Are You a Follower of the Way?

Numbers 1; Numbers 2; Acts 24
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Scripture

Acts 24

14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.

Observation

Jesus said, I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by me. Unless you are a Christ-Follower you will never find the way to Heaven. Heaven has many gates but it only has one Way, one Door and that Door has a Name – Jesus!

Paul was on trial. He had been falsely accused, but because of the false charges he was able to preach the Good News in Rome. Paul had always wanted to travel to Rome to preach the Gospel, but he didn’t know that he would make it to Rome as his final earthly destination!

Are you a Christ-Follower? Can you say this morning that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior? Are you a follower of the Way?

Application

Sharing the Gospel is the most important task I have so I will look for opportunities to share this Good News today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the men that I witnessed to this week. I pray that they will be in worship today. I pray for those that shared with me that they were going to attend Celebrate Recovery I pray that they will listen to your Voice and not the voice of the evil one. I pray that our congregation will break out today in Revival. I pray that your Holy Spirit would speak and move in every heart of those in worship. Speak to my heart today Lord. Be glorified and lifted up by the followers of the Way today through out your entire world, you are worthy of Praise! Amen.

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If you will …then…I will

Leviticus 26; Leviticus 27; Acts 23
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Scripture

Leviticus 26

3 " 'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.
6 " 'I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.
9 " 'I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. 11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.

Observation

Do you want your life to be different? Do you want to live under God’s favor? Do you want to be blessed? The answer to those three questions is all wrapped up in this four-letter word – OBEY!

The New Testament is full of verses that talk about the importance of obedience. The children of Israel had it made in the promise land while they lived lives of obedience. Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."Luke 11:28 And In 1 John 3:22 John says, “and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” And look at what God promised in De 28:2 “All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”

It seems so clear and so simple yet we choose to disobey Christ on a daily basis.

Hello…what is wrong with us?

Application

It is my desire to live in obedience to God. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that today I will be given opportunities to disobey you. Help me obey. Give me strength to say “no” to sin and “no” to the temptations that will come at me today. I want to honor you today by obeying you. Guide me today. May my thoughts and my actions please you. Amen.

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My Hope is in You

Leviticus 25; Psalm 25; Psalm 26; Acts 22
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Scripture

Psalm 25

5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Observation

Yesterday I had a man come to my office very discouraged about life. He had just been released from a five day stay in the hospital the exact place where I had met him a year before. I had not heard from him during the year except for the one time when I tried to visit him at his home and he really wasn’t very interested in a visit from a preacher. But yesterday this man sadly told me that he didn’t have anything to live for and that it would be better for his family if he were dead because at least then they would have the life insurance money to live on. He said, “I don’t see much reason to continue to live.”

He was out of work and I shared with him that anytime a man does not have a job it is going to impact his self worth. God has put into every man the desire to provide for his family and a man’s self worth is wrapped up in his job.

I was able share with him that his big issue was not his loss of work as important as that was but his big issue was his relationship with God. Actually his big problem was that he didn’t have a personal relationship with God. I told him that Jesus came to this earth to give him purpose and meaning and until he put his faith and trust in Christ that he would never live and abundant life. He would only exist. He would go to work (when he found a job) to make money to eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work, and a life cycle like what I just described is a life without hope.

I am grateful that this week God sent two men to my office for me to talk to them about their relationship with him. God is working in these men’s lives. God is powerful. We can put our trust, our faith, and our hope in him all day long!

Application

I will be ready today to talk to more men about the Hope that lives in me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for these two men. I ask you to save them. Draw them into a church where they can grow spiritually. Thank you that this week one of the men in our church led a co-worker to Christ. I praise you for using our men to reach other men. Give us boldness to share with everyone that you bring across our paths. Give me discernment to know how to handle issues that I have to deal with today. I love you. You are my Hope and my Strength! Amen.

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Who is this King of glory?

Leviticus 23; Leviticus 24; Psalm 24; Acts 21
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Scripture

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;

2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory. Selah


Observation

I love this Psalm of Praise, “who is this King of Glory?” The LORD strong and mighty! David starts out this Psalm by saying “the earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

We belong to Him. Everything around us belongs to Him.

I am so glad that I am a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I have a personal relationship with the Creator God through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Do you feel David’s joy and excitement in this chapter? This Sunday I am going to have our church read this chapter as part of our worship service. The message this Sunday is the third I Am of Christ, “I AM The Gate” found in John 10:9. I just love saying, “who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory. Selah”

Application

I will meditate on this Psalm today and pray it back to the Lord.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the earth is yours, and everything in it and I am yours too. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of knowing you personally. I am filled with your joy today. You are so powerful. You are so mighty. You are the King of Glory. You are strong and mighty. Amen.

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It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Leviticus 20; Leviticus 21; Leviticus 22; Acts 20
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Scripture

Acts 20

32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Observation

I think of the widow that Jesus says gave more than anyone else gave that day because she gave everything that she had. I think of the story of the Good Samaritan that gave to make sure a complete stranger was taken care of. Yesterday one of our church members came by the church to take a man that needed some help to get some clothes and some food. These are all stories of people giving of themselves and Jesus says that these people the generous folks will be the ones that are blessed.

Giving is better than receiving isn’t it. Then why don’t we do more of it? Buying someone lunch or some groceries, helping someone go to a conference, or helping someone go on a mission trip, maybe helping them get their car fixed, or fixing something broken in a home of a senior adult. Jesus says that the one doing the giving is the one that is blessed. Who needs a blessing from you today?

Application

I will look for someone to help today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am so blessed. So many people have helped us. If we bought people lunch every Sunday from now until we die I don’t think we could ever catch up to the amount of help that we have received. God we have been so blessed by others. Help us to be a blessing to those around us. Let me know when I should give to help someone and when I should not. Give me discernment Lord, but also give me a more generous heart. Make me sensitive to the real needs of those around me. Amen.

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Respect Them!

Leviticus 18; Leviticus 19; Psalm 13; Acts 19
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Scripture

Leviticus 19

32 " 'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.

Observation

Our culture has no respect for the elderly. Have you visited a nursing home lately? There are many left in nursing homes by their family and then the family members don’t even bother to come see them.

In our churches this works two ways: 1. Some people think that when they reach retirement age that they should just let go of responsibilities at church and be free to just do fun stuff. They pull back from areas of leadership and responsibility. 2. The congregation buys into the culture’s idea that younger is somehow better and fails to honor those that are older in the church.

My associate pastor, Rapley Armstrong is 80 years old. He is very wise. I have tremendous respect for him. He is a man of character and worthy of being honored as this verse commands us to do. He is very young at heart too. I am amazed at how flexible he is about so many things. He hasn’t allowed age to make him critical or mean. He loves music. He loves contemporary praise and worship music as well as the wonderful old hymns. I hope that when I get to be even close to his age I will act as young he does right now. My spiritual Dad, Dr. Waylon Moore is also 80 years old, but when he preaches you would never know that he is that old because he preaches with the force and power of a young man. Both of the guys deserve our honor and our respect.

Application

I will show respect and honor for the older members of our congregation.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me honor you by honoring the elderly in our church. They are beautiful people. So many of them are struggling with health issues right now. I pray that you will be their strength. Help them sense your presence and your love today. Thank you for allowing me to know them and love them. They have been so good to me. They have honored me as their pastor so now help me honor and respect them as my elders. Give me wisdom and show me ways to honor and respect them. We are blessed because they are part of our church. Amen.

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Importance of Being a Mentor

Leviticus 15; Leviticus 16; Leviticus 17; Acts 18
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Scripture

Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

Acts 18

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Observation

Paul was a mentor. A mentor is someone that invests his or her life in someone else. Have you ever gone through the New Testament and made a list of all the people that Paul mentored. Paul was all about making disciples. Look at the time that he invested in guys like Timothy, Philemon, Onesimus, Titus, Priscilla and Aquila, Mark, Silas, Barnabas, and many more.

Priscilla and Aquila then mentored Apollos. I try to spend one on one time with one or two men each week to help them grow. My hope is that in the future they will do the same thing with other men. It is God’s desire that all of us mentor someone? Who could you start mentoring? Why not start mentoring someone this week?

Application

I will begin to look for an “Apollos” that needs some encouragement.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me help someone know you better. Help me help them become all that you want them to be. Thank you for bringing mentors into my life to help me guys like Waylon Moore, Charles Hartwig, and Hugh Roberts. I owe my life to them. Bless each one of these guys in a special way today. Amen.

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More Noble in Character

Leviticus 13; Leviticus 14; Acts 17
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Scripture

In Berea

Acts 17

10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

Observation

I think it is interesting that from one city to another the people were more open to the Gospel. The Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians. They were eager to dig into the Word of God. I wonder what made the difference. I remember too that the Thessalonians received letters from Paul about their misunderstanding the scriptures and/or his instructions about the return of Christ. Some of them had quit working because they reasoned that if Christ was going to return any day then why work and Paul had to rebuke them for this wild notion.

Do you dig into God’s Word for yourself or do you depend on being spoon fed on Sunday mornings?

Application

I will be eager this week to examine God’s Word.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me a hunger for your Word. Help me to feed myself on the riches of your Word. Give me a desire to be in your Word everyday. Show me neat things from it this week that I have never seen before. I pray that when I talk about your Word to others that they will be able to sense the excitement and that they will have a thirst and hunger to be in your Word. As Job says in Job 23:12b “I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food” Lord, help me be able to say the same thing. Amen.

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Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Leviticus 10; Leviticus 11; Leviticus 12; Acts 16
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Scripture

Acts 16

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

Observation

I love this passage don’t you? Paul and Silas had just been severely flogged and thrown into the darkest most secure part of the prison. It was midnight and we find Paul and Silas having a worship service to a captive audience. The jailer must have heard them singing and praying and knew that there was something different about these guys.

The prisoners also must have sensed the presence of God that night in the prison because when the earthquake opened up all the doors to the prison and the prisoners could have escaped they stayed in their unlocked cells. I would have liked to have been there when the jailer came rushing into the cell of Paul and Silas and fell down trembling at their feet.

The jailer knew that he was good as dead. He knew that he was a wicked man and Paul and Silas had done nothing to be so mistreated. He knew that the God that had the power to rescue Paul and Silas surely had the power to destroy his life. So trembling the jailer came and fell at their feet begging for his life, “What must I do to be saved?”

I don’t know what he thought their answer would be to his question, but we know that he embraced their response. The scriptures say that they said to him, “"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." The jailer took them out of the jail to his house and everyone in his house heard the word of God explained to them. The jailer washed their wounds and fed them. The jailer and his entire family were then baptized. And then Paul and Silas were taken back to the jail. I bet they got the best room in the place when they got back and I bet their jail cell was not even locked.

Why did Paul and Silas have to go through getting severely beaten and thrown into a prison that night? I know one of the reasons don’t you? The jailer and his family and all those prisoners needed to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Think about this, the earthquake and the jail cell doors all swinging open and everyone’s chains falling off was not so the prisoners could escape, but to show the jailer that chains and prison doors couldn’t hold men of God. And it was just as incredible that Paul somehow knew that the open doors and broken chains were not done for him or Silas to escape. Amazing!

Application

I will look for God’s hand at work in my life and realize that circumstances are not always what they appear to be. Open prison doors and broken chains seemed to logically indicate that God was rescuing Paul and Silas but that was not case.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to look to you and not to my circumstances. I love this story about Paul and Silas and the jailer. It shows me your awesome power and your extreme love for all people. You save the most unlikely people Lord. Help me to see people like you see them. I don’t want to miss an experience like Paul and Silas had in that jail cell. Help me to be completely obedient to you no matter what my circumstances are. You are an Awesome God. I pray that you guide me and direct my thoughts, my attitudes, and my actions. Amen.

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Marvelous Grace!

Leviticus 7; Leviticus 8; Leviticus 9; Acts 15
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Scripture

Acts 15

8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Observation

It is interesting to me that even today we have a few people in our churches that always want to add something to God’s Grace. Have you noticed that too? The truth is though that salvation is not something we can earn. The word Grace means receiving something that is completely undeserved. There are so many verses that we can go to in God’s Word that talk about His Marvelous Grace. I will just list a few: Romans 5:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8,9. The word “grace” is mentioned 107 times in the New Testament alone.

Grace is a gift and so salvation is a gift from God not gained by works or by something we have done. I have someone that always yes Grace is a gift, but… and this guy immediately launches into how you have to live a life for the Lord to keep your salvation. This person thinks that yes salvation is free but you have to work to keep it. In our heads we might think that God should operate that way, but He doesn’t. Salvation is free. Salvation, once we have it, it is ours forever and nothing we do can cause us to lose it. That’s Grace!

Application

I will give thanks today for the salvation that has been so freely given to me and I will look for a chance to share that Good News with someone today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you today for saving me. I realize that my salvation is not because I am such a good guy because you know very well that I am not. Thank you that you have given me the privilege of sharing the Good News about your wonderful gift of Grace. I love it when people understand the message of salvation and the light is turned on. It is so exciting to see people saved. I pray for people to be saved this week through the ministry of our people. Use them to touch lives. Help me to be a witness for you today. Thank you for your Marvelous Gift of Grace. Amen.


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Poisoned!

Leviticus 4; Leviticus 5; Leviticus 6; Acts 14
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Scripture

Acts 14

1 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. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Observation

Have you ever been poisoned? Not poisoned by food or anything like that but have you ever been poisoned by the words of someone? Negative, critical comments about someone can have a negative impact on the way you feel about that person.

One time many years ago a friend of mine had become very negative about the pastor of our church and every time I was around the person, all I would hear is his negative critique of this man of God. I began believing what this person was saying and I began to also have negative feelings toward the pastor. Thank goodness, I came to realize that the poison that I was receiving from my negative friend was messing me up. I had to avoid getting caught out in the foyer by this guy and I refused to listen to any more of his negative gripes. This negative/critical guy doesn't go to church anymore.

Poison spreads quickly and leaves a wake of destruction in its path. Pastors of great churches have men that are strong that protect their pastor and staff members from these vicious attacks. I thank God for the men of our church that defend me, stick up for me, and stick up for the rest of our staff.


Application

I will build up and not tear down people this week.



Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the positive people that you have placed in my life. Thank you that most people are positive and most are helpful. I pray that you protect us from the few that might want to poison people to be against our leadership. Help me to be positive even when I want to be critical. Guard my heart and my mouth today. Amen.



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Excitement in Sharing The Good News!

Leviticus 1; Leviticus 2; Leviticus 3; Acts 13
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Scripture

Acts 13

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
"I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."

Observation

I am so glad that salvation was extended to the Gentiles since I am one! Now it is my job and your job if you are a Christ-Follower to keep extending the Good News to the ends of the earth. It is the reason why God leaves us here on earth and doesn’t just beam us up once we have accepted Christ. It is so easy to forget that this is our main purpose for living and the reason we tend to forget is because our lives are so busy doing the stuff of life. It is so easy to put on the back burner taking the Good News to the ends of the earth, being a light to the rest of the world, being a light to our neighbor, co-worker, to the person we know that is dealing with a terminal disease.

Application

Today I will get back on track and focus on being a light to those around me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I sense the excitement in the lives of Paul and Barnabas and in those new Christ-followers surrounding them because they were fulfilling the Great Commission. Lord, direct my path today and help me share the Good News with someone. I pray for our missionary friends today that are working in difficult places. May they sense that same excitement today and help them be fruitful as they serve you. Help them to see people come to know you through their witness. Protect them from the evil one. Thank you that you are constantly working in the lives of the people I love to bring them into a personal relationship with yourself. Thank you that you don’t grow tired and weary with our stubbornness but you are so patient. Give me your patience and your heart so I can love them like you do. Amen.


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“…But the Church Was Earnestly Praying to God for Him”

Exodus 39; Exodus 40; Psalm 15; Acts 12
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Scripture

Acts 12

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."
12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
15 "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place.

Observation

I love this story! Peter has been arrested and we find the church earnestly praying for him. God sends an Angel and the Angel walks Peter right out of that prison right past the prison guards, right through unlocked prison doors. Peter thinks at first that he is dreaming then it dawns on him that it is no dream.

God responded to the prayers of his church. I think it is funny that when Peter knocked on the door of the house of Mary that they couldn’t believe it was Peter even though they were inside the house praying for his release.

We prayed at church a few weeks back for God to heal one of our men that had a mass at the base of his brain. I had the man come forward and I asked everyone in the church that could come forward to come and lay hands on him. We prayed and when he went back to the doctor the doctor couldn’t find the mass. It was gone. My immediate response was, “no way!.” Wow! What an awesome God we serve!

God doesn’t always heal people when we pray for them neither does he rescue everyone from prison like He did for Peter. I am sure that the church earnestly prayed for James when he was arrested just like they did for Peter, but James was executed by Herod with a sword. He was not set free! God had a different plan for the life of James.

I love to see God heal. I love to see God set people free from hurts, hang ups, and habits. My heart is heavy today over people close to me that continue to live bound by their addictions and ungodly living. I continue to pray that God will set them free.


Application

I will continue to pray for those close to me that are living ungodly lives and are imprisoned by their hurts, hang ups, and destructive habits.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a God that loves to set people free. Father, I want to see more people set free from their ungodly way of living. The devil has them in his grasp and I pray that you snatch them away from him. Thank you for those in our church that lead our Celebrate Recovery ministry. Give them strength today. Give them your heart for the people you have brought into this ministry. Help me to love those that aren’t lovely. Help me to see past their ungodly lifestyles to see them as you see them. I pray for them today. Set them free. Amen.


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Life is Like The Super Bowl!

Exodus 37; Exodus 38; Psalm 19; Acts 11
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Scripture

Acts 11

17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"

Observation

I know I am forcing this passage this morning to talk about the Super Bowl but in just a few minutes I am going to be speaking to our high school kids at our Christian Academy and I have to be ready to talk about the Super Bowl. Why? Because if I link what I say today with last night’s game they actually might listen.

Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that you might have life and have life to its fullest.” There is no greater achievement for a professional football player than to be able to win the Super Bowl. For those few moments after the win there is no greater joy. Last night we saw big football players’ breakdown and cry because they were so filled with emotion.

You and I are on teams today too! Life is like a Super Bowl. It is played out with two teams. Jesus Christ is head coach of one of the teams. Satan leads the other. For teenagers and so many adults they look at what Satan offers and they are drawn to play out life with him. Jesus says about his team, “I give to them eternal life and they shall never perish.” Plus God provides us with His Word the Bible that shows us ahead of time which team is going to win.

One day everyone on both teams will stand before God for the end of the game celebration and final statistics. Then who is going to be able to form the letter “L” with their fingers and put the letter “L” to their forehead and say, “Losers”?

Time is short. The game clock is ticking down. Now is the time to make Jesus your head coach. Personalize what Peter says in this verse, “Who are you to think that you could oppose God.” Acts 11:17

Application

I will continue to recruit people to be on God’s winning team!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me today present a clear message to our young people at our academy. Help me say something that they will remember. God, you speak to them through me. Open their hearts today. I pray that they will be able to see today with spiritual eyes. I pray that the Christian football players on both Super Bowl teams will be able to bring you much glory through their personal witness and testimony. You are an awesome God. I know that you are constantly working to bring people to a salvation and you can even use things like a Super Bowl to do it.

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Prejudice

Exodus 35; Exodus 36; Acts 10
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Scripture

Acts 10

34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Observation

This year we have an African American running for President and is a serious contender for the Democrats. Barack Obama could become the first African American President of the United States. Does that bother you? If it does bother you then you need to dig down deep and ask yourself why? Maybe it is because he is a Democrat and you are a Republican or Independent. Maybe it is because he is not strong enough on moral issues like the abortion issue or gay marriage.

What if he was a Republican and he was very strong on moral issues would you vote for him then? Or maybe it is that he doesn’t have the right color of skin to get your support. I hope you and I have moved past the sin of prejudice but I am not sure that we have. Peter struggled with it and you and I will too.

In heaven there will be folks from every different tribe and nation rubbing shoulders with us. So we better get used to it now.

Barack Obama is not strong enough on moral issues for me, but if an African American runs next term for President who is then I would support him if he were the best candidate. How about you?

Application

Today I will take extra time with one of our church members or guests that might have a shade darker skin or that have a different heart language than mine to let them know that they are loved.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me your heart for people. Help me see them like you see them. Don’t let me be prejudiced towards anyone. Bring someone into my life today that needs to be encouraged and help me be an encouragement to him or her. Today as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper may it bring you joy. May it cause you to smile on us today. Thank you for this Lord’s Day. We will rejoice and be glad in it! Amen.


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Barnabas – Son of Encouragement
We Desperately Need Men Like Barnabas!

Exodus 33; Exodus 34; Psalm 16; Acts 9
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Scripture

Acts 9

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Observation

As dramatic as the conversion experience of Paul was and it was definitely very powerful it would not have done the world any good if it hadn’t have been for Barnabas. It was Barnabas that believed in Paul and stood up for him in spite of the horrendous things done to Christians by Paul just a few days before.

Most of the New Testament would not have been written had it not been for Barnabas giving Paul a chance. Barnabas saw the potential in Paul when no one else did. We think of the Apostle Paul as a tough guy and with good reason, but Barnabas was even tougher. How do I know? A guy named John Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but during the trip John Mark must have become afraid and deserted the mission team. When it came time to make another mission trip Barnabas wanted John Mark to go with them again. Barnabas saw the potential in John Mark, but all Paul could see was the past failure and possibly future trouble. Sparks flew over John Mark’s worth and Barnabas refused to give in to Paul.

It was Barnabas’ character that made him fight and defend Paul and later fight with Paul to salvage the ministry of John Mark. Guys like Barnabas are rare, but every church and every Christian organization sure needs them. Barnabas stuck up for John Mark and it paid off. Later in Paul’s ministry Paul told Timothy to bring John Mark saying that he was helpful to Paul’s ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11

Great churches have become great because they have a Barnabas or two taking up for their pastors. Christian institutions become successful and powerful organizations that extend the kingdom of God when they have a Barnabas or two that stand up for the president of the institution when he comes under attack. Would you be a Barnabas in your church to your pastor? If you are in leadership in a Christian organization can the President of that organization count on you when he comes under attack? Even if it means you may be standing alone?

Application

I will be a Barnabas to someone this coming week.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in your word today I read about Moses and Barnabas and how both of these men stood up for people. In today’s Bible reading in Exodus 32 Moses told you to blot him out of your book if you were not going to forgive the Hebrews of their sin. Help me to pray for people like that and help me stick up for people and see value in them when others don’t. Bless our church with lots of guys like Barnabas. Amen.


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Why Shouldn’t I be Baptized?

Exodus 30; Exodus 31; Exodus 32; Acts 8
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Scripture

Acts 8

34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Observation

(Forgive me today if you are reading this and you are not Southern Baptist because I am venting today over an issue within our Baptist Convention. It is an extremely important issue to me. But I understand that it possibly isn’t for you. I don’t do this very often but today’s Bible reading about the baptism of the Ethiopian by Phillip stirred up this response within me.)

