PAUL, SILAS AND THE JAILER

Greetings to you all. It's very important that we realize that others are watching us, even from afar. " OTHERS JUST MAY COME TO CHRIST BECAUSE OF OUR EXAMPLE."

Have you ever wondered about the Jailer in the book of Acts? He was probably a long time trusted employee of the city. When Paul and Silas were cast into prison they had already been striped and beaten with rods. You see under the Roman Empire the police attendants of public officials carried bundles of rods, or cane, bound in a circle around an axe, symbolizing the power of the authorities to chastise and even execute. A representation of this ancient device being visible today on the reverse side of our U.S. Dime.

These brothers were beaten only because they were Jewish and not Greeks. They experienced total humiliation, their clothing was torn from them and the actual beating was inflicted upon their flesh. (II Corinthians 11:25) " Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep." Paul experienced difficulties and humiliations for the cause of Christ. Paul was sacrificing his life for the Gospel, would and can you. Friends the trials and hurts that we experience for the sake of Jesus Christ builds character, and demonstrate our faith, and prepare us for further service to the LORD.

The Jailer would sometimes get advance notice of his prisoners nevertheless resisted any humane impulse that might have come to him; and, instead of "keeping them safely" as charged, added the element of torture to their time spent with him. He would subject them to the stocks.

A device normally used for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the feet and hands can be locked. This prevented their being able either to sit up or to lie down, and must have been a most painful and unnecessary humiliation imposed upon them by the pagan jailer. God would speak to him, however, before the night was over. I'm amazed that Paul endured pain and much danger as he fulfilled his calling. (II Corinthians 11: 26-27) " I have been on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; (27) I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure". Understanding some of the suffering and indignities that Paul endured will help us fathom just how he and Silas were able to pray and sing hymns to the Father.

When Praises go up, Blessings come down.

I have to wonder just when they started singing and praising God. At this point in time one might think that Paul was getting some what dubious as to all the suffering he has gone through.

True Riches

We are truly rich and blessed beyond measure. When we look at society and see how rich the average citizen of the United States is, we often over look just how rich each and every Christian is. We all have a treasure in Christ that moth can not destroy and that will never rust. We have a treasure that will last through out the ages to come! We have a personal relationship with God our Father through Jesus Christ whom died for our sins to conquer death and bring us back into fellowship with God. No amount of money could ever come close to purchasing even a single drop of Christ's blood that was shed for our salvation.

So what treasures are we to build up in this world? What are we 'called' to do? In this world we are told not to build up treasures of material worth. In Matt 6:19-21 we are told: 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What are treasures that moth and rust can not destroy? How about a spouse who sticks by you no matter what happens in life? Or children that love and adore you even when you can't afford to throw them the birthday party they want or buy them that special toy that they just think they 'have' to have. It's the non-tangible/material things in life that make life worth living. It is the hug from a child or the hand holding of a spouse. It's the hug you get from a friend when you help them out (or that you give them when they help you up).

Ecc 4:10 - 12
4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 4:11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

He who has good friends is rich beyond any amount of monetary value that can be deposited in a bank.

That being said, we are not called to be peasants or to live a vow of poverty in this life. Quite the opposite as we see in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 29:12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 29:13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Yes, the verse above is talking about God bringing His people out of captivity, but it is still applicable to the point that I'm trying to make: that God loves us and has the best intentions for us. But it's not until we call upon Him and seek Him that He will truly give to us.

When we are seeking Him first and doing His will then He will begin to shower His blessings upon us. He will give us so much that we can not begin to keep it all for ourselves. He will bless us as we in turn bless others! 3:6"I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 3:7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 3:8"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 3:9You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 3:10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Verse 6 is vitally important, this is a scripture from the OT and since we are now living under "Grace" and not strictly following the Mosaic law it's important for us to understand that we are still called to follow God's laws. The Ten Commandments are still applicable. So for verse 6 to state that the Lord does not change means that He still requires us to follow Him and that He will continue to bless us. But He will not bless us if we are outside His will and are not being good stewards of that which He has entrusted to us.

It is in verse 10 that we see that our blessings from God (not just fruits of our own labor) will overflow that we will not have room for it all. This is when we have more and more to share with our neighbors. This is when God will continue to bless and use us. And it is when we are truly good and faithful servants that we begin to build up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust cannot touch them. These treasures are the kind that we will keep with us for all eternity. They can be the jewels upon the crown we shall receive for leading others to a relationship with Christ.

