ACT Ministries Blog

Applying God’s Word

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5

Applying God’s Word

In Acts 12:1-11 we read about Peter’s great escape from jail. I’m sure many folks read scriptural accounts and sense that they are fictional. I don’t. It’s much easier to believe scripture when we acknowledge the “Holy Moments” and miracles we’ve experienced on our own.

Verse 5, about the church earnestly praying to God for Peter, jumped off the page at me. Praying for one another is what we are called to do. Louise and I spend time in prayer with God and each other every day. We pray for all of you, the church around the world and we pray by name for 80 to 100 people on our prayer list. Are there days when we find it difficult to do? Yes. We have, however, committed ourselves to doing it because it’s so important.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I have a set time every day to pray? Do my prayers extend to those I know and to those I don’t know?

Absorbing God’s Word

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

Applying God’s Word

Many of you know that Louise and I met dancing nine and a half years ago. I was invited to speak to a workplace ministry group called Christians in Commerce in Palm Desert, California. I had lost my late wife, Joanne, and decided to accept that invitation to speak.

While in Palm Desert, three different people told me to get out and do some dancing. I took their advice and met Louise dancing. We’ve been married eight years and we still go out dancing once or twice a week. We do East Coast and West Coast Swing, Cha Cha, Waltz, Two Step, Line Dances and our version of Salsa.

We are often videoed and get compliments all the time. We’re good dancers, but what people are experiencing is our joy while dancing. That joy stems from our love for God and one another. God even likes our dancing, because He knows we do it for Him.

I’m not sure we would call our dancing a sacrifice, but there is a price to pay the next day. :>)

Accounting of God’s Word

What do others see me doing that pleases both them and God?

Absorbing God’s Word

“There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.” Hosea 4:1-2

Applying God’s Word

Does the scripture above sound familiar? It’s the world we now live in and one that reminds me of a board game our family played when I was growing up called “Risk”. “Risk” is a strategy game of diplomacy, conflict and conquest. It’s played on a board depicting a political map of the world divided into 42 territories within six continents. The goal of the game is to occupy every territory and eliminate all the other players.

It’s never too late for God to turn things around in our world, but His plan has always been to do so by using each of us. He’s just waiting for us, His disciples, to do what He’s been asking of us all along.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I praying and asking God for His instruction? Will I obey those instructions?

Absorbing God’s Word

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

Applying God’s Word

I love the above verse by the apostle, Luke. I use to think that my life was my own, but that notion ended when I told Jesus I would follow Him. Following Him includes doing things I find uncomfortable like moving three times in the last ten years.

I’ve suffered a certain amount of grief after each of those moves, but each transition has drawn me closer to God. The last move will take place at the moment of my death. Until then, my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task Jesus has given me.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I on the move for Jesus? Have I said yes to testifying to the good news of God’s grace?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25

Applying God’s Word

In the above verse Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees and all of us with a prophetic warning. He’s letting everyone know that Satan’s playground is a divided world. The word “devil,” comes from the Greek word diabolos, which means “to divide and/or to separate.

Satan would have us believe that everything is just “Fine”. However, these times are anything but fine. In fact, turmoil surrounds us on all sides.

I don’t know about you, but the state of the world makes me nauseous. I have never been more serious about praying and snuggling up to Jesus than I am today. I highly recommend that we all be united in doing just that. I truly think that Jesus is our only hope.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I noticed that relationships with family, friends, co-workers and the rest of the world are strained?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1

Applying God’s Word

Last week God had me write about Pentecost and His Holy Spirit. God asked me to follow that up by saying that His love for us is not based on who accepts or rejects His Holy Spirit. He loves each of us equally, but wants much more for us. By accepting His Holy Spirit a whole new world is opened up to us along with powerful new gifts.  

The first half of my Christian journey had me busy with many wonderful good works for God. The second half of my Christian journey has had me busy with many wonderful good works also. The difference is, that in the second half I have been doing those good works with God and not just for God.

The change came through a deep session of repentance and surrender, the rejection of Satan and all his works, the acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and savior, and my permission for God to release His Holy Spirit in me. If you haven’t experienced this, I highly recommend it.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I eagerly desire the gifts of God’s Holy spirit?

Absorbing God’s Word

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.”  Acts 2:1-11

Applying God’s Word

The word “THEY” is described as God-fearing Jews from every nation who were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot. I’m pretty sure Jesus orchestrated this union between Jews and early Christians on purpose. The reading goes on to say that all were filled with the Holy Spirit, not just some…All. Shavuot and Pentecost are usually celebrated within days of each other every year. Do you think UNITY was then and is now important to God?

Although I was raised Christian, I didn’t make an adult decision to follow Jesus, until age forty. Some very holy men explained Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and then asked to pray with me. Those same men held me accountable to daily prayer, reading scripture, reflecting on what I read and the application of God’s truth to all the areas of my life.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I made a decision to follow Jesus? Am I praying, reading scripture, reflecting on it and applying it in my own life?  

Absorbing God’s Word

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31:31

Applying God’s Word

I was blessed to have an incredible mom. She usually had a hundred things going on, but handled them all very well. My late wife Joanne, my present wife Louise, Louise’s daughter’s Annie and Grace along with my daughter Jackie are all women cut from that same wonderful fabric.

Last Sunday, Louise and I attended my oldest granddaughter’s graduation from the University of Portland. Louise sacrificed being at the graduation to prepare for my granddaughter’s graduation party. My daughter made arrangements for flights, living accommodations and transportation. She provided the graduation tickets, made reservations at restaurants and took care of the many other details to insure everything went well.

There’s no job more important than that of a mother. Therefore, I give honor and praise to all mothers for what their hands have done.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I taken the time to honor the person who has been an important mother figure to me? 

Absorbing God’s Word

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Luke 23:42

Applying God’s Word

Luke is talking about the two thieves being crucified alongside Jesus. One was too proud to believe Jesus was God. The other man did believe and humbly asked Jesus to save him.

Like many of you, I have had some harrowing experiences over the years. At the age of five I was hit by a car, but walked home. When I was nine my dad saved me from drowning. I survived a deep dive situation in the submarine I was stationed on, I walked away from a head-on collision without a scratch and I lived through some frightening moments as a PG&E lineman. Would I be in God’s kingdom, had any of those incidents taken my life? What was I thinking?

I wasn’t thinking! God was just an afterthought back then and I shudder to think about my life now had I not woken up. I have friends who are not awake yet. When they talk about their bucket lists, Jesus is not included.

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” Am I awake yet? Where is Jesus on my list?