ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

Applying God’s Word

I once read that the heart of religion is worship and the heart of worship is sacrifice. The quote challenged me. I used to pat myself on the back for doing such a great job of worshipping God. Then I started to take a closer look at how I failed in the area of worshipping Him.

My daily appointment with God is so important. I love singing and praising Jesus. I love worshipping God as I digest His word and how He asks me to apply it to my life throughout the day. Sacrifice, though, is the area I am weak in.

I know God is asking me to spend more quality time with Him, which means turning off electronic devices and freeing myself from all distractions. It is not easy, but I know that it is really the ultimate way to worship God.

Accounting of God’s Word

What is the heart of worship in my life? What am I willing to sacrifice to worship Him? 

Absorbing God’s Word

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. Matthew 6:3-4

Applying God’s Word

 Twice a week, she can be seen sitting at the counter of a restaurant we frequent. She is sweet as sugar and has a Yorkie called Baby. She sits in the same spot and always orders the same thing for lunch; a tall Pepsi with a side of fries. We wink to the server and he puts her bill on our tab.

When she asks for her bill, the server tells her it’s been taken care of. Then she asks who paid for it and they tell her it’s “Top Secret”. As she exits the restaurant, she looks around the room trying to spot the gift giver. It always makes us smile.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I looking for opportunities to secretly surprise someone?

Absorbing God’s Word

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133

Applying God’s Word

I grew up in a time when unity was a value; something handed down from one generation to another. Unfortunately, we do not see much of that any longer. We have let our rigidity, indifference, selfishness, and opinions destroy the beautiful gift of being united with one another. We let what we disagree on keep us apart instead of allowing the things we agree on to keep us together.

My cousin’s family has a tradition of coming together every Friday night. We have been to a few of their Friday night gatherings. It is a beautiful thing to experience. Okay, I am jealous.

This Fourth of July, Louise and I are praying that God will restore the value of unity in families around the world. Without unity we are lost and so is our world.

Accounting of God’s Word

Is unity a value to me? Have a safe and blessed Fourth of July.

Absorbing God’s Word

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10

Applying God’s Word

The number 3 is used hundreds of times in scripture. The Lord calls out to Samuel three times in the above scripture, before Samuel realizes it is God.

A good friend and pastor called me saying, “Jack. The Lord told me that today He would be sending you to pray with a man who has pain on the left side of his neck. I said, “I welcome that opportunity.”

That morning, Louise told me she had pain on the left side of her neck. I prayed with her and it left. Then we went to visit my cousin who had no feeling on his left side from a stroke. He is moving his left leg now. Finally, at my granddaughter’s graduation, I recognized an old friend who had a visible growth on the left side of his neck. He told me it was cancer and that it was very painful. I asked if I could place my hand over the growth and pray for him. He said, “Yes.”

All three situations happened that same day and they all were important, but I am very sure the last one is the one that God told my pastor friend about.

I cannot tell you how many times God has told me to do something three times. On the third time, I usually obey. I am so glad that on that day, I was obedient to God and prayed with all three people.

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” Do I hear God asking me to do things? Does He have to ask me more than three times?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Applying God’s Word

James Joseph McCall Sr. was born April 10, 1921 in San Francisco, California. During his infancy, his parents divorced and placed him in the first of many foster homes.

Prior to graduating high school, my dad joined the Navy. Growing up, he had a taste of the Christian faith, but never experienced the love of God from any of his foster parents. Therefore, his mind-set was “No love, no church.” That was until he met my mom who told him “No church, no date.” He said, “I went to church because I loved your mom.” That love brought him to the heart of Jesus.

He and my mom set the bar pretty high, when it came to having a relationship with Jesus. Church every Sunday, was mandatory for myself and my four siblings.’ My parents gave men and women retreats called “Cursillo’s.” They were busy inviting others to have a relationship with Jesus.

My dad died in 1981, when I was thirty-four. I had hoped to have him around much longer. The greatest thing he did for me was to start me off on the way that I should go. His example of loving God still impacts my journey with Jesus today.

Accounting of God’s Word

Happy Father’s Day, dad! I love you. Happy Father’s Day to fathers everywhere.

