by lighthouse | Mar 4, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 12:16 “But Peter kept on knocking, and they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” The friends of Peter had been praying Peter would survive his imprisonment and his live would be spared. They were amazed when they actually experienced—God answers prayer. God’s will was accomplished. You and I pray with the same heart. God answers pray His way–not ours. His will is always accomplished.
by lighthouse | Mar 1, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 11:23 “Whe he (Barnabas) arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Barnabas, an early apostle, loved his Savior. He promoted Christianity and encouraged whoever he could to have faith filled hearts and to not only believe but to live a life of expression of that true faith. Barnabas’ faith example is without question, a faith we can learn from, follow and teach. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Feb 29, 2024 | Uncategorized
Acts 11:18 “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentence unto life.” Jesus came to this earth to live, die and rise as an Advocate for the entire world. Skin color or country of origin is irrelevant. In God’s eyes all lives matter–as He wants all to know Him, serve Him and spend eternity with Him. That is the wonderful truth we all need to know and share.
by lighthouse | Feb 28, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 27, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 23, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 22, 2024 | Uncategorized
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?
by lighthouse | Feb 21, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 20, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 19, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
by lighthouse | Feb 16, 2024 | Uncategorized
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.
