A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 13 Chapter 13

To what reached have you went to hear and even proclaim the word of God? Most people have not done this out of their own circle of influence but Paul and Barnabas followed the instructions of the Holy Spirit and many received the Word and were baptized because of their journey. There were still some skeptics and that is even true today in our world. There are many who are turning their backs to Jesus today and believe that Jesus does not have any relevance in our world today. That simply is not rue. Look at our world, turmoil, recession, war, all because we do not listen to the Word of God. Don't follow the ways of those who turn their back. Live today in the power of the Holy Spirit and Christ. Step outside the circle of influence you have and spread the Good News and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Step out in faith!!!!!!!

Pastor Steve  

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 12 Chapter 12

Have you ever felt like you were a prisoner? Not literally but a prisoner to sin? A prisoner to debt? A prisoner to your situation. Angels of the Lord had aided Peter in this chapter with his escape from prison and freed him from almost certain doom. God protected and freed Peter and he can do the same for you today. If you feel like you are in captivity to something and cannot get out, take heart because if you ask for the Lord to help you he will! He can release you from your captivity including guilt, shame and other human emotions. God loves us and wants to free us to serve Him and Him only. Seek him out and be FREE!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 11 Chapter 11

This chapter picks up right after Peter had went to Caesarea had saved many Gentiles because of the vision he had. Peter received criticism for this because that gift was reserved only for the Jews. But Peter told them that this was not the case anymore. The gift of salvation was available to all as the Holy Spirit rested on those who received the Word and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Peter explained his actions and they became accepting of the fact that the gift of salvation was for all.
Have you accepted this gift? If you have not find yourself a good church, and simply pray for Jesus to come into your heart. Your church can help aid you on your path! Have a blessed day!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 10 Chapter 10

This chapter speaks to me in many different ways. The one that stand out is about being prejudice. In the scripture he interprets a dream he has received from God about a white sheet coming down with animals on it and he was instructed to kill and eat. However his custom and law was they were not to eat anything unclean and hooved animals are considered unclean. That goes into association about Jews associating with Gentiles and Peter told him not to be this way because He created the Gentiles just as he created the Jews and we are all his children. So after being summoned by a group of gentiles Peter went as instructed and thos who believed received the Holy Spirit.
This really tells me that the Holy Spirit does not discriminate and neither should we. His spirit is available to all who believe and want to receive. That is Good News for you and for me!!!!!!
Have a great day!!!!!!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 9 Chapter 9

Good Morning...want a chance at a new life? that is exactly what happened in Acts 9. Saul a man who persecuted Christians became one and in a big way. Jesus made it possible to forgive him of his sins and made him into one of the most outspoken Apostles ever. Jesus changed his heart in a big way and he can do the same for you. Are you one who says "I don't need God." or "I have no use for the Bible"? That was Saul, and by conversion he became Paul. I ask you today are you in need of a new heart, a new life, one that is not filled with hate but one that is filled with Joy? Then ask Jesus into your heart...it will make you a new person and a member of a great family!!!! Have a blessed day!!!!!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 8 Chapter 8

Good Morning, In today's reading from Chapter 8 we see several things happening. Saul began his quest to destroy the church and those who believed scattered except for the Apostles. Phillip being one of them ventured to Samaria where many there accepted the Word of God and Peter and John also went down to witness. While there they came across Simon the Scorcerer who witnessed the laying on of hands and the people received the Holy Spirit, He offered them money to have that same power. Phillip also had dealings with an Ethiopian at the prompting of an angel and was there to help him understand Holy Scripture. I want you to think hard about a couple of things today. First there are a lot of people who think they can "buy" their way to righteousness. Guess what? It does not work that way! It takes giving one's life up for Jesus to be saved. Second thing, If you do not understand something you read in the Bible, seek out someone who can help you. I find it interesting that every time I read scripture, I get something new out of it that I can apply to my life. Have a blessed week!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 7 Chapter 7

How would you like to stand before the authorities and plead your case! Stephen did just that. He stood before people who he probably knew were going to kill them and gave them a history of what Joseph and Moses went through and we can read in the book of Exodus. He stood there and told them that they themselves were not filled with the Holy Spirit, they were stiff necked and all they wanted to do was persecute! He spoke his mind and was stoned for it! He though was able to see heaven opened up before him and received him as he fell asleep. I could only pray that God would give me the boldness to stand up before others to preach what I believe to be true. That Jesus came to teach and to save and the only way to heaven is through him. The rest of the world will live an empty life!

