Tag Archives: Paul

Acts 14. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted

Posted on by
Reply

150

150 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Acts 14. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted

 

 

 

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO RCCG HOLY GHOST CONGRESS
THEME: SIGNS & WONDERS
DATE: DEC 10-16, 2012
VENUE: LAGOS – IBADAN EXPRESSWAY, NIGERIA
PLEASE BE THERE! AND RECEIVE YOUR MIRACLE!

 

 

 

 

1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7 And there they preached the gospel.

8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

May GOD bless Nigeria, America and Israel and take care of us; May GOD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the LORD lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Related articles

There Is No Guarantee That Debtors Will Make It To Heaven, Including Senior Pastors

Posted on by
Reply

There is no guarantee that debtors will make it to Heaven, including senior pastors

Several years ago, Myles Munroe spoke on five questions you must ask yourself: Who am I? Where am I from? Why am I here? What can I become? Where am I going to? These are very crucial issues which, if properly answered, will help you to optimize your earthly existence. Have you been able to find the answers to these questions?

In addition to the above questions, it is important to ask yourself: How far am I from my goal? If you left point A for point B, it is important to take stock so as to know how close or far your destination is. This calls for self-examination, personal appraisal or evaluation of actions, tactics, strategy and plans. Why do you think Paul asked the Corinthian church to examine themselves, to know whether they were still in the faith?  (2 Corinthians 13:5) It is because it is possible to start off as a Christian but along the way lose one’s faith in Christ. For this same reason, Paul queried the church in Galatia as to why they would end up in the flesh, having begun in the spirit (Galatians 3:3). Today, many believers who started the Christian race as honest, God-fearing, Jesus-seeking, Spirit-filled, heaven-bound saints, are now flesh-controlled, position-seeking, money-serving, people-victimizing political beings. Unfortunately, they have continued their journey without asking how far or how close they are to their original goal.

If truth be told, position is robbing many of holiness. It is shocking to hear that some senior pastors fix the stipends and salaries of junior pastors and workers in banks for a period and receive interest up front into their personal pockets, without thinking of the hardship they cause such families. Such leaders are farther from their destination. There are some things you do that takes you several miles away from your destination. It is safe to assume that if you were saved 10, 15, or 20 years ago, and you were living to please God for that period; you are closer to heaven than when you started. But if you begin to do certain things wrong, it will set you backwards, even beyond the years you started out. Have you asked how close you are to your heavenly goal?

There is guarantee that debtors will make it to Heaven, including senior pastors, top Christian leaders who deliberately sit on the salaries and stipends of their subordinates. They may pay their debts eternally in hell.

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Related articles

What Is Your Kindness Quotient?

Posted on by
Reply

Laetare

What Is Your Kindness Quotient?

 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

What is your kindness quotient?

When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family? What about your school or workplace?

Who is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee?

Maybe he doesn’t speak the language. Maybe she doesn’t fit in. Are you kind to this person?

Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic. They let the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line.

Paul writes in Galatians 6:10: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.”

The neediest person you meet all week may be the one sitting behind you in worship service. People are watching the way we act more than they’re listening to what we say!

 

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Related articles

A Slave Of Christ Jesus

Posted on by
Reply

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - The F...

A Slave Of Christ Jesus

“This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus….” (Romans 1:1)

When I proposed to Vonette, I said we would travel the world and that we would live in prestigious Bel Air, California. I promised her everything her heart could desire before we were married.

But within a couple of years our desires and our interests had changed. We had both fallen in love with Jesus. We came to the conclusion that knowing and serving Jesus was more important than anything else.

It was in that spring of 1951, one memorable afternoon, that Vonette and I, in our home in the Hollywood Hills, got on our knees and prayed, “Lord, we surrender our lives irrevocably to You. We want to do Your will. We want to love and serve You with all of our hearts for the rest of our lives.”

We actually wrote and signed a contract committing our whole lives to Him, relinquishing all of our rights, all of our possessions, everything we would ever own, giving to Him, our Dear Lord and Master, everything.

In the words of the apostle Paul, Vonette and I became voluntary “slaves” of Jesus that Sunday afternoon, by choice, as an act of the will.

Approximately 24 hours after we signed the contract to be His slaves, He gave me a world-changing vision, which we call Campus Crusade for Christ. I believe that had there been no contract, there would have been no vision.