Absorbing God’s Word

“And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.” Luke 15:9

Applying God’s Word

Louise and I were traveling last week. Two flights, two TSA inspections of my laptop bag, two different hotels and a rental car. Yes, we have TSA Precheck and Clear. Crazy!

On our arrival home, I realized I was missing my I-Pad. I placed claims with TSA and the airlines at both airports, had the two hotels check the rooms we stayed in and the rental car company looked as well. Nothing! Yesterday, one of the hotels called to say they had recovered it. I was relieved for sure and rejoicing would be an understatement.

I think that’s how Jesus felt when I was lost and then found. It’s also how others who are lost feel when we introduce them to Jesus. There’s nothing like it in this world. Nothing!

Accounting of God’s Word

Do we know anyone who is waiting to be found? Are we willing to lead them to Jesus?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

Applying God’s Word

The value of the dollar has changed, but the value of a person’s hard work hasn’t changed.

It’s not unusual for me to carry around a pocket full of $5- or $10-dollar bills. God places folks in my path all the time that need a small reward for their hard work.

Louise and I were in a restaurant the other day quietly rewarding a few dishwashers, bussers and waitresses for their hard work. When we asked for our check, our waiter smiled and said, “Someone already paid it.” I looked around and saw a man at the register with two checks. I approached him and said, “Thank you. That was very generous.” He said, “You are very welcome.” We stepped outside and ended up sharing all that God has been doing in our lives.

Generosity is contagious and it doesn’t have to have anything to do with money.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I generous? Have I paid for someone’s bill lately or has someone paid for mine?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

Applying God’s Word

I just stopped for a snack and a quick cup of coffee. “Hello. My name is McKayla and I will be serving you.” Each time Mckayla came to my table, we shared a little bit of our lives. She teared up while sharing that she lost her mom two years ago. I asked if she was part of a support group at church. She said she hadn’t been introduced to religion or a church growing up. I handed her my ministry card and told her I could help her, should she want to move in that direction.

These kinds of encounters are always so sweet and choreographed by God. Sometimes God uses me to sew seeds. Sometimes He uses me to water seeds already planted. Other times He asks me to harvest. Every day is Pentecost, though. God says to us, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Then He breathes on each of us and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I available for sewing, watering or harvesting?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Challenge” “I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8

Applying God’s Word

At the time of this writing, 360 million Christians live in nations with high levels of persecution or discrimination because of their faith. That’s 1 in 7 Christians worldwide.

There is a list of the top 50 countries where it’s hardest to follow Jesus. The top ten are: North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria and India. America is not on that list, YET!

It’s easy to say “I love Jesus” in this country, since there’s no obvious threat of being martyred, beaten, jailed or enslaved.  People will say that the persecution occurring in the above places will never happen in America. If that changes, though, would I stand with Jesus like my fellow Christian brothers and sisters are doing in other countries?

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” Do I know and love Jesus well enough to die for Him? Would He be pleased with the depth of my faith, if He returned today?

Absorbing God’s Word

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26-27

Applying God’s Word

Doris Marie Welter McCall was born May 19, 1924 in the town of Morgan Minnesota, the fifth of ten children. Their family farmed 320 acres, which meant there wasn’t much time for rest. She was thirteen when they got electricity, but still had to use the two-hole outhouse for taking care of business.

I loved her to bits and, yes, I was a mama’s boy. Although, I walked in the shadow of a very talented older brother, she assured me that sooner or later my day to shine would come.

I enjoyed hanging out with my mom. What a gifted woman. She liked to sing, whistle and/or dance to “oldies but goodies” and she always grabbed me to dance with her. She taught me to crochet, sew, iron, bake, sing, whistle, dance and to do everything else my older brother didn’t like to do. Much of what she taught me became money-making side-hustles, which helped pay for most of my clothes in high school. The most important thing she taught me though, was the importance of praying for others.

She didn’t remember me the last five years of her life, but she would still dance with me and whistle the tunes she no longer remembered the words to. When she forgot how to whistle, she still hummed.

Accounting of God’s Word

Happy Mother’s Day Mom. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day to moms everywhere!