"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to....During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'...we got ready to leave at once for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." Acts 16:6-7, 9-10
Sometimes even Paul groped around a little before He understood where God was leading Him. God does not usually give us a road map ahead of time. Rather he leads us as we prayerfully seek Him and obey His command. If we are submissive to Him then He will get us where He wants us to be just as He did with Paul. Sometimes we just need to relax and let God lead trusting that He is able to lead those who seek Him. Keep doing the last thing God led you to do until He changes your course. Don't stress out! Rest in God's wisdom, power, and grace!
Father, I trust You to lead me and use me according to Your will. Give me a sensitive and submissive heart toward You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
No Problem
Acts 15 presents two conflicts, each having the potential to harm relationships between God’s people. In one conflict, the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers is at stake, and in the other, the relationship between Paul and Barnabas is tested.
The apostles and elders of the church met the first challenge in an orderly and careful manner. They were careful to encourage the Gentile believers, sending two men as representatives as well as a letter of instruction. As a result, the church continued to grow.
In Paul and Barnabas’ case, however, they were not able to come to a mutual solution to their disagreement, and as a result 4 missionaries went out instead of just 2—not necessarily a bad thing.
Nothing stops God. His plans forge ahead, prospering in situations which give men fits.
Father, I realize that we (the church) belong to You and that Your plans will be accomplished. Help me to sense your direction and follow You.
In praise,
JIM
The apostles and elders of the church met the first challenge in an orderly and careful manner. They were careful to encourage the Gentile believers, sending two men as representatives as well as a letter of instruction. As a result, the church continued to grow.
In Paul and Barnabas’ case, however, they were not able to come to a mutual solution to their disagreement, and as a result 4 missionaries went out instead of just 2—not necessarily a bad thing.
Nothing stops God. His plans forge ahead, prospering in situations which give men fits.
Father, I realize that we (the church) belong to You and that Your plans will be accomplished. Help me to sense your direction and follow You.
In praise,
JIM
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sowing the Gospel Seed
"At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers." Acts 14:1-2
As Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel many believed while others refused and even poisoned the minds of other people against it. When two people side by side hear the same word of God one may believe and live while another refuses and dies. We cannot determine the response of a person to the message but we can determine to be faithful in sharing it. We take responsibility to be faithful sowers of the seed and leave the result to the hearer and God. As we sow the seed of God's word some may fall fruitless on barren ground but if we do not sow the seed it will certainly bear no fruit. We must be willing to take the chance that some of our efforts will fall on barren ground in order that other seed may find ready and receptive hearts.
Father, help me to be a faithful sower of the Gospel seed without fear that some may not believe in order that those who are ready to believe may hear and live.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
As Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel many believed while others refused and even poisoned the minds of other people against it. When two people side by side hear the same word of God one may believe and live while another refuses and dies. We cannot determine the response of a person to the message but we can determine to be faithful in sharing it. We take responsibility to be faithful sowers of the seed and leave the result to the hearer and God. As we sow the seed of God's word some may fall fruitless on barren ground but if we do not sow the seed it will certainly bear no fruit. We must be willing to take the chance that some of our efforts will fall on barren ground in order that other seed may find ready and receptive hearts.
Father, help me to be a faithful sower of the Gospel seed without fear that some may not believe in order that those who are ready to believe may hear and live.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Church God Uses
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." Acts 13:2-3
In Acts 11 God had led this same church at Antioch to take an offering for the relief of the Jewish Christians who suffered under famine in Jerusalem. They willingly responded. Now in this chapter we see God asking for two of their best leaders to be sent out on missionary campaigns through the Roman Empire. Again they willingly responded and through their faithfulness God changed the world. The kind of church that God uses to change the world is a church that is willing to give when He asks and to go when He calls. Will we be that kind of church? Will you be that kind of Christian?