May you read and believe!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 6 Chapter 6

Is God choosing you? Sometimes I think he has but we fail to recognize it and we fail to act. The work of the Apostles was to teach and preach and the work of taking care of the poor and widows was too much for the Apostles and the teaching suffered. So they chose strong God fearing men to help with the task of the daily distribution of the food. They chose seven spirit filled men to serve in this capacity. One of them Stephen was seized because he spoke the truth of Christ while doing his daily work then those who were not happy about what he was doing had some people lie about what he was doing including many miracles. Stephen tough did not back down. Scripture says in Acts 6:15 while he stood in front of the Sanhedrin, his face was like that of an Angel. Wow, the spirit was with him in all he did and that same spirit that blessed him is available to you today to live in you throughout you daily life. What a blessing that could be. Ask the Holy Spirit today to come into your life!

Blessings to you!!!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 5 Chapter 5

I would have to say the first part of this Chapter scares me. To hold back from God and to knowingly do it and to fall over dead scares me. It scares me to the point of not making promises to God I cannot keep. It really gave me something to think about in my own life and making sure I give my first and best to God. The reast of the chapter dealt with the many healings the Apostles did and the persecution they faced.How would you like to be dragged before the authorities because you were sharing the Good News of our Lord!. It is amazing but to some degree it still happens today, not by the authorities as much here in America, but by the people who think that God and the church is no longer relevant to their lives. Sad to think about but really that is how many have turned away from God. Speak up, be bold and receive the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May your weekend be blessed!!!!!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 4 Chapter 4

Have you ever felt like people treat you different because you are a follower of Christ? Have you ever had people look down on you because of your belief in Christ? Peter and John were carrying out their mission and they were seized for performing a public healing and professing it in Jesus name. They were thrown in jail and the next day admonished by the church leaders for doing it and told not to do it anymore. The two spoke boldly filled with the Spirit and told the leaders they could not obey their directive and only obey Jesus. They were finally let go. When the two reported to the other followers what had happened, they prayed the believer’s prayer and the Holy Spirit came upon all of them again. They all shared what they had with each other and even sold possessions from time to time to aid anyone in need.

When was the last time you spoke boldly about your belief in Christ? When was the last time you asked Christ to help you share his message of salvation with someone who needed to hear it. Spend some time in prayer today asking for the Holy Spirit to come into you and you might be astonished what you can accomplish in Jesus name!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 3 Chapter 3

Chapter 3

This chapter has a lot of power in it for those needing encouragement in time of need. When Peter and John came across the crippled beggar at the gate called Beautiful, they were normally asked for money from those in need but on this occasion they exercised their faith and demanded the beggars attention and gave him something even better than money…the ability to walk  in the name of Jesus Christ and without fail Jesus answered. They closed out by addressing all those who were at the gate and saw the miracle they performed and told them that this was meant to be.

The two acted out their faith in Jesus name and was able to help a crippled man to walk. Faith, simple faith. A faith you and I have and can make stronger by living each day not for ourselves but for Jesus. When you surrender yourself to the power of the Holy Spirit and Christ a new life begins and the old crippled life is gone. Strengthen you faith today and make your life one worth living by the power of His name. You might be amazed on the things you can accomplish for your life! Live For Jesus!!!!!!!

Have a Blessed Day in the Name of our Lord!!!!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 2 Chapter 2

As we continue through the book of Acts…this is one of my favorite chapters, Chapter 2. Pentecost!!! The day that Jesus had promised to the apostles had arrived…..the winds of the Holy Spirit came down and touched each one of them and they received many gifts and power from the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues! Some thought they were drunk but Peter received boldness and spoke to those gathered and in essence preached his first sermon and the church was born. Now the church that was born then does not resemble the church of now. There were not any battles on what type of music was going to be played or sung, or any of the things that we deal with today, just the word and the Spirit of God and three thousand were baptized and added to their numbers. They devoted themselves to these things, learning from the Apostles and fellowship in the breaking of the bread and prayer. They gave to anyone in need, met daily in the temple courts and praised God!!

How we need to get back to this type of worship and fellowship today! Think and pray about the way you worship and be blessed by just doing these things!!!!

Pastor Steve

A Journey Through The Book of Acts Day 1 Chapter 1

During the next 28 days I am going to be reading a chapter a day in the Book of Acts. I invite you to join me in the venture. Each day’s readings only take about 15 minutes at the most and you might learn something about yourself along the way. Each day I will post some thoughts here on my Blog on each day’s reading.

Acts 1

This chapter talks a lot about what had happened to Jesus. He was taken up into Heaven, He told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit, I want to talk about today how they replaced Judas in their inner circle. The Peter addressed the apostles about the situation with Judas. What he had done, how he had died and the fallout from his actions. He also said they needed to replace him and Matthias was chosen by the group. Joseph also known as Barsabbas was also considered.  Here is what I think about in this Chapter, Have you been chosen to step up to the task that the apostles left for us. Is Jesus calling to you to stretch yourself in your discipleship.  Believers follow Jesus, but maybe he is calling on you to step up your role in His kingdom. Maybe he is calling you to be a leader.

Spend some time in prayer about your role in the Kingdom today.

Have a blessed day!!!!!