The day with dianne Louise

Indeed, if you keep the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, 'love your neighbour as yourself', you are doing well. But if you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery', also said, ' Do not murder.' So if you do not commit adultery but commit murder, you are a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are judged by the law of freedom. For judgement is without mercy to the one who hasn't shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement. James 2:8-13 The law of freedom is summed up by the apostle Paul when he wrote: ' therefore, ther is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death'. Romans8:1,2 The OT Law had many many hard to keep rules. But Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice and fulfil...

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good work-this person will be blessed by what he does. If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Pure and undefined religion before our Gkd and father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself untainted by the world. James 1:22-27 We can go to church, sing beautiful songs, feel goosebumps, listen to a great message but go home unchanged. How is this? Unless we have a desire to, we will not change  and be open to God and we will stay the same. Are you content with who you are and whe...

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he/she should ask God, who gives generously and without criticising, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from The Lord. An indecisive man/ woman is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 We are not expected to be clever in ourselves but to see our need for The Lord and go to Him. The more I rely on Him the better our relationship. I know I need wisdom, I know I do not know all things and therefore I turn to Him and He rejoices. God's wisdom is peaceful, it does not cause stress. I have to trust Him to give me His wisdom, and I know He will because He delights in giving wisdom. At times I would appreciate a divine download but I find wisdom comes grain by grain. Vision is divinely downloaded but wisdom I have to seek after. This leads me to understand how precious wisdom is. Wisdom belongs to God,...

Consider it a great joy my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 There we have the mention of trials again. What is the importance of trails? Unless something is tested, we do not really know it is real. You could make a pottery cup and until you fill it with water you will not know whether you completed it correctly and it does not leak or fall apart. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, like a cup. When bad things happen to us we discover whether we are able to contain God's glory or whether we have tried to mix it up with some old, unsaved nature and what comes out is oil and water, not suitable to drink, nasty stuff. In the book of Hebrews we are told: 'we are in need of endurance so that we might prove the will of the Father and go on to receive what has been promised. Hebrews 10:36 What s...

After they had evangelised that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, "It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way to the Kingdom of God." Acts 14:21,22 None of us want to hear this. We all want to be 'happy'. We think it is our right and continually strive for it. So, what is Paul saying? Notice he says 'pass through' many troubles. If anyone could say this it would be Paul. He was beaten, stones, scourged, shipwrecked and that is just the beginning. Yet he managed to 'pass through' many troubles. Ok! So how do I 'pass through' many troubles? The book of Revelation says: ' they overcame him(Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.' Rev 12:11 Christians have a Saviour who has paid the price ( the blood of the Lamb) and the next key is very important: ' the wor...

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they has won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barabas to Derbe. Acts 14:19,20 Paul was stoned with stones not drugs or alcohol. This was no self-induced state. Paul was passionate about preaching the gospel and laying down his life for that cause. The Jews hated him for threatening their religion and winning souls. They were envious about the power of the gospel and the truth it held. Being stoned would not be an easy burden to bear. How many would now give up? How many would now be filled with rage and resentment? The fact that Paul got up and walked back into the town was a miracle. The fact that he wanted to go back into the town was a miracle. What motivated Paul? What was his passion? The gospel compelled him and drove him to go where he would find the lost. No cushy home for P...

In Lystra a man without strength in his feet, lame from birth, and who had never walked, sat and heard Paul speaking. After observing him closely and seeing that he had faith to be healed, Paul said in a loud voice, " stand upright on your feet!" And he jumped up and started to walk around." Acts 14:8-10 The preaching of the word of life can result in faith to be healed. The word preached must be full of the Spirit and not man or only death will result. Where the Spirit is there is life. Rhema is the name given to the apoken word that brings life and faith. Logos is the written word. This is why listening to preaching adds a new dimension to your spiritual life. Relying solely on reading your bible may not be enough, yet hearing it preached flicks the switch and turns on the light. The Holy Spirit was enjoying His work with Paul and was completely in charge. I am sure Paul was enjoying the experience as well. I know I would be.

