The Daily Dose

The Persecuted Church

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  Revelation 2:10

The words that Jesus gave to the church at Smyrna were different from the words for Ephesus.   He told the church at Smyrna, first of all do not be afraid!   He said they were about to suffer some things and He wanted them to prepare ahead of time by never allowing fear to get into their hearts.  He told them that some of them would fall into the traps that the devil had set for them and that they would be tested and have trouble.  Lastly, He told them to be faithful until death, never giving up on their faith and holding fast to His promises!

This message doesn’t sound too encouraging on the surface, but again, I believe it is relevant for the body of believers in this present time.  The number one command we can apply to our lives today is to get rid of fear!! Forbid it to touch your life!! Fear is a spirit and it is poison.  It can get a grip so tight on a person that it can literally paralyze them from functioning in the plan God has for them. Learn to identify when it is approaching you and have a plan in place to defeat it at its onslaught.  You can stop fear by speaking out of your mouth what God says about the circumstances in His word.  When you are afraid something bad is about to happen or even if it is already happening, instead of talking about what you are afraid will come, speak what you know He is doing behind the scenes to change the situation.  Things like: “I have given this situation over to my Father and I know He is leading me through to victory because I am more than a conqueror.)  Or “Thank you Father that you have promised in your word that you are working in everything that I have committed to you to handle!”  Turn your fear into the things that you are believing God to work out for good because you love Him and are called to His purpose.  Instead of saying, I’m afraid _______ is going to happen, you can say: “This looks like it is heading in the wrong direction, but I have given it over to my Lord and I know He is turning what the enemy meant for evil into good things that only He can do!”

The best way to be prepared ahead of time to recognize fearful thoughts and ideas is to remember what you feel at the beginning when fear approaches.  Maybe you get a tight feeling in your chest, or a sick feeling in your stomach.  Maybe you just sense peace leaving you.  Whatever it is, use that feeling as a check to alert you that fear is approaching.  Then have some scripture promises ready (Your sword of defense) to speak out loud to defeat that evil spirit of fear! (2 Timothy 1:7) 

The second part of His exhortation is to be aware of and recognize the traps of the devil.  Satan is very subtle, and his devises are often explained away with diagnosis, prescriptions and substances.  He often begins with the distractions of the world to get us totally preoccupied with making ourselves comfortable and entertained, filling all our spare time with movies, social media and activities.  These are not bad things, but they should not be our “go to” every chance we get.  These are lures to totally distract us from the work God has called us to in this world and they can open the door for the curse of the enemy to enter our life.  Soon we fit right into society, and our light becomes so dim that no one even recognize that God is living among them in His people.  

He finished all His letters with the same phrase: “He who has ears to hear.”  He isn’t talking about the ears on the side of our heads. He was speaking of an open and receptive heart that desires to know God’s best path to walk in that way of life.  He doesn’t want us to fall into traps and be defeated by His enemy. He always has our best interest in mind and He can see what is coming up in life that we cannot see.  It makes sense that we listen to His warnings if we want to be successful in walking out that divine plan.

Today I want to encourage you in the same way the Church at Smyrna was encouraged.  Do not be afraid!  Trouble, tests and trials are a part of life, and it is a guarantee that they will be coming.  Get prepared ahead of time by filling up your heart and mouth with the word of God.  Then begin to speak His word at all times.  Don’t wait until the storm starts to rage to say it.  Keep His word always in your mouth.  When you do, you won’t even notice when the winds blow.  Start today and continue in your faith word all the remaining days of your life. Then when you get to the end, you will receive that crown of life that He promised all those years ago!

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 2:8-11

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 

9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

The Loveless Church

“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4

In the past, I have wondered why there haven’t been any books added to the scripture for 2000 years?  Then I remembered the book of Revelation is the perfect climax and conclusion to the best seller that is the Holy Bible.   These are the words of the resurrected, ascended into heaven, “glorified” Jesus that He gave to the last living apostle for the churches. Surely there is some truth that we can find relevant to today’s body of believers to impact the messed up world we live in.