For over 50 years, I have considered it my greatest honour to be a slave of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your View of God Really Matters …

Is God truly sovereign in your life? Do you believe wholeheartedly that knowing and serving Jesus is the more important than anything else? Are you willing, along with the apostle Paul, to voluntarily become a slave of Jesus out of your love for Him?

What More Does God Say?

2 Peter 1:1; Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 22; 24-27; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Because God is sovereign, I will joyfully submit to His Will, Amen!

Culled from: DiscoverGod.com

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Related articles

Open Doors

Posted on by
Reply

Ananias restoring the sight of Saint Paul

Ananias restoring the sight of Saint Paul (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Open Doors

 

READ: 1 Corinthians 16:1-12

For a great and effective door has opened to me. —1 Corinthians 16:9

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) wrote: “If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but . . . for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible.”

The apostle Paul saw some great ministry possibilities in his life situations. He used the open doors God provided to witness for Christ. When he was arrested in Jerusalem and appeared before Governor Felix, he used the opportunity to proclaim the gospel (Acts 24:24). While he and Silas were in prison, they shared the gospel with the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34). And later Paul used his imprisonment in Rome as an opportunity to encourage the Philippian believers in their faith (Phil. 1:12-18).

In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul told the believers he wanted to visit and spend some time with them, but that he needed to stay in Ephesus because of an opportunity for ministry: “I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me” (1 Cor. 16:8-9). And Paul also involved others by asking them to pray for open doors so he could speak clearly about Christ (Col. 4:3).

Ask God to show you possible open doors of service. You might be surprised at what you see. —Dennis Fisher

Jesus said to one and all:
“Take your cross and follow Me.”
When you sense the Spirit’s call,
Seize the opportunity! — Hess

 

God writes opportunity on one side of the door and responsibility on the other.

 

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Related articles

Excited About Giving

Posted on by
Reply

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Excited About Giving

For as touching the ministering to the saints [Paul is talking about giving to the saints], it is superfluous for me to write to you; For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many
2 Corinthians 9:1-2

Paul, through the Holy Ghost, was speaking to the Corinthian church. The Corinthians had been preparing for a long time to give to the saints. The Apostle Paul was boasting about their great enthusiasm, zeal and desire to give to the saints..

Paul walked into other places and says, “You don’t know about the church in Corinth. They were ready to give a year ago. They are so excited about giving!” Paul and those with him used this church as an example, to help other churches become more excited about giving. Obviously, this church was doing something right!

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Related articles

Our Testimonies

Posted on by
Reply

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Image via Wikipedia

Our testimonies

 

Acts 22:17-18

Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
NKJV

In Acts chapter 22, Paul is sharing his testimony with an enraged group of Jews who were seeking to kill him. Notice, however, what Paul does NOT share in his testimony to these men. Paul isn’t saying anything about how difficult his life has been since he became a Christian. Certainly, he could have. Paul endured incredible hardships during his ministry. He was beaten many times; he was stoned with rocks, shipwrecked and imprisoned. Paul could easily have said, “Well, life’s been pretty hard since Jesus saved me. I’ve been beaten, shipwrecked and imprisoned and now, once again, people are trying to kill me.” Instead, Paul puts the focus on Jesus…and so should we. Brothers and sisters, when sharing your testimony, don’t talk about the difficulties in your life. Jesus told us that in this world we would have tribulation, but He didn’t stop there.

Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NKJV

To talk about trials will only push people away. Talk about Jesus and salvation through Him.

Life Lesson: When sharing, always keep Jesus the focus. Keep the main thing, the main thing.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the life You have given me. Lord, when You bring me the opportunity to speak to someone about my testimony, help me to always keep Jesus the main thing. Please do not let my words get in the way, but let the Holy Spirit speak through me so that Jesus will be seen. Thank You for giving us Your Word to learn and obey. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

May The Good Lord Save Nigeria And Israel From All Our Enemies And Prosper Us Beyond Our Imaginations, In Jesus Christ Mighty Name We Pray, Amen!