Some Baptist leaders in our Southern Baptist Convention have some strange ideas about baptism. Recently we have even let some of these leaders make rules that reject a person from missionary service with our International Mission Board if that person has been baptized in a church other than Southern Baptist. Where in the Bible do we have people getting baptized twice? Did I miss that chapter and verse?

Of course, the same group of leaders also created a rule that forbids someone serving as a missionary with our International Mission Board if they have a private prayer language. Even though the President of the International Mission Board has shared that he has the habit of praying in a private prayer language. Jerry Rankin has served us very well as President of our International Mission Board and it doesn’t bother me one bit about the way he handles his private prayer life. What is wrong with us? It is very evident to me at least that those that pushed that rule into existence were seeking to slap the President of the International Mission Board in the face. It would be like making a rule that someone couldn't enroll in Southern Seminary if they were a Calvinist even though the President of the Seminary was a Calvinist. Would that make sense? No it wouldn't make sense.

Where in the Bible do they get grounds for that rule? Did I miss that chapter and verse?

The next step for this group of men that made up the rule against the private prayer language would have been to get rid of the President that was in violation of their new rule. It is so obvious.

And having him continue to serve is a huge contradiction and I know must grieve the makers of this all important rule. How sad.

Firing the President is exactly what they would have done if trustee Wade Burleson had not stepped in and opposed their action. It makes me sad today to think that we Baptist have allowed a few folks to take us to this place.

I am not smiling when I ask, “what Bible are they using to come up with such rules?”

Wade Burleson resigned this week as a trustee of our International Mission Board. Wade Burleson’s Dad was my pastor when Kathy and I were in seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. I believe both he and his Dad to be men of integrity. Wade stood up and said that these two rules were wrong and the motives behind the creation of the two rules were equally wrong.

I am sad because there were no other trustees standing with Wade. I know some of the trustees personally and respect them, and that is what saddens me even more. Maybe if I was a trustee in their same position then maybe I would remain silent too. Maybe being in the room with a bunch of powerful pastors would be too intimidating for me also.

No one wants to stand alone or almost alone in a group like that and I understand that. But it seems to me that there should have been more voices in that group crying out against what has been allowed to happen. Some may feel that Wade’s approach has been wrong in the way he has attempted to stop these men. Maybe it has been? And maybe he hasn’t done everything in the right way. But at least he tried to do something. Let me repeat that again, but at least he tried to do something.

Let me ask my friends that sit on this board, now that Wade has resigned what are you going to do? Will you continue to remain silent? Who will be the voice? Will these men be allowed to continue to make rules like these two rules that I have just talked about? Rules that make no sense at all but cause a huge amount of damage. Will you allow them to force out the President of the International Mission Board now that Wade has stepped out of the picture?

We dealt with this same heart issue when we were on the mission field when our pastors would argue with us and say, “yes, we know that the Bible doesn’t say it”, but we have to not allow it for the discipline of the church.” I didn’t buy that argument then and I don’t buy it now.

Let’s get back to the Bible and what the Bible says. You know, that is the reason I am a Baptist because we are supposed to be people of the Word.


Application

I will not remain silent. How about you?


Prayer

Heavenly Father, you know how sad I am today over things within our Baptist Convention. I understand why men don’t stand up and voice opposition and tend to not want to stir the water. It is a very unpopular thing to do. I know that sometimes we think that for peace and harmony it is best to let things go, but I know that there are also times when you lead men to take a stand no matter what the cost. I pray for Wade Burleson today. I pray that you protect him from the evil one. Give him wisdom in how to handle himself. I pray that you bring men along side him to help him bring change to our convention. I pray for my friends on the board of trustees of the International Mission Board that you give them wisdom and give them courage to stand up and do what is right. Give them boldness. Don’t let them be blindsided but allow them to see and grasp what is going on. Help me to please you today with my thoughts and my motives. Search me and know my heart and cleanse me from anything that is not pleasing to you. Amen.


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The Face of an Angel

Exodus 25; Exodus 26; Exodus 27; Acts 6
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Scripture

Acts 6

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Observation

I hope that you took time to read all of chapter 6 this morning. I have to admit that when I read this last verse of the chapter I had to go on and look at chapter 7. It seems like that when we get to the end of chapter 6 everything has stopped and we find everyone staring into the face of Stephen. They were looking intently into his face. And what they saw was the face of an angel. For a few moments time must have stopped and the entire group of men had their eyes fixed on the face of Stephen and there was something about his face that made him look like an angel.

Here is what I think they saw in the face of Stephen, I don’t think it was an angel I think it was Jesus!

The scriptures say in verse 8 “Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” When you and I are full of God’s Holy Spirit we are going to shine and we are going to look like His children. We are going to be different. Have you ever been around people that just glowed and you could sense God’s presence? I have. And I love to be around people at church that are like that. I love it when I bump into a Christ-follower out somewhere in a public place and it is so evident that this person has been with Jesus.

