Eat And Be Encouraged

Eat And Be Encouraged

Paul, the crew, and all the prisoners were in the midst of the storm, and all hope was seemingly gone as they didn't see a way out - that's when Paul took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and ate - and they were encouraged and assured once again.

Just as the day was DAWNING, Paul urged EVERYONE to eat. "You have been so worried... Please EAT something NOW FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. For not a hair of your heads will perish." Then he took some BREAD, GAVE THANKS to God before them all, and BROKE off a piece and ATE it. Then EVERYONE WAS ENCOURAGED. 

Acts 27:33-36 NLT

Partake of the bread and wine today, give thanks for the cross - and be greatly encouraged. He is the way out. He bore your judgment so you could be immensely blessed. 

Your Platform

Your Platform

“I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said. 

And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!”

Acts of the Apostles 25:22 NLT

Paul is still imprisoned. But what was meant to judge and execute him, became his PLATFORM to preach the good news to kings and mighty leaders of the Roman Empire! He is actually - in imprisonment - living out what God had planned for his life. To bear His Name to the Jews, the Gentiles, and kings. (Acts 9:15) Isn't that amazing?

I speak that over us today, that the very circumstance that seems to be an obstacle to us, that seems worthy of our complaints, that stresses us - maybe, just maybe, that is our very platform to show His love, His grace, His wisdom and healing to the people that He loves so deeply. 

What Happens To You Happens To Him

What Happens To You Happens To Him

Saul was persecuting the believers, yet Jesus said: 

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?" 

Acts 22:7 NLT

We are ONE with Christ - so much so that He calls us "ME"! 

We are His Body!

Just like what happened to Jesus on the cross, happened to you and me, 

- we are dead and resurrected with Christ - 

likewise what happens to you and me, happens to Him. 

It's personal to Him.

Telling Others

Telling Others

"My life is worth nothing to me UNLESS I USE IT 

for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus 

-----> the work of TELLING OTHERS the Good News 

about the Wonderful Grace of God." 

Acts 20:24 NLT

Who's Your Philip?

Who's Your Philip?

I used to read the Bible and not understand much. 

I couldn't see beyond the words. 

I would listen to sermons, but not grasp what was being said.

BUT when I listened to the Word preached through pastor Åge and pastor Joseph Prince, 

it was like awakening from a blur, it was like music, like a light went on and I could see! 

My eyes were literally washed - with tears - haha. 

Such joy, relief, life... 

To be so loved, accepted, completely forgiven, made RIGHT with God

...without deserving it!

Oh, having them instruct and teach through REVEALING JESUS totally changed my life. The Bible came alive! The Word became a Person and a relationship.

I can totally relate to the eunuch in Acts 8:

Philip: Do you understand what you're reading? 

The eunuch: How can I, unless someone instructs me? 

Beginning with the Scripture he was reading, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. The eunuch got baptized and WENT AWAY REJOICING.

Who's your Philip?

A Missionary?

A Missionary? 

If you were persecuted and forced to flee from your home … what would you call that?

Tragic… Unfair… A victim… Homeless… Hopeless…? 

Or how about ‘MISSIONARY'?!!

Hahaha! That is mind-blowing!

What you call it actually matters a whole lot. 

It determines the words you'll speak forth.

Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became MISSIONARIES. 

Wherever they were scattered, they PREACHED the Message about JESUS. 

Acts 8:4 MSG

They saw themselves as ‘missionaries’ and they spoke about JESUS!

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.