How do we make deposits into our Heavenly "savings accounts"? 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

That my friends is when we are truly serving God and allowing Him to work through us. And it is at that point in our lives when we are truly rich.

I hope this helped you as much as I believe it has helped me to realize how truly blessed and "rich" I am as I look over at my children and my wife.

Benjamin

Failing to Pray

OK, Friends this one is truly important please pay attention.

We're instructed to pray in the book of 1 Samuel for others. "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 1:23). According to Samuel failing to pray for others is a sin. As men and women of Christ it is our responsibility to: (1) To pray consistently for others (Ephesians 6:18), and (2) they should teach others the right way to God (2 Timothy 2:2). How many times have you told someone that you would pray for them and didn't? How many times have you just forgot to keep your vow to pray? It's important for us to understand that we may disagree with others, but we shouldn't stop praying for them.

Husbands, and all who are head of your households, continue to pray a hedge of protection around your families. Satan is limited to what God allows.

Friends we must learn to recognize, but not fear, Satan's attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets. Don't let any experience drive a wedge between you and the Father. Friends, we cannot control how Satan may attack, but you can always choose how you will respond when it happens.

How many of us have one or more unsaved relatives? What do you do? You pray continuously and as a result of your personal relationship with the LORD Jesus you will see God bring salvation to your whole family. If you don't pray for your unsaved relatives who will? In this world that we live in one never knows what's coming around the corner.

How many of us have experienced that occasional "BEND IN THE ROAD"? How many of you have a child who is rejecting God and who is in total rebellion? You must stand in the gap for that child or children.

The Bible in 1 Samuel 15:23 " For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king". Most parents think of rebellion as the resistance to authority; And they believe that it's not a very serious thing. Rebellion and Arrogance (Insubordination) are serious sins. When we sin it is an offense against God. They entail far more than being independent and strong - minded. Scripture equates them with divination (Witchcraft) and idolatry, sins deserving of death. Rebellion against God is perhaps the most serious sin of all because as long as an individual rebels, he or she slams the door to forgiveness and restoration with God.

Listen it's so important to "Bind" Satan through prayer, and cast down false reasoning's which Satan has built in the mind of your family member. Do you remember Job? He was tested... His life was filled with prestige, possessions, and people, he was suddenly assaulted on every side, divested, stripped down to his foundation. But his life was built on God, and he endured.

God himself finally answered Job. God Almighty is in control of this world, and only He understands why the good are allowed to suffer. This only becomes clear to us when we see God for who He is. We must courageously accept what God allows to happen in our lives and remain firmly committed to Him. Those of you who are head of households purpose to build a spiritual "Wall of protection" around each member of your family. When I was a much younger man when my children were between 4 and 8 years of age, we would gather the family together for prayer at dinner time. It was important to me as the children grew into their teen years we would gather at 6A.M. for prayer before we all left the house and scattered in four to five different directions.

Husbands, Fathers, and head of Households it's very important for you to pray a 'Hedge of Protection' around your families.

Until Next Wednesday...

"SELECTING THE TWELVE"

Just a thought!

Have you ever wondered what criteria Jesus used if any in the selection process of the twelve. It is written that before every important event in Jesus' life, He took time to go off by Himself and pray. When it came time to choose His "Inner Circle", the 12 Disciples, He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

Jesus selected "ordinary" men with a mixture of backgrounds and personalities to be His disciples. Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. From the hundreds of people who followed Him from place to place, Jesus chose 12 to be His Apostles. The word Apostle means messenger or authorized representative. He did not choose these 12 to be His associates and companions because of their faith; their faith often faltered. He didn't choose them because of their talent and ability; no one stood out with unusual ability. The disciples represented a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, but apparently they had no more leadership potential than those who were not chosen. The one characteristic they all shared was their willingness to obey Jesus. After Jesus' ascension, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to carry out special roles in the growth of the early church. We should not disqualify ourselves from service to Christ because we do not have the expected credentials. Being a good disciple is simply a matter of following Jesus with a willing heart. The disciples were sent out in pairs. Individually they could have reached more areas of the country, but this was not Christ's plan. One advantage in going out by two's was that they could strengthened and encouraged each other, especially when they faced rejection. Our strength comes from God, but He meets many of our needs through our teamwork with others. As you serve Christ, don't try to go it alone.