Related articles

You can overcome that temptation. You can stand out

Posted on by
Reply

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Image via Wikipedia

English: Resurrection of Christ

Image via Wikipedia

You can overcome that temptation. You can stand out

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:14

In his letter to the church in Sardis, after stating their terrible state, the Lord stated that there were a few of them who were undefiled who would walk with Him. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4

As horrible as Sardis was, there were a few people who held on to their faith in Christ. One revelation you need to hold unto from this is that: Your faith in Christ can triumph even in the most sinful era ever possible to man. No matter the temptations or levels of corruption around you; no matter the pressure you are faced with; if you hold on to your faith in Christ, you will be a victor. This also shows that when many fall in the midst of trials, temptations and pressure, it is not because the grace of God has grown weaker or that God has become powerless or unfaithful to His promises, but because the one in the middle of it all chooses to give in to sin. You are the only one that can separate yourself from His love, not the contrary forces.

This was also the submission of Paul in Romans 8:35-39. He says he is persuaded that nothing can separate us from Christ. What is separating you from His love today? Is that excuse acceptable by God? If your excuse for wanting to join your peers, co-workers, co-students, or other people in your community to violate God’s Word is in Paul’s list, then you have no excuse. Today, it is common place for pastors to sleep with church members and pretend as if all is well. Even if all pastors fall victim to this practice, you should not be one of them. Like a prominent man of God wrote: “Others may but I cannot” . you can be different. You can stand out for good! You can be among the faithful few in your family, neighbourhood, community or nation.

DON’T GIVE UP YOUR FAITH EVEN FOR A SECOND! STAY IN CHRIST!

The excuse you give for failing God is the exhibit satan needs to nail you.

May Our God The Almighty prosper Nigeria and Israel and defend us from all our enemies in Jesus Christ Name, Amen!

Related articles

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. —Philippians 4:11

Posted on by
Reply

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Image via Wikipedia

I have learned in  whatever state I am, to be content. —Philippians 4:11Now that my   daughter is learning to talk, she has adopted a favorite word: more.   She will say “more” and point to toast with jam. She held out her palm and   said “More!” when my husband gave her some coins for her piggy bank. She even   exclaimed, “More Daddy!” one morning after her father left for work.

Like my little   one, many of us look around and call for “more.” Unfortunately, enough is   never enough. We need the power of Christ to break the cycle so that we can say   with Paul, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil.   4:11).

The phrase “I   have learned” tells me that Paul did not meet every situation with a smile.   Learning contentment required practice. His testimony included ups and downs   ranging from snake bites to soul-saving; false accusations to founding   churches. Yet he claimed that Jesus was the answer to soul-level   satisfaction. He said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens   me” (v.13). Jesus had given him the spiritual muscle to endure lean times and   to avoid the pitfalls of abundance.

If you find   yourself angling for “more, more, more,” remember that contentment comes when   you have “more” of Christ. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Fret not for want   of earthly things;
They’ll never satisfy.
The secret of contentment is
To let the Lord supply. —D. De Haan

True contentment is not dependent on anything in this world.

May Our God The Almighty prosper Nigeria and Israel and defend us from all our enemies in Jesus Christ Name, Amen!

Related articles

The challenges you face today is directly related to the joy you will experience in the future

Posted on by
Reply

English: Saint paul arrested

Image via Wikipedia

The challenges you face today is directly related to the joy you will experience in the future.

When the storms of life hit, we are often tempted to run for cover. When they continue indefinitely, we struggle to find encouragement. When the rain and the wind gather strength until they turn into what seems to be a hurricane, we find ourselves saying, “I can’t do this any longer,” the truth is this: we can’t, but God can.

He is the only One who can help us victoriously fight through the battles of life. Nothing can provide the type of strength that He provides, especially when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged. He stands beside us, and He never retreats.

Daniel never worried about being cast into the lion’s den. He knew that the Lord would provide the help and protection he needed to make it through the night. Some of the people who read these words are fighting a battle with a life-threatening disease. It is an unseen enemy from a human standpoint but not from God’s. He knows exactly what we are facing and how it is affecting our lives.

There is an incredible sense of peace that comes from learning how to rest in the Lord and allow Him to take care of your troubles. This does not mean that you abandon the fight and just give up trying. It means that you shift the focus of your effort from yourself to God. This is where the true victory is gained.

The apostle Paul faced many life-threatening situations. At one point, he debated whether it was better to ask God to allow him to go home to heaven where he would have unending peace and glory in the presence of Christ or to continue living the earthly life God had given him. Paul chose the latter. As much as he longed to see the Lord in heaven, he loved having the opportunity here to tell others about God’s unending, unconditional love and forgiveness.

The challenges you face today is directly related to the joy you will experience in the future.

Related articles