It was a guy like Stephen that God used to change my life. His name is Dr. Charles Hartwig. He now lives in Jacksonville, Florida and continues to serve as a deacon at First Baptist Church Jacksonville. He was my Sunday School teacher when I first started attending Tampa Baptist Church, which was then called Spencer Memorial Baptist. There was something different about him. At first I couldn’t put my finger on what made him so different, but now I know that it was because he was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. Today I still rank him right up there with guys like Stephen. God used him to change my life. I am eternally grateful to him.

Application

It is my desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit today so people can see Jesus in me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, may others see Jesus in me. Amen

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Don’t Mess With God’s Anointed

Exodus 23; Exodus 24; Psalm 14; Acts 5
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Scripture

Acts 5

Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Observation

Did you read the entire chapter this morning? Take a second and click on the link and read the entire chapter it will only take a minute. In the beginning of the chapter we find a husband and wife named Ananias and Sapphira who come up with a crazy scheme to lie about the gift they were bringing to the Lord. The couple said to Peter and church leaders that they were giving all the proceeds from the sale of a certain piece of property to God and they told Peter that the amount of the sale was such and such. God somehow let Peter know that the husband and wife are lying about the amount and when Peter asked the husband to tell him once again how much the selling price was Ananias once again repeated the same lie and he then fell down dead. The wife came in a few hours later and Peter asked her to repeat to him how much the land was sold for and she lied and she fell down dead.

Then Peter and some other Apostles were arrested and put in prison but an angel brought them out of the jail and they were found the very next day preaching and teaching back at the temple courts. The high priest again arrested them and gave them strict orders not to preach or teach in the Name of Jesus anymore and then he had them flogged.

After Peter and the others were flogged they left that place…rejoicing…rejoicing…rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for the Name of Jesus! Wow! How could you stop guys like that! You can’t. Don’t mess with God’s anointed.

Application

I will write some words of encouragement this week to some of God’s anointed that have impacted and changed my life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this past Sunday it was a joy for me to hear Dr. Waylon Moore preach your Word. He is most definitely anointed. Thank you for using him in my life and in the lives of so many others. I love to hear him preach and teach. God continue to give him good health and strength so he can continue to move men closer in their walk to you. Help me to be like the Jesus I see in him. You are so Worthy of our Praise. Thank you for the power to live this life in victory. May I be counted worthy to suffer for you in any way you choose to help people that are lost know you. Amen.


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The Joy of Giving and Receiving!

Exodus 21; Exodus 22; Psalm 12; Acts 4
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Scripture

The Believers Share Their Possessions

Acts 4

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

Observation

I meet with for guys every Thursday morning for breakfast. We have been meeting together for over two years every Thursday. These guys are great friends. We have allowed ourselves to be accountable to each other. This past week I mentioned that I was going to buy a used bike rack and I had to drive over all the way over to Treasure Island to get it. One of the guys said, “don’t buy a bike rack I have one in my shed that I never use.” He called me up later that day and told me that he had taken the bike rack out of the shed and told me to come over and pick it up. While I was there he showed me a bicycle in the shed and told me to take that too. So I left his house with a bike rack and a bike and Kathy and I rode bikes on Friday afternoon.

As I left his house with my new found treasures I felt the love that was shared with me by my friend. I saw him Sunday and he asked me if we had used the bicycle yet and I got to tell him about our Friday bike ride. It made him very glad. And it was a joy for both of us. It was putting Acts 4:32 into action.


Application

I will be ready to give away something this week as the Lord opens the door.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for friends that you have brought into my life. Thank you for giving me brothers and sisters in Christ and allowing us to be one in heart and mind. The friend that shared with me this past week and gave me the bike rack and the bike I ask that you bless him and bless his family. Thank you for what happened at church yesterday Lord. I am very proud of our people. They did so good yesterday I hope that they caused you to Smile. Help me this week find someone to share with. Allow me to give something away so I can experience the joy it causes. You give us so much. You are always blessing us. Help me to be a blessing to someone else this week. Amen.

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Jesus, There is Just Something About That Name!

Exodus 17; Exodus 18; Exodus 19; Exodus 20; Acts 3
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Scripture

Acts 3

2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God

16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Observation

What does the name Jesus mean to you? Do you think of him as just a teacher, philosopher, or prophet that lived a long time ago? Or describe Him by saying, “some people think that He is God come down to earth to save all mankind.”

Or maybe you can say, “He is my Lord and my Savior.” He is the Great Physician. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Maybe you can say with confidence, “I was very sick and Jesus healed me.” Or maybe you could say, “I had a terrible tragedy happen in my life but Jesus helped me get through it.”

