Close Proximity

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What do you do when people follow you without invitation?

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Acts 17:34 – Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

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You’ve heard of magnetic attraction.  That is a natural force in which the north and south poles of magnetic force attract one another.  Almost everyone has played with a magnet at some time, and witnessed the result of a magnetic force on certain metal objects.  And then you’ve likely heard the old adage, “Birds of a feather flock together.”  While these may be examples of attraction in nature, in the kingdom of God, I believe it is different.  I am convinced that every believer has a place in the body for which Father has chosen and equipped him.  I likewise believe that when that place is truly known to the believer who loves and desires to please Father, they will be attracted to that position as naturally as bees are to pollen.  It is part of their God-given makeup, and only there can the fullness of joy the Lord has provided for them be experienced by them.

In our Text for Today, there were people whose lives were impacted by Paul, and they “clave unto him.”  The word “clave” speaks of a relationship in which one person is, in essence, glued to another person.  And when God’s design finds a place of unity in people who are following and obeying God, strong unions and connections are made.  That is what was happening with some of the people Paul was winning to the kingdom.  They clung to him as if they were glued to him.

For your own good as a believer, you need to be aware of these principles.  If you love the Lord and are living to serve Him, there are people whose lives you will impact who will love you and appreciate what you have done in their lives, but will not follow you closely.  There are others who will follow you, or even support your ministry from time to time in obedience to the Lord.  And then there are those who become glued to you.  No matter where you are, they know about, pray for you, will give to support the work you do, and if you ever need them, they will be there for you.

When the believer attempts to determine who those people are, we will often make grave mistakes, possibly drawing people into an arena of ministry for which they are not fitted at all.  This connection must be left to the work of Holy Spirit.  Let Him lead; let Him decide; let Him direct.  But to the believer, I urge you, be ready, for when such a person is set in your life, glued to you, you need to be in a position to move with God, not only for your own sake, but now for the sake of those who are glued to you.  That kind of close proximity is established by God.  And remember, it’s not just about marriage; it’s about all things – what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Manna for Today – Acts 17:16-34; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1

Preach Resurrection

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How much preaching and teaching are we hearing today of the Resurrection?

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Acts 17:32 – And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

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I’ve a question for you today.  Why does it seem that preaching and teaching from the pulpit today, preaching and teaching that should be filled with resurrection life, seems to be producing so little of the fruit of resurrection?  The law of Genesis declares that in the seed is the life necessary, not only to produce fruit after its own kind, but in the fruit will be more seed of identical genetic to produce yet more fruit.  That law is true, and cannot be changed.  Therefore, if the fruit and subsequent seed do not reveal resurrection life, then the seed that is being sown must be of some aberrant sort.  It may look good, sound good, and even feel good to have it sown in someone’s life, but if the fruit that is produced does not taste of resurrection life, then the seed that was sown was not that of resurrection life.

I fully realize that when the sower sows the Word, there are different kinds of ground into which the seed was sown.  I likewise realize that the ground determines whether or not there will be resulting fruit.  But the ground does not change in a way that produces fruit that doesn’t rise from the seed sown.  Let me state it simply.  If you plant corn, expect corn.  It will not produce cabbage.  If you plant beans, expect the kind of beans you planted.  It will not produce squash.

When Paul preached the “resurrection of the dead,” some refused the truth, mocked it, and produced nothing at all from the seed sown.  But others said, “We will hear thee again of this matter.”  For these, a doorway to salvation had been opened.  That does not mean they walked through it, but at least they had not rejected that door.  Keep in mind, that Door is Jesus.  From that message, the Door being opened, light can flood a life and decisions of life and wisdom can be made.  Study resurrection; meditate on resurrection; preach and teach resurrection.  The God of this hour for the church is the same unchanging God of Paul the Apostle.

But here is a point we need to consider.  The Word of God will not return void, but will accomplish that which pleases Father, and prosper in its doing.  So, what of those who reject the message of resurrection?  When the truth is delivered, if a person rejects that truth, and sadly, they leave this world with Christ, it cannot be said they left without knowledge, and therefore, there is no excuse.  Live in such a manner that no one you meet can leave this world with any ability to truthfully indicate that you left them with an excuse.  Again I say to you, preach resurrection.

