Open Your Mouth and Begin to Speak!

Acts chapter 11 - Noontime Bible Study

Who thinks that they can stand in the way of what God is doing? If your answer is nobody and you truly believe it, then open your mouth without fear and tell The Good News and watch how God moves in your life and in the lives of others. 

Peter was called out of his comfort zone; pulled outside of his tradition, culture and customs; and Peter was tremendously used by God to usher in the gift of The Holy Spirit to those who were seen as unworthy, unclean and unimportant. 

Again, God wants to use us. Are we ready to trust God and move beyond our tradition, race and other worldly obstacles?

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:15-18 NIV)

AND THE WINNER IS...

Great Monday Morning! I spent the entire day and evening at my church yesterday. I hear that my Steelers lost "BIG TIME". Although, my sports team may have lost a game, my God made me and all those who believe in Him a winner in Christ Jesus, not only on yesterday, but today, tomorrow and for all eternity! #Victorious #Blessed #MoreThanConquerors #WinningTeam 🙏🙏🙏

Love Builds Up!

1 Corinthians 8:1 says, "We know that we all possess knowledge. But knowledge puffs up while love builds up."

Think on this verse today on how knowledge "PUFFS one up", then think of the opposite, that unlike knowledge, Love doesn't puff up, but it BUILDS ONE UP.

What does this verse say to you about knowledge and love?

So What! (Today's Noontime Bible Study Class at work)

The Bible is clear about who God loves, "for God SO LOVED the world". The world includes YOU!

• So what, you're not wealthy
• So what, you may have failed
• So what, you have cussed & fussed
• So what, you haven't been to church
• So what, you haven't cleaned yourself up
• So what, no one else in your family is Saved
• So what, you don't think that you are worthy

God LOVES YOU! Don't worry about those who "think" they are in a position to tell you what God thinks of you. People are quick to label other people; perhaps labeling other people makes one feel better about their own transgressions and shortcomings.

The Apostle Peter felt himself to be  "above" the Gentiles. Peter was a Jew, had received the law and the oracles of God, was a leader in the Jerusalem church, on and on and on. In essence, Peter was a church goer. However, God had to deal with Peter's biases much like He does our biases today. The church needs to open its eyes, hearts and doors to those who are in need of joy and not judgement; in need of salvation and not segregation; in need of strength and not stress; in need of acceptance and not abandonment just because they aren't JUST LIKE YOU or resemble your church as you have come to know it traditionally. Like Peter, we need to change our view, perception and acceptance. Are we truly ready to be THE CHURCH...not just a black church or a white church...are we ready to accept the addict, tattooed and pierced? What are the barriers that we need to tear down?

Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.” Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (Acts 10:28‭-‬31‭, ‬33‭-‬36 NLT)

Wood, Hay and Straw - NEVER; Gold, Silver and Precious Stones - Our Motivation ALWAYS!

When our motivation is wrong, then our actions, no matter how good the outcome, will come to nothing.

If we serve with the intention of being seen and recognized, then our motivation is misplaced. Even though others may have been helped by our ministry, the result will be lacking as the foundation laid out of wrong motivations is made of wood, hay and straw. This foundation cannot withstand the test, because when it passes through the fire it will burn away.

Yes, there will be trials in life (sickness, disease, hurt, betrayal, divorce, etc), that will test our faith. If the foundation hasn't been laid by making Jesus Christ the foundation in which faith is derived, then our faith will not hold, but be destroyed during times of difficulty.

However, we who serve others must not be the light, no, we are only to point to The Light, having our only motivation and intentions be to build upon the true foundation, which is Jesus Christ, with gold, silver and precious stones...those things that can withstand the fire. It is our motivation to not be seen, recognized or lifted up to be anything other than servants of The Most High God.

It's quick and easy to lay wood, hay and straw, but it takes much more skill, effort and time to build with gold, silver and precious stones. May those who serve take the time in prayer, study, meditation and dedication to build those up to whom you have been sent to minister to with those things that shall last.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:10‭-‬15 NKJV)

Attitude

Attitude - Attitude is the result of how I think and then feel about myself, people, circumstances and God. Because of Christ in my life, attitude is a choice and I choose to have an attitude of gratitude!

