[Read: Acts 8:1-40 Who is your neighbour?]

Read: Acts 8:1-40                                             Who is your neighbour?

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” Matt. 24:14

The success of the apostles in spreading the gospel was that they followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. They consulted the Holy Spirit in prayer and fasting. They had been instructed to wait on the Holy Spirit and not leave Jerusalem until He was come. Jesus said the Holy Spirit was the promise of the Father. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”   John 16:13
 
Paul the Apostle in his letter to the Galatians encourages us to be led of the Spirit. If we are not led of the Spirit of God then it is possible that something else is leading us. Our success is dependant on our connection with the Spirit of God. Jesus made this clear when He said, “ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5. The Father sent the Holy Spirit to us in response to Jesus prayer. We need the Holy Spirit’s help if we are to be effective for the kingdom of God on earth. To ignore the Holy Spirit’s instruction and help is to ignore the help that God has given us and is nothing else but pride.

In our reading today, we see Philip the Evangelist had an effective ministry in Samaria. Many came to faith in Jesus Christ. It might have been a good place to settle down. Things were progressing well even as other apostles joined Philip from Jerusalem. There was not much persecution, in fact, we are told there was great joy in the city. Through the ministry of Philip, Simon the sorcerer, was now converted to Christianity. It was at such a time that the Spirit of the Lord instructed Philip to leave everything and go down into the desert. Philip was being sent to minister to one man. Had Philip disobeyed the Ethiopian eunuch would not have heard of Jesus and been saved.

An effective ministry in one place does not mean that God will not lead us elsewhere. We need to be open to where the Holy Spirit wants us to minister at any given time. “One” man matters to God as much as an entire city. It could have been thought a waste for this great evangelist to leave his big ministry and take time out for a single individual, yet in this we see the heart of God revealed. Jesus himself talked of this when he spoke the parable of the shepherd who left the ninety nine sheep to search for the one which was lost. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”   Luke 15: 7   
Though we do not know this for a fact, the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch may have been instrumental in the spread of the gospel to Ethiopia. Much is spoken these days about ministering to the millions, but God may be leading us to minister to the one. We do not know how many lives we impact when we reach out to the one whom the Spirit is leading us to.
 
Even though, successful in places, we read that the Apostles went on from city to city sharing the gospel fulfilling the commission of Jesus, And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 When Philip finished ministering to the eunuch; the Holy Spirit carried him and placed him in another place. We read Philip began preaching in that place in every city there. The Commission has not changed; the individual who is lost is still Gods concern. This is our responsibility as children of God following the Holy Spirit’s leading. We can start where God has placed us right now. May we be willing to hear from the Holy Spirit whom He wants us to minister to and be obedient.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”2 Peter 3::9

[Read: Acts 10: 1-6 Continue in the Faith]

Read: Acts 10: 1-6                                        Continue in the Faith

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
Heb. 10:35, 36

        Cornelius was a man who feared God with all his house, he was one who gave abundantly to the needy, who prayed always and fasted often. This was his lifestyle and not just sporadic happenings during his life. People who knew Cornelius spoke well of him. We are not told what he was fasting  and praying for but during one such time an angel appeared to him. The angel addressed Cornelius by name; there was no mistake that the angel had come to speak to Cornelius. The angel said, “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” Acts 10:4-6 The angel came to inform Cornelius that his consistency in prayer and giving had created a memorial of him before God and that there was something which God wanted to give to him. God knew him by name and God had seen all that he had done up until that time.

        What we do for God is never a waste, you might not see the results of your consistency in obeying Him but He is fully aware of what you do. We are not to give up but to continue faithfully serving the Lord. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”1 Cor. 15: 58 Cornelius was whole hearted in his serving of God. We are to be the same. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” Col. 3:23   We are to serve the Lord with gladness, remembering that our reward is from God.  This will keep us from growing weary in well doing and from seeking reward or approval from man. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”Matt.6:6

        Our prayers, giving and fasting and acts of service are not unnoticed by God.  There is a record in heaven when we serve the Lord and He will reward us in due season. Your prayers before God are a sweet smelling incense. When you take time to remember God and serve Him He takes delight in remembering you and blessing you.
“And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.” Rev. 8:3, 4

        Have you created a memorial before God? Many seek to be remembered and known of man but what is most important is that we are known of God! May we continue to serve God in the ways we can and not give up.