Manna for Today – Acts 17:16-34; Romans 10:6-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Isaiah 55:11

Divine Poets

How much beauty have we sadly lost by our removal of literary arts from our churches?

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Acts 17:28 – For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

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Let’s begin with the final statement of our Text for Today.  We read, “For we are also His offspring.”  If we are “His offspring,” then we surely carry about in us His spiritual DNA.  He has divinely inspired the Scriptures.  If we carry His spiritual DNA, then surely it lies within, at least some of us, a divine ability to produce literary work of great quality and nurtures the life that is in us.  And since part of His divine inspiration resulted in poetic works like the Psalms, there surely in lies within, at least some of us, a divine ability to produce a poetry with life-nurturing qualities.

Now look at the opening statement of our Text for Today.  “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”  What a powerful statement that is!  That statement addresses our entire existence.  It is “in Him” that we live, move, and have our being; not out of Him.   Outside of Christ, there exists only death, destruction, and depravity.  What is so sad is that many who are born again, who already live in Him, instead of abiding under the shadow of the Most High, seem to simply exist under the shadow of death, destruction, and devastation.  This should not be the case, my friend.

Are you a child of God?  Are you born again?  Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?  If so, then you are in Him, and being in Him, you should be enjoying His life, moving in His power and ability, and having your identity fulfilled in Him.  If you are enjoying His life, then nothing of death can touch you.  If you are moving in His power and ability, then you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.  If your identity is fulfilled in Him, then nothing of death, destruction, or devastation has any hold on any part of your life.

Please note, I did not say there would be no attacks against you.  As long as we live in this present age, we must deal with the enemy of our soul.  But the supernatural ability of God that resides in you sets you above all the enemy can try to level against you.  Rise above it.  Speak the Word of God over your own life as a great orator.  Allow Holy Spirit to form in you the poetry of the Kingdom, speaking to yourself in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.  Let the poetry of the Lord loose with your tongue by faith in the Name of Jesus.  Let your heart create spiritual sonnets that sing of the sweetness and goodness of the Lord.

Manna for Today – Acts 17:16-34; Genesis 1; Joshua 1:6-9; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 55:11; Luke 1:37

One Blood

Any way you look at it, we all still came from one paired set of DNA; Adam and Eve.

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Acts 17:26a – And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth

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Don’t ask me how it all works.  I’m neither a doctor, nor a research scientist.  I don’t know how DNA and its component parts function.  I don’t know how atoms, the very building blocks of all physical matter, function, but I know Who created them.  What I don’t know, I don’t know.  What I do know, I do know.  Some would say it’s purely a matter of faith.  I agree, it takes faith to believe it.  But I will go further and say this.  There are myriad proofs that the Word of God is true, and with the knowledge that God confirms His Word with signs following, I have come to the place in my personal life, that not only do I believe what the Bible says to be true, but I know it’s true.

One of the things I know is that Father has made the whole world of one blood.  There may be other bloods similar in make-up and content to human blood, but human blood is distinguishable from all other kinds of blood.  There may be different types of blood; A, B, AB, and O, and there may be positives and negatives of all those types, but still, human blood is set apart from all others.  At that point, I must admit that though I am very familiar with the Scriptures, I find it amazing, and in many respects, completely unfathomable, how mankind can treat one another with such hatred, degradation, bitterness, and rejection.

Yes, I know it is an issue arising from sin.  But then I know the work of Jesus, the love of God, and the plan of redemption.  And yet, even in the church, we can find such division, dissention, and disparity.  My friend, these things should not be.  One of the greatest weaknesses existing in the church is its present state of division, and in most cases, relative powerlessness to overcome issues of division.  If only we, the body of Christ, would focus on the main issue to which each one of us is called.

• Five-fold ministers, perfect the saints.  Don’t fight one another.  Don’t try to be what you’re not.
• Saints, do the work of the ministry.  Preach the Gospel to every creature.  Win the lost.  Baptize converts.

There!  Do you see it?  Accept your birth right.  Stop being selfish, self-seeking, self-satisfying.  Forget denominationalism if you intend to fulfill your destiny.  It’s a great destiny, and is available to the entire bloodline of man.  It will be manifest, however, only in those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb.  Is that you?  Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  If so, live your destiny.