After John got up from falling before Jesus in chapter 1 of Revelation, Jesus began to give a message to send to the believers in the church at Ephesus. He began His message by talking about the “works” they were currently doing.   They were working hard and laboring, they were patient, and they hated evil.  They had questioned those who had said they were apostles but were liars.  They had persevered, been patient and had labored for His name’s sake and had not gotten tired in doing these things.  These all sound like good things, and they were good things.  However, even though they were doing many good things, there was something missing.  They had lost their first love.  Something has changed and they didn’t love others and the work of the ministry like they did at first.  It seemed they had lost the love of the Holy Spirit flowing through them.  All their hard work was out of obligation and traditions and they had forgotten the new commandment that Jesus gave to love one another.

Jesus’ solution to them was to remember how it used to be and repent from where they had fallen from.  Then He wanted them to go back and do the signs, miracles, and bringing thousands into the kingdom daily like the first church, so their light could be seen and wouldn’t go out again. 

The New Testament church began in the upper room when they were all in agreement on the day of Pentecost.  That was also when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  There was no structure, plan, or program.  However, there was the energy that comes from sharing the good news with others.   Not that we shouldn’t have structure, but we shouldn’t be stepping over people to get to our task in the church building.  The church at Ephesus had gotten busy laboring in the work of ministry but had lost the reason they were doing it.   Jesus never intended for us to be busy with planning, practicing, or programs.  He intended for us to agree with each other, meet consistently, and bring people in that are hurting and looking for hope.  This work must start with love for God and His plans and filling up with the Holy Spirit’s power.  Jesus told the disciples at His ascension to wait for the Holy Spirit and then the power to accomplish God’s work would be on them.

Today I want to encourage you to consider this letter to the church at Ephesus.  How is it relevant to what you are doing today in the church?  What steps can you take personally to begin to return to your first love?  The first thing to do is to set some time aside to worship and adore your heavenly Father. Then ask for a refilling of the Holy Spirit in the same way the first church was filled up.  If you have never been filled with the Holy Spirit, ask Him to fill you today.  Pray and ask Him to show you opportunities to do the “first works” of loving others the way the first New Testament church did and receive the power of the Spirit flowing through you to do those works.   Today, return to your first love by loving God and loving people.

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 2:1-7

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

Poor in spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

This is Jesus first public message.  The passage says that He sat with His disciples taught them, but it also says there were multitudes around.  The first ten verses are the introduction to this sermon.  They are commonly known as the Be-attitudes, but I believe Jesus was telling His disciples the entrance into the Kingdom of heaven that He had been talking about.  These attitudes do not save you, but as a child of God, these are the actions that represent one who is operating in the Kingdom principles.

I am briefly writing about the nine attitudes that Jesus explains in this text.  First of all, I want to talk about this word blessed.  It is a word defined as happy, but it is the kind of happiness that comes from the spirit of a person, not from external things or circumstances.  It can also mean success in attaining wholeness and contentment.

This helps us to understand that Jesus was teaching His disciples where true joy and satisfaction come from in life.  By walking in this world according to these attitudes, you can walk out your days in peace, joy and contentment.

Jesus started this sermon with saying the person who is poor in spirit is happy, content and satisfied with life.  He didn’t say those who are poor in external things and lacking in physical necessities.  He was talking about having a bankrupt spirit that recognizes its need for a Savior. When you come to the place in life that you recognize that all that you are and all that you have is because of the grace of God and Savior that love you, you become determined to trust Him for every breath you take and every move you make.  You understand that you have been given life to complete an assignment here in this world and God has given you all the resources you need to fulfill that mission.  You no longer believe that you worked hard all your life to accomplish the things you have done.  Instead, you have a deeper understanding that all that you are is because of your heavenly Father that loves you and has led you every step of the way.

The verse goes on to say when you are poor in spirit, you belong to the kingdom of Heaven and that is where your citizenship and home truly is.  Even though you are in this world called Earth, you have dual citizenship because you have only been sent here to work for a few years.  Your life is lived by the heart of God and His Word that instructs in the way of living successfully.

Today, I want to encourage you to be poor in spirit.  Take some time to talk to your heavenly Father about what He has brought you through in your life so far.  Thank Him for all He has given you and all He has led you to.  Let Him know that you recognize that His hand is the reason for all you have become so far.  Then spend some time talking to Him about what He will lead you to next and thank Him for always being involved in your life even the times when you didn’t realize He was looking.  Take some time to meditate what it means to be a citizen of heaven right now in this world even though you are not physically there yet. Then, tell Him you trust Him to provide all you need to finish the course He has you on today.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Follow Me

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matthew 4:19

Can you imagine walking up to someone and saying, “Follow me!”  Forget about the making fishers of men part for a second and just think about it.  Where would they follow you and what would they learn if they were following you.  Maybe you have some followers if you have a business, lead a team or ministry somewhere.  Are they following your example, or do they only do what you tell them to do regardless of what your personal behavior?

So, Jesus told Simon and Andrew to follow Him. To them this meant that they would leave their business of fishing, leave their homes to travel with Jesus and leave behind all the relationships they had up until that point.  There is no indication from scripture that they struggled with this calling.  The passage says immediately they left what they were doing to follow Him.  They believed they met the Messiah and that they would be part of His liberation of Israel from Roman oppression.  It didn’t take long, however for them to realize there wasn’t going to be a revolt.  Instead, Jesus was showing them how to gather up people into the Kingdom of heaven.  He said: Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.

It is interesting that He said I will MAKE you fishers of men and not I will show you how to be fishers of men.  As we read further down the passage, we see that as they followed Jesus and served in His ministry, they were close to all the miracles and wonders He was doing wherever He went.  It didn’t happen overnight, but the more time they spent with Jesus, the more they became gatherers of people.  Finally, after Jesus’ resurrection, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples gathered more in one day than they had the entire three years that they were with Jesus.  Because of the time they spent with Him and obeying His command to go and wait until the Holy Spirit filled them with His power, they truly became fishers of men and turned the world upside down with their witness. (see Acts 17)

Jesus gives the same call to us today.  He wants us to follow the leading of His Spirit and fill up with His power to gather up the people of our day.  Those that we work with, those in our neighborhoods and those throughout our communities.  The closer we walk with Him the more effective we will be.  It will require setting aside some quiet time with Him each day to press in and grow your relationship with Him.  Learn to hear His voice and direction and He will lead you in demonstration of His power.  Soon you will be gathering up people all over the entire world.

Today I want to encourage you to follow Him.  Press into Him each day and learn what mission He has for you to follow Him in.  Ask Him about who He would have you to reach out to each day.  Whether to encourage, pray with or simply sit with and let them know the love God has for them.  Follow Him in your daily walk and His presence will MAKE you His lure to gather people into God’s kingdom.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 4:18-25

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,

22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

The Lord’s Day   

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. Revelation 1:10

As we go through the book of Revelation in the coming weeks, my plan is to not try to explain the depth of the contents but rather pull out a relevant truth that we can apply to today.  I’m not going to pretend that I understand all there is to know about this book but in reading through each section, more knowledge and revelation will come. I hope you will enjoy The Daily Dose through the book of Revelation.

As we continue on in chapter on, the portion for today is John’s introduction to the message he received for the church.  He gave some great details about how these things all came about.  First, he talked about his captivity and the reason he was in this setting of being exiled. Then he talked about the day it all happened.  The Lord’s day.  I always thought that meant it was Sunday, the first day of the week, and it very well could have been.  I have heard other explanations as well that it was a Holy day.  One of God’s feast days.  A day set apart from other days to give attention to God and His great love and plan.  That is exactly what John was doing that day.  He said, he was in the Spirit.  Maybe prayer, maybe meditation, maybe rest?  The most important thing he was doing was positioning himself to be available if the Spirit wanted to reveal something to him.  He was setting aside this time to press into his heavenly Father.  It didn’t matter that he was banished away from all society, and it made no difference that he was cast out to be with other criminals.  God reached him right where he was. 

On that day of the Lord where John was taking time to be with his Savior, Jesus came to him and announced Who He was so there would be no doubt and confusion about it.  The Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. In other words, the eternal One.  When John turned to look at the loud voice that sounded like a trumpet, his vision began. 