My attitude when issues come my way - We must not only look to God, but look for God.

My attitude when I slip up and fall back into sin - We must depend upon God to work deliverance for us in due time.

My attitude when I'm not physically, spiritually or mentally fit - Be patient under affliction and trust in The Lord, listening to Him and not to those who question your faith journey and Calling from God.

My attitude towards the Adversary when he attempts to place doubt, fear and confusion in my life, celebrating my missteps and mistakes - God chastens those who He loves. He will correct and restore me.

Scriptures speak of the attitude that Christians should have in times of despair and under heavy burdens:

"Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord  will  be a light to me." (Mic 7:8 NKJV)

This teaching is good and beneficial for everyone!

When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. (Titus 3:4‭-‬8 NLT)

True Love Takes True Strength

Jesus says that we are to love one another/our neighbors as we love ourselves. Some would think that this commandment is an easy one. Hmmmm, let's talk about this.

   • love can hurt
   • love can make you sick
   • love can make you cry
   • love can break your heart
   • love can be mistreated
   • love can be misrepresented
   • love can be betrayed
   • love can cause you to lose your mind
   • love will take your appetite
   • love can cause you to lose your sleep
   • love will sometimes walk away
   • love can grieve you

To love another/your neighbor as much as yourself takes STRENGTH!

So, don't come at me with how tough you are, how bad you are or how physically strong you may think you are. If you want to impress or be impressive, I dare you to show some TRUE STRENGTH and love someone!

It takes a strong person to love the one who is resembling everything that you are not, but true love will overlook, overshadow and overcome if you can just be strong through it all.

"The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show DEEP LOVE for each other, for LOVE covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:7‭-‬8 NLT)

The church vs. Being The Church

Part of learning to be a good follower of Jesus means to learn how to get along with others. Going to church isn't just about being right, but it's about learning to be kind and having love and consideration for others.

Just because you may be Saved doesn't give you a license to be unkind to those who aren't. Stop turning away from those who are not like you, they are our ministry assignment. Quit avoiding certain neighborhoods, they are our mission field. Open your eyes so that you can see the families who need assistance because you must know that you are blessed so that you may be a blessing to someone else. Open your minds so that you can place those who need to know Christ on your mind and in your prayers.

The church needs to behave in a way that would not negatively impact other people! Now, that's church, not just a building but people who love their neighbors as they love themselves.

There is a place (church) that we go to to worship, become equipped with the Word of God and to be encouraged to apply what we've received. Then there is the living out our faith and convictions, where we seek those God has equipped and sent us out to reach, those that God has given an answer to their prayers in the form of YOU and those who we are to love because we ourselves are loved...this is what "Being The Church" is, Christ, the head of the church manifested through you, His Church sent out in the world to tell of the Good News!

Don't just go to church - BE THE CHURCH!

Early Morning Imagination - Why Me?

It's in the early morning hours that I oftentimes, over coffee and scripture, allow myself to imagine.

This morning's drifting thoughts was about: "Why me?" Having asked myself this question, I had to think about what was it that Jesus saw in me. It's awesome to know that Jesus doesn't see us as we are, but He sees us for what we will be!

First we must know that Jesus can handle our mess; as a matter of fact, He already has on The Cross of Calvary. He can see beyond our nasty, ugly, prideful, addicted, lustful, lying, cheating, stealing, adulterous, bigoted and  conceited behaviors. He knows that is the devil’s work.

So, don't think that you're disqualified because of some "stuff" in your life right now, because I'm here to tell you that I too, had some "stuff" and still have some "stuff" in my life, but Jesus can, does and will see us through the "stuff" and He helps us to become who we've been created to be!

When Jesus' eyes rested on you, He saw you as you are in reality, that is, as you appear, at all times, before God. Jesus sees beyond our "now" and sees our tomorrows.

"Why me?", the answer is simply because God loves me...AND HE LOVES YOU TOO!

May you imagine greater. Greater has no limitations in Christ Jesus. Aim for the heavenly because Jesus already sees you there, don't prove Him wrong by rejecting His Gift of Salvation. Today IS your day to not only imagine, but to BECOME  part of The Beloved!

#vacaystartstomorrow #unpluggung #remainfaithful #backnextweek