ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?”  Luke 15:4

Applying God’s Word

The Parable of the “Lost Sheep” speaks as much to me today as it did when I first heard it forty years ago. I was definitely lost back then, but Jesus, the Good Shepherd, rescued me. Interestingly, I didn’t think I was lost. I had slowly drifted away from God and a beautiful flock of Christian family members. I had allowed myself to be easily deceived by the world.  

Next weekend, I will be presenting a men’s retreat for 60+ men. I’m not sure which of those men is presently lost, but God has assured me that there will be one or more He will rescue. I’ve learned from experience to trust and believe Him.  

I solicit your prayers for me and for all the men who will be on this retreat. We need prayers of protection before, during and after the retreat until everyone returns home. Thank you in advance.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I still part of the 99 or ???

Absorbing God’s Word

“But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” Psalm 66:19

Applying God’s Word

Isn’t there a saying, “When life gives us a lemon make lemonade?

I’m one of a handful of men presenting a men’s retreat March 6^th/7^th. In prayer we’ve asked God to send some men to attend the retreat.

Last Tuesday, I removed a broken ceiling fan, assembled a new one and hung it in place. When I went to connect the last wire, it broke off too short. I hate it when that happens. Three hours later I was paying an electrician to complete the job. I invited the electrician and his son to our March retreat. :>)

On Wednesday, I heated up the jacuzzi, but not for relaxation. I got into the jacuzzi to fix what I thought was a burned-out light. Not! I called a pool technician to complete the job. I invited the technician to our March retreat. :>)

God does have a sense of humor, and He is sending the men. Thank You, Lord.

Accounting of God’s Word

How do I react when things go wrong? When life gives me a lemon do I make lemonade?  

Absorbing God’s Word

“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.” Mark 8:2

Applying God’s Word

Jesus says these words to His disciples right before feeding 5,000 + people. I realize when reading this passage that Jesus is moved to more than compassion. He is moved to action. It’s an example and teaching for His disciples, you, me, and everyone who is a follower of His.

Last week I was in a meeting with six other men. For one of the men, it was just his second time meeting with us. He lost his wife to cancer a year ago and now he has stage four cancer. My heart was filled with compassion for him and the Lord said to me “Do not let him leave here tonight without praying with and for him.”

At the end of the meeting, I asked the other men to join me in praying over him. Compassion is one thing. Compassion followed by action is another.

Accounting of God’s Word

What action has God asked me to take during moments of compassion?

Absorbing God’s Word

“I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” John 4:38

Applying God’s Word

Others really have done the hard work. A heavy price was paid so that I could not only experience an intimate relationship with Jesus, but so I could also somehow pay it forward.

How could I not let God use me, after I have received so much? Like many of you, I love being the harvester or the reaper; the one God uses to close the deal. I love being used by God to turn the soil of a person’s heart and to sow His words of light where only darkness seems to exist.

It’s a rare day when God doesn’t send me someone to pray with. Some days I’m God’s reaper, but most of the time He has me busy sowing.

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” Does my life “Profit” God or myself? If others before me have done the hard work for God, what am I doing?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3

Applying God’s Word

Look closely at this verse. It says, “No one can see the kingdom of God.” That means for me to see what God sees and experience what God wants me to experience, I must have a spiritual awakening; to be born again.

That spiritual awakening happened on a Christians in Commerce Challenge Weekend in April of 1987. That weekend challenged me to keep a daily appointment with God, which includes prayer, scripture, and journaling. Life changing!

I will be giving a Christians in Commerce Challenge Weekend March 6^th & 7^th in Palm Desert Ca. If you know someone who would like to attend, send them my way. Here’s our website for other men’s and women’s weekends throughout the country, including Hawaii. https://worklight.org/

Accounting of God’s Word

Have my spiritual eyes been opened? Do I need a spiritual awakening?

Absorbing God’s Word

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2

Applying God’s Word

I think most of us know that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are very powerful, but it’s the Fruit produced from the Gifts that verify their power. That Fruit is God’s Love.