The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of bothe Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. So they stayed for some time and spoke boldly in reliance on The Lord, who testified in the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them.  And there they kept evangelising. Acts 14:1-3, 7 You could say that Paul and Barnabus were evangelists. They were preachers of the Christian faith. The word came from the Greek. Generally and evangelist is a leader as they go out with the gospel and  many are considered missionaries. However, for all Christians, we are compelled to share our faith because of the good news of what Jesus has done for us. New Christians are the best evangelists as their passion is hot for the change in their lives is only recent. As a new Christian I was so filled with happiness...

Paul and his companions set sail from Laphos and came to Pergamum in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and went back to Jerusalem. They continued their journey from Pergamum and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any message of encouragement for the people, you can speak." Then Paul stood up..." Acts 13:13-16 What Paul had to say is an interesting read and I highly recommend it. However, it is too long to re-write in this blog. Suffice to say Paul began to preach and he did quite well.  Preaching is also a gift of the Holy Spirit, although not directly named (neither is evangelism). When a man or woman is gifted by the Holy Spirit to preach their words bring life and illumination. It is said that Billy Graham had that gift, his words drew people to Jesus. I notice that his son Franklin has j...

Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed God's message in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet names Bar-Jesus. He was with the procounsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear God's message. But Elymas the sorcerer( for this is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at the sorcerer and said, "you son of the devil, full of all deceit and all fraud, enemy of righteousness! Won't you ever stop perverting the straight paths of The Lord? Now look! The Lord's hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time. Suddenly a mist and dar...

In the church that ws at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenians, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetra he and Saul. Acts 13:1 I love the way the Holy Spirit chooses a person and gifts them for service. Imagine Manaen being a close friend of Herod and witnessing his antics in attempting to shut down the Christians, before his death. Have you ever been the best friend of an evil villain?  Imagine the Holy Spirit planning the salvation of Manaen! How clever is He? What a strategist! We could be the ordinary folk who He chooses to use! He is constantly setting me up. I will think: 'okay time to wind down and get ready for my holiday next week, well the end of next week really. My 60th is on Tuesday and on Wednesday I was planning to travel, leisurely, to Lismore for a two day conference, before heading off to Brisbane for a break before Christmas. Today I had a call from a client in Armidale wanting to see me. Boom goes...

Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know for certain that The Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod's grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected." When he realised this he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many had assembled and were praying. He knocked at the door in the gateway, and a servant named Rhonda came to answer. She recognised Peter's voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in the gateway. "You're crazy!" They told her, but she kept insisting that it was true. Then they said, "It's his angel!" Peter, however, kept on knocking and when they opened the door and saw him they were astounded. Acts 12:11-16 Both Peter and the disciples were amazed at his deliverance from prison. Peter knew that Jesus had told him how he would die, perhaps he wondered if now was his time. The Lord had plenty for Peter to do. The fact tha...

About that time King Herod cruelly attacked some who belonged to the church, and he killed James, John's brother, with the sword . When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during he days of Unleavened Bread. After the arrest, he put him in prison and assigned 4 squads of 4 soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church. On the night before Herod was to bring him out for execution, Peter, bound with 2 chains, was sleeping between 2 soldiers, while the sentries in the front of the door guarded the prison. Suddenly an angel of The Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him up and said, "quick get up!" Then the chains fell off his wrists. "Get dressed and put on your sandals," said the angel. And he did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,"...

Then Peter began to speak: "now I really understand that God doesn't show favouritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all.  You know the events that took place throughout Judae, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him. We ourselves are witnesses of everything He did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, yet they killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. God raised this man on the third day and permitted Him to be seen, not by all the people, but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to solemnly testi...