We still have the opportunity today to hear secrets from our Father in heaven.  Oh, they may not be the vision of world prophecy of the end of the age like John had, but we can learn the secret plans He has for our lives on a personal level.  The requirement is the same.  Get alone with God.  Press into He Word and His Sprit with prayer, worship and thanksgiving.  Set aside time on the Lord’s day to position yourself to be in a quiet place to hear His direction in the inside of your heart.  Even if you just hear His gentle message of love and goodness He desires for you, that will be peace and comfort in whatever environment you are in.

Today I want to encourage you to set some time aside to talk and listen to your Father in heaven.  Make it a priority in your day to give Him some time so when He has something to share with you, you are in a position to receive.  Give the Lord a special day each week that you step away from the normal activities and focus your attention and love on Him.  Rest in His presence and get filled up for the coming week.  Even if you never have a vision of things to come, your strength will be restored as you allow His Spirit to minister His grace and love to your weary soul.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 1:9-11

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 

11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Five Keys

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.  Revelation 1:4

As we begin our journey through the book of Revelation, there are 5 keys to keep in mind:

1. The central theme is the revealing of Jesus Christ – What is next for the church.  It is not the revealing of the Antichrist, and it is not the revelation of the apostle John.  It is what God showed Jesus to let the church in on as His body here in the world.
2. Jesus’ servants are to understand this revelation – it is a mystery to the outside world but to His own, He gives supernatural insight and wisdom.  An encrypted message to stand the test of time.
3. The stories and the events in heaven and on earth during the Tribulation period are woven around the central theme of Jesus as God’s redemptive plan. – It is still His-Story
4. The informational chapters provide more details about the accounts of heaven and earth – some things seem out of order, but they are background and historic details to give context.
5. The events in Revelation occurred in the past, present and future.  When reading it today remember that it was written almost 2000 years ago.

In today’s reading, the apostle John starts out this letter with a greeting to the churches.  Since Jesus gave him messages for the churches John starts out with the same kind of greeting as the other epistles of the New Testament.  He sent God’s grace and peace from the Lord Jesus.  The One Who was, is and always will be.  He continued his encouragement to the churches by reminding them that even though the world is full of turmoil and uncertainty, hope still remains in the unshakable foundation that we have in our relationship with God our heavenly Father through our salvation in the blood of Jesus.

Then John took time to talk about how great our God and Father was, is and is going to be.  He reminded the churches that He reigns over all creation.  He is the beginning and the end.  Despite the challenges and trials, they were facing at that time in history, John encouraged them to take comfort in knowing that God holds all of time and eternity in His hands.  He is the One certainty in our ever-changing world.

We can take this greeting and hold on to it still today.  In the uncertainties of this life, God is our refuge and our fortress!  He is the same today as He was back when John wrote to the churches.  We can also share God’s grace and peace with others today just as John did in this letter.  Remind other about God’s love and that His plan is at work in the world even still today.  Pray God’s empowering grace and peace for others as they are the light each day in this dark world and walk in His grace and peace as you complete each assignment you have been given. 

Today I want to encourage you while reading the book of revelation to see each passage as a source of encouragement and strength as you navigate this life with faith and perseverance.  Join me in holding on to the eternal hope and assurance that the book of Revelation offers.  In the midst of life’s storms, we can have His peace and grace as our guide and take joy in His promise of eternity with Him.  This does not mean that we will never be uncomfortable or experience struggles.  But it does mean that we have the empowering grace of God on our side to make it through every trial and test that we face.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 1:4-8

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 

5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 

6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

His-Story

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”   Revelation 1:3

Finally!  The book of Revelation!  The last book of the New Testament and the Bible.  I am so excited to go through this book with you all and I pray you will be blessed!  For years I avoided it for a few reasons.  1. I told myself “I won’t be here when it happens, so it doesn’t really apply to me”.   2. I felt like it was a mystery that I could never understand.  However, when I realized that the meaning of Revelation is revealing, I was pretty sure God was not trying to hide His revelation from me.   3. I was mostly afraid of what I vaguely knew about it and didn’t want to think about things to come.  I didn’t realize that right at the beginning of the book in verse three, there is a special promise of blessing for those who read it, heed it and keep what is written in the book of Revelation.  You are assured the special blessing of God on your life when you take the time to read this book, listen to what this book is revealing to your heart and then hold on to that revelation in your daily life.