"http://[i]And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” [/i] Galatians 6:9

[Read: Jeremiah 18:1-10 Made New]

Read:  Jeremiah 18:1-10                                Made New 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Cor.5 :17

   

            In our reading today we see how the vessel was marred in the hands of potter, the potter did not discard the clay and use new clay instead he made of the same clay a new vessel as he saw fit. Our lives may be marred because of various reasons God desires to make us new. We can trust God to perfect that which concerns us. He is the master craftsman who works on us His hands know how to mould us to fit the pattern in His mind. Man may discard you because of your past or your failures but God desires to work with you. What seems impossible with man is possible God. We are all “work in progress” in the hands of a loving Creator. “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isa.64:8
 
            Through the continuing and loving work of the Holy Spirit in us we are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. We might not feel right or look right but God knows what He is doing and what He has begun in us He will also complete. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

             God has a unique purpose for which He created you. God takes pleasure in His creation. He spoke of Jeremiah and said, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Believe that God indeed has purpose and reason for why He put you on earth. Don’t limit God by desiring to become who you or others want you to become, but rather allow God to make you into whom He desires you to be. When we surrender to the desire of Gods heart for our lives we give Him great pleasure and we will be fulfilled.

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Rev. 4:11

Amen! The Lord be praised! Thank you for your responses Def and Holy Spokes! God Bless You!
Ann

Amen Glory to God!! Am so happy you were blessed Def!

[Read: Luke 24: 13-35 Open Vision]

Read: Luke 24: 13-35                                       Open Vision
 

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints…”
 Eph.1:18

The two disciples of Jesus on the way to Emmaus were disheartened and very sad at His death. Jesus appeared to them and conversed with them on the way. However, the disciples could not recognize it was Jesus, but as He began to expound the scriptures to them concerning himself their hearts began to burn within them. It was only later that they fully saw who He was and understood indeed He was alive.
 
Jesus needed to open their eyes of understanding to show them what was happening. It was more than they could ‘see’. Jesus rebuked these two disciples for their unbelief of the Word of God.  “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” Luke 24:25. They had lost hope because of what they had seen and heard but had not remembered and kept the Word of God which had been told them concerning these things. Jesus had to return their focus to the Word of God. Prior his death Jesus said, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” Matt. 20:18-19  There should have been a joyful expectation that third day had they heard and remembered what Jesus had told them.
 
It is the Word of God which remains constant , it is the Word of God that will not return to God void but accomplish everything it was sent forth to do .It is the Word of God which will be fulfilled. Anytime we shift our focus from the Word of God to what we see, feel or hear we are drawn in doubt and unbelief. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19.Gods promises to us are all ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ He keeps all His promises never fails in them.
 
What does Gods word say about your situation? Remember it and stand on the Word it will come to pass. “He (Abraham)staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;” Rom 4:20 .If we have built our hopes on anything other than the word of God we will also fall miserably when faced with the storms of life. Jesus explained this in the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock versus the foolish one who built on the sand. The storms will come but if your life is rooted on the rock Jesus Christ, the Word, you will not be shaken.
 
The Word of God will give you focus and direction when you face the challenges of life. Time and time again the importance of the Word of God is emphasized in scripture. Meditate on the Word until it becomes part of you so when things happen which appear contrary to the Word you will still stand and confess the truth and gain your victory over unbelief. With the help of the Holy Spirit our eyes of understanding can be opened so that we will see things the way God sees them. 
 

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
 Matt.24:35

Thanks Pastor!
I did make the correction! 
 Ann

Thank You Pastor, I came here just now hoping to make that correction and see you got me before I did lol hopefully no  one is mad at me ha ha ha. I will make that change here once I figure how to do it!!
GBU
Ann

[Read: Numbers 12: 1-16 Friendship with God]

Read:  Numbers 12: 1-16                          Friendship with God

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law ” Deut. 29:29

Aaron and Miriam were jealous of Moses and rebuked him when he chose for himself an Eithopian wife. They challenged God by saying, “Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it” .God heard what they said and was very angry with them. He called out to Moses, Miriam and Aaron to come out of the tabernacle and told them that his relationship with Moses was different than with anyone else. “My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Num. 12:8

God pointed out that the difference with Moses was that he was humble and faithful. Humility and the reverence of God is the qualification for friendship with God. Friends of God do have privileges above the rest. Moses was the only one among those in the wilderness whom God showed Himself to. Not everyone is a friend of God. God looks for those whose hearts are humble before Him and who seek Him more than anything else in the world. Moses spent time more time with God than probably anyone else in those days. He desired Gods presence, he consulted God on everything. He had a holy anger against what was unrighteous and above all he had a humble heart to intercede for the sins of the Israelites even as if they were his own. He showed true love for God and his fellow men.