While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon's house, stood at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there. While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, "Three men are here looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them." Then Peter went down to the men and said, "Here I am, the one you're looking for. What is the reason you are here?" They said, " Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and hear a message from you." Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. Acts 10:17-23 Peter had been prepared by the Holy Spirit to minister to these Gentiles. It was against Jewish law for them to ...

Peter went up to pray on the housetops about noon. Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he went into a visionary state. He saw heaven open and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In it were all four footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. Then a voice said to him, "Get up Peter, kill and eat!" "No Lord!" Peter said, "Lord, I have never eaten anything common and ritually 'unclean'! Again, a second time a voice said to him, "What God has made clean, you must not call common." This happened three times, and then the sheet was taken up into heaven. Acts 10:9-14 The Holy Spirit was preparing Peter to minister to a Gentile. The Jews considered Gentiles outside, that salvation was from the Jews. Peter's response to the animals he considered as unclean and as a good Jewish boy, would not eat. The lessons Peter le...

There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, "Cornelius!"  Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, "What is it Lord?" He angel said to him, "Your prayers and acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Hoppa and call for Simon , who is also called Peter. He is staying with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. Acts 10:1-5 Cornelius loved God but did not know Jesus. The Holy Spirit had a plan to rectify that. Cornelius was told that Gid saw and heard and was pleased. It is so easy to assume that what we do is not important, but it is. The smile you choose to give to a stranger can be a source of blessing and a tri...

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which translates into Dorcas. She was always doing good works and acts of charity. In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, "Don't delay in coming with us." So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows were weeping showing him clothes she had made while with them, then Peter sent them out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning towards the body said, "Tabitha, get up! She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in The Lord. Acts 9:36-43 I love how Peter did what he knew. He spent three years with Jesus and watch this exact same thing h...

As Peter was travelling from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.mthere he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralysed and had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed," and immediately he got up. So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to The Lord. Acts 9:32-35 The Holy Spirit knows all and as He directs amazing things happen. Today I knew it was time I costed office furniture for my future new office, as wisdom dictates that I know and am not surprised. I walked into the furniture shop and met men I knew from church. I did not know they ran the shop. I knew the previous owner had sold the shop but had no idea to whom. Straight away I knew all would be well, and it was.  Upon leaving the shop my phone rang as soon as I entered my car. The caller was a man from TAFE, Australia's adult education centre for trades and some financial studies. I had been given th...

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen The Lord on the road to Damascus and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of The Lord. Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of The Lord. He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they attempted to kill him. When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus. Acts 9:26-31 Saul is an on fire new convert speaking boldly, confronting those he once belonged to. This angered them so much they tried to kill him. The other day I met a man who was having family trouble since he became a Christian. His bold speaking had caused them to rise up against him. They had not tried to kill him physically but I am sure they words ca...

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: "He is the Son of God." After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul.......but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall. Acts 9:19b,20; 23-25 The Holy Spirit was in charge. He had an obedient servant in Saul (Paul), a bold and fearless warrior who very quickly had a following, he had disciples. When we step out with the Spirit He does mighty things. Totally yielded we can do great things. Walking in the Spirit is peaceful yet bold and a lot of fun. How can we govern our lives as the world does? Why miss out on the adventure of a lifetime? Yes the world can have adventures but they are not filled with a powerful friend, comforter and advocate. As we step out in God He make the music, He fills the air with song. We are on God's great dance floor (song). I ha...

There was a disciple in Damascus names Ananias, and The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Here I am, Lord!" He said. "Get up and go to the street called Straight, " The Lord said to him, "to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so he can regain his sight." "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." But The Lord said to him, "Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name!" So Ananias left and entered the house. Acts 9:10-17 In this world there is populous opinions about everything. As a Christian I must list...

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and requested letters from him to the synagogue in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to a the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he travelled to Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him, falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" "Who are You, Lord?" He said. " I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting," He replied. "But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Acts 9:1-6 Saul has just had a paradigm shift. This is where you are totally believing in and going in a set direction when something happens and makes you realise you are wrong and must change direction. Saul was a zealot, he believed, passionately ,in the fact that Christianity was wrong, until, he met Jesus. Then things changed. Yo...