Manna for Today – Acts 17:16-34; Genesis 1:26-31; Ephesians 4:11-13

Time for Stirring

Have you ever known, or do you now know time when your spirit is stirred within you?

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Acts 17:16 – Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

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Is your spirit stirred within you today?  As Apostle Paul saw the condition of the city of Athens, “his spirit was stirred within him.”  Has your spirit ever been stirred?  To be “stirred” is to be so moved that it would cause your heart to beat faster, almost as if you were engaged in rigorous physical activity.  It happened in our Text for Today to Apostle Paul.  It happened to Jesus prior to His arrest and crucifixion as He looked over the city of Jerusalem.  It happened to Father when he looked at the city of Nineveh in which there was more than 120,000 who could not discern between their left hand and right hand.

Look about you today.  While it is likely that the vast majority of people we know do know the difference between their right and left hands, their knowledge of the spiritual things of life is saddening indeed.  Multitudes think themselves to be spiritually okay because they are aware of who God is.  Additional multitudes know that people talk about God, but have no true awareness that He even truly exists.  And just as bad are the multitudes have no awareness at all of God, Who He is, what He can do, and that He loves them.

And let us not fail to recognize that even in the church world today, there are multitudes that claim a relationship with God, but produce no fruit, do not believe His Word, and give no credence to His Word.  Yet they call themselves Christian and attend church.  My friend, the Scriptures have not changed.  We still know the people of God by their fruits.  For that reason, perhaps we should ask ourselves, “What fruits are we producing that give clear evidence of our relationship with Christ?”

I cannot help but believe that the Lord’s heart is stirred by the condition of the world and His church at this hour.  Likewise, I cannot help but believe that our hearts should be stirred as well by the same things.  We are the light of the world.  Should we not be stirred to illuminate the darkness about us?  We are the salt of the earth.  Should we not be stirred to preserve all those we can from the destruction, decay, and degradation of those under sin’s dominion?  We are His ambassadors?  Should we not be stirred to speak His truth and bring all we can into His embassy (the church)?  We are His disciples.  Should we not be stirred to model the life of Christ as living epistles wherever we are?  It is time to be stirred, and that continuously.

Manna for Today – Acts 17:16-34; Matthew 23:37-39; Jonah 1-4; Matthew 7:16-20

The Best Is Yet to Come

Could it be coming to us?

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Acts 17:5 – But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

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In the past decade, as my work internationally has grown, I have heard again and again of the homes of Christians being attacked, pillaged, burned, and destroyed.  And of course, it’s been happening to political figures on the international scene for much longer.  In the United States at this hour, we are seeing that same spirit rise.  Being a Christian today is viewed by many groups as taking a political stand.  They see politics as the breeding ground for Christian thinking.  Nothing could be further from the truth, but that doesn’t change the thinking of minds trapped in darkness.

So, what is the conclusion to which I am pointing today?  Are you a Christian?  Do you hold fast to the truth of God’s Word?  Do you choose to live out in your daily walk Biblical principles and values?  If your answer to the last three questions posed here is “yes,” then you are making yourself a target.  The church of the Lord Jesus has been a general target for a long time, and that has been growing more and more evident in the world today.  The church needs to understand that the worst is yet to come.

But do not be dismayed by that statement.  Yes, the worst is yet to come, but the good new is this; where sin abounds, the grace of God much more abounds.  To that end I boldly declare, the best is yet to come.  Keep in mind that God never goes backward.  He always moves forward.  We have witnessed the power of God in times past.  We will yet witness greater.  God has demonstrated a pattern for us.  The New Covenant is more glorious than the Old Covenant.  The second wine at the wedding feast at Cana was better than the first.  The second draught of fish was greater than the first draught of fish.  The early and latter rain being poured out together will be greater than either the first or the second rain of Holy Ghost that has already been poured out.  Again, I say, the best is yet to come.  The church has been a target from day one of its existence.  That targeting has only become more intense.  Before the coming of Jesus for His church, the target will be more refined than the church in general, or specific groups or church buildings.  The believer who stands strong from God will be the more specific intended target of the enemy in the days to come.  Stand strong, dear believer.  Joseph’s prison, Egypt’s army, Philistia’s Goliath, Babylon’s fiery furnace and den of lions, and even Herod’s cross have all failed.  No weapon formed against you shall prosper.  You are still Father’s prized possession.  The best is yet to come.