Recently, God sent me a man recovering from a life-threatening flu. The Holy Spirit urged me to pray with the man, but the noisy environment wasn’t conducive for prayer. The opportunity presented itself as we walked to our cars and I asked him if I could pray with him. He said, “Yes.”

Did God heal the man immediately? I don’t know. Will I ever know if God healed him? I don’t know. I only know that I was obedient to what I heard God ask me to do. However, I do know that I experienced the unconditional sacrificial love of Jesus at work firsthand.

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” When is the last time I prayed with someone in need or had someone pray with me? Did I experience God’s Love?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24

Applying God’s Word

At the end of this month, some of you will have been reading the weekly “Challenge” for twenty-five (25) years. I don’t think there are words to express what that means to me. I’ve thanked the Lord repeatedly for providing the content to write about and an audience willing to read it.

I never know who reads the “Challenge”, but then that’s something I don’t need to know. Occasionally, I hear from people I’ve known for years and sometimes I hear from people I’ve never met before. What a blessing!

When I ask God how long we are going to be sending out the “Challenge”, He smiles and replies, “I’ll let you know.”

Accounting of God’s Word

Thank you all so much for hanging in there with God and me. We are blessed.

Absorbing God’s Word

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Applying God’s Word

I lose sight of the above verse more often than I want to admit. God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with me always. It is I who decide to journey without them. If I don’t start my day in God’s presence, I forget that God is present.

On January 1, 1996 I decided to adopt “Prayer Journaling” a love letter to God every morning after reading scripture. Afterall, the scriptures are God’s love letters to me, right? At the end of that year, I silently gave myself a standing ovation for not missing a day of journaling. Therefore, I quit journaling all of 1997. Fortunately, I missed it so much, I resumed my daily love letters to God January 1, 1998.

On January 1, 2026 I wrote a love letter in my 30^th prayer journal. The glory and standing ovation goes to God for His presence and for never failing to write me a love letter.

 Accounting of God’s Word

Have I considered writing a love letter to God each morning?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20

Applying God’s Word

A few days after Christmas, Louise and I went to lunch with our neighbors, Hector and Dora. While driving, Hector suddenly pulled over, jumped out of the car, and said, “Jack. Quick. Come with me.” We entered a bakery where he purchased a half dozen bakery items and separated them into three bags. Hector had spotted a few people on the street who needed a hug from Jesus.

We approached Peter, first. Hector handed him one of the bags of bakery items. I handed Peter some money and together we prayed with him. We walked about 20 feet further and did the same with a woman named Lucera and then with a man named Kevin. Peter and Kevin both smiled from ear to ear. Lucera sobbed tears of appreciation.

Hector’s spiritual antenna was fully extended. It allowed God’s incredible love to touch three strangers. His actions reminded me of a quote from Boniface Hicks. “Sorrow shared is half the sorrow and joy shared is twice the joy.”

It’s so easy for us to boast about loving God. It’s not that easy when God asks us to love a total stranger who is often prejudged by others.

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” Do I only love God in the easy things He asks of me, or do I also love God in the more difficult things He asks of me?

Absorbing God’s Word

“She wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7

Applying God’s Word

It was Christmas Eve the year 2003. My late wife Joanne and I had spent a lovely evening with our daughter, son-in-law and 19-month-old granddaughter, Alyssa. As we stepped outside to say goodbye, the front door closed locking us out. Alyssa was inside alone but fast asleep. A sense of urgency filled the air, and I began to pray that Alyssa would stay sleeping while we called for help.

Five locksmiths rejected our urgent plea for help. It made me think of the rejection that Joseph and Mary must have suffered while trying to find an inn for Mary and the baby Jesus. Finally, the fire department arrived. It was if the “Three Kings” and a handful of shepherds had arrived. Within five minutes, the firemen and the four of us were all huddled around Alyssa’s crib. She had slept through the whole ordeal. Answered prayer!

It happened in a flash, but the true meaning of Christmas had never been more real to me.  

Accounting of God’s Word

What is the true meaning of Christmas for Me?