by lighthouse | Apr 22, 2024 | Uncategorized
Philemon 1:13b “…while I am in chains for the gospel.” God’s grace has so controlled Paul (the author of Philemon) that he cannot escape. Every Christian enjoys being enveloped by the saving grace found only through our Savior’s sacrifice. Our every movement is dictated by the phenomenal truth of God’s grace. Worries, fear, anxiety and all typical human weakness disappears when we allow the grace of our God to bind each of us to the loving and embracing arms of our Heavenly Father.
by lighthouse | Apr 19, 2024 | Uncategorized
Philemon 1:7a “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement…” Caring for another person has a tremendous impact on that person. Loving, caring and placing another person ahead of ourselves is a scene not too often seen. As a Christian, you and I should be regularly practicing these virtues. The impact you and I have on another person, though that impact does not look for praise, gives encouragement that is not measurable in evident sight. Let’s not just say we are Christians—let’s pray that we always act as we Christians should act. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Apr 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
Philemon 1:6 “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Paul knew that every faithful Christian would share their faithfulness. Without knowing Jesus, life is not only meaningless, it is a disaster. Knowing our Savior is sharing our Savior. What is the advantage of knowing Jesus? Answer: a peaceful and contented life on earth filled with hope and an eternity spent with our God forever. Quite an advantage! Earthly wealth can be not only meaningless but disastrous.
by lighthouse | Apr 17, 2024 | Uncategorized
Philemon 1:3 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” To all of you who read these devotional thoughts: Grace and peace from our God–our Savior be to you. How are you doing today? God, our Father, is going to make your day great! Enjoy His presence! Paul’s wonderful way to start this letter–Our wonderful way to start our day–today and everyday.
by lighthouse | Apr 16, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 28:31 “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was a visitor in Rome who was directed by his Father. Rome was not a Christian city with multiple Christian churches. Yet, Paul did not live in fear while he taught and confessed truths of His Savior. Paul knew the truth and knew others had to learn about the One True God. Whether his words were approved or not he confessed what he knew was truth. Certainly you and I can learn from Paul and confess the same truths Paul boldly confessed.
by lighthouse | Apr 15, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 27:25&44b “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. …in this way everyone reached land in safety.” For days a storm raged. Paul was a faith filled prisoner on board the ship. God told Paul all would survive the storm because He was in control. All did survive just as God promised. God’s Word never fails. Those 4 words direct every Christian’s life. Apply the content of those words to yourself and live securely in our Savior’s arms. God’s Word never fails. Pray for Marilyn as she is having surgery today. She needs assurance God is both faithful and at her side. And no matter what—All is well.
by lighthouse | Apr 12, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 26:25 “‘I am nor insane, most excellent Festus,’ Paul replied, ‘What I am saying is true and reasonable.”‘ Christianity to the world of unbelievers in insanity. God created this world with all its intricacy in 6 days is unreasonable to them. Jesus rising from the dead is impossible they think. Eternity is real and to go to heaven requires a faith in Jesus as our Savior is ludicrous are their thoughts. The Bible contains God’s truth is an imaginary mentality they think. Marriage between a man and woman is archaic thinking they think. A woman’s right to choose is obvious in their mistaken minds. And so the world continues in false belief. It is wonderful to be a Christian and believe Truth as our God speaks to us His words of Truth. Have a great weekend. A special prayer request for Angela’s mother-in-law as she is very ill.
by lighthouse | Apr 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 21:13 “Then Paul answered, ‘Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”‘ Paul, like you and I know life on this earth is only temporary while Heaven is our Home. To represent our Savior throughout our life is the most important thing we can do. If that means we lose our life on this earth for His sake—so be it. We should never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. God, help us to always live this truth.
by lighthouse | Apr 10, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 5:c “…and there on the beach we knelt to pray.” It was very usual for Paul to travel by ship and before he boarded the ship he would both say goodby to friends and kneel on the beach and pray. He and his companions and friends displayed utmost humility and reverence. Have you or I ever practiced the same gesture? Even in the solitude of our private homes? Would you or I consider such?
by lighthouse | Apr 10, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 5:c “…and there on the beach we knelt to pray.” It was very usual for Paul to travel by ship and before he boarded the ship he would both say goodby to friends and kneel on the beach and pray. He and his companions and friends displayed utmost humility and reference. Have you or I ever practiced the same gesture? Even in the solitude of our private homes? Would you or I consider such?
by lighthouse | Apr 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 20:33 “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.” Paul wants us to learn from his example. He was not jealous of others and their belongings or wealth. He was blessed while on this earth and compared himself to no one. You and I are blessed and are to use our individual talents to serve our God and mankind. To live to accumulate stuff is a most foolish way to live as there is never enough stuff. Use your talents. Live to serve and life will be successful and satisfying. Our home in Heaven is waiting where luxury never seen on this earth will be ours.
by lighthouse | Apr 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 20:30 “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Some individuals are so ego inflated that they have others infected with a philosophy not aligned with our God’s message of truth. To always be aware of incorrect thinking one must study Scripture and weigh every philosophy against God’s truth. We have allowed man’s thinking to so pervert our society that such things as marriage and childbirth have become wildly disgraced while our God’s clear words become ignored. We, as our God’s disciples, have a responsibility to both study His Word and continually defend His truth wherever we go.
