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Full of God's grace and power

Today's Passage - Acts 6.8 - 7.60 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%206.8-7.60&version=31&interface=print

Good Morning.

It is easy to see why Stephen was chosen among the seven 'deacons' to minister to the practical needs of the Church--Luke describes Stephen as "full of God's grace and power". . . This is a long section of Scripture to read, but is so worthwhile, as within it, Stephen gives the history of the nation of Israel, including her… Continue

Added by Christine on May 26, 2009 at 6:53am — 1 Comment

Leadership Challenge

Acts 6:1-7

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this… Continue

Added by Christine on May 23, 2009 at 11:40am — 2 Comments

If it is from God, you will not be able to stop it!

Acts 5:17-42 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high… Continue

Added by Christine on May 20, 2009 at 4:08pm — 1 Comment

Is your God big enough??

Acts 5.12-17 - The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.… Continue

Added by Christine on May 19, 2009 at 8:54am — No Comments

A lot for me to think about. . . you too?

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the… Continue

Added by Christine on May 17, 2009 at 9:59pm — 4 Comments

Pond or River

Acts 4:32-35 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. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had… Continue

Added by Christine on May 15, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

Filled with the Spirit. . . again?

Acts 4:23-31

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

" 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth… Continue

Added by Christine on May 13, 2009 at 10:53pm — No Comments

Confident and Courageous

Good Morning~ Another look at these verses--Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become… Continue

Added by Christine on May 10, 2009 at 10:01pm — 2 Comments

So that you may know

Today's Bible Passage: Acts 4:1-22 Notice with me the power of the Gospel~

1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.4But many who heard the message believed, and the number… Continue

Added by Christine on May 8, 2009 at 8:16am — 2 Comments

In the Temple Courts

Our Bible passage today is Acts 3.11-26 - Please read it in your Bible or click on

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%203.11-26&version=31

Good Morning.

Did you see it? Did you see it again in today's passage? Peter trying to set the record straight. Last time, he was saying, 'No, these people are not drunk--they are filled with the Holy Spirit! Listen to them. . . they are speaking to you, in your own language, telling you about the great things God… Continue

Added by Christine on May 7, 2009 at 5:52pm — 2 Comments

Seeing is Believing

Acts 3.1-10 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But… Continue

Added by Christine on May 5, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Building Blocks

Acts 2.42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere… Continue

Added by Christine on May 4, 2009 at 10:11pm — 4 Comments

Peter. . . He was full of it

Good Morning.

May I direct our attention back to Acts 2? Go ahead--picture the 120 gathered together, and filled with the Spirit--they begin to speak in unknown languages--unknown to them but not to the Jewish pilgrims who had traveled to Jerusalem to observe Pentecost. A crowd gathers and hears the good news of the Gospel told in their own tongue--nothing short of amazing. Some, however, accuse the messengers of being drunk. Peter will not stand for that! Please open your Bibles,… Continue

Added by Christine on May 3, 2009 at 9:03am — 3 Comments

Tongues. . . For you?

Good Morning.

"What is the deal with tongues?" is a question I have been asked a number of times; perhaps as a way of describing the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, I will tell you about my exposure and experience with this gift. When I was 11 years old, my friend invited me to go to church with her at the First Assembly of God. I loved the upbeat feeling when we sang hymns; why, people even clapped their hands! Believe me, it was quite a departure from the Baptist church to… Continue

Added by Christine on May 1, 2009 at 6:29pm — 1 Comment

It's all about the free gift

Good Morning.

We leave our index finger on the page of Acts 2 to consider an important footnote. In yesterday's Morning Briefing, the Holy Spirit descended to rest upon and take residence within the Jewish Christians gathered together in Jerusalem. In obedience to Jesus, they had stayed together, waiting and praying for this gift that Jesus had promised--the Holy Spirit, third person of the Trinity. Do not be confused, the Holy Spirit has always been, but He had not inhabited… Continue

Added by Christine on May 1, 2009 at 8:45am — No Comments

Of wind, tongues and fire

Good Morning. Wow! This is a powerful passage. . . "Lord, open our hearts and minds to understand Your Word this day. Amen"

Acts 2.1-13 - When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in… Continue

Added by Christine on April 30, 2009 at 9:05am — No Comments

Operation➨➨➨Forgiveness

Good Morning. Forgiveness is God's invention for coming to terms with a world in which people are unfair to each other and hurt each other deeply. He began by forgiving us. And he invites us all to forgive each other. Lewis B. Smedes

While I am anxious to get to Acts chapter 2, it will have to wait another day; you'll see why. . .

It was early this morning when my telephone rang. Someone who had read "Thank you, Judas", yesterday's Morning Briefing, wanted to talk about it. You… Continue

Added by Christine on April 29, 2009 at 4:52pm — 2 Comments

Thank you, Judas

Acts 1:15-26 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.… Continue

Added by Christine on April 29, 2009 at 9:35am — 3 Comments

✜You have been commissioned✜

Good Morning. Acts 1.9-10 After He said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and

a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood

beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into

heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

After He had said what? Really,… Continue

Added by Christine on April 28, 2009 at 10:49am — No Comments

I'm talking about the power, baby -

Good Morning.

So once again, they press Jesus to know if this would be the time He would set things straight in Israel--topple Rome's tyranny of the Jews, and set up His kingdom. Jesus replies, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1.8 (in bold) I suppose this verse… Continue

Added by Christine on April 27, 2009 at 8:28pm — No Comments