The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; Acts 17:24

While Paul was in Athens he observed idolatry at its highest extent, the Greeks had manmade idols which they worshiped everywhere, they even worshipped gods that didn’t have a name. The Holy Spirit inside Paul was deeply disturbed by this false worship, which led to Paul to preach a power sermon about the one true God

Even in today’s society we have the same issues of idolatry worship as the Greeks had. We worship celebrities and make them gods. We worship professional athletes and make them gods. We worship musicians and make them gods. This is deeply disturbing to God and the Holy Spirit grieves inside us all.

Its important to understand all these modern-day idols are just mortal people, like you and me. They are all flawed and lost. None of them can save your soul, none of them can create the Heavens and the Earth, they will all let you down.

because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31

There will come a day of judgement, who will save you? Will a celebrity redeem you of your sins? Only Jesus Christ can pay the debt for your sins, he is the only way to God. Don’t be misled by false idols and false worship, worship the only one who was anointed to save your soul, Jesus Christ

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray the Holy Spirit convits and leads us away from false idols and worship, in Jesus Name Amen!

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; Acts 16:25

Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten with rods , then thrown into jail for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. There charge against them was “throwing the city into turmoil” Imagine if you were going out to preach the gospel somewhere and the end result was being stripped, beaten, and imprisoned. How would you be feeling about now?

However we didn’t see Paul and Silas crying about there outcome, they weren’t organizing walkouts and marches, they were praying, singing hymns and praising God! What can we learn from the early Christian Church?

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

We need to learn that we are not in control, God is in control. So if we want things to change or work out, we need to give it up to God, and let him take control. This is exactly what Paul and Silas did, instead of complaining or plotting revenge, they worshiped.

To a non Christian this might sound insane, what kind of response is that? But because of Paul and Silas faith, God rescued them from the prison. Not only that because of the demonstration of there faith and the power of God, the jailer accept Jesus and he and his family were baptized also.  God took a dire situation and turned it into another victory for the Kingdom of God

Heavenly Father, we know you are in complete control, we pray that you lead and save us from our troubles and enemies, in Jesus name Amen!

“Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? Acts 15:10

When Jesus said “It is Finished” at the cross he took the yoke that was hung around our necks and took it upon himself. The fact of the matter is we are all sinners and if we were going to be judged according to the law our sentence would be death. However because God loves us and showed us mercy, Jesus took on the penalty of our sins and removed that yoke from around our necks

Grace has been misunderstood since the resurrection. Even today there are some “Christian groups” who have a hard time accepting Grace. The power of the blood of Jesus Christ, has broken every chain and set us free. The Pharisees would not accept Grace, they didn’t understand no matter how religious they were, they were wretched sinners just like all of us.

“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” Acts 15:11

Peter declared we are saved through the Grace of Christ not the Law. This doesn’t mean Christians reject The Law but Christ has fulfilled it. We are no longer under The Law but Under grace. Because anyone who lives under The Law is cursed because nobody is righteous enough to fulfill it except Jesus Christ

Heavenly Father, we thank you for our Lord Jesus Christ, who took on the wages of our sin and freed us from our yokes, Thank you for your amazing grace in Jesus Name Amen!

“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Over the past few months our family has been under attack by Satan. My wife has had surgical complication that includes a staff infection, it will be a long road for her recovery and we continue to press on and trust in God to see us through. Our family has had other battles also, however the point of my post is not to unload all my complaints

When I was reflecting on the song “It Is Well” the message is no matter what happens to us physically here , Satan can never have our soul, unless you voluntarily give it to him. Satan is going to try and take his best shots, take our health, take our wealth, maybe even try to take our life, however our souls belong to Jesus, put your faith and trust in him.

Jesus said this don’t fear Satan or Evil, Fear the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, who is the only one who has the power and authority to destroy our soul. No matter how many punches Satan and his minions take on us, he cant destroy us! It is Well with My Soul because my soul belongs to Jesus Christ

Heavenly Father, we put our faith and trust in you, even during hard times we know it is well with our soul in Jesus Name Amen

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

During the apostles ministry there were good times and very bad times. People witnessed a paralyzed man who became healed because of his faith in Jesus Christ. People were so moved and in so awe of the Power of God, that they began to claim Paul and Barnabas were the Greek gods (Zeus and Hermes) incarnated.

However there were others who were so offended by the message of Jesus Christ, they stoned Paul and and left him for dead outside the city. Little did they understand that no one will disrupt Gods ultimate plan. No weapon formed against us shall prosper, even though Paul was beaten down, he shook the dust off and continued to press on to his higher calling

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Paul understood this during his ministry, he seen many miracles during his ministry, even meeting Jesus Christ face to face on the road to Damascus. However Paul also paid the price for his discipleship. He has been hated, beaten, imprisoned, and left for dead. However no matter how horrible his circumstances were , he pressed on towards his higher calling to serve Jesus Christ!

Don’t allow bad circumstances or troubles distract you from your higher calling also. God has called you and has a plan for you, trust in him to lead you!

Heavenly Father, we pray that we can trust in you , even during our worst times and tribulations, Father we ask you to continue to renew our strength in Jesus Name Amen!

But He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Acts 13:37

Paul began to preach in the synagogue about how Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecy of being raised from the dead before his body would decay. This prophecy was fortold in Psalm 16 and most Jews believed it was referring to David. However as Paul points out, Davids body was never resurrected and decayed, while Jesus rose from the grave after 3 days, and lives forever

Once we understand this prophecy and how Jesus fulfilled it, as a Christian it gives us great hope and victory for the future. No matter how bad things are going in your life right now, even if your facing death. Remember Jesus overcame the grave and sin , and we have victory through Christ.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

This is what Jesus was saying, he knows you are going to have problems and issues. However there is hope because Jesus has defeated death. Jesus has overcome the world, and because of this you can have the peace of God which is beyond all comprehension.

This is why the resurrection is so vital to Christianity and our lives. The resurrection has changed everything , including us. As we can now overcome death also by the blood of Jesus Christ!

Heavenly Father, I pray that this message gives hope to the hopeless, that everyone understands that Jesus has overcome sin and death, and we are victorious through him in Jesus Name Amen!