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of The Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing. Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was travelling and evangelising all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Acts 8:39, 40 The Holy Spirit is alive and well! He is doing great things! As we work with him we experience mighty things. We have to allow Him to be God. Do you want an exciting life, lock in and hang on for the ride of your life. Our God is good, He is mighty to save, restore, heal and make whole. You can be at the checkout in Coles and He is there wanting to minister to someone in line. You can be in a queue somewhere and He is there seeing someone who needs a touch of God. Be in tune! Forget about you, He is taking care of you, get your eyes and ears on Him and He will use you for His glory. Ask Him, "show me what you are up to today! I want in!" He will welcome you. Amen!

As they were travelling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, "Look, there's water! What would keep me from being baptised?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart you may." And he replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:36,37 I remember when I was first baptised. I went along to see what this baptism stuff was all about. I had been infant baptised in the Catholic Church and was a little offended at the mention I might need to be baptised as an adult. However, when I saw others being baptised and the Holy Spirit ministering I wanted in. A gown was found and there was no need for classes, I was baptised and knew I had made a further step in my walk as a Christian. The eunuch knew that he had found truth. Whenever my heart finds truth I grab it with both hands and refuse to let go. Truth liberates, changes, bring life. Why would I not accept it? Philip was blessed to be a part of the Holy Spirit...

An angel of The Lord spoke to Philip: "Get up and of south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he got up and went. There was an Ethopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candice, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip, "Go and join that chariot." When Philip ran to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" "Hiw can I unless someone guides me?" he said. So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:26-31 Philip was having a wild time in God. The Holy Spirit was having a wild time. Do you realise that the Holy Spirit has many such events planned if only He has a willing ear and an obedient heart in us? Knowing Jesus as saviour is all we need when we come across someone who is hungry for more of Go...

When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostle's hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter told him, "May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to The Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Acts 8:18-23 This man had the wrong end of the stick (saying). He approached the Holy Spirit with an old mindset. Jesus Himself taught that new wine could not be put into old wine skins. Matthew 9:17 Simon needed to be born again. Although he believed and was baptised he needed a new heart to receive the new message. Simon's old nature was used to being in the limeli...

A man named Simon had previously practised sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaratin people, while claiming to be somebody great.they all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, "this man is called the Great Power of God!" They were attentitive to him because he had astounded them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believers Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptised. Then even Simon himself believed. After he was baptized, he went around constantly with Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed. Acts 8:9-13 Simon was used to being the center of attention throug sorcery. Yet Philip was something else. He preached freedom and cast out demons and healed the sick. Simon had only ever put people in bondage. It is interesting that the people had thought that Simon was 'the Great Power ...

So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the message of good news. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:4-8 Philip was a deacon, one who waited on tables and served the people. Yet this man was anointed to preach the gospel and perform miracles. Perhaps it was because Philip simply believed and went. There are men and women who believe and they go with the good news about how Jesus can turn lives around. They do not require a ministry degree to do this, they simply have to believe and go. When I was a new. christian I was nursing at Wollongong hospital and I went to work with the good news and shared to all who would listen what Jesus had done fo...

They were stoning Stephen as he called out: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin!" And saying this, he fell asleep. Saul (later to be named Paul when he turned to Christ) agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Juea and Samaria. Acts 7:59-8:1 Stephen was the first martyr . He was not the first to testify about Christ before the Sanhedrin. Peter and John went before him. Yet the enemy of his souls had been building bigotry amongst those who opposed the gospel and he was the first of many to be persecuted for his faith. We in the west do not experience this, praise God, but we have near neighbours who are. We see stories about hose persecuted in China and lately I saw that Christians in North Korea were been shot. There are many countries where God...

