- MONDAY -

Good morning forever family,

The more I read Scripture the more I realize mankind is made up of ignorant men. Some of the most ignorant (and corrupt) men were alive in Jesus' day and actually were involved in the persecution and death of Jesus followed by their persecution of Jesus' followers. In Acts chapter 3 we see Peter and John heal a man born lame. The "religious leaders,"  the same bunch that had Jesus put to death, arrested Peter and John and demanded an explanation. Now I must say that when these men had Jesus brought to the cross they were actually fulfilling God's plan to provide for the salvation of man. I'm just thinking God didn't have to look very far for the corrupt men willing to do this act. After Peter addressed their question in his awesome and bold speech of Acts 4:5-12 these "Religious leaders" were in a quagmire. Our verses today explain that...

¹³ Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. ¹⁵ But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any longer to any person in this name.” ¹⁸ And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; ²⁰ for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;  Acts 4:13-21 NASB 

Let me ask you a question. If some "religious leader" asked you to stop telling others about Jesus... what would you do?   I would take that as a sign to do a Peter and tell them all what Peter said in Acts 4:12...

¹² And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

Be blessed, be a blessing and tell others, time is short.

Randy

- TUESDAY -

Good morning forever family,

 In the past I have done some long-haul deliveries for a power sports company that sells to government entities. I've delivered to most all western states. I have over the years utilized two different Trucker's GPS devices. One was unreliable. The latest unit I've had for a few years and its been really great. Its like having a good portable road map that talks to you. It keeps me from getting lost and uselessly burning up time and fuel. Navigating the roads is crucial.

The Christian life is much like that, perhaps even more so. There are a great many ways to get off the path and take a wrong turn in this walk of life. In the ministry that Jackie and I do we've seen a lot of people get way off track. The verses that I'm sharing today are the best way to stay on track. It mentions the word of God dwelling in us richly... we have to study it often for that to happen. It mentions admonishing, teaching, and talking to one another. It mentions Spiritual songs (songs that are biblical). I talks about being thankful and doing everything in the name of Jesus.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! It's all about Jesus my friends. Let Him be your GPS! 

¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:15-17 ESV 

Be blessed, be a blessing,

Randy 

- WEDNESDAY -

Good morning forever family,

I have been studying how God "tweaks" His people and the results of it. This morning BibleGateway.com featured the two verses I want us to look at today. Peter understood Who Jesus was by the Holy Spirit and that  enabled him to be used fully by God. I've been studying as well the "Tweaking" Saul got on the road to Damascus as I'm teaching on it Sunday at Arrowhead. Saul went quickly from a murderer of Christians to the world's greatest missionary... all because he learned who Jesus is. 

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Matthew 16:15-16 ESV 

We must do the same. We know Jesus is the only begotten Son of God the Father. We know there is no one else under Heaven by which man can be saved. Now we must put that knowledge to use and live to do His will everyday. People are dying spiritually all around us. 

Be blessed, be a blessing,

Randy

- THURSDAY -

Good morning forever family,

As I get older I realize these verses more and more. I'm convinced that God provides all good things. (I'm equally convinced He changes bad things to good for His children as ONLY He can). I am also wonderfully blessed to realize that in our ever changing (and darkening) world our Lord does not change. His word is the same for us yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He has saved us to His glory and we get a chance to do good things as a way to thank Him... everyday!

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ¹⁸ Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  James 1:16-18 ESV 

Be blessed, be a blessing,

Randy

- FRIDAY -

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