Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Paul did not have your typical prison ministry. […]
Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Paul has just had one of those days that most people would say that could not get worse. His day started with the ship that he was on being ripped to pieces. Because he was a prisoner, some thought he should […]
Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
Paul is talking to the leaders of the church in Ephesus. Paul is warning them of the various ways that Satan will attack the church. Paul then goes on to remind these leaders that he did not covet the possessions of others. Paul had […]
Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Paul was in a period of waiting of his life. Paul understood that he had been sent out by the church as a team with Silas. Silas was still working with Timothy in […]
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Paul and Silas were in prison because they were doing the perfect will of God. Yes, that is correct, they were fulfilling the perfect will of God and they found themselves being persecuted for righteousness sake. In […]
Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Paul was a prisoner in Rome. We are told that for two years, he dwelt in his own house under the supervision of a guard. However, Paul did not waste the time […]
Acts 28:16 and when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
Paul was a prisoner but he was not treated as all the other prisoners were treated. Instead, Paul was given the opportunity to […]
Acts 24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
Tertullus was an orator who was brought by Ananias to the judgment hall of Felix for the purpose of bringing charges […]
Psalms 63:5-6 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Are you satisfied with God? Are you content with where God has you today? Are you at […]
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
All around you people are trying to find purpose for their life. They are looking for happiness in relationships, in material possessions and in occupations. However, the harder they try, the more they fail to find true peace for their lives. It does not matter what they do they are never content.
Those who are of the world fail to realize that as long as they are a slave to sin, they will never find the true meaning for their life. However, all they have to do is accept Christ�s gift of salvation and they can be freed from the chains that enslave them. By accepting Christ�s gift of salvation, you no longer were a slave to sin but became a servant of God. It is your choice to do that which is right in the eyes of God.
Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
What is the most important thing to you? Your answer should be your relationship with God. Jesus commands you that you are to forsake all and follow HIM. You must yield your life to HIM and follow HIM. Until you are willing to yield your desires and passions to HIM, you will not find contentment and the true meaning of your life.
If you are looking after yourself and ensuring that you are number one, than you will soon find that you have lost your life. The things of this world will not bring contentment. The more you seek to pursue the things you want first, the further away from God�s will you will get. The further away from God�s will you get, the more you will find that the things of this world do not satisfy.
I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It is important to remember that contentment with what God has given you will save you from many sins. Paul reminded Timothy in verse six through eight of this chapter that godliness with contentment is great gain, that he brought nothing into this world and will take nothing out, and that with food and raiment be content. In verse nine, Paul reminded Timothy that the rich fall into many temptations.
The love of money can destroy your faith. God desires that you learn to demonstrate contentment in your life. You do not need to keep up with the Jones. God has a different plan for your life and material possessions should not be very high on your list. While you have a need for food and raiment, even Jesus tells us that we are not to worry about food and raiment because your Father up in heaven knows your needs and HE is able to take care of it.
If you do not have money and you have a need and God supernaturally provides for you, you will give glory to God and your faith will be increased. The time you spent on your knees praying to God for your needs will only strengthen your faith when you are out of the storm. However, if you have great wealth, when you have a need, you simply go and purchase what you perceive to be a need. You do not enjoy the fellowship with God over seeking HIS direction and provision regarding your life.
While wealth has some benefits, it has some great detriments to your faith. Wealth will cause you to look to yourself for your direction rather then looking to your Creator. Your faith is an essential element of your Christian walk. The love of money is the greatest hindrances to living a life pleasing to God. God desires you to be relying upon HIM rather then yourself.
One of the hardest times in a parent�s life is when their child reaches a stage where they would rather be with their friends then with the family. The child may be hanging around some individuals who do not have the same standards as the family and it will grieve the family that friends are taking priority in their lives. This is similar to how God feels about you when you allow money and possessions to get in-between your relationship with HIM. It grieves HIM that you are making decisions that are deteriorating your relationship with HIM and that HE no longer has priority in your life.
Your faith increases as you see the Lord�s direction in your life by daily provision. When you are constantly looking to God for your daily needs, you will have a close relationship with HIM and will not quickly yield to temptation. However, if you put money first in your life and allow it to drive you, you can quickly be led astray because your focus is no longer on God.
You need to learn to be content with what God has given you. Even if God has given you great possessions, you must learn to daily seek HIM for your direction. Do not allow money or possessions to control you. Paul tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil, money has caused many a good man to stumble in the faith. Do not be one of them.
Acts 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
By faith Peter prophesied the death of Sapphira. Do you think Peter enjoyed telling a believer that she was going to die? This was probably not something Peter wanted to do, but because God revealed the news to him, Peter had to obey God.
Walking in faith does not always mean you enjoy mountain top experiences. Sometimes you must walk by faith into the valley of the shadow of death. Faith does not always lead to joyous occasions but can sometimes be somber because God intends to cause those around you to fear HIM. Your relationship with God is not designed for your personal benefit. God never promised you that if you believe in HIM your life would be easy and prosperous. You must remember that you are on this earth as HIS creation and that it is your duty to do HIS will for your life. True happiness and contentment will come when you strive to follow HIS perfect will for your life.
