a friend.  A person hell bound became a person heaven bound.  God entered Saul’s life and  not only did his name change, his life changed.  God has entered your life and my life—what is the change?  How is God using you and me to accomplish His purpose?

Philip’s short time purpose

Acts 8:30b-31 “…’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.” We all have short times in life where God has a purpose for us.  We should always be ready to serve our Heavenly Father.  We should always be ready to serve, explain, donate, lead or follow as we serve others who need our help even as we are ultimately  serving our Savior.

Your heart–that’s it

Acts 8:20-21 “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.'” This fellow (his name was Simon)  totally misunderstood God.  That mindset is not unusual.  God wants our heart.  That is it.  Anything else is already owned by God and is useless to Him.  Love is the key word and that comes only from the heart.  Though intangible, it is the greatest gift God gives and is the greatest gift we can give to Him.  Nothing else matters.  Give Him your heart and all other blessings will follow.

Forgiveness matters

Acts 8:3 “But Saul began to destroy the church.  Going house to house, he dragged off men and women andput them in prison.” Saul was as evil as evil gets.  The passage above describes Saul’s activities after he encouraged the stoning of Stephen, which happened only because Stephen was faith filled.  Saul changed.  Saul became Paul, the author of approximately half of the New Testament.  The same loving God who forgave and directed Saul/Paul’s life forgives you and me and directs your and my purposeful lives.  Forgiveness certainly matters.

The heart of faith

Acts 7:59-60 “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive me spirit.’  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord do not hold this sin against them.’  When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Stephen is the best example there is of a faithful child of God who is concerned for his own eternity and for the eternal life of others–even his supposed enemies.  What can you and I learn?  1. Always be prepared to meet your Savior 2. Have a sincere care for others that they too know their Father.  That is the life of a Christian! Have a great weekend.

Not obeying brings catastrophe

Acts 7:39 “But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.” Whenever a person’s heart does not respect and honor the true God only turmoil and chaos can result.  There is no peace when a person’s heart  rejects the true God.  Is that why the world is in a state of turmoil and disarray?  Absolutely!  When man places himself at center stage the result is catastrophic.  Placing God at the center of our lives brings peace and prosperity.

Time to God

Acts 7:30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.” How world history and how your and my history unfolds is all under God’s control.  Has God been preparing you years ago for something that will transpire today or sometime in the future and has He  done so many times in your past?  All we know is God is in control and we should live our lives with the constant thought–God use me a your faithful servant to accomplish whatever your will is, always to your glory and honor.

God’s plan never fails

Acts 7:21 “When he was placed outside, Pharoah’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.” Moses was to die but God had a purpose for him which changed the history of the world.  What purpose does God have for your life?  There definitely is a purpose for every faith filled Christian.  That purpose is not to acquire as many assets as possible or to gain some amount of recognition—that purpose is to serve and give glory to Him.  Be a humble child of His and fulfill His purpose for your life.