Jesus chose twelve disciples. However, only three of them were with him on many occasions and saw and heard things which the others did not. God reveals things to those whom He calls friends.  “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15
He chooses to talk to them plainly. “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” Matt. 13: 10, 11
God likes to involve his friends when he does something. We see this in his relationship with Abraham. “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do” Gen.18:17
 When you are a friend of God He listens to your advice and opinion. God listened to Abraham’s request and saved Lot and his family from destruction.

A friend of God cannot be a friend of the world. Friends of God are devoted to Him “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” Jam.4:4 There is no compromise possible when you are a friend of God. You serve His best interests at all times and have joy in so doing. Abraham was a humble and faithful man and God was pleased to call him his friend. “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”Jam.2:23

When God becomes your friend it is forever.  “Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?”2 Chro. 20:7 God protects his friends and is hurt when they are mistreated; we see this in how he reacted to what Miriam of Aaron had spoken. Instead of being jealous of those who share intimacy with God we should ourselves desire to become friends of God.  A friend of God will be willing to lay down his life for His sake and be willing to sacrifice everything to gain Christ. To become a friend of God is a choice that each of us make. What will you choose?

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 1:13

[Read: 2 Samuel 5: 17-25 Victory Every Time !]

Read: 2 Samuel 5: 17-25                                  Victory Every Time !

“This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and  excellent in working.” Isa. 28:29

It is so important that we include God in every decision we make. In our reading today we see how David enquired of God before going out in battle against the Philistines. It is so important to know if God be with you in a venture, decision, journey etc. that you plan to make. To assume that He is with you in this decision just because He did so the last time is foolishness. A humble person will include God in the decisions that he makes. To fear God is to revere Him, to revere Him is the beginning of wisdom. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding ” Prov.9:10 Without understanding and knowledge we are set up for defeat. Solomon writes, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Prov. 4:7

When David went out against the Philistines the first time, God assured him of victory. David was successful in driving them away. Now the enemy was back again with reinforcements. They came in the same way, in the same place and with the same intent. David did not presume on Gods help with him and proceed into battle against them a second time. Instead, he enquired of God and God gave him a different method and strategy to attack the Philistines. The method God gave you the last time might not be the method He chooses this time. Seek God’s counsel! “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” Prov.19:21

If David had gone on ahead without the instruction from God he would have been defeated. Although God had promised David that he would be successful the first time, it seemed like the enemy had reappeared. David’s first encounter with the Philistines was when he defeated Goliath. Now he was facing them again and again. The Lord promised David that He would go before them and strike the enemy. Although they came with reinforcements this time, God also sent forth heavenly armies to wage war. It was the sound of this host in the mulberry bushes that gave David the sign of Gods help. This time they would be completely defeated.

What are the ‘Goliaths” in your life? What is that thing in your life which seems to keep returning to challenge you and your freedom? Even if they gather in numbers against you be confident that God and all of heaven backs you. Say along with David, “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Ps. 27:3.  Ask God for help. Listen and obey His instruction to you. God is interested in your victory every time! “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it .”1 Cor.10:13

 Every time you are challenged you are gaining victory, and growing stronger in the Lord. Every victory is leading to the annihilation of that enemy that has challenged you and pursued you. When that enemy is dealt with the last time it will be the final blow and the Lord himself will fight for you in this. Be encouraged!

“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
2 Kings 6:16

[Read: 1Peter 1:1-12 Goal of Faith]

Read:  1Peter 1:1-12                                   Goal of Faith
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”1 Peter 1:9

Jesus defined for us what eternal life is, “ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” John 17:3   Our life here on earth is an ever increasing opportunity to draw nearer to knowing God and Jesus Christ. God is love and to know God is to know love. Every endeavour of our life, every trial, everything we go through can lead us into a revelation of God and His word.  God has from the beginning desired that we know Him. God has said that there is no excuse for any man because all of creation is a finger pointing to Him “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse ”Rom.1:20

John the Apostle writing on eternal life said, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1John 5:11 To have eternal life is to have Jesus and become increasingly like Him. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”1 John 5:20

Eternal life is knowing and experiencing God and Jesus, this began the day we believed. Eternal life is not something just waiting to happen in the future. It is now. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

