Author: coachdkeith

We have all been called, but only a few are chosen. The Apostles had been chosen, but the call is for all, and each beloved believer has been given a purpose.

Acts 6:1-7

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 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. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Thoughts:
In these verses you see that there are many areas that must be taken care of. The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. A community if believers must come together to adequately perform the jobs that we are called to do.

In these verses the workers are chosen, and the confirmation of the chosen being the right choice comes in the growth of the number of disciples.

We must understand that as a bidy, as a church body, much more can be done. Going at anything alone is not what Jesus had planned at all. All of us have been called by God for a specific purpose, and if we are not connected as a single body, then that call could fall on you and crush you. But if you can discern what God wants rather than what you want, then amazing things will happen.

Pray with others. Work with others in Kingdom acts. Share the blessings bestowed upon you. If you have two of something, it is because one of them is to be given away. Share all blessings in all forms. Growth is waiting…for us all. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

To be counted worthy of suffering in the name of Jesus…

Acts 5:17-42 (NIV)

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: 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 Messiah.

They were warned, yet they did not stop. The faith displayed in the lives of Peter and John at this time is strong. It is awe-inspiring. It is so real and heavy with heart that I can only imagine what it must’ve felt like knowing that God was with them. To know that Jesus had prepared them perfectly.

The Holy Spirit intercedes on behalf of Peter and John. So powerful was this show of love, that even those in high places were forced to stand in awe.

Jail them. Threaten them. Flog them. It did not matter. Their faith was too strong, and God does not fumble.  They were let go and warned not to speak to the masses about Jesus. Again their numbers grew, as well as the faith works of those believers.

Your challenge may not be as obvious as Peter and John’s was. You may even be comfortable living with this “thing” in your life that hinders you and holds you back. Today, let us pray for God to reveal that hidden weight in our lives that is slowing down our race to Him. I pray this for all of us now. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

I have been receiving requests to receive these Blogposts through email automatically.

It is a free service, and you can receive them as soon the post is made through your email.

Go to FaithvsSight.blogspot.com. In the upper right hand corner there is a “Follow by Email” text entry box. Type in your email and you will receive the post when the post is made.

Blessed are those who are called to Him. I thank you so much for your encouraging words to me, but it isn’t me…it’s the Holy Spirit.

It’s All Jesus! #JesusSaves

Have a Blessed Day!

You are the Salt and the Light…Amen!

Acts 5:12-16 (NIV)

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 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. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

All of them were healed! Amen. Did you catch that other verse? The one that says that many gathered just to have Peter’s shadow touch them so that they may be healed? It didn’t even require Peter to directly pray for them. They were healed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in Peter and with Peter.

There have been many times that I will see someone walking toward me looking like they are in the struggle and in the midst of a trial. I say hello and they look at me. If I don’t know their name I ask them and tell them mine. Many times I see them look at me in wonder, with astonishment. It could be that they aren’t used to people saying hi to them, but I know they see the Holy Spirit in me. They see Him in my eyes. They see love and caring, and they are drawn to it.

We have all been given that beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit with us and in us. The power to heal all sickness and overcome death resides with us because of what Jesus did for us. When He said, “It is FINISHED!”, He meant it. The finished work of the cross is real.

Let us walk today like Peter did. I pray that your shadow blesses someone today through the presence of the Holy Spirit in you. What a great gift. What a powerful gift. Use it. Today, when you see someone that you don’t know walking toward you, say hello. When they look at you, say your name and tell them to have a blessed day. Not all will care that you did that, but Jesus promised that they are here on this earth and they are looking for Him. You are the Salt, and you are the Light. Show Him to them by loving them, unconditionally. Today!

I could speak forever on this verse. It is beautiful! Instead I will pray for you. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that you will love today and be loved today, more deeply than you have ever thought possible, more unconditionally than you ever fathomed, and that we are all pressed out of our comfort zones and into the heart of God. Heavenly Father, I give you my heart this day for the benefit and expansion of your Kingdom here on earth. Let me be your light here for all to see You, and I pray this for all of us in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen
DK

Wow!

Acts 5:1-11 (NIV)

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 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.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

This happens at the time when all of the believers were praying together, and ll property and money belonged to all of them. Yet these two did not feel they had to give. Not only that, they felt the need to lie about it to the Apostles. Greed took hold.

If your confused, it’s ok. But scripture is scripture, and this is how it went down. They dropped dead on the spot. You can’t lie to the Holy Spirit. Greed is a strong enemy of man. An enemy that must iritste God, as all thing comes from Him and to Him. If that scares you, then you are on the right track. Fear God alone, and no other.

If you sell something with the intention of giving it to God, and knowing that the gifts of money made from that sale came directly from God, then give it to God. You will know.

Tough one to swallow,  but God has promised blessings as much as you could ever handle. Money is merely one His many tools that He uses to bless us. Look for yours. Even though the trials can be more obvious at times, it is in the midst of trial that He is most present. At that moment He is ready to bless you. For Annanias and Sapphira, the time was there’s to give, and they withheld it and lied about it. I am sure that even this is a blessing to many.

Amen
DK

What would this world be without it?

