We need to be Uncommoners!!!

Event: Peter Explains His Actions
S - Scripture
Acts 11 v. 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.'

O - Observation
Uncommoners. That's what we are. We have all been cleansed by the death and resurrection of Jesus. 1 John 1 v. 7, "But if we walk in the light, as his in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the BLOOD OF JESUS HIS SON CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN." So logic prevails, if God has cleansed us, then we must not be called common. We become uncommoners. God has given us purpose as uncommoners. We need to be in the world, but not of the world. Jesus, explains it in Matthew 5 v. 13a, 14a, "You are the salt of the Earth; you are the light of the world." So because of our uncommon mission, salt and light and with the backing of God we need to approach our life, our world, as uncommoners.

A - Application
Do I realize that I am Uncommon? What am I doing with it?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let me be salty and bright for you. Love Will

Is what you say - Defiling or Defining you?

Event: Peter Explains His Actions

S - Scripture
Acts 11 v. 7-8 And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise Peter; kill and eat.". But I said, “No Lord, for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth."

O - Observation
Missing the mark. Switching the wires. That's what the first thing that comes to my mind when I read this verse. Great intention, but wrong approach. In this case, Peter was discussing what defiles a man based upon what he knew. But Jesus brought this issue to light in Matthew 15 v. 10, "And he called the people to him and said to them, 'Hear and understand. Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." So it's time to slam on the breaks, and switch directions. It's not what you put into you via the mouth but what comes out. Matthew 15 v. 18a, "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart."

A - Application
Is my mouth defiling me or defining me? As a man of God?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let my lips bring forth your praise.  Love Will

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Take a part of the Name change!!!

Event: Peter at Cornealius’s House

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 45 And believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

O - Observation
God's gift is for everybody. Before Jesus death, God choose, created through Jacob the nation of Israel. Genesis 35 b. 10, 11; " And God said to him, "your name is Jacob; no longer shall you be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.. a nation and a company of nations shall come from you." So the Jews felt they were special, they are, but it didn't dawn on them that their God is the God of the whole world. They weren't ready for the name change. Gentiles, just like Jacob, had their name changed. They went from Gentiles to Christians. All this possible by a direct relationship with Jesus.

A - Application
Has my name been changed?

P – Prayer
Jesus, Change me and my name to be a follower of you, to be a Christian.    Love Will

Image by Maicon Fonseca Zanco from Pixabay 

God Gives the Growth

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered but God gave the growth.”

O - OBSERVATION: As a farmer I really relate to this verse, it’s very easy to take the credit when a crop I planted turns out really well, and when we have a drought we want to blame God. Oh how silly, Matthew 5:25, He makes the rain to fall on the just and on the unjust. God allows the rain to fall where He will for reasons we have absolutely no clue about. I also want to mention anytime we are fortunate enough to raise a good crop, it must always be God who gets the glory! Why do I say this? He is very much in control of every variable that most influences the final growth and fruit. It is His rain, His sunshine that cause the earth to bring forth it’s fruit, I can perhaps, enhance results but I cannot influence rain and sunshine other than through heart
felt prayer to Him and then only according to His will.

A - APPLICATION: Here is the parallel: we can speak of Jesus, we can tell what we know about sin, repentance, grace, forgiveness and God’s great love for we, His people. Our church can attempt to do everything well, but it is still God Who sends His Spirit into the hearts of His people and grows faith which causes the body of Christ to grow. Why does it not depend on us because salvation is His deal and not ours. It is our task simply to share the good news of Jesus, it is God Who brings people to faith. Thanks be to God for bringing us into His Kingdom, May He 
continue to allow us to serve Him! 

P - PRAYER: Gracious Father, please allow your humble people to serve You in the work of sharing the Good News of Jesus  and may we always know it is You who gives the growth.
In Jesus Name, Amen

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

Facilitate the one-two punch!!!

Event: Peter at Cornealius’s House

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 44 And while Peter was saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

O - Observation
The great one two punch. The Word and the Holy Spirit. It's all we really need to know and do. We are just the facilitators. Our role is to share his Word, and to Pray for the Holy Spirit to move into people's lives. Hebrews 4 v. 12, "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit , of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." God's word is amazingly powerful. If you are ever at a loss on what to say, then quote the Bible. It's so very, very important that we spend time reading and memorizing verses from the Bible. From there we need to intentionally pray for the Holy Spirit to fall upon those who hear the word.

A - Application
Am I facilitating the one two punch?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for your Word and Holy Spirit.    Love Will

Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography

Know the Name above all names!!!

Event: Peter at Cornealius’s House

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 43 To him all the prophets bare witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

O - Observation
Name. How powerful is the name of Jesus! It is the Name above all names. It is an identifier of our salvation. Acts 4 v. 12, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." All roads point to Jesus. The Old Testament prophets prophesied of him. Today's people point back to him. He is the focal point of the world. Why? John 1 v. 6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me." Jesus name is synonymous with Truth and Life. When we call upon his name we will be saved.

A - Application
Do I recognize the name above all names?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are the name above all names!!!    Love Will

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

Jesus has the ultimate authority

Event: Peter at Cornealius’s House

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 42-43 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the ordained by God to be Judge of the living and dead.

O - Observation
Our marching orders. Go and share. Matthew 28 v. 19a, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. " The great commission. Most folks know this verse. But it's the verse before it that leads credence to the second half of today's' Deep Thought.  Jesus states in Matthew 28 v 18, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. " This is the ordination by God to be the Judge of the living and Dead. That is a Key message. There's more to life than this life. There's a life after death. Our life on earth will point us towards our life destination after death. Revelation 20 v. 15, "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

A - Application
Do I realize the ultimate authority Jesus has? Does that motivate me to share?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Place an urgency  in my heart to share the Good news.    Love Will

Photo by Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

We just need to state the facts!

Event: Peter at Cornealius’s House

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 39-40 And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest.

O - Observation
The facts. Peter is telling Cornelius and his family and friends what had happened. He was simply relaying the facts. He was a witness. Webster defines witness as, "seeing something happening." Peter was there  firsthand to see all those things. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were there as well, except they wrote down what they saw, experienced. They stated the facts. It's a great approach for us. We simply need to state the facts. State how Jesus has been in your life. Sate the changes you have made, your comfort or approach to life's difficulties by having Jesus by your side. The facts.

A - Application
Am I stating the Facts?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for being based on truth and facts.   Love Will

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

God want's all people to be saved!

Event: Peter at Cornealius’s House

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 34-35 And Peter opened his mouth and said; "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."

O - Observation
All.  Everyone. No partiality. Honest. Judgment. That's the words that pop into my mind as I read this verse. God, Jesus, is the Perfect Judge. He shows no bias or favoritism. We are all condemned. Romans 6 v. 23a, "For the wages of sin is death." We are toast except for what Jesus did for us. Romans 5 v. 8, " But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." So anyone, no exclusions, who places their faith in Jesus will be saved. Romans 10 v. 9 , "If you confess with your lips that Jesus in Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

A - Application
How will I face a perfect judge? Call upon the name of Jesus.

P - Prayer
Jesus, You died and rose again. Thanks!!!    Love Will

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplas

We need to be great inviters!!!

Event: Peter at Cornealius’s House
S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 24 The following day, he (Peter) arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

O - Observation
Inviting. Excited. Sharing. Cornelius is a great role model for us. He knew something special was going to be shared by a man of God. By a representative. So what did he do? He invited. Family. Friends. People that are important to him. Lets' fast forward to today. We have knowledge of the Greatest Gift ever. Or... we have knowledge of the worse punishment ever. Knowing these facts, why wouldn't  we want to invite our family, our friends to hear the  great news? Why wouldn't we want to invite them to church? Hearing the good news with other people side by side is encouraging.

A - Application
Do I share the same excitement about God's word as Cornelius?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be a great inviter!!    Love Will

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Love One Another

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: John 13:34,35 A new command I give : Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this shall everyone, know that you are my disciples, that

you show love one to another.

O - OBSERVATION: This isn’t a causal suggestion by Jesus, He really wants us to get this, that’s why He uses the word  “love” four times. He says this in several different ways to make the point, loving others is a Christ ordained way of showing that we are His disciples.

A 0 APPLICATION: Jesus says “ even as I have loved you” so shall you love one another. How did He love us? Even unto the point of death on the cross. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates
His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! How beautiful is that, in John 15,He says, greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his fellowman. Jesus did exactly that, but not only for us but for the sins of the whole world!!! God’s love for His people is indeed vast beyond all measure as the song “How deep the Fathers love for us” says! God is the Author of love, no one loves better than Him, for He is love! If your still not convinced
read 1 John 4:7-21.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your everlasting and overwhelming love for us, it is beyond measure and comprehension. Teach us simply to humbly and graciously accept it, and to share it at every opportunity! In Jesus Name, Amen

God will show you the way

Event: Peter’s Vision

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius having  made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate.

O - Observation
The story of my life. My prayer when trying to understand what's going on or what to do. Dear God, please make it painfully obvious what I am to do. Please open and shut doors accordingly. So, in this case, Peter had the vision about eating unclean things. Three times. Confusion. Perplexing. What does this mean to me? So God presents to Peter the men form Cornelius. He made it very obvious that he was to go with them back to Cornelius's house. The door swung open and Peter followed.

A - Application
What are the steps I go to make a decision? Am I seeking God's input?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Make it painfully obvious what I am to do next!!    Love Will

Photo by Steve Lieman on Unsplash

Remember - We are NOT Commoners!!!

Event: Peter’s Vision
S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 13-15 And there came a voice to him, "Rise Peter, Kill and eat." But Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has cleaned, you must not call common."

O - Observation
We are NOT commoners. WE are not just a face in the crowd. NO. We have been washed clean by the blood of Christ. Isaiah 1 v. 18a, "Come now, let us reason together says the Lord; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall become as white as snow." When God looks at believers in Christ, he sees not the common, not the filth of our sinful flesh, but purity. How so? 1 John 1 v. 7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST CLEANSES us from all sin."

A - Application
Do I realize that I am NOT a Commoner?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for making me special!!   Love Will

Photo by Milo Bauman on Unsplash

We need to follow God's Lead

Event: Cornelius calls for Peter

S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 7-8 When the angel who spoke to him (Cornelius) had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those that waited on him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

O - Observation
Following God's lead. Cornelius was instructed by God to go to Joppa and bring Peter to him. God did not give Cornelius the why, just the do. So he did it. That seems to be the way God likes to lead us. He will point us down a path, doing an activity, with not necessarily a clear picture of what the end result or purpose will be. But, one thing is for sure, when you follow Gods leads he will bless you or those around you. He has a perfect plan, we just need to follow his lead.

A - Application
Am I following God's lead?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Where you go, I will go, I will follow.   Love Will

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Remeber you smell - Make sure you smell good!!!

Event: Cornelius calls for Peter
S - Scripture
Acts 10 v. 4 "Cornelius." And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God."

O - Observation
The sweet smell of a Relationship with God. The things you do to strengthen your relationship with God, the spiritual disciplines: prayer, meditating on God's word, tithing, fasting, following his commandments, is like a sacrifice for the Lord.  Romans 12 v. 1b, "Present yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." In the old Testament, God enjoyed, was pleased with the smell of the sacrifice. I can understand, the smell of a good BBQ makes me hungry. Living your life for Jesus is a sacrifice. Although we are not burning animals like in the Old Testament, our sacrifice carries a smell, a God pleasing smell. 2 Corinthians 2 v. 14, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in Triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."

A - Application
What is my smell?

P - Prayer
Jesus, let my fragrance be pleasing to you.   Love Will

Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash

Put your Fatih into Action

Event: Meeting Disciples
S - Scripture
Acts 9 v. 36 Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcus (which means gazelle.) She was full of good works and charity.

O - Observation
Being a Gazelle for the Lord. How appropriate, someone who ran to the help of others, leaped into other people's lives, would be named essentially a Gazelle. She's a great role model for us. She lives out the word of 1 John 3 v. 17-18, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in Him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth." Faith in action. Doing as I say. Emulating the same love Jesus had for us -  for others. Getting involved in people's lives creates the opportunity to share the great news!!!

A - Application
Could they name me Tabitha, or Dorcus or Gazelle?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to love in deed and truth.   Love Will

Be a part of the Multiplication

Event: Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

S - Scripture
Acts 9 v. 31 So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

O - Observation
Multiplication. This verse is awesome in its self, but even more amazing when you consider the verses just before it.  Acts 9 v. 23b, "The Jews plotted to kill him. (Saul)" And Acts 9 v. 29, "And disputed against the Hellenist; but they were seeking to kill him." So there was all this anger and hatred towards the church, yet this verse indicates that they had Peace and grew. Fascinating. How? 1) Fear of the Lord.  The Church members knew in their heart Jesus was the Christ. He was/is the savior of the world. 2) Comfort of the Holy Spirit. The church followed where God lead them. They knew that God will not fail them. These are the multipliers.

A - Application
Am I into Mathematics? Am I into Multiplication?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Put me in the equation for growing your church.    Love Will

Teaching Them

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

O - OBSERVATION: These are the last words of Matthews Gospel, a beautiful ending to such an amazing book written by Matthew but inspired by God. As he closes this book he gives us the well known “Great Commission" Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in verse 19, but then finishes with verse 20. I chose to write about verse 20 because it tells us what to teach (all things, everything, He has commanded us to teach). Finally it concludes with this beautiful promise for us to take hold of when life and the teaching gets tough.

A - APPLICATION: When I think about teaching all things He has commanded us, I think of Deuteronomy 6, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and all 
your might”. In other words with all you are and have. I think of the beautiful Gospel of John, the familiar John 3:16 (gospel in a nutshell) my favorite; John 14:6: Jesus tells His disciples; I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me. Also, John 8:32 If you abide in My Word (The Bible) you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free! How sweet is that, free from what? The consequences, the enslavement of sin, that my friends is the best freedom of all! I think of the refrain from the song, “I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child
of God. Hence as I teach these things,He is with me always even to the end of the the world. There is no better promise!

P - PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sometimes we think we are too ordinary to teach, but help us to remember Jesus used some of the most common everyday men to teach, fishermen, lowly shepherds came to the manger, Jesus is for all, to be shared by all, that all might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Remind us, You are always with us as we seek to bear
witness for You. In Jesus Name, Amen

Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash

Remember - Everyone is elgible!!!

Event: Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

S - Scripture
Acts 9 v. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

O - Observation
Conversion. This is what happened to Saul. He was once a God hater, now a God lover. Conversion. That's what happens to us. Our flesh is naturally sinful. Jesus knows this. He said it in Matthew 15 v. 19, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander." We desperately need conversion. Paul summed it up quite will in Romans 7 v. 24-25a, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Think about it. If God can convert public enemy number one, he can convert you.

A - Application
Do I realize that everyone CAN be converted?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for converting me for you.  Love Will

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Study the Facts!!!

Event: Saul’s Conversion

S - Scripture

Acts 9 v. 23 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

O - Observation
Proving. Webster defines prove as, "show that something is true." To be able to prove something is to be able to know the facts and then to be able to logically present them. Today we call this type of people that can logically present the facts of our faith as Apologetics. My brother Tim Kiehl gave me a great book to read in this regard by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek. It's called, "I don't have enough faith to be an Atheist." Excellent book. You should check it out! Its vitally important to know the facts, it enhances your faith. It move one from believing that Jesus existed to believing what he promised, Hebrews 11 v. 1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen."

A - Application
Have I studied the facts around Christianity?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Your word is the truth. Thanks!!!    Love Will