Sunday, December 4, 2022

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).

9 thoughts on “Sunday, December 4, 2022

  1. Praying for all the preachers and teachers of God’s word. With tv and the internet it is joyful to see and listen to their teachings. Very encouraging to see and hear of people asking God to govern their lives. God works in amazing ways. Using discernment in all our presented teachings is vital. So important to get to know our bible I believe.

    Blessings on all believers this and each day God grants us. Praying for peace in Jerusalem and Israel as well as the whole earth.

  2. Praying for God’s Presence and direction for today and every day. I was surprised to hear of another one named Judas! I don’t remember seeing that before. Hopefully he was a faithful servant of God. Have a Wonderful Lord’s Day all.

    • Found a bit of info, Doreen:

      “Judas Barabbas was an apostle of the church in Jerusalem, the twelve apostles, and the elders there (Acts 15:23, 27). He finished his mission and disappeared from the biblical record. There are untold thousands of Christians about whom little-to-nothing is known.

      However, we do know that Judas Barsabbas was a New Testament prophet and one of the ‘leading men’ in the early Christian community in Jerusalem at the time of the Council of Jerusalem, around 50 AD.

      Mentioned in Acts 15:22, he and Silas were described as “leading men among the brothers” (NIV). Judas and Silas were delegated the task of accompanying Paul and Barnabas to Antioch and delivering the Council’s letter resolving the controversy surrounding gentile circumcision.

      Acts 15:32 further describes Judas and Silas as prophets and says that they “said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.” After a stay in Antioch, Judas returned to Jerusalem whereas Silas remained in Antioch.”

  3. Praying for an end to the unnecessary war brought upon the dear Ukrainian people. That they be warm, have food, water, hot tea, comfort, shelter, peace, healing and protection. For all the people in the world, suffering with cancer, illness, poverty, abuse, loneliness and isolation. May they embrace the loving arms of their Lord and Saviour and feel the all-encompassing power of our prayers. May there be peace on earth. In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏

    Enya – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Lyric Video)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01BcaggibDw

    • Amen to your prayer, Beverlee. 🙏
      May God in His infinite mercy, minister to their physical, emotional, spiritual, financial and relational needs. May He bring beauty out of the ashes,as only He can.

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