You stiff necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, as your ancestors did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They even killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it. Acts 7:51-53 How to win friends and influence people! This last statement got Stephen stoned. Should he have not said it? Jesus said similar on many occasions and enraged the same people. They had not changed. They would kill to keep the status Quo. Is God leading you to stand out and speak up? Do you expect people to like what you say? Or do you know their hearts and know what they will do? Scripture tells us that Jesus knew the hearts of men and did not give Himself to them because of it. This life is not about being liked or accepted, even though we all like to be, it is about being obedient...

So the preaching about God flourished, the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7 In the beginning of chapter 6 we see a dispute about food for the widows. One group, the Greek Jews, opposed the Hebrew Jews claiming their widows did not get equal portions. So, rather than get involved with politics the apostles assembled all the believers and told them to choose men full of the Holy Spirit and power and out of these they chose men to be deacons. The qualification had to be men of good reputation, full of he spirit and wisdom. A tall order! The apostles chose well and the people were happy. Nothing beats a good team. Jesus chose His 12 disciples and trained them. The apostles are now choosing their team and as a result the people are happy. At work I have worked hard to create a team and I am about to bring on board two more. I know that they first must have heart for people, have integrity and are a part ...

Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who belonged to the party of the Saducees, were filled with jealousy. So they arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail. But an angel of The Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said,"Go and stand in the temple complex, and tell the people all about this life. In obedience to this, they entered the temple complex ar daybreak and began to teach. Acts 5:17-21 We have an enemy who will 'take action' against us.when he does I can go to The Lord and say, " mighty God, You are ruler over all, I ask for grace and mercy, at You will go before me and right this wrong." Amen! Then I go to praise not complaining, giving not withholding and allow Him to move. Then I can testify to the goodness of my God. Today I spent time with a lovely lady and told her about the goodness of my God, how He has gone before me and how He provides for me. She said, "You are in...

Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they would all meet in Solomon's Colonade. None of the rest dared join them, but praised the people highly. Believers were added to The Lord in increasing numbers- crowds of both men and women. As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a large group came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:12-14 Imagine what would have happened if the disciples had not been obedient and waited in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came? Imagine what would have happened if Peter did not come back from his denying Christ? Imagine if the Holy Spirit refused to baptise this motley bunch?  But we have the testimony that all these things came to pass. What a chan...

Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind. Acts 4:32 If we as Christians allow the Holy Spirit to lead then we will naturally be of one heart and one mind, His mind. When we lay down our lives for the gospel then petty ideals and rivalries are gone. It is only when I am intent on being ME first, second and third that I lose and so does the lost and my church family. The Holy Spirit knows best, He is the counsellor, the guide, not me. I only know what He shows me and if I claim anything in myself then I am vain and out of step. We can do much when He is God and we are servants. We can do little when we are god and He is servant. The early church were so much of one heart and mind, they sold possessions and shared them out so that none lacked. What is He saying? Where is He going? Time is short! what will you do?

And now Lord consider their threats, and Grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for headings, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.  When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God's message with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 After Peter and John were instrumental in healing a lame man in the temple and proceeded to preach to the crowd they were put in jail, then brought before the Sanhedrin and boldly proclaimed Christ and were not frightened to tell them of their sin in crucifying Jesus. Yet here they pray for boldness. They make me smile. Peter has been so transformed by the Holy Spirit he is preaching up a storm and boldly proclaiming the truth of the gospel. The Holy Spirit responded to their prayer and the place shook and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. How full can you get? Perh...

So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, "I don't have silver or gold, but what I have, I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk! Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. Acts 3:5-7 Peter and John gave what was mighty within them, the Spirit of God. This caused attention from those around and paved the way for the preaching of the gospel and resulted in souls saved. The miracles are the Holy Spirits forrunners. He is here to draw all men to Christ so that they might receive eternal life. We are here to work alongside this beautiful being. Peter and John knew it well. Today what do you have? Give what you have. What is the Holy Spirit doing in your life? Where has He been using you? If your gifting is in mercy, show mercy, if it is in giving give generously, if it is in miracles then release the miracles for the lost, if it is healing then heal the sick....