Father, I want to be a Christian you can use in a church you can use to change the world. Help us to be attentive to Your voice and willingly give and go as You ask.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
In Acts 11 God had led this same church at Antioch to take an offering for the relief of the Jewish Christians who suffered under famine in Jerusalem. They willingly responded. Now in this chapter we see God asking for two of their best leaders to be sent out on missionary campaigns through the Roman Empire. Again they willingly responded and through their faithfulness God changed the world. The kind of church that God uses to change the world is a church that is willing to give when He asks and to go when He calls. Will we be that kind of church? Will you be that kind of Christian?
Father, I want to be a Christian you can use in a church you can use to change the world. Help us to be attentive to Your voice and willingly give and go as You ask.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Surprised by God
"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. ...But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished."
Acts 12:5, 16
These earnestly praying Christians are sometimes criticized by modern readers for not expecting an answer to their prayers. But could it be that God's answers are sometimes so astonishing that we could never have imagined that He would answer in the way He did? I'm sure they expected a more normal answer than the miraculous midnight rescue operation run by the angel of the Lord. God is amazing and those who make a habit of earnest prayer will at times be taken aback in awe by the mighty works of God even when they expected an answer. If I'm never astonished by the work of God then is God really at work around me?
Father, You are amazing. Your works are astonishing and often beyond expectation. Thank you for being active around me in response to prayer. May I always seek you with expectation and sometimes be astonished by the result.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Acts 12:5, 16
These earnestly praying Christians are sometimes criticized by modern readers for not expecting an answer to their prayers. But could it be that God's answers are sometimes so astonishing that we could never have imagined that He would answer in the way He did? I'm sure they expected a more normal answer than the miraculous midnight rescue operation run by the angel of the Lord. God is amazing and those who make a habit of earnest prayer will at times be taken aback in awe by the mighty works of God even when they expected an answer. If I'm never astonished by the work of God then is God really at work around me?
Father, You are amazing. Your works are astonishing and often beyond expectation. Thank you for being active around me in response to prayer. May I always seek you with expectation and sometimes be astonished by the result.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Hand of the Lord
"The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord....When [Barnabas] arrived and saw the evidence of God's grace, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." Acts 11:21, 23
A "great number" of people came to the Lord in Antioch because "the Lord's hand was with" those who shared the message. When Barnabas came He saw "evidence of God's grace" at work in this new church. The church at Antioch was an amazing group of believers. They responded to news of a famine with a generous offering and later they became the mission base for Paul's campaigns throughout the gentile world. This amazing ministering and missionary church was God's work from the start. All the people and leaders had to do was stay faithful, submissive, and receptive to God. Would God do the same thing in Copperas Cove? Will we be faithful, submissive, and responsive?
Father, I long to see our church become like the church in Antioch. Please put your hand on us and pour out your grace so that 'great numbers' are brought to the Lord, taught, and led to be ministry and mission-minded.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
A "great number" of people came to the Lord in Antioch because "the Lord's hand was with" those who shared the message. When Barnabas came He saw "evidence of God's grace" at work in this new church. The church at Antioch was an amazing group of believers. They responded to news of a famine with a generous offering and later they became the mission base for Paul's campaigns throughout the gentile world. This amazing ministering and missionary church was God's work from the start. All the people and leaders had to do was stay faithful, submissive, and receptive to God. Would God do the same thing in Copperas Cove? Will we be faithful, submissive, and responsive?
Father, I long to see our church become like the church in Antioch. Please put your hand on us and pour out your grace so that 'great numbers' are brought to the Lord, taught, and led to be ministry and mission-minded.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Without Prejudice
“ . . . But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” Acts 10: 28
Peter’s Jewish roots caused him to have a cultural prejudice against Gentiles. So when God called him to deliver the message of the gospel to Cornelius’ house Peter had to overcome his own personal feelings in order to obey.
The good news of Christ is for everyone! We must be careful not to exclude anyone simply because of their culture, their attitude, their economic-level, their education-level, or their age. Everyone’s need for God is the same. When we, intentionally or unintentionally, ignore certain groups of people because of our personal feelings towards them then we are being disobedient to God.
Your servant,
Matt
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