-
The People That Jesus Treated As Family Are Those Who Obey God’s Word
He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Luke 8: 21, NIV Jesus said these words when His mother, Mary and His brothers came to see him. Someone told him that his earthly family was there waiting for him, but then Jesus said that those He considered as family are the ones who hear God’s word and put it into practice. Many of us would think that Jesus would give special privileges for His earthly family but in His eyes, the people that He treated as family are those who would obey God’s word. Being close to God isn’t just about…
-
Sad Truth: There Are People Who Seek For Blessings More Than They Long For God’s Presence
Have you ever felt taken for granted? Have you met people who use your kindness only for their own benefit? People who abuse your goodness to satisfy their pride and greed. This is not uncommon for so many of us. Somehow, we unexpectedly meet people who hurt us in the end. And God is not a stranger to this kind of rejection. Whether you believe it or not, there are instances when God’s grace was abused. Some people took His kindness for granted. And I am not exempting myself from this. There are times when I also forget God’s mercy in my life to the point that I become entitled…
-
Apply What You Learned From God
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. Acts 9:40, NIV Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples who witnessed so many miracles. When Jesus was here on earth, Peter, also known as Simon, was one of those followers who learned so much from the ministry of Jesus. He saw him heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. In Acts 9, Peter just applied what he had learned from His mentor. What He did was so familiar that it…
-
Peter Had Faith In Jesus, And Not In Himself
“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. Acts 9:34, NIV Peter healed a bedridden man in the name of Jesus. He knew that the power of Jesus was more than enough to restore someone’s health. He proclaimed His power, and the disciples witnessed what happened. Peter identified himself as God’s instrument. Aeneas was healed not because of Peter’s own effort or skills but all because of the power of Jesus. Peter had faith in Jesus and not in himself. Sometimes, we tend to forget that we are just merely instruments of God. We focus on the blessings…
-
When You Choose To Listen And Care
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:27, NIV When Saul went to Jerusalem, the disciples didn’t wholeheartedly accept him at first. They were hesitant to welcome him, perhaps because, in the past, he persecuted many Christians. But a man named Barnabas brought him to the apostles. He was the one who shared with them what Saul experienced and how the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas chose to listen to him despite…
-
Paul Patiently Dealt With The Disciples According To God’s Ways
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. Acts 9:26, NIV When Saul went to Jerusalem years after encountering Jesus in Damascus, the disciples were hesitant to welcome him. Before Saul met Jesus, he persecuted Christians and threatened their lives. He put them in prison, and many of them suffered because of him. This must’ve been why the disciples in Jerusalem found it hard to accept him. I would have probably felt the same way if I had worn their shoes. Fear would possibly dominate my heart, especially when I recall the…
-
Obeying God’s Will Won’t Always Be Easy
After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. Acts 9: 23-25, NIV Saul, also known as Paul, was not a stranger to persecution. When he started to preach the gospel, he slowly experienced the things that he used to do to the early Christians. He was once the persecutor, but now he was persecuted. Following Jesus wasn’t easy for him. He went through…
-
God Is Your Refuge
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91: 4, NIV If you feel so weak right now because of the things that are happening around you, then here’s a verse that would remind you of who God is. He is a faithful God with whom you can take refuge. He can be your shield and your strength. Sometimes, we live this life on our own, thinking that we can make it just by relying on ourselves. But the truth is, we need God. It’s Him who will cover us with His feathers. It’s…
-
God Can Turn Things Around
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9: 18-19, NIV Saul, also known as Paul, was once a man who hurt Christians. He was full of zeal and eagerness to destroy those who follow Jesus. In fact, he went to Damascus just to threaten the people there, not knowing God had a different plan for him. It turned out that Saul met Jesus along the way. He encountered the Man who changed his life forever. From a person who persecuted the church to a person who was willing…
-
When God Instructs Us To Take One Step At A Time
“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:6, NIV As Saul was on a journey going to Damascus, he personally encountered Jesus. After that, He gave him a simple instruction about what to do next. He didn’t explain or gave him the assurance that we usually wanted to hear. Instead, he provided a simple step that he could follow. Sometimes, Jesus doesn’t give us the exact details about what’s going on in our lives. He doesn’t explain things to us simply because He knows what we need. We may think that we need to understand and comprehend everything before…