Moses said: The Lord Your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your brethren. You must listen to Him in everything He will say to you. And everyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people. Acts 3:22,23 Moses said this word centuries before when The Lord responded to His people asking that they would not hear His voice directly but that Gid would speak through a prophet. God agreed! Over time this scripture was taken to speak about the coming Messiah. Peter now uses the scripture in the Messianic context. All prophets that came after Moses pointed to the days of Christ. In our day we have scripture and the word of the prophets. A message given in church can be prophetic and it is our responsibility to respond in faith. For the last two weeks the message has been ' Move on! Do not look back! It has been more poignant to me because two weeks ago I had a coffee with a man who said: ' I am stuck and have not moved on!' I h...

Therefore let the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: "brothers, what must we do? "Repent, " Peter said to them, "and be baptised, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as The Lord God will call." Acts 2:36-39 The manifestation of the Holy Spirit, along with the preaching of the word brought conviction of sin and as a result 3,000 were baptised that day. A good result! A few became a large number who in turn went out and took the gospel to the known world. I pray for an outpouring of the Spirit of God, the capturing of hearts and minds for Christ. This past week we saw the fiercest typhoon ever recorded strike the Phil...

For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:  The Lord declared to my lord! 'sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool."  Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that Gid made this Jesus, who you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!" Acts 2:34-36 David prophesied about Jesus. Jesus had now ascended to heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He is at rest. His work is completed! Now He is watching and waiting for this word to be completed. I am in Christ, I am also seated with Him in the heavenlies. I can be at rest and partake of this promise. Each of us has an enemy and it manifests in various ways. We can take our rest in Him and expect our enemies to be made a footstool also. Last night I went to a dinner called: 'Guess who's coming to dinner?' It is a Rotary thing. I dined with others at a home where the couple hosting had lived for 28 years. We heard their history and they ha...

For David said of Him: I saw The Lord ever before me because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, because You will not leave me in Hades or allow Your Holy One to see decay. You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in Your presence. Acts 2:25-28 This is what Jesus experienced. He had said Himself:"' I only do what I see the Father do." The Lord is constantly saying to me: " Look at Me!" As my eyes are on Him the howling enemy is dim, the seducing voices are dull, and my flesh is in control. Therefore I can say: " Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and I will rejoice. My flesh will rest in hope because I will see my God and live with Him for eternity." I think my flesh can rest in the hope of the gospel. I am saved and redeemed but more by His stripes I am made whole. He is my ...

Men of Israel, listen to these words: this Jesus, the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that a God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. Though He was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. god raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. acts 2:22-24 Peter, here is reminding the listeners that Jesus was indeed approved by God, through signs and wonders, which they were witnesses to. Yet, even though God had a plan to redeem mankind through the cross, the baseless character of humankind killed it's  saviour, and used evil men to do the dirty work. Even though evil did the work of crucifying Christ, God raised Him from the dead because He could not be left in the grave. The power of the cross had to be seen. The power of the cross was life, redemption, resurrection. Sin is condem...

And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. I will even pour out My Spirit on My male and female slaves in those days, and they will prophesy. Acts 2:17,18 We are in the last days. The Holy Spirit has been poured out. He is here to draw all men to the Saviour, to convict of sin and righteousness. He is our governor, our conscience, if we allow Him. Yet He is more. he is the power of God resident in us. He is healer, miracle worker, the voice of prophesy, the discerned of spirits, the authority of God. All this is resident in the believer. Just as I have a marvelous body, if I care for it, discipline it, use it for all God intended I have a marvelous gift. If I a use it and am lazy it withers and dies, polluted with rubbish. The Holy Spirit, if I court Him and work with Him, shines in me. If I believe He is all scripture tells me...

