ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Applying God’s Word

Many people in the world will never accept Ephesians 6:12. If we talk about the spiritual realm or spiritual warfare they close their ears. Evil forces are hard at work these days and yet God’s grace and power are as well. We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that Satan will win some battles, but in the end he loses the war.

We lost a great young man a couple of weeks ago, Charlie Kirk. He wasn’t killed just because he was Christian. He was killed because he challenged the authority and power of those in the world operating under the banner of Satan. Jesus died for the same reasons.

Not everyone will have the courage and love for God to lay down their life for Him. We are all indebted to those who, like Charlie, have fought against the rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil in this dark world.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I personally experienced Ephesians 6:12?

Absorbing God’s Word

^“Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near.” Zephaniah 1:7

Applying God’s Word

Last weekend, I attended a two-day silent retreat at Mater Dolorosa Monastery in Pasadena California. The theme of the retreat was “Trusting In The God Who Waits For You”.

Initially, I was moved by the thought that God was actually waiting for me to experience Him face to face. I used to think that I was always waiting on God to fulfill my needs/wants. Instead, it’s God who is always waiting for me to fulfill His needs/wants.

As the weekend progressed, I understood that God is waiting for me to fulfill His purpose here first. In an attempt to fulfill His purpose for my life, I realize that all I ever really need is Him.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I trust in the God who waits for me? Am I excited to meet Him? Am I still making Him wait for me to fulfill my purpose here?

Absorbing God’s Word

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

Applying God’s Word

“Potential Without Discipline Is Tragedy”. That was the title for a sermon I heard recently. Surprisingly, it described my early adult life. I was passionate and had potential, but I had no discipline. In other words, I would have had a better chance of realizing my potential had I been disciplined. The most important thing about following Jesus, was and still is, the discipline of spending time with Him in prayer. It’s something I wasn’t “IN THE HABIT” of doing, forty-years ago

At the end of the sermon, the preacher said, “A disciple is a person willing to change their schedule to follow Jesus.” This quote is a truism that each of us is called to implement by placing Jesus at the top of our list. Has changing my schedule to have a disciplined prayer life with Jesus been worth it? There are no words to describe it.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I really love Jesus? Am I “In The Habit” of meeting with Him every day?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8

Applying God’s Word

In the summer of 1987 my friends, who managed a local retreat center, asked for my help replacing 100+ mattresses and box springs at the center.

When I arrived, I was introduced to and paired up with Francis. We shook hands and went to work. As we worked, I tried to engage Francis in conversation, but he just nodded and smiled. When we finally stopped for lunch, Reverend Francis Dorff broke his silence saying, “I’m sorry for not speaking. This is my first day back in the outside world. I’ve been cloistered in silence for the last seven years.”

It was a humbling experience, but I’ll never forget how kind, understanding and compassionate Rev. Fran was with me. He gave me one of his published books titled “The Art of Passing Over”. I’ve read and referenced that book multiple times. Reverend Fran passed away in 2017 at age 82, after a fulfilling life of teaching contemplative prayer.

Accounting of God’s Word

How many times have I been silenced by the holiness of others? 

Absorbing God’s Word

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Applying God’s Word

Last week our entire family went on a long awaited vacation to Oahu, Hawaii. It was planned originally in August of 2014, but cancelled due to my late wife Joanne’s sudden death.

The vacation was wonderful for a number of reasons, but one of the highlights was our attendance at St. Rita Church last Sunday. This is a tiny church nestled in the middle of a small town named Nanakuli (population 12,000). It’s Pastored by Rev. Paulo Kosaka and supported by a congregation of loving people.

After finding a seat, we were welcomed by smiling parishioners who placed shell leis around our necks. We experienced the presence of God in the warmth of hospitality, through the worship songs sung in beautiful Hawaiian melody and in the joy-filled sermon from the Pastor.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I make an attempt to attend church when I’m in another city/town? Is my church at home, hospitable?

Absorbing God’s Word

^“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15

Applying God’s Word

This scripture makes each of  us look in the mirror and ask, “Does my life consist of an abundance of possessions?” That question challenges me to a deeper personal reflection about how/what God is calling me to share in the days to come.  

The next convicting question that comes to me is, “Am I a good steward and generous with all that God has given me?” I’m trying to be. I’m not wealthy in comparison to those who are, but I am wealthy in the eyes of many who are poor. In 2015, I gave away almost every possession I had acquired over forty-five years and started over.

I’m still working at age 78. God continues to use my time, talent, money and possessions for His work. Some days, I’m really good at it and other days I’m not.  

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I greedy? Am I working for God or for myself?

Absorbing God’s Word

“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.” 2 Timothy 4:16

Applying God’s Word

Like most of you, I’ve had numerous seasons of loneliness throughout my life. That said, God has usually blessed me with an acquaintance or two, which helped ward off a deeper darkness associated with feeling all alone. I don’t think I was ever really deserted, but that was my perception, especially in high school. I was so consumed with self-pity that I didn’t realize the “popular” kids my age had no idea how I felt.

I was really moved by the incredible maturity of a high school senior named Molly Shafer from Waunakee High School in Wisconsin. It’s a 2 minute video clip about the distance Molly experienced between herself and her unaware classmates. It clearly demonstrates how small acts of kindness can produce buckets full of love and acceptance.

Accounting of God’s Word

What action do I take when I experience a deeper darkness associated with feeling all alone? Do I reach out to others?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”   2 Corinthians 9:7

Applying God’s Word

I haven’t always been a cheerful giver. In fact, I use to measure out my giving and tithe exactly 10%. Then Jesus moved into all the areas of my life, which included my finances. He’s become my Chief Financial Officer. It’s exciting to say the least, but very SCARY!

Recently, a restaurant server we know shared that his boss cut everyone’s hours. This man is married with five children. He asked if we had any odd jobs at our house that he could do to make extra money. That next Saturday, he worked three hours doing the things we needed done around our house. When I asked, “What do we owe you?” He said, “Whatever’s fair.” God put it on our hearts to pay him three times more than what he would have made per hour as a server.

Accounting of God’s Word

Is God my Chief Financial Officer? Am I a cheerful giver?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” Psalm 128:3

Applying God’s Word

In February of 2012, my friend Mark Valencia, made a CIC/WorkLight weekend with me. Mark, a faithful Christian man is married to a faithful Christian woman named, Eva. They are parents of four wonderful children, Luke, Grace, Faith and Michael. Eva is pregnant again with a little girl and they have named her, Mary. Unfortunately, Eva has been diagnosed with life threatening complications for both herself and baby Mary.

This is a couple who loves one another and their children, deeply. Recently, Mark wrote a song for Eva titled “Don’t Be Afraid”. I personally think it should be number one on the charts. Every time I listen to it, I break down. The link is below. Use full-screen so you can follow the lyrics.

https://youtu.be/WPAKYzYkyVk?feature=shared

Accounting of God’s Word

Please pray for the Valencia family. If you feel moved to help them, here is their Go Fund Me page. https://gofund.me/36c6a345