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? 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!!! (click here for donation information).
Fascinating history of the temples. The Olympieion taking 638 years to construct is rather mind boggling. Looking at it on Wikipedia shows the vastness of its original size. Lift up your hearts, dear saints. Despite the sadness for many at this time of year, claim joy in knowing you are a chosen lamb of God. Oh, how He loves you, so! May you be at peace, today.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust.
Psalm 25:1-2 ESV
[Official Video] Little Drummer Boy – Pentatonix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc
Thank you for your encouraging words, Beverlee. You are such a blessing to us all.
I just quickly wanted to update my fellow blog readers that my interview on 100 Huntley Street has been moved from today to this Thursday, the 6th.
Blessings of peace, love and joy in the Holy Spirit be on you all today.
I also thank you Beverlee for your encouraging words. I thought of Psalm 23 and it fills me with hope .
I talked to little Judah”s dad on Sunday. He was told that the brain tumour is shrinking and they are now waiting for the official report. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Thanks for letting us know the change of date Deanna.
May everyone have a Blessed Tuesday
Wonderful news about Juda! Praise God.
Thank you Eleanor for the update on baby Judah .
( who is not a baby anymore).
Thank God for the good report. May he be totally cancer free and no longer in need of the treatments.
Lord we pray for complete healing for Judah! TY Lord for looking after this precious pp! T Y Lord for loving ALL of us unconditionally, In Jesus Name I Pray amen
I watch 100 Huntley at 4 a.m. hope to see you interview Deanna!
Thank you Beverlee, one of my favorite Christmas songs:)
Thank you for this wonderful doctrine to guide and direct daily. You Lord are the great surgean. And this ministry. I a our daily bread. Bless 100 Huntley.
Am inspired by the commitment and dermination of Paul, Barnabus and Silas who were not deterred from their mission but returned to the same places they were not received and persecuted. Neither should we be deterred from our mission. Amen? Thinking of you today Beverlee in the loss of your Mother. Impressed by David’s words that those in leadership should be “well established in scriptures” and how he prayed and fasted for his leaders. Looking for you on 100 Huntley St. Deanna. Sunny and cold here today. The Lord bless your day!
Got your message Deanna.
A beautiful and true quote from Dr. Jim Denison:
No one you know has the ability to love you unconditionally. To look to anyone or anything but God for the love our souls need in this life and the next is to commit idolatry.
Paul and Barnabas’s disagreement reminds me of the Martin Luther book written by Eric Metaxas. God be with each and every one of us now and always I pray.
What a true and powerful quote Lynda! I am going to copy and keep that one near.
Thank u Deanna, I thought so too:-).
What powerful ministry went forth by Paul and Barnabas to the Glory of God!