There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven, when this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Acts 2: 5:-7 This would be much like, for example, a similar thing happening in say New York. Now New York is definitely multi-cultural. Imagine the Holy Spirit doing the same thing there. A group of ordinary white Caucasians being able to speak: Aramaic, Hindi, Lebanese, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Greek.  The same could be said for Sydney Australia. Sydney has a diverse culture the same as New York and a few extras thrown in. We have foreign speaking cab drivers. Today I had as Irishman call me trying to tell me something about a client and he was very hard to hear. We have a lot of Asians as well. Now imagine the Holy Spirit comes with a loud noise into the centre, in a local gathering place. You all have been in such a place and someone is on a soap box trying to attract attention...

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. Acts 2:1-4 The disciples waited in prayer and then the Holy Spirit showed up in an almighty way. The disciples knew they needed the baptism in the Holy Spirit to do what they were commissioned to do. The Holy Spirit did not disappoint. He was faithful to do what Jesus said He would do, and more. They knew they would receive power when He came but they never imagined that His coming would be so spectacular. God's plans are not ours and He definitely has an agenda, it is important that we do not or we will miss His coming. Today, I am processing an outpou...

Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time The Lord Jesus went in and out among us- beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken from us- from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection. Acts 1:21,22 In law a witness is someone who has actually seen something, or actually knows something. In this case the one to replace Judas had to have seen all the apostles had seen, so that there would be a sameness in their witness. Later the apostle Paul comes along with a different testimony, as he was not the same as the others and had not been directly disciples by The Lord. However, after the 12 tested him and got to know him they realised he was also an apostle. A Christian should be a witness because Christ has changed them, just as he did Paul. In fact his testimony would be more in line with ours. We probably did not kill Christians physically but we sure would have vilified them with our mouths. What...

All of these were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. Acts 1:14 The disciples had just seen Jesus departed from them and told them to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We have not seen mention of Jesus' brothers being involved before, yet here they are. This makes me wonder: as Jesus only appeared to the disciples a few times after His resurrection where was He? Was He with His family bringing them to faith? The scripture is very secretive about His family and their relationship with Him. The fact that they are now there speaks volumes, they are now believers waiting for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. My family is large and are precious to me. Their believing is also precious to me, yet they all are travelling a different path to Him. My prayer is for them, that they will know Him. At last unity of purpose has been found, direction is there and now they are all going somewhere. It is good whe...

After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven." Acts 1:9-11 The disciples were looking at their past. They had to be reminded of the future. Again, Jesus had told them this would happen and again they needed to be reminded, sounds like us. When our life as we know it comes to an end there is no use gazing after it. It is gone! At this moment, what is God saying? What does His word say? Trust Me! It is so easy to stay in the past for it is all we know, let it go! In our grieving we can settle for less than God plans and when we see the new we debate if we want it, being so comfortable in a less than situation. It is time to take a st...

For every one of God's promises is "Yes" in Him. Therefore, the Amen is also spoken through Him by us for God's glory. Now, it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed us. He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts. 1 Corinthians 1:20-22 His thoughts towards me are: 'How can I bless Dianne today? What will she allow of Me into her thinking and her world? I don't know about you but my natural mindset is negative. As I woke this morning it was searching for what was wrong, not right.  If God be for me who can be against me? I am blessed and highly favoured of The Lord.. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He who begun a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. By His stripes I am healed. All of these precious scriptures are real and true but I can stop supply through unbelief. All of God's best sits at my door but unless I open it a...

"Feed my lambs," He told him. John 21:15c Today at church we have had visiting ministry from a missionary group called Harvest. They work in a indie and Nepal and look to rehabilitate orphaned children in their communities. The minister told a story if a stop he and his guide made on the side of a mountainous road. There they meet a lot of grubby people but suddenly there was a beautiful young girl who was well dressed who came down to them. The guide spoke to her and gave her money. The minister asked him what was happening. The guide said, "that young girl was a child prostitute and I told her we did not want anything from her but that we were happy to give her something. Yesterday I read chapter 1 from Joyce Myer's latest book called 'The Love Revolution'. In it she talks about human trafficking, child prostitution and the need for us to not be indifferent to the plight of those that are being abused and suffering horribly while we drink lattes, eat too mu...