My wife and I go out and while one of us is sharing the Word, the other is standing there in prayer. We should not be afraid to reach out to people who are living in sin - God's message can change anyone. Listen and please understand, we are going to run into those who are sure that they are righteous, can't be saved because the first step in following Jesus is acknowledging our need and admitting that we don't have all the answers.

I like to consider myself as well as any one else who is a student of Christ, a Disciple. A learner, one who is being mentored by another, with a view to assimilating and propagating what is learned. The more we share our faith with others the easier it gets. We all are proficient in something and we can be used by the LORD, all we have to be is available.

Until Next Wednesday....

Make sure that all your important decisions are grounded in prayer.

Are YOU Ready?

Greetings to you all, it's time that we all had a Spiritual Checkup. If we don't challenge ourselves to go to the next level we become spiritually stagnant and aloof.

In Ezekiel 22: 30-31 it says " I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Vs 31 "Thus I have poured out my indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declares the LORD God. The wall spoken of here is not made of stone, but faithful people united in their efforts to resist evil. This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard a brother in the faith tell me how busy he was. He talks about work and everything else that he puts before the LORD. Understand what I'm saying, we must not put anything before before the LORD. Our God is a jealous God, He demands complete devotion and nothing in between.

Don't be looked upon by God as He once looked at Israel, as worthless dross with nothing good in you.

God loves us so much that He will forgive and or rescue us right on time. Whether we sin once or many times, out of rebellion or out of ignorance, our sin separates us from God and will continue to separate us until God forgives us and removes it. The Word of God records time in our history when the LORD was fed up and He destroyed the earth.

The earth was no longer the perfect paradise that God had intended for man. It is shocking to see how quickly all of mankind forgot about God. How many times have you put God on a back burner in order to satisfy a certain lust. Incredibly, in all the world only one man and his family still worshiped God. This man was Noah, God saved him and his family from a vast flood that destroyed every other human being on earth. While in the wilderness Gods chosen people fashioned a golden calf and worshiped it. Yet again man totally dishonors God and brings Him to the brink. "Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen one stood in the breach before Him. To turn away His wrath from destroying them."

"Stood in the breach" means that Moses served as the people's intercessor. This refers to the time when the Lord wanted to destroy the people for worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32:7-14). Can you be the one to stand in the gap for a loved one, or for your friend or even your Pastor? Can you pass the test, can you be counted as a righteous man to stand in the gap for mankind? Moses and Samuel where two of God's greatest prophets. Like Jeremiah, both interceded between God and the people (Exodus 32:11; Numbers 14:11-20; 1 Samuel 7:9;12:17; Psalm 99:6) Intercession is often effective. In this case, however, the people were so wicked and stubborn that God knew they would not turn to him.

In Ezekiel "O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. "You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord." (Ezekiel 13:4-5).

Let's not be like the people in Ezekiel 22, again the wall spoken of here is not made of stone, but of faithful people united in the efforts to resist evil.

This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God. What the people really needed was total spiritual reconstruction! Don't use religion as whitewash; repair your life by applying the principals of God's Word. God Loves you and so do I.


Have a great day in the Lord, see ya next wednesday...

FORGIVENESS

Today's topic is one of great importance, as it isone that gives the masses trouble. Jesus asked God to forgive the people who where putting Him to death. Roman Politicians, Jewish Leaders, Soldiers as well as Bystanders. The Romans executed people publicly as examples to the rank and file.

God answered the prayer of Jesus by opening up the way of Salvation even to Jesus' murderers. After the crucifixion of Christ many priest were converted to the Christian Faith. The Gospel, The Good News - is that God is gracious. He will forgive us and give new life through His Son.

"THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS"

1- "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
2- "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
3- Speaking to Mary and John, "Woman, behold, your son!
4-"My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me? " Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34
5- "I am thirsty."John 19:28
6- " It is Finished." John 19:30
7- "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Luke 23:46

These last words capture the last moments of all that Jesus went through to gain our forgiveness.

Desmond Tutu, who led the nation of South Africa through a national process of Forgiveness and Reconciliation, put it well: "Forgiveness and being reconciled are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong."

Forgiveness looks sin in the eye and nevertheless speaks costly words: "I Forgive You."

Keeping a record of sins (or holding a grudge) is like building a wall between you and another person, and it is nearly impossible to talk openly while the wall is there. God doesn't keep a record of our sins; when He forgives, He forgives completely, tearing down any wall between us and Him. Therefore, we fear (revere) God, yet we can talk to Him about anything. When you pray, realize that God is holding nothing against you. His lines of communication are compeletely open.

