Thursday, December 4, 2014

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PRAYER & FASTING

Today’s Reading: Acts 14-15

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

This Temple of Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, is a Greco-Roman temple in the centre of Athens, southeast of the Acropolis. Begun in the 6th century BC, it was not completed until the reign of the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. At the time, it was the largest temple in Greece.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Acts 14:23

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

 

Imagine… After a miracle was performed, they thought Barnabas was Zeus and Paul another one of their gods. Before long, the crowd considered them demons to be stoned. We cannot depend on popular opinion. We must have solid teaching based on the Scriptures. James, now recognized as the Pastor of Jerusalem, brings the Church back to their foundation by quoting God’s Word. This clear dependence on the Hebrew Bible was essential for consistent doctrine. As it was then, so it must be today. With prayer and fasting, elders who are well established in Scripture should be placed in leadership roles. They may not always agree, as in the case of the dissension between Paul and Barnabas. Their differences were not doctrinal but procedural. Today, this disagreement might result in an independent church being planted nearby, which might become a new denomination. Paul and Barnabas, while they separated, did not act in such a way. They simply went in different directions in spreading God’s Word.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, while our leaders may have differences in how to proceed with Your work, may they be in complete unity in the doctrines of eternal salvation. Give me the grace of loyalty to those who lead in my church. With Your help, Lord, I commit to prayer and fasting on their behalf. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I am amazed at the gigantic temples, such as the one to Zeus, pictured above, which are found everywhere in the ancient world. Lucifer, at one time known in Heaven as “the anointed cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14), desired worship for himself and tried to take the place of God. I believe he inspired the building of these temples, and then he and his fallen angels inhabited these temples in order to receive worship here on the earth to which they were banished. The religion business is filled with what the Bible calls “deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). I don’t worry about these entities taking control of my thoughts and my life, because I practice daily prayer for protection by the Blood of Jesus, and I daily do as James, the Pastor referred to above, teaches me, “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!” (James 4:7-8).

Yours for a consistent, joy-filled life in Christ,

David

P.S. 100words is an outreach of Crossroads Christian Communications Incorporated, an official charitable organization in both Canada and the United States. This week I’ve been moved to pray fervently for the mission in many parts of the world and also to give sacrificially. Will you join me? Here are links to two segments from yesterday’s 100 Huntley Street program, highlighting a great missions opportunity to fulfill the challenge of Jesus to each of us (click here for clip number 1, and here for clip number 2). Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you’ve done it unto the least of one of these, you’ve done it unto Me!!!” When considering your Christmas and year-end giving, please remember Crossroads. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!

16 thoughts on “Thursday, December 4, 2014”

  2. Barnabas and Paul were certainly filled with the holy spirit. Men are so different than women psychologically. After the first stone I’d of been out of there and I think most women would. Praise the Lord for brave, tenacious disciples who spread His Word tirelessly and fearlessly like you Rev. and probably some women.
    May God care tenderly for all who love Him.

    Reply ↓

    • I don’t believe gender is the issue, those who truly filled with the Spirit are empowered by the Spirit to withstand whatever it is they need to withstand for the faith. For some Christians it could be torture, some death, some personal attack in mind or heart, such as Christian mothers in the Middle East, who had to watch ISIS kill their children because they would not renounce our Lord.

      I heard on Huntley Street many years ago the story of one woman who while being raped by prison guards in a Third World Country was singing praises to God and when told to shut up, she wouldn’t so they put a bullet in her head. And the Catholic Church has many stories of both men and women of faith who endured much and or were martyred for their faith and I am sure the Protestant Church has the same. Point being they were not extraordinary people, they were like you and me, being infilled by extraordinary God.

      Every Christian out there should be fully aware and prepare to accept being a follower of Christ may require dying for their faith in Him. And if they are not willing to die for Jesus, they might want to examine their heart It is okay to feel uncertain, or fearful, but if they can’t say to God I am willing, because I trust you to give me what I need when I need it, even the courage to face torture, torment or death– then they might need to ask themselves am I a discipline of Christ or a groupie?

      So you might not think you could face what these early Christian men faced, but if push came to shove, I bet you’ll be surprise what you could endure for His sake with the Holy Spirit’s help.

      Reply ↓

    • There was Mother Theresa? She endured much! There are women out there still enduring..I pray the Lord will give them all strength, courage and protection In Jesus Precious Name AMEN

      Reply ↓

  3. Please brother and dusters pray for me. I feel weak and confused in spirit and I want the Lord to take control. Be my leader and guardian. Teach me everyday how to stay closer to Him, hear His voice and obey His commands. I pray His Will be done in my life

    Reply ↓

    • thank you for your honesty….when truths come out the devil flees…I was listening to stories of children being abused and not even sexually, just inappropriate touching, things children do sometimes when they are younger, BUT the issue was how it made some children feel and they kept it secret for decades, that is the devil doing his thing, but when the children now grown up talk about it, tons of weight leaves their bodies because they are not in bondage anymore and you dear Patricia are brave and calling out for help not only from God but from other Christian brothers and sisters and that is very important that we all uphold each other in prayer….I am up and down also….I am so thankful for this blog to read and to “talk” to each other and caring words flow out to each other…THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

      Reply ↓

  4. Lord Jesus in your Name I pray for Patricia’s mind to be restored to wholeness in you so she is able to see things clearly …thank You Jesus for answered prayer!!! Amen!

    Heavenly Father in Jesus Name I pray that my mind would be set on You…on Your path of righteousness…please keep me in “The Truth the Light and The Way” daily as read Your Word. Amen!!

    Thank you Rev. David for your constant guidance as you bring forth this blog each morning!!!

    Reply ↓

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