So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, that disciple was the one who leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, "Lord, who is the one who is going to betray You?" When Pete saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord- what about him?"  If I want him to remain until I come," Jesus answered, "what is that to you? As for you, follow Me." John 21:20-22 Peter had just been told how he would die and now he asks Jesus about the apostle John. Tough words are the reply! Yet the key is:"follow Me!"  All we must endure is possible through Christ but outside of that fear will take hold. The words The Lord has continually spoken to me over the years is: "Look at Me!" As I look at Jesus I know a lot is happening around me but it is in control of the One who holds everything in his hands. Even good things have to be treated the same. I cannot take my eyes off The Lord because I need to handle all things correctly. At...

" I assure you: when you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you do not want to go." He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told Him, "Follow Me!" John 21:18,19 Peter was being told that a seriously horrible fate would end his life and then he was told to follow. He was to be crucified just as Jesus had been. As he had seen it many times Peter knew what it entailed and as his Lord had suffered it for him He had gone before him and shown the way. In an age where we all want to hear good stuff and are in lined to leave situations so that we can avoid bad stuff how would you receive this word?  10 years ago, The Lord told me He was stripping my life of all that as in in and starting again. At that time I was married, living in a very nice home, had a good job, was pastoring a church wit...

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? John 21:15 Jesus used the word ' agapao', and Peter responded with 'phileo'. The one Jesus used was the God kind of love, the type of love that sent Jesus to the cross for sinful men and women. Peter used the friendship type of love. Twice Jesus used 'agapao' and the third time 'phileo'. Three times Peter used 'phileo'. Jesus did not castigate Peter for his responses, He patiently worked with him. Jesus has a higher plan and purpose for us. We may not get it straight away, we may never get it. It is to our benefit to get it, as it will bless us. What revelation is He trying to bring into your life? I know today He blessed me with an abundance of vision. I now get the bigger picture He has in store for me, and perhaps I am still only partially getting it. Life will indeed become very exciting indeed.

After this Jesus revealed Himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberiias. He revealed Himself in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee's sons and two other disciples were together. "I'm going fishing," Simon Peter said to them. "We're coming with you, " they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know It was Jesus. "Men,"Jesus called to them, you don't have any fish do you?" "No," they answered. "Cast the net on the right side of the boat," He told them, "and you'll find some." So they did, and were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. Therefore, the disciple, the one Jeaus loved, said to Peter, "It is The Lord!" John 21:1-7 Often Jesus is in our world and we are unaware. We make plans and they seem to bear no fr...

Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus a himself came near and began to walk along with them. Luke 24:13,14 Again Jesus bothers to appear to two disciples walking along a road. He comes to open their eyes to the truth about Himself in scripture. They are prevented from recognising Him until the very end when they eat together and He breaks bread just like He did at the last supper. They did not get it. Yet Jesus cared that they did get it. Ever felt like Jesus would not bother with you because you are not a star performer, a saint, a dedicated one? Have you not seen how ordinary the disciples were? They would constantly not get the message, bicker and fight over who was the greatest, when none were really great, lose the plot, want to condemn those who failed to get it when they did not get it t...

Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new languages; they will pick up serpents, if they should drink anything deathly, it will not harm them, they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." Mark 16:14-18 I wonder what form the rebuke took? In the gospel we have seen Jesus rebuke the Pharisees and it was tough. When we see Jesus rebuke His disciples about who will be greater in the kingdom, it is more a teaching rebuke, a patient rebuke. When my God has rebuked me it is a loving, revelatory, patient rebuke. Fo...