Manna for Today – Acts 17:1-9; Psalm 91; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Romans 5:20

Out of the Scriptures

Anecdotes and the latest best seller won’t do.  Only the Word can accomplish this.

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Acts 17:2 – And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

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In my professional life, before anything else, I am a man of God.  God, His Word, my walk with Him, my obedience to Him, and my serving as His ambassador comes first.  And that includes my work in the arena of leadership training.  In leadership training, I read and utilize books from many good authors.  I read many books from good Christian authors.  I cannot cite how much I have learned from the reading of such books.  But I can say this.  When it is time to discuss the Scriptures, when it is time to reason with someone about Scriptural matters, there is only one place from which to lift the truth to settle any issue – out of the Scriptures.

Many books have been written about healing.  I have written one of those books.  Only to the degree that what is said in such a book is undergirded by the Scripture should one embrace what that book says as absolute, issue-ending proof.  The Scripture must be the undergirding element.  No book has ever been written, or ever will be written, that will undergird the Scriptures.  The Scriptures are the foundation.  All that truly undergirds must come out of the Scriptures.

Many books have been written on prosperity and abundance, counseling, marriage, child rearing, church growth, and more, and the same reasoning must be applied to each of these categories.  Only to the degree that what is said in a book is undergirded by the Scripture should one embrace what the book says as absolute, issue-ending proof.  If it does not align with Scripture, it is error.  There, I’ve said it, and there I will stand.

We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  What comes from that which is less than Scripture is debatable.  It may appear pretty, but it’s not backed by faith.  It may appear profitable, but it’s not backed by faith.  It may appear to bring healing or some other blessing, but it’s not backed by faith.  And the bottom line here is, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  And dear one, without faith you cannot please God.  To produce in one’s life anything less than faith is to aid them in falling short of the will and full pleasure of Father.

So, tell me, my friend.  Does your faith arise out of the Scriptures?  Does your counsel arise out of the Scriptures?  Does your healing and health arise out of the Scriptures?  Does your provision and fulfillment of needs arise out of the Scriptures?  If not, change your source.  Get back to the Word, for it’s out of the Scriptures that all these come.

Manna for Today – Acts 17:1-9; Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 1:3; Romans 10:17

Hope for Your House

Do you have immediate family who are not walking with the Lord?  There is a hope.

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Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

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There is a vast difference between a promise and a commitment already fulfilled.  A promise is a commit-ment set for fulfillment at a later date.  Today, I write about a promise.  And what a wonderful promise it is!  Read our Text for Today once again, and when you do, rejoice, my friend, rejoice.  What you see is a command with a following benefit, or promise.  It all begins with you.

The command, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” has an understood subject, you.  This command is directed at you; that’s right, you.  And I mean you personally and specifically.  In other words, you must recognize that if you have family who need Jesus, it begins with you.  You must believe.  Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?  I’m not asking if you believe that Jesus is real, or if you believe He died on the cross, or even if you believe He is the Son of God.  I’m asking if you have set your faith on Him as the source of your life, and all that you need in life?  There is a lot said in the three words, Lord, Jesus, and Christ.  Lord signifies His position of authority.  He is over all, above all, possesses all, and is responsible for all.  Jesus is His Name; the Name above all names; the only name given by which man can be saved.  And Christ signifies what He has been made to be; He is the Anointed One.  If you believe on Him, you will be saved.

Ah, but then, having believed on Him for yourself, there is a promise given; a commitment from the Lord for a future point in time, as yet unfulfilled, but still a promise; a verbal commitment from the Lord.  Not only will you be saved if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but so will your house.  Take a moment to read our Manna for Today.  There is more than one Scripture that points to this great promise of God.  For that promise to be fulfilled, you must believe, and you must hold on to your faith in this might promise of the Lord.  You may see much that says it’s not going to happen.  Circumstances may scream at you that it will never happen.  Still, hold fast to what God’s Word says.  God has not failed, nor will He.  He is true to His Word.  Be true to your faith.

Manna for Today – Acts 16:6-40; John 3:16-17; Romans 10:6-17; Psalm 2:8; Acts 2:14-18; Isaiah 55:11

Shouting Doesn’t Make It So

Quacking and waddling like a duck does not make it a duck.  More needs to be known.

