Influence

Influence

- Flogged...

- Ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus...

- Rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name...

- Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they NEVER STOPPED TEACHING and PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS the Jesus is the Messiah. - Acts 5

Would you rejoice after being flogged for preaching the Good News?

I think perhaps we would question God?

We would say: I thought favor meant we would be appreciated, that things would be easy...?

Intrigued by their rejoicing for being counted worthy to suffer,

I suddenly saw it from a way different perspective.

Being put in jail, being flogged, being ordered to keep silent meant only one thing:

Their words and ministry carried so much weight that they COULD NOT BE IGNORED!

Not even by the the main leaders.

They had so much influence!

So many lives were touched and transformed!

So many people were healed!

They were so  happening that the leaders did everything to try and stop them!

Wow, such undeserved favor to have that kind of influence. 

And they just kept going, kept on preaching and teaching, pointing people to Christ.

Where?

Oh, how I love this: the extra-ordinary is so ordinary...

They taught in the temple courts, and in HOMES.

Let's not underestimate what the Lord can do through you and me, too!

Like in our small groups, in our homes, when we're meeting friends for lunch...

Remember that the extra-ordinary looks very ordinary.

No Other Way, No Other Name

No Other Way, No Other Name

"Salvation comes

NO OTHER WAY;

NO OTHER NAME

has been or will be given to us

by which we can be saved,

ONLY this ONE.”

Acts 4:12 MSG

What I Do Have, I Give You

What I Do Have, I Give You

“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” - Acts 3:6 NKJV

You cannot give what you don't have. But what you have, you can give. 

What do you have? 

Or rather, WHO do you have? 

The Person of Jesus in us, supersedes what people think they need.

The lame man thought he needed and wanted money.

In the name of Jesus there is what money cannot buy.

Like healing, health, joy, forgiveness, a new life.

May we understand the value of Jesus in our lives, 

and be generous to minister to people in His name.

Speak In Tongues

Speak In Tongues 

“And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit 

and began speaking in other languages, 

as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” - Acts  2:4 NLT

You may FREELY receive and freely speak in tongues - like NOW ... 

Like in the midst of your worries and confusion, like in the midst of your studies/work, 

your busy-ness, your tiredness, your sadness and yes - your joy and excitement, too! 

When you speak in tongues, you are declaring 

the wonderful things God has DONE and COMPLETED 

- into your situation.

Meetings Over Meals

Meetings Over Meals

"As they MET AND ATE MEALS TOGETHER, he told them that they (…)" -  Acts 1 MSG

Don’t you just love that?! 

Jesus meets with them over meals and speaks life to them - there's feeding for body, soul and spirit - He reveals the Secret, reminds them of what He has spoken, 

points out what really matters… The Promise: The Holy Spirit.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8 NLT

Now we can meet others over meals and speak life to them. 

Just like Jesus. 

So Why Should I Be Afraid?

So Why Should I Be Afraid? 

The LORD IS 

MY Light and my Salvation,

--->SO why should I be afraid?

The LORD IS 

MY Fortress, protecting me from danger,

--->SO why should I tremble?

Psalm 27:1 NLT

The Secret

The Secret

"The SECRET of the Lord is with those who fear (worship) Him, 

And He will show them His covenant." Psalms 25:14 NKJV

A secret is whispered to a close friend. 

This intimate Secret whispered ever so gently to us today is “Jesus". 

Jesus in His love for you. 

Jesus as Supply to your every need. 

Jesus as your Righteousness. 

My Shepherd

My Shepherd

“The LORD is my shepherd; 

I shall not want. 

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; 

He leads me beside the still waters. 

He restores my soul; 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil; 

For You are with me; 

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 

You anoint my head with oil; 

My cup runs over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 

All the days of my life; 

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”

Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV

Your Salvation Is A Person

Your Salvation Is A Person

Your Salvation = Your Yeshua = Your Jesus

Salvation in not an event, happening or a memory. 

Your Salvation is a Person, and His name is Jesus. 

He keeps on keeping on saving, protecting, guiding, rescuing you. 

Your joy and rejoicing is found in Him. 

You may choose to greatly rejoice in Him at all times. 

Eyes On Him

Eyes On Him

Our solution is not in trying to understand with our mind,

but it is in trusting the Lord with our heart.

Let's look to Him, acknowledge Him and His Presence.

He is there, guiding us every step of the way.

Eyes off ourselves and our problem,

Eyes on Him.

How Do You See Him?

How Do You See Him? 

While the religious leaders asked Jesus questions (Matt 22) to prove that His theology was wrong, and about money and the Law, - listen to the question Jesus asked them back:

What do you think about the Christ?

Whose Son is He?

Straight to the core. Straight to what REALLY matters.

Can I ask you (and myself) this very question?

What’s your opinion about the Christ today?

How do you see Him?

I’m reminded of what Pastor Prince says: 

"How you see Jesus determines how and what you receive from Him. If you see Jesus as your healer, you will receive healing. If you see Jesus as your refuge and fortress, you will receive protection. - He came to be our Redeemer. (Galatians 3:13) He came to be our Righteousness. (1 Corinthians 1:30) He came to be our Shepherd, so that we will not lack anything. (Psalm 23:1)” 

Amen!

We Don't Know

We Don't Know

They talked it over among themselves. “IF WE SAY… He will ask… BUT IF WE SAY… we’ll be mobbed… SO THEY FINALLY REPLIED, “WE DON’T KNOW.” - Matt 21:24-27

When I read this I thought to myself: I don’t want to live life like that! I know I may have replied just like these leading priests and elders… because it felt safest to say “I don’t know.” But how imprisoning that is… always trying to say what I think others expect me to say… trying to have the “right” opinion… or not daring to take a stand for anything …

No, I want to live according to the Truth that is in my heart. I want to speak according to my convictions. From the inside out. We are blessed and we are a blessing. We may speak in His authority. His words in our mouths bring healing, clarity, liberty, peace, love... Amen

How About Today?

How About Today?

Pharaoh begged: "Plead with the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people” … "You set the time!” Moses replied. “Tell me when you want me to pray for you, your officials, and your people. Then you and your houses will be rid of the frogs. … 

“DO IT TOMORROW,” Pharaoh said. - Ex 8: 8 - 10 NLT

What? For real? Why not NOW? Like INSTANTLY?

Like here in the story of Jesus healing the blind men: 

Lord. Son of David, have mercy on us!” … “What do you want Me to do for you? … “Lord, we want to see!” … Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. INSTANTLY they could see. - Matt 20: 31 - 33 NLT

February 2015 - Bible Readings

February 2015 - Bible Readings