jehovah

His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Acts 17:27-28

Paul challenges not only the individual, but the individual of the city… that not only are you supposed to seek after God, but your nation is as well.

These two verses just speak volumes to me… this is how Paul described God to the polytheistic believers. IN HIM, we live, move and exist. For he is the SELF EXISTING ONE– JEHOVAH!

Filed under: daily blogging, acts, names of god, verses

el-elyon

“One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God [el-elyon], and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.”
Acts 16:16-18

Amazing works in God… but no time to really glorify God because they were arrested right after this… but wait!!!! Why not glorify God from the cell! Verse 25 indicates, Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God”

Acts continues to shock me with how present the EL-ELYON is…

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
Acts 16:26

God works in amazing ways… through this he saved an entire household… Ah, but what I love the most is verse 40: When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more!

Notice any resemblances in the first 16 chapters?

Filed under: daily blogging, acts, names of god, verses

Elohim

A couple things I got out of Acts 14.  Elohim. Strengthen. Fellowship.

But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.
Acts 14:3

God is Elohim.  A Powerful God.  A God who shares his power with his followers.  The apostles stayed in Iconium for a long time … preaching.

After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia,where they strengthened the believers.
Acts 14:21-22a

Our work isn’t done with just the preaching and wonderful works…. it’s just beginning.  Paul and Barnabas went back to STRENGTHEN.  I love this.

Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.
Acts 14:27-28

Just as important as strengthening the new believers, is encouraging the ones at home.  This verse is pretty good because it tells us that the first Christians valued share time — when so often nowadays we think of “share time” as minute.

Filed under: daily blogging, acts, Elohim, Fellowship, names of god, Strengthen, verses

the story of salvation

I’ll take your every suffering moment and bring a better day. Let me wrap my arms around you, Let me take your breath away. – Tenth Avenue North

What better way can we describe God’s love for us. He has his arms open, wanting us, desiring us.

Continuing my reading in Acts 13, Saul and Barnabas had reached Pisidia where they were attending a synagogue. After the traditional readings, some prophets asked the congregation “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it.” Saul approached. When you hear “words of encouragement” what do you think? What is more encouraging then receiving eternal life. Saul took this opportunity to share the story of salvation. He went into a history lesson on what had taken place, from the judges to David. From the Cross to the Resurrection. Saul spoke of truth…something that the congregation hadn’t heard. When he was leaving, verse 42 indicates, “the people begged them to speak about these things again the next week.”

They BEGGED them… Begging for the Truth.

For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’
Acts 13:42

God commanded us to give this encouragement. There is a song that comes to mind with this verse that paints a beautiful picture. [Download Starfield's "From the Corners of the Earth"].

From every nation // God is calling out His own // A saved generation // that will not be overthrown

And we’re not backing down, no way // We’re finally seeing it clearly // One body, one church, one savior, //
One call to praise

Hey! From the corners of the earth // We will sing of your great worth // And around the world proclaim //
Our God Reigns!

We sing for freedom // For the reign of God to come // For His power through us // As the wars we wage are won

And we’re not backing down, no way // We’re finally seeing it clearly // One body, one church one savior, //
One call to praise

One body, one church, one Savior, ONE CALL! The command to spread the word.

Filed under: daily blogging, acts, lyrics, music, salvation, verses

dedication

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Acts 13:2-3

This verse speaks volumes to me.  While in worship, the Holy Spirit came to these disciples and told them their friends need to be sent.  I think this shows us another way that God can use us.  Not only does the Holy Spirit only deliver messages to us… but it tells us to DEDICATE others to God’s service.  The word dedicate means to be set apart.  These men were called to dedicate Barnabas and Saul to their calling.  I think this shows us how we need to pray for each other.  While worshipping God, it should never be selfish… we should be asking the Holy Spirit to guide us to help and pray for others.  Shouldn’t we lay hands on each other every time we say ‘goodbye’ — as we are going into the mission field… just a thought.

Filed under: daily blogging, acts, dedication, prayer, verses