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there is just something about that Name! Call on Him today. Call on Him by his powerful Name – Jesus!


Application

Walking, jumping and praising God today because of Jesus!


Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have enjoyed talking with you this morning. I am able to come to your throne because of Jesus. It is in his Name, in the authority of His Name that I can come boldly to your throne. Today is a big day at church. I pray that people will cry out to you today and be saved. I also pray that our people will commit to give sacrificially today to support our Global Evangelization Offering. Do a mighty work today in our church so that you will be glorified. Amen.


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Bread of Heaven

Exodus 14; Exodus 16; Acts 2
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Scripture

Exodus 16

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."

14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.' "

31 The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.' "

34 As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept. 35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.


Observation

God provided bread from Heaven everyday for the people of Israel for forty years. Every day all they had to do was to walk out and gather it up off the ground and they had their food for that day. He also kept their clothes and sandals from wearing out for the entire forty years (Deut. 29:5).

Jesus said in John 6:31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' " 32 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Jesus, the bread of life, is way better than the manna that Israel experienced in the wilderness. Jesus can satisfy our hunger completely. He can take care of the emptiness that you may feel inside. He can sustain you. He can meet every need that you and I have this Saturday morning. It is God’s desire to take of us just like he took care of the children of Israel as they wandered for forty years in the desert.

Application

Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Today I will trust in God’s promises and I will expect great things!


Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have not given me the spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Help me to depend totally on you today to sustain me and to provide for me the things that I really need. You are the bread of life. You are all that I need. I pray that you do something in our church in such a wonderful and powerful way that only you could get the Glory. I pray that you would be glorified through my life and the lives of the people in our fellowship. Thank you taking care of every need we have and blessing us so much. You are Awesome. Amen.


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For Christ Our Passover Lamb Has Been Sacrificed

Exodus 12; Exodus 13; Psalm 21; Acts 1
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Scripture

Exodus 12

7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

12 "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.

23 When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.


Observation

When God had Moses lead the children of Israel out of Egypt he was already thinking about you and about me. The story of the Passover and the Passover Lamb is the story of God rescuing His people from bondage in Egypt. Today God through His Son Jesus Christ is rescuing all of us if we will put our faith and trust in His Word. In the book of Exodus God told the people to apply the blood of a lamb, a lamb that was without defects to the top of their door and to the sides of the door of their homes and if they applied the blood then their house would be passed over by the angel of death (the destroyer) and no one would die in their home. Those that did not apply the blood to their doorposts like God had instructed would experience the death of their oldest son.

That night of the Passover every home in Egypt experienced the judgment of God because when the destroyer passed over he did not see the blood on the doorposts as God had said.

God says in 1Corinthians 5:7 “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” and in

Ephesians 1:7 He says, “Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people - free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!”

Application

The blood of Jesus Christ has set me free from sin and because of that today I enjoy a special relationship with Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that you allowed me to be born at this time in history and I am so glad that I wasn’t born during the time of Moses. The children of Israel always wanted to go back to Egypt every time things got rough. Help me never to go back to being a slave to any of the sins that enslaved me before I trusted in Christ. Don’t let me yield to sin’s temptation. I want to bring you Glory. It is my desire to honor you and not to bring you shame. Show me your will today so that I can do it. Amen.

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An Emmaus Road Experience

Exodus 9; Exodus 10; Exodus 11; Luke 24
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Scripture

On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Observation

Have you ever had an Emmaus Road experience?

In my Christian life I have experienced a few of those special times where God’s Word burned within me in an unusual way. I traveled to Washington D.C. several years ago with a bunch of other guys, in fact about one million guys tagged along with me on that trip. It was a Promise Keepers Rally. I can remember that all of us were on the ground praying lying face down to the ground and there was dead silence. It was an incredible experience. And in other PK Rallies when men by the thousands are singing praises to their God it stirred up an Emmaus Road experience.

I have participated in Campus Crusade for Christ Conferences, Navigator Conferences, and in some very special worship services that produced this kind of emotional experience. It was like Moses at the burning bush you knew that you were on holy ground. The other night at the Winter Jam concert it was that kind of experience when “Mercy Me” closed out the concert by having all 8,000+ sing a song of praise without any music, without the band, just the 8,000 voices. It was awesome.

I have worshipped with nationals in their countries: Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Antigua, and Cuba and sensed that burning in my heart.

Some mornings when I am alone during my daily Bible reading my heart burns within me like that. And I sense His presence! It is like Jesus is right here with me. And you know what? He is!

Application

I will encourage men to meet with God everyday by getting into His Word.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, today I sense your presence. Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world. May our hearts burn within us today as we meditate on your word. Lord, I pray that you do a mighty work in the hearts of men today. I pray for men that are strong, men that will lead at home and in the work place, men that will not be ashamed to live for Christ. Amen.

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