Category: Acts

Acts 2:1-13 (NIV)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Thoughts :
How amazing this scene is. As they sat together, the Holy Spirit enters into the house and rests upon them. Through this, they were given the ability to speak in any language so that they would be able to share the Gospel with all people.

All things are possible if you believe. Gifts will be given to all of us. The biggest and most powerful of these gifts is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has instructed us to go into the world spreading the Gospel, with this commandment come gifts that empower and enable us.

Many will be amazed. May will scoff. Many will deny. But it matters not what this world thinks of us. We are not of this world. Our bodies are only temporary, and the gift of life is to be used for the glorification of God. This is done through Him.

Let them speak. Let the blessings come in equal measure as the trials. That is the way it works. Let those trials comfort you in knowing that you are on the right path. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Believers will be chosen for works greater than could ever be imagined.

Acts 1:21-26 (NIV)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

In reading these verses, the very first thing that caught my eyes was the casting of lots to choose the replacement. I immediately was reminded of the soldiers casting lots for Jesus’ garments as He hung on the cross. Why would they need this casting of lots? Isn’t that gambling?

So I researched and found some answers. Whether I understand them or not, they are answers. You see, God allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for a given situation (Joshua 18:6-10; 1 Chronicles 24:5, 31) So it appears to be common practice at this time. It would later become gambling. That answers that.

As witnesses of the Resurrection, we must be prepared to share this fact with the old and the young, as well as believers and unbelievers. This is done through reading the Bible daily. Start with just a small 2 min time frame, and read a devotional connected and backed up by scripture. Do that as often as you can.

Also, pray for God to help you be motivated to read His word. Ask Him to step in and show you. He will. Just keep asking. A transformation will occur in you. It is promised. Take one step toward Him and He will take two towards you. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

We have all been renewed by the Blood of Jesus. All will be forgiven, and the slate wiped clean.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e]
and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f]

Thoughts:
We do not dwell on the sins and shortcomings of the past. That is what we have been called to do. No matter what Peter did, the call of Jesus on Peter’s life would not be diminished. He stood among the Believers and said what needed to be said and did what needed to be done.

For us to stand in His great mercy and grace, we cannot trip over what we did yesterday. Whether we feel what we did was good or bad, it cannot be what we stand on. This day is new. This day is fresh. You are as clean as you were the day you were born. God does not see your sin. God sees what Jesus did for you.

New blessings are with you now. It was Jesus that paid for all of our sins and falls, and as such we should walk in that authority. Anything done yesterday must be let go of so that His work can be done today, and His will be expressed through you as a living, walking testimony of His Mercy and Grace.

Think of it like your car. There is a reason your windshield is bigger than your rear view mirror. Look to what is ahead, and focus not on what is behind you. This is the way that God’s Will is acted out through you. You are a minister. Walk in that authority. You have been made new today in your belief and faith. Do not trip in what is behind you. You have been called. Answer! #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

The power of prayer will amaze you. Pray with others in person…

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Joined together in prayer. Wow! That’s the way to do it. Their faith shining bright in the darkest of moments. Imagine what they were feeling. Jesus had just been killed…John the Baptist before Him. Now what? Pray! What else could they do but the moat powerful action we can be a part of.

When people gather I’m prayer, the effect is amazing. So many times I have felt prayer, even by phone or just through an email. However, when we come together in prayer,  oh my God…absolutely all of what we thought impossible becomes possible. I hope you have felt this. I have. I felt it last night as well. The power is astounding.

I urge you…join with others and pray in person. Pray for something you thought impossible. Pray a seemingly ridiculous prayer, and then watch it happen. Oh what an awesome God we serve. What a wonderful Savior Jesus was, and continues to be now. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

No need to stare. He will come again in the way that He left.

Acts 1:10-11 (NIV)

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “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.”

There is work to be done. No need to stare in awe at His leaving. We are to know that He is coming again, in the same way that He left us. There will be signs. It will be obvious. It will be impossible to not know that He is returned.

Many of us have a tendency to continue to look at the mighty works in awe, not realizing that we have been empowered in the same way that Jesus was. Through His gift of the Holy Spirit, we should now walk in authority, in knowing that which He has provided is sufficient. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

We have questions. We are to ask the teacher. We are to ask Jesus…

Acts 1:6-9 (NIV)

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Walk with the Holy Spirit. Walk with the gift left to us that empowers us with the same gifts Jesus possessed…and then some. We have questions. He knows we have them. Ask them. Ask Jesus your questions. That is what teachers want.

Jesus left us with a very powerful gift. He left us with the Holy Spirit. A guide for us here in this place that is not home. This place will become more foreign to you as you grow closer and closer to God. It will seem that all is falling apart, and in many instances you will feel that you are falling apart. Let that serve as confirmation that you are on the right path.

Continue to ask your questions. Yes, even the ones that you think would offend Him. There is nothing you can do or say that would make Him neglect you. You will receive the answer to your question. It may not be the answer that you eant, but it will be the right one.#JesusSaves

Amen
DK

I won’t lie. I felt rushed to get through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I did. No lie. God knows it anyway.

Not that I enter the Acts of the Apostles, I am going to slow down and receive revelation.

Acts 1:1-5 (NIV)
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

So much can be found in every word of scripture. In just these 5 verses, we find allot about what the Apostles were dealing with after the death of Jesus.

Many convincing proofs were given. Let me ask you…how many proofs have been given to you? Or better yet, how many have you noticed?

Then, ask yourself this question. Have I been baptized in the Holy Spirit? After all, He left us with that.

Lastly, do you feel bad about what you have or have not done for Him? If so why? By feeling bad about anything regarding the Messiah, you have taken the blood and deemed it unworthy. Jesus shed His blood for you. His blood has been deemed worthy for the forgiveness of all past, present, and future sin by God the Father.  Why then do you think that it has anything to do with the way that you feel?

Move along now. The gift has been given. You are forgiven. Now share His message of love. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK