At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”  Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.  The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is…

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. —Acts 9:31              This Word from God is a great encouragement.  The church not only grows through persecution, but here we see that God also strengthens, encourages and increases His church when enjoying “a time of peace.”  The key in this verse for the church to increase is that it is “living in the fear of the Lord.”  “Luke records that “a sense of awe came over everyone” (Acts 2:43) and again that “fear came upon the…

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.  But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. —Psalm 131:1-2              Pride has “I” in the middle, is self-focused and does not exalt the Lord.  In Romans 12:3-8 we read— “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each…

When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.  She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your…

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. —Acts 8:4 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. —Acts 8:12              Here we see the Great Co-Mission being applied.  When a great persecution broke out, led by Saul, believers were scattered.  “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”  Isn’t that what we should be about as well wherever we are?  As we are faithful to what Jesus has commanded us, to be witness and make disciples (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:16-20), fruit will…

Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  What kind of house will you build for me?  says the Lord.  Or where will my resting place be?  Has not my hand made all these things? —Acts 7:49-50              This is truly astounding as we think of our Creator living in those who have called on Jesus (Ephesians 1:13-14; I Corinthians 6:19-20).  He is so grand and so awesome.  How can the Eternal reside in the temporal?  But He does!  Of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and…

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. —Psalm 127:4-5              We had a family gathering this past weekend with my daughter, Hannah, and her family.  It is truly amazing when you watch the children of your children.  Elaine and I have surely been blessed by our Lord—“May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.”  Yes, we were able to enjoy our grandchildren whether in New York or in New Hampshire.  I so enjoyed seeing my children and grandchildren having fun together and for all of us to gather to be with the church on…

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. —I Kings 4:29 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. —Acts 6:10              God is the One who reveals knowledge to people as He did to Solomon and as He did to Stephen.  He gives insight and understanding to people as much as He desires.  And so, as we think of each follower of Jesus, “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).  Indeed, if God…

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead… But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.—Acts 4:1-2, 4 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12              If “salvation is found in no one else,” and that is the case, and if “there is no other…

I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” —II Samuel 24:24 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. —Acts 4:8 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. —Acts 4:15              Look what it cost God for our salvation!  David would not offer to the Lord something that cost him nothing, but what David offered the Lord pales in comparison to when God offered up His only Son for our salvation.  Think about this— Jesus is called “the author of life.”              Think…