I came to this realization many years ago when I was listening to the books of the Bible on my Bible app. When I got to Revelation, I was hesitant to listen, but then I thought maybe listening to it would make it easier to understand.  As I began to hear the words and continued through each chapter, I began to notice that it seemed to keep coming back to the recurring theme that the plans of the “Antichrist” (God’s enemy) were being continually prevented.  My perception up to that point had always been that Revelation was a book about Satan tormenting God’s people.  Finally, it dawned on me . . . Oh, the book of Revelation is still His story!  Revelation is not a shift in the Bible from being God’s love story to Satan’s hate story.  It is still God’s story and still His Book!  The entire book of Revelation is written from heaven in the presence of God and He continues to interfere with the enemy’s plan, who is trying once again to rule over God’s people and creation.  The book of Revelation is the climatic ending of epic proportion of God’s book where His enemy is finally put away forever, never to be heard of again.  It’s the ending of the best book ever written God’s Book!! (The final battle scene)

This realization stirred up such a hunger in me to listen to it over and over again.  Until the point that now it is my favorite book in the entire Bible.  Then, just over five years ago, I completed a verse-by-verse study of the book.  So much I have learned from it.  My perspective has totally changed, and I no longer have any fear of God’s coming events.  It truly is a book of Revelation and a book of God’s blessing!

So today I want to invite you to join me as we venture through the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. If you have previously been of the mindset that I was, thinking it’s not for you, today I challenge you to take a closer look and see what blessing He has for you in it.  For me, the blessing started when I realized it was not the Antichrist’s book, but the conclusion of God’s love letter where He will put away His enemy and mine for all eternity!!  I pray each day that you will be blessed as we walk through this prophecy of Revelation, section by section. Please take time to pray over it each day for the revelation that He has for you in it.  Read through it slowly, and I can promise you a special blessing will come out of it, but don’t take my word for it.  Take God’s!  He’s the one that promised you would be blessed for reading, hearing and keeping it until the end is here!

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 1:1-3

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 

2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 

3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Unstoppable Faith

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.  Acts 28:30-31

In today’s dose, we are finishing up the book of Acts.  I hope you have enjoyed reading through this book. It is one of my favorites because of the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit that inspired the first Christians to walk out their lives and calling with unstoppable faith. This book always motivates and energizes me to follow the examples of these believers. Acts shares many details of the establishment and growth of how the Christian faith began. It also shows us how Christianity was able to spread to the nations of the world.  It is much more than a history book of Christian faith.  It is the foundation for living a life of faith in God successfully.  Below are four points for us to look at today and decide if our relationship with our Savior is based on these foundations.

1. Walking out God’s mission in the middle of adversity –Jesus told the disciples at the beginning of Acts to go tell the good news to all the nation.  There was little if any warning about the objections and trouble they would face while on the mission.  Having ministered with Jesus for the three years before, the disciples had already experienced trouble being part of the journey.  They held on to Jesus’ command and persevered through the opposition and kept focused on the goal of reaching the lost.

Our objective and assignment is the same today.  As God’s people, we are to grow up in our faith so that we can help and lead others to Him. We may not have three years of walking closely with the Holy Spirit and growing up in the things of God like the disciples did, but we can always encourage others along the way.  In the growing process, troubles and tests will come, but keeping our eyes on the One Who sent us will empower us to overcome every obstacle that tries to trip us up.

2. Be confidence in God’s Promises – All through the book of Acts, the people of God continually encouraged and reminded each other of the promises of God in the scriptures and that Jesus gave them.  Holding on to these promises resulted in the joy and rewards of carrying out the mission they were given.  God’s promises were what they turned to when fear tried to break into their peace and stop them. 

The promises of God are with us still today in His word.  That is why it is essential to spend time with Him and His word each day.  The more of God’s promises you hide in your heart, the more you will be reminded of them when you feel the pressure to give up or move on from the work you are currently doing.  When the onslaught of fear and anxiety threaten you, turn immediately to the peace of God’s promises.  Stop the spirit of fear in its tracks before it comes out of your mouth.  Instead, speak out what God says and your faith will be put into action instead of the fear.

