ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

Applying God’s Word

I’ve always loved the above verse, because it challenged me to look at my own life and the ways God may want to expand my territory. I think when I/we walk with Jesus He is constantly blessing us by expanding our territory.

It’s with great sadness and great excitement I announce that God wants me to spend less time doing and more time being. Therefore, my writing of the weekly “Challenge” will have to be more sporadic and less consistent. I’m thinking once or twice a month depending on what I hear the Lord asking me to do. I have a bucket list, and it has one thing on it; “Serve The Lord”.

The “Challenge” has gone out faithfully every week for 25 years and has done it’s best to serve God’s purpose. It started back when websites were popping up all over and communication via the internet was on the rise. Now our world is blessed with access to daily podcasts, live-streaming and YouTube videos that are presented by our favorite pastors and religious leaders.

I’m emotional about this and rightly so. I love and appreciate each one of you for your prayers and support. Please know that I will keep the website alive for a time. I think they allow me to keep 6 or 7 years of  “Challenges” on it.

Accounting of God’s Word

Until next time, blessings and love. :>)

Absorbing God’s Word

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father”. John 14:12

Applying God’s Word

In the above scripture, Jesus makes it sound like He is abandoning us. On the contrary. He’s making it possible for every one of us to be deputized as doers of His works. Does that mean, Jesus wants to use us for healing the sick, giving sight to the blind and raising the dead? Yes, He does! If that is true, the only thing holding us back is our lack of faith, our unbelief, and the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit, which is love.

All of us have either witnessed God’s miracles or heard about them? Jesus doesn’t always reveal the results of what He’s using us to do and for good reason. We are not responsible for the miracles. We can only take credit for being obedient to what we hear God asking us to do for Him. The results and all the glory are His! All the glory is His!

Accounting of God’s Word

What’s holding me back? Is it my lack of faith or my unbelief?

Absorbing God’s Word

“When He (Jesus) comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8

Applying God’s Word

MOTHS is my abbreviation for “Movement Of The Holy Spirit”. WAR is my abbreviation for “Witnessing A Revival”.

You won’t hear much on the news about a spiritual revival or a movement of the Holy Spirit, but it’s happening right now all over the world. We need only search “Christian Revival” or “Movement of the Holy Spirit” on YouTube.

I’m sure it’s exciting for some Christians, Louise and I included, but for others it must be a bit unnerving. Churches are becoming very popular, and the Bible is still considered the best-selling and most widely distributed book of all time. Sales have been estimated to be between 5 and 7 billion copies in the last 1,500 years. There are also a flood of movies depicting the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and TV series of biblical times like “The House of David” and “The Chosen” to name a few. Is it all a flash in the pan or is this movement here to stay?

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I excited about the spiritual revival or unnerved? Do I own a bible? Do I read it?  

Absorbing God’s Word

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”. 1 Timothy 4:12

Applying God’s Word

The disciple Paul is telling a young disciple, Timothy, to counter any skepticism from older people by setting a mature example for them.

Last Sunday, a young Reverend in our church began his sermon by sharing that his grandmother had died the night before. Smiling, he said, “It’s okay because she lived to the ripe old age of 99.” He laughed briefly and then he went quiet, which probably seemed like an eternity to him.

As he tried to compose himself, the silence radiated across the church and you could hear a pin drop. It lasted about a minute or two, until Louise and I began to applaud. That inspired everyone to applaud. It was a very powerful moment.

When the applause stopped, the young reverend stepped away from the pulpit and handed his sermon to a deacon to read. There wasn’t a doubt in any parishioner’s mind that his grandmother meant the world to him and that he loved her.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I been blessed by loving grandparents? Would they be proud of me?

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?