Being very honest with each other, is there a time when you gave an apology to someone and didn't mean it? Thinking back I can remember a time in my youth, when I had a fight with another boy in school. After the teacher broke up our combat she made us come together again but this time with a apology and a hand shake. Now, at that moment in time all I truly wanted to do was to jump on him again. There was no repentance in my heart nor was my apology heartfelt. Since those days, I've learned to sincerly ask for forgiveness. My Bible says in Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. We truly have an amazing Savior. It truly boggles the mind the things you and I do within our own power, thinking that we are the captains of our own life. How many times have you hurt another and didn't give that incident a second thought? Jesus had compassion, unquestionable love for others, He was very sensitive to the needs of others, He was very sensitive to the needs of others. How does it make you feel when you reflect on the times you did not ask to be forgiven or the many times you didn't forgive someone for hurting you? God graciously accepts us even though we don't deserve it. God forgives us even when we have ignored or rejected Him, we should graciously forgive others. (Genesis 50:20) "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

God brings good from evil for those who trust Him. Do you trust God enough to wait patiently for Him to bring good out of a bad situations?

Never forget that God can overrule man's evil intentions to bring about His intended results.

Until next Wednesday, practice asking for forgiveness and you forgiving others. Thank you so much for allowing me to share the Word with you.

Jim

"UNDERSTANDING SIN"

Can we talk about sin?


"Sin" (N) Transgression Any action which violates God's Law. Before the giving of the Ten Commandments and the many other Old Testament Laws found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and the book of deuteronomy, God occasionally spoke directly to individuals about what He required of them (e.g. Gen. 2:17).

The O T Laws later spelled out in great detail what constituted sin, and what to do to atone for sin. In the Gospels, of the New Testament Jesus further expounds sin as including not only actions but also evil thoughts, such as unfounded anger toward others. Man defines Sin (N) An offense esp. Against God (2) Fault (3) A weakened state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God.

Now that we know what God's definition of sin is, ignorance can know longer be used as an excuss for sinning. We are in the fight of our lives, yes as Christians we understand that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. It's important that as Christians you understand that we don't get a free pass from sin.

Now going back to the Garden Of Eden, Sin crawled in as a Serpent. We are going to have to fight and resist sin in every area of our lives. We are told in James 4:7 "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit's power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. It's time to take back ground that we have surrendered to the enemy. It's important that we understand the importants of Ephesians 4:27 "And do not give the devil an opportunity." We must not harbor nor nurture our sin, when we do it's giving the devil a "place" in our lives. As our spiritual and then mortal enemy Satan is scheming for a foothold in our lives.

Earlier I made a reference to the Garden of Eden and satan entering as a slippery snake. Why is it that we don't want to admit sin in our life? (Gen. 2:25) "And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Once Adam and Eve Sinned they had a reason to be embarrassed, and to feel shame and then awkwardness followed, creating barriers between themselves and God. Do you feel yourself putting on a Fig Leaf so to speak, to cover your sin?

Satan is our enemy!!! He will do anything he can to get us to follow his evil, deadly path. Adam and Eve learned way back in the garden by painful experience that because God is holy and hates sin, he must punish sinners. Adam and Eve's disobedience and fall from God's amiable
presence affected all creation. In Genesis 6:6-7 "The LORD was sorry that he had made man on earth, and he was grieved in His heart. (7) The LORD said, "I will not blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; For I am sorry that I have made them." It's vital that we recognize when we sin. You may have sin that is out of mind and even forgotten sin. In Psalm 139:23-24 David said "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; (24) And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." Wow, Isn't it comforting to know that if we ask the LORD to search our heart and our thoughts and to reveal our sin, you will be continuing on God's "everlasting way."

"SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT" Gen.4:7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

We must grasp the fact that Sin is still crouching at our doors today, and maybe even right now for someone. Please understand that we will be victims of sin if we do not master it. Sin offends our holy God and separates us from him. Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it didn't matter. People who die with their life of sin unforgiven separate themselves eternally from God. God wants us to live with Him forever, but He cannot take them into His holy presence unless their sin is removed.

"MY LORD CAN SAVE YOU IF YOU TURN TO HIM".
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)

Please believe (1 John 1:9) " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". When we come to Christ, He forgives all the sins we have committed or will ever commit.

Until next week

Jim