3. Continue in prayer – The Christians of the first church met often together to pray and encourage one another.  Many times, they came together daily.  In taking time to connect and pray together, their commitment to the mission was strengthened and as they prayed for boldness to share, the Holy Spirit’s power was released to allow them to be persistent and never back down in their message of the truth of God’s love for all people.

In the same way that it is essential for us to spend time with God and His promises (scripture) each day, it is equally important for us to get together with other believers in person to connect and pray for one another.  We need each other and it is so powerful to share with other believers what you are struggling with and also what you have been able to overcome.  Your stories will inspire others to boldness and theirs will motivate you to keep up the good fight of faith.  Then take time to pray together and continue to pray for each other when you are apart.  Coming together for weekend services and regularly getting together in a small group setting is not negotiable.  It is vital to the life of your mission to take the time to reconnect with others that also need your presence to keep them focused when life happens.

4. Always be watching for divine appointments – As the Christians in Acts shared the message of salvation and came together to minister to one another, God continually orchestrated divine appointments.  The Holy Spirit was working in the hearts of people that would be in place at just the right moments to hear the word of God’s love.  These early Christians welcomed all who came to them, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without being hindered by the circumstances surrounding them.

God is still arranging these appointments for us today.  By positioning ourselves to meet with Him each morning in prayer and worship, we can be more aware of these divine meetings when they happen.  Always be on the look out to encourage and bless others as opportunity provides.  Whether an inspirational word, an invitation to a group or weekend service or even quietly slipping a $20 bill to someone in need.  These acts of love coupled with the hand of God’s Spirit can be the very seed that pulls someone’s heart closer to their decision to receive God’s great salvation.

Today I want to encourage you to consider and learn from the book of Acts when challenges come.  Embrace God’s calling and assignment with unwavering faith and courage.  Don’t pray for opportunities to go away or to be hidden and protected away from the world.  Instead, pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to persevere in prayer and in boldly proclaiming the goodness of God’s love while remaining open to divine appointments.  Despite the obstacles you may face, trust God’s promises and press forward with unstoppable faith, knowing that He is with you every step of the way.  Allow the inspiring examples of the first Christians to ignite a fire of faith in your heart to propel you forward on your journey of courage and conviction.  Embrace God’s calling with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit knowing that nothing can stand in the way of His purposes being fulfilled in your life when you do.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 28:17-31

17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 

18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 

20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 

22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 

24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 

25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 

26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’

28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 

31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Who’s next

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Matthew 4:12-17

Here we go!  Jesus begins His public ministry and surprisingly, His message is the same as John the Baptist’s was.  Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is coming.  I like the wording of this in the NKJV because it says the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Jesus told the people of His day that the kingdom of God was within their reach.  When Jesus finished His ministry here in the world, he passed the torch to the disciples who also preached the kingdom of heaven.

So, what exactly is the kingdom of heaven that John, Jesus and those after them were talking about?  Were they talking about the place where God lives in Heaven beyond this world and universe?  Were they talking about when Jesus will set up His kingdom here on the earth?  No, the kingdom of heaven that they were talking about is kingdom principles that govern the life of a person who is submitted to the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is why they taught the people that kingdom living was with in their reach right here in this world.  Sure, sin is still here and will continue, but the body of Christ, the people of God, live and operate in a different kingdom.  The kingdom of light.  So now we shine the light right in the middle of the darkness.  We live in the dark world, but the Light of the kingdom of heaven lives in us.  When we live our lives the way Jesus lived His life, we are the light that this dark world is desperately seeking.

Not only are we the light by loving the lost and hurting people of the world, but we also have the same message that Jesus had.  We tell others about the life of repentance and living by the kingdom of light so that when we are gone, they can continue the work that Jesus started thousands of years ago.

Today I want to encourage you to be the light wherever you go.  Don’t gossip and complain like those without a Savior do.  Instead, be kind, loving and generous to those who are outside so that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)  Then teach them how to share the message of repentance and to love others the kingdom of heaven way, so that they will continue this work long after you are gone from this world.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 4:12-17

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.

13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”