The one who is growing in the knowledge of God and Jesus is one who will begin to increasingly exhibit love. For God is Love. In other words we could say the goal of our faith is Love. To receive the ‘salvation of our souls” is to receive the Saviour himself and not just all that He did for us. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2   Paul  the Apostle talks of it as “gaining Christ” The sign of one who is truly a son of God is that he or she is growing in love. Without this love Paul tells us exercising Holy Spirit gifts amount to nothing. {1 Corinthians 13} 
Are you enjoying eternal life?  “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death”   1 John 3:14

 The closest resemblance to God that we have on earth are our fellow brothers and sisters, our expression of love to God is shown in the way we love and treat one another. “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt.25:40 
  How is your love life?  May we excel in Love and enjoy eternal life today!

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”  1 John 4:7

Thank you Pastor Roger,
I see you have devotionals for children that is so wonderful! Praise God. Thank you for sharing with us!
Ann

Thank You Tom,
I am grateful there is a place like Christiansunite where we may share with one another. There is so much of 'meat' here. God be praised.
God Bless you!
Ann

[Read: Acts 12: 1-11 Positioned for a Miracle]

Read: Acts 12: 1-11                      Positioned for a Miracle
 
       

"If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth"

                 

Mark 9:23

An impossible situation for man is fertile ground for a miracle.  Miracles happen when things have reached a place of ‘impossibility’. Jesus said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27. In our reading today Peter was in an uncomfortable position, he was chained and locked in prison. Peter didn’t know he was positioned for a miracle. The angel of the Lord came to him and brought him out of that prison, the doors of the prison were no match for God. When God gets involved in our situation there is nothing that can block us from receiving what He has for us.
 
When the wine ran out at the wedding feast in Cana it was an embarrassing situation, however Jesus performed a miracle and the water was turned into wine. No matter what situation we face or how we arrived at it God is willing and able to perform a miracle in our life. All Gods requires of us is that we believe that HE can do it. Jesus asked the blind men, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” They said unto him, “Yea, Lord.”Our faith is to be in Him and His abilities not ours. Is God bigger than your problem? When we choose to believe God then we magnify him over our problem. When we do this we also understand there is nothing impossible with God!
 
 Lazarus had died and Jesus asked that the stone to be removed from the grave. Martha tried to explain to Jesus that Lazarus was long dead and how bad the situation was. Jesus responded by saying, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”John 11:40  Your impossible “situation” may have been around for quite a while; maybe you have even covered it up and chosen to move on in your life. There may be many excuses that you can think of why your situation is impossible. Yet the Lord would want you to know that if you will believe you will see His glory and His wonderful working in that situation.
 
Trust in the Lord  and commit your way to Him. Believe Him! What seems impossibility in your life is really your opportunity to experience the miracle of God Will you?
 
                               "For with God nothing shall be impossible.”  Luke 1:37

[Read: Acts 5:12-40]

Read: Acts 5:12-40                                             Stay On Gods Side!

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isa.27:14

When God works there is no one who can stop it. What God has decreed will happen and His plans will succeed. God’s promises to us do not fail. He will show Himself faithful to the keeping of His word. “Faithful is He who has promised and He will do it” Man may give up on you but God will not. Man may oppose you in what God has called you to do but God will enable you to fulfil His word. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13

When you know that God is on your side you are assured of victory. This does not mean opposition will not come but it does mean that when it comes we can rest because God has already promised us success. When we submit to the Holy Spirit in us and continue faithfully doing what God has asked of us to do, we will see that though the way sometimes leads through hard and difficult places we come out in joy and victory “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31

Even Jesus was mocked and challenged when He was doing the perfect will of the Father. He did not retaliate He kept silent though He could have done or said so much to defend himself. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isa. 53:7 We do not have to justify ourselves when we are following the will of God in our lives. God will vindicate us and prove us right. Jesus is our advocate! Many lose their peace, joy and focus when they attempt to answer the ‘challenging crowd” Rest in the knowledge that God is with you and for you!

In our reading today Gamaliel gives sound advise when he said, “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” Acts 5:38, 39 The Holy Spirit is grieved when we resist His work in and through others. To call the work of the Holy Spirit through a person as not of God is nothing less than blasphemy. The leaders in Jesus day went to the extent of saying Jesus worked by the power of Satan. Jesus answering replied, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” Matt.12:31

May God show us where we have judged the work of His Spirit in ourselves or in others and may we repent and receive His mercy and forgiveness.

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” Eph. 4:30