Acts 4:32-37 (NIV)

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Thoughts:
A period of great sacrifice. They gave all to each other, and all they owned belonged to each other. What a moving scene this is. So many times I wish this existed, as it has always been the things of this world that distract us from Him. It would be nice if it would all become mute…the want that is.

I enjoy my stuff, don’t get me wrong. Personal possessions are a part of pur economy, I realize that. Imagine though if we could all take what we need and make do. Chances are, at least in my view, that many troubles would go away. I could really go off on this topic, but I will focus on where we are now. Many of us are stuck.

These believers were all in. They held nothing back. They gave all. They were truly bought in to the Kingdom. I can’t help but to go towards the belief that this world would be a better place if we all just took what we needed, and placed the surplus in the hands of God. These believers did. What a blessing! At this moment in the Bible, life was truly perfect. The power of the Holy Spirit. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

They faced a challenge from those in”power”. Upon their release they immediately went to those that were in the Spirit as well, and they prayed…

Acts 4:23-31 (NIV)

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ 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?
²⁶ The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.^[b]’^[c]

²⁷ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. ²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Thoughts:
They raised their voices to God in prayer. Together they prayed! This happened as soon as they were released. They thanked God together as a church. Power is truly found in prayer, and in prayer together. What an awesome view we are given. This is our model to follow. An example that we must follow I’m order be strengthened.

John and Peter did not waiver. They held strongly to the teachings of Jesus. It is through this demonstration of faith against all odds that the Kingdom is more powerful than any earthly entity. Those that sought to destroy than and Jesus did not stand a chance.

In this verses we are given instructions to stretch out pur hands and heal I’m the name of Jesus Christ, the risen Savior. Speaking the Word of God boldly summons the power of the Holy Spirit that resides in all believers. If God is for us, who can stand against us. No man can hold back this mighty power that resides in us.

Speak and pray boldly the Word of God. Say the! Aloud and proclaim the righteousness that was freely given to you today. Through prayer, you too are empowered with mighty gifts when you ask, seek, and knock in search of God. He hears you. Don’t stop praying. ASK Him for what you need. It will come. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Just “regular” guys…with the Holy Spirit with them…POWER and AUTHORITY!

Acts 4:13-21 (NIV)

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

Wow! Keeping up appearances hits hard here, at least for the Pharisees. They could not deny the miracle that had just I’ll lloccurred, so they sought to hide it from all others. They wanted to sweep it under the rug because it did not fit what they wanted. Amazing.

So Peter responds with the question we all need to ask ourselves as we are given an ultimatum by those who seek to stifle our fire. Do what is right for man, or do what is right for God? You know the answer, but the path is narrow and difficult. It is the road less traveled, even by believers.

The Pharisees were astonished and they took not that Peter and John had been with Jesus. Then they tell everyone to be quiet. Fear was crippling them, but such is the way of this world. Sight will mess you up and fool you every time, but Faith in God never fails.

Today I pray that you make a decision for God, and forget about yourself. Deny yourself today, and live for God today. I pray for daily bread enough for this day. I pray for faith that tomorrow is in the hands of God, and that bread enough for today is truly enough. Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

The Authority of Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:5-12 (NIV)

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 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. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’[a]
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Amen! Hallelujah! Pure Faith spoken by Peter before persecutors. For all to see. The Holy Spirit did not fail. The perfect and beautiful words given to Peter just at the right time.

There is no other name by which we are saved. JESUS! It is so awesome to know that we are given such a gift every day. To know that every morning we can breathe in New Air, see the New Light, and know that we are born again today. All sins wiped clean by the blood of Jesus Christ.

The stone the builders rejected…has become the Cornerstone! #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

The number of Believers grows through miracles in the name of Jesus…

Acts 4:1-4 (NIV)

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

Peter and John kept on preaching the Word of Jesus Christ as the Risen Savior. It is obvious that there were many that were not buying it. That would be the reason they were thrown in jail. Or was it fear from those that didn’t understand.

Fear can be a powerful weapon formed against us by the devil who seeks to kill, steel, and destroy us every day. If we are to believe in Jesus as our Savior, then we must not put fear above God.  Instead we are to place God above fear, as it is He who sent Jesus to conquer fear and sin. Through Jesus, no weapon formed against can harm us.

This weekend I saw 387 high school and junior high students worship Jesus powerfully at Camp Zephyr. I saw fear. I saw questions. I saw doubt. I saw ignorance. All this I saw in the eyes of these kids as they walked towards the first worship session on Friday. Then I saw Jesus break through all of that in the lives of these young believers. The walls came down, and the Holy Spirit entered their hearts. Close to 200 kids welcomed Jesus into their hearts and proclaimed Him as their personal Lord and Savior. It was beautiful.

Many of these kids, like John and Peter in these verses, knew that they were to step into the world to share what Jesus has done for all of us. They asked questions as to what their next step was, and the Holy Spirit came through and gave them answers because the did Seek Him. They did Ask. They did knock, some of them for the very first time.

As Peter and John walked and taught, the number of Believers grew to over 5000. This happened when they were thrown in jail that night. This weekend, 200 were added to that number. The Kingdom is growing. Do not be fooled by what you see in the news. The Liberation of Souls will not be televised. John and Peter knew this. Now we do as well. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK