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A Good Friend Like Barnabas
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. Acts 11: 25, NIV Barnabas was one of the followers of Jesus. When the church in Jerusalem heard that a significant number of people in Antioch believed and turned to God, they sent Barnabas to help the people there. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he witnessed the grace of God. He encouraged the followers and continued to minister to the people there. While he was serving, Barnabas remembered his friend Saul. In Acts 9, it was written that he was the one who welcomed Saul and helped him. Since there was a threat for his life, Saul was sent to Tarsus.…
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God Is Your Strength
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalms 28:7, NIV Have you ever experienced those moments when you just don’t know what to do? You feel overwhelmed by the situation around you to the point where you can’t find hope and peace. If you are in this situation right now, this verse is a perfect reminder to trust God. The Lord is your strength and shield. If you think that nobody cares for you, then God is there to help you. In these moments, when you surrender your…
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We Never Really Know How God Will Turn Things Around
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. Acts 11: 19-20, NIV The death of Stephen became one of the reasons why the early Christians were scattered in different places. Even though what happened to him was a tragic event, it seems that it became a way for them to share the gospel outside Jerusalem. The bad things that happened…
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We Need To Learn How To Deal With Gossips
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 26:22, NIV Sometimes, people find satisfaction in spreading news that could potentially hurt others. They somehow label it as satisfying and entertaining. This is a sad truth that many of us experienced. We will meet someone who likes to talk about other people’s mistakes or weaknesses. And maybe, they think that it was normal and not really a big deal, but let’s wait until they also experience the same thing. Only then will they realize how painful it is. According to the book of Proverbs, the words of gossip are like choice morsels;…
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God Gave All Of Us The Chance To Connect With Him Through The Holy Spirit
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. Acts 10:44-45, NIV Peter visited the house of Cornelius, a centurion who lived in Caesarea. He was surrounded by Cornelius’ relatives when he started preaching about Jesus. These group of people were known to be Gentiles and Jews tend to treat them as strangers. But something wonderful happened the moment Peter wholeheartedly welcomed these people and shared Jesus to them. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard…
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When People Lack Self-Control
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28, NIV A city with broken walls has no defense. It means that the enemy could potentially attack and destroy it anytime. It has no stability, and the sad thing about it is that it can’t protect the valuable things inside. This is what it feels like when people lack self-control. They are like cities that don’t have security. Any time, there’s a possibility that the valuable things that they keep will be eventually destroyed and shattered. Sometimes, we think that if we keep on doing the things that we want without thinking of the…
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We Are Commanded To Testify about Jesus And Become His Witnesses
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42, NIV Peter said these words while he was in the house of Cornelius, a centurion man who lived in Caesarea. He proclaimed the gospel in front of Cornelius’ family and relatives. In this particular verse, it is important to note the words that Peter used. He said that Jesus commanded his disciples to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. In other words, sharing the…
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We Believe In A God That Does Not Show Favoritism
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:34, NIV Peter realized that God did not show favoritism the moment he met Cornelius. God used this centurion man to break Peter’s mindset. Before, he met Cornelius, he treated the Gentiles as unclean and unholy. But God taught him how to respect and accept others especially those believers who came from different nations. He realized that God accepts those who fear him and does what is right regardless of their ethnicity or different backgrounds. Sometimes,…
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We Are God’s Vessel
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” Acts 10: 25-26, NIV Cornelius treated Peter with so much honor to the point that he fell at his feet in reverence. This is his expression of honoring Peter as a man of God. And Peter responded by asking Cornelius to get up. He reminded Cornelius that just like him, he was only a man. It seems like Peter humbly pointed out to him who he is. He knew that he was just a vessel of God. And the…
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What It Means To Be Wise
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Proverbs 19:20, NIV Wise people know how to listen. Sometimes, others would only consider someone as wise if they could figure things out on their own. They somehow believed that wisdom only comes from within. But according to proverbs, people who are counted as wise are those who listen to advice and accept discipline. This means they don’t just rely on their own understanding. Instead, they treat other people’s advice as important to them. We are living in a world where people would rarely listen. It is sad to say that some of…