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Acts 16:17 – The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

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Let’s set up the scenario around this encounter.  Paul and Silas had come to Philippi, and remained for a period of time, ministering to the people.  Then a young woman, possessed by a spirit of divination, also known as a spirit of python, came on the scene.  Note closely that she did not come attacking Paul and Silas.  Rather, she came on the scene seeming to herald the coming of two great men of God, showing them the way of salvation.

Now on the surface, it would seem that she was doing Paul and Silas a great favor.  They were getting great volumes of free publicity from her, and no doubt, many people were attracted to their meetings because of it.  But there was something wrong, and by Holy Spirit, Paul knew it.  It was revealed to him that she was operating under the ownership and leadership of demon spirits.  While we rejoice in the outcome, we should also learn a valuable lesson from this event.  It has been said that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.  While probabilities may point to that as true, reality says it is not.  Take another look at our Text for Today.

The young woman in question was demon possessed, and deceiving many people.  Yet she was not attacking or defying Paul and Silas.  Instead, she was pointing them out and signifying that they were “servants of the most high God.”  Wouldn’t it be great if you were recognized by well-known people wherever you go as a servant of “the most high God?”  Think about it.  That could be of awesome benefit to the kingdom of God and your ministry.  But in this case, that was not the ultimate intent.  The intent of this demon possessed soothsayer was to show that she had deep ability to recognize spiritual authority, so that when Paul and Silas had gone their way, she would be recognized as someone of great spiritual prowess.  And that would lead to gross deception throughout the young church of that region.

That same scenario is played out too often in today’s church.  Someone who looks sharp, dresses well, speaks intelligently, and acts kindly towards others, all of which are traits sought out by people, comes into a church.  They are well-received, fit it well, seem to bring great assets to the church, and soon find themselves in a place of influence.  But the question that needs to be answered, that must be answered is, what fruit are they producing?

Manna for Today – Acts 16:6-40; Matthew 24:4; Mark 4:23; Luke 8:18; Luke 11:36; Matthew 7:16-20

Creating Suddenlies

Is it possible that we have the capacity to create kingdom suddenlies?

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Acts 16:25-26 – And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly . . .

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Suddenly is a word that can thrill or shock.  Which one (thrill or shock) is, I believe, based upon the preparations that are made.  Allow me to share a few examples with you.

• Fire and brimstone rained suddenly upon Sodom and Gomorrah.  Why?  God had planned it, Abram interceded in an attempt to prevent it, but their sinful preparation opened the way for it.
• There was a sound from heaven as a mighty, rushing wind that filled the room suddenly.  Why?  Jesus had paid the price for redemption, and 120 people obeyed His command to wait in the upper room.  Their obedient preparation placed them in the right place at the right time.
• Stocks and bonds fell from Paul and Silas, and the doors were opened to them suddenly in a Philippian jail.  Why?  Though arrested, beaten, and imprisoned for their ministry, they sang praises to God at midnight, refusing to allow their love and praise to God to be  by circumstances.

Do you see it?  In each of these cases, we see suddenly was not simply a sovereign act of God, though in all three cases, God did that which He purposed to do.  Rather, in each instance, people did something to create an atmosphere in which the will of Father could be better accomplished.  In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family were spared, and judgment was still rendered.  In the upper room the 120 people were filled with Holy Ghost, and the church was birthed.  In the Philippian jail, two servants of God were set free along with the other prisoners, a jailor was saved, and his family, too.  All these events happened in at atmosphere that had been prepared by intercession, obedience, and praise to God.

Now let’s consider the possibilities.  What do you need to have happen in your life, your home, your business, your school, and your church?  Are you praying?  Are you interceding for the atmosphere into which the power of God can be more freely released?  Are you walking in obedience to the will, word, and plan of Father God?  Are you in the place He has told you to be, remaining faithful to His command, patiently waiting for time to be filled for His desire?  Are you keeping yourself in an attitude of praise, despite the negativity of circumstances all around you; circumstances that could be cumbersome, binding, or even painful?  The opportunity to prepare the atmosphere about you is in your grasp.  Use it.  Use your faith, keep in in love, stay in intercession, remain faithful in obedience, and maintain a high level of praise in your life.  Your suddenly is waiting for its breakthrough.  You hold the keys.

Manna for Today – Acts 16:6-40; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 22:3