What do you want for Christmas? Many of us would be choosing the newest computer gadget or phone or even new clothes. Surprising as it may seem, there are others who would be extremely blessed to receive Bibles, goats, chickens and water purifying equipment.
Many third world countries are struggling for just the basics of life. This year Acts Now Fellowship made it available for the believers to buy these resources for those in need via Food for the Hungry. We had many participate and some used this opportunity to honor a love one by giving in their name.
Since many of the saints that attend Acts Now Fellowship participated in this giving project, I wanted to share the results:
A total of about $1,300 was lovingly shared. Here is the breakdown:
10 Bibles; 9 goats ($56 each); 30 chickens ($6.50 each); 5 water filters ($68 each); 3 food baskets ($25 each); and $85 for the ultimate impact fund (Items for hard to reach areas that are in dire need).
Many thanks to those who gave. This is the season to be giving. It was exciting to see the saints giving extra and beyond to bless people trapped in poverty and recovering from famines.
Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack…
II Corinthians 9:7b: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Have a Happy Holiday season praising our Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Keep on giving and getting blessed.
Agape,
Bob
A treasured Christmas gift when I was a child was a HO Gauge train set. What is a HO gauge train set? If you are familiar with model railroad trains you would recognize it as the most popular gauge for model trains, which makes it fit exactly on the tracks.
In other words the tracks that trains run on have to be to the same scale as the wheels on the railroad cars.
The reader is probably asking, “Why is this important for me spiritually?”
It is a good way to remember the most important points in fellowshipping with the Heavenly Father. HO will help you stay on track with God and see His power work in your life. Here is what to remember: H = Humility and O = Obedience.
A recent teaching by Vikki revealed these two principles in manifesting the power of God in our lives. Once I saw the HO, I thought of this cute memory peg in helping me remember what it takes to manifest power in my life.
Humility is the beginning of everything important with God:
Proverbs 29:23: A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
1Peter 5:6: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
We humbly receive God’s Word and the next step is obey it. We believe it, by taking action on it:
Jeremiah 42:6: …we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
Jesus Christ was the ultimate man doing it perfectly. We follow His steps.
Philippians 2:8: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
We stay on track with God the Father by remembering to be humble to receive from Him and obedient to do the Word of Truth so we may always please Him.
Agape,
Bob
Enjoy these perspectives of Christmas as you participate in this glorious season of the year.
The Birthday of Jesus
Christmas was His birthday. The Cross and Resurrection was our birthday. His birthday was Heaven breaking into the realm of selfishness to unveil Love. He knew why He came. He knew what the end would mean, yet Love drove Him as a leaf upon a stream. It was Love incarnate in that manger cradle. The Helpless Babe by E.W. Kenyon.
The Love Gift
The reason we give gifts on this day is because Love came… a new kind of Love. For the first time in human history, men found that giving is a part of their very being. They gave themselves first to the Lord, then they gave themselves to the ministry of Love. Love had never been before. All actions sprang from the common stem of selfishness. Selfishness was born in the human heart in the Garden when man fell.
Today we give, because He gave to us. Today we love, because He shed His Love in our hearts. We are celebrating Love’s natal day. Love’s birthday into the realm of selfishness." The Helpless Babe by E.W. Kenyon
Great Joy
The final scene takes us to the moonlit hills of Bethlehem, as recorded in Luke chapter 2. It was here that the temple flocks were kept until needed as sacrifices for the worship of God. And it was here that the world was soon to see the Lamb of God Who came to take away the sin of the world — your sin and mine.
One night some shepherds were suddenly startled by another angelic appearance, and with a very similar result to those already discussed. The shepherds “were sore afraid” — terror-stricken. But the angel said unto them, “Fear not… behold a Savior” (Luke 2:10-11). The answer to fear then is the Savior, Christ the Lord. And to prove that it applies to you, listen to the complete message given by the angel: “Fear Not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.”
What did the shepherds do? You will find the answer in Luke 2:15: “The shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem…” They went to the place where Christ could be found and they, in turn, found satisfaction. “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20).
There is satisfaction for you also, and it is to be found in the Christ. He said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!” (Matthew 11:28). Right now, you can find the real meaning of Christmas — Christ within! Then fear will be a thing of the past, and faith the guiding factor in your life. Fear Not: Behold a Savior by Peter Wade.
Agape, Bob
[Note: E.W. Kenyon was a dynamic man of God in the early 1900’s that touched hearts around the world. Peter Wade is from Australia and is a remarkable man of God that always hits the heart with his insightful teachings. His works are available at: www.peterwade.com]
When I look at God’s Word I am amazed at the noteworthy way God introduces significant events. Rainbows for no more floods; Astronomical displays recognizing the birth of Christ; and speaking in tongues introducing the beginning of Christianity.
Many people unjustly dismiss the significance of speaking in tongues recorded on the Day of Pentecost. God did not leave it up to man to highlight its greatness. God simply had his believers speaking in a language “not unto men, but unto God.” (I Corinthians 14:2).
The very first response from those filled with the new birth spirit is a perfect prayer to God who is magnified for His magnificent works. "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:11) "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." (Acts 10:46).
God had the 12 apostles speaking known languages that were unknown to them, yet they spoke it in a miraculous way that all the foreign visitors heard them speak in their own language! That is nothing short of being phenomenal.
The enormity of speaking in tongues is evident in all that it does, including: You know that you are a child of God and a joint heir of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16 & 17); You speak directly to God, along with divine secrets (I Corinthians 14:2); You edify or build yourself up (I Corinthians 14:4 & Jude 20); You give thanks well (I Corinthians 14:15 & 17); You worship God truly with the spirit (Philippians 3:3 & John 4:23 & 24). These and what was mentioned earlier provides an unparalleled source of communication and blessings to the knowledgeable believer.
Speak in tongues much. It is a beautiful reality!
Agape,
Bob
Yesterday, October 31, 2017, marked 500 years to the day that Martin Luther nailed 95 thesis to the door of the Wittenberg Church.
A flame was started that turned into a blazing fire, challenging the church to get back to the Scriptures.
For 1,500 years the Bible was a hidden book only available to select priests and written in a language [Latin], the common people could not understand. Today, with the Word of God so abundantly available, it is astounding that for such a long period, the Word of God was brushed aside.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Declares Romans 10:17. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 expounds.
We should never take the Bible for granted. It is more than a good book. It is the book of life. Without it man is without hope and without God.
We need to be a workman, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” as instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15.
The Word of God is reaching around the world in virtually every country. These are incredible days with computers allowing us to touch everyone with all the information imaginable. There are more than 1,400 languages that have access to the New Testament!
There is a new life in Christ awaiting those who come to God’s Word. There is nothing like it period! A man or a woman can learn about the Lord Jesus Christ, believe and get filled with that eternal life spirit.
Let’s keep holding forth the words of life. As we magnify our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ let’s remember we stay put on God’s Word, just like Martin Luther declared: “Solo Scriptura.”
Agape,
Bob