ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Absorbing God’s Word

Louise and I love this scripture. We also love the fact that we’ve been married nine (9) years as of 10/3/24. We’ve definitely had a good return for our labor. When younger folks ask us what the secret to a great marriage is, we tell them it’s a four letter word and it’s not the word “LOVE”. It’s the word “WORK”.

We put a lot of work into our relationship. We also start each day together in prayer. Even if one of us is traveling, we arrange to have our morning prayer-time together via phone or FaceTime.

It’s easy to get busy or lazy about showing up for prayer, but that’s where the “Two are Better Than One” comes in. We have three sources of accountability, each other, our prayer journals and of course Jesus. We know that He always joins us for prayer and He’s never late.

Accounting of God’s Word

Who’s holding me accountable to my daily appointment with God? Am I keeping Jesus waiting?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.” Isaiah 1:7

Applying God’s Word

We know for sure that God is shaking His finger back and forth at us. He’s trying to get our attention. We want what we want, which actually speaks these words to our creator, “WE DON’T CARE WHAT YOU WANT, GOD.”

One of the most important elections in the history of this country and possibly the world is only weeks away. Americans want accurate information, but it’s difficult for them to find a nominee or news channel that is telling the truth. Many voters will vote like their parents, favorite celebrity, political party or the candidate with the best smile. Some will make their choice based on policy. Unfortunately, many will not make their choice based on God’s truth or the values He’s asked each of us to live by. What A Mess!

Accounting of God’s Word

Who controls my thoughts and guides my steps?  Who am I influenced by the most, God or Man?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:8

Applying God’s Word

Here’s a scripture that I should repeat a couple times a day or more. It reminds me that the gifts of the Holy Spirit rely on God’s love to lead the way.

Admittedly, if there’s too much of me involved when using any of the gifts, God’s love doesn’t stand a chance. When I am operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God’s love is present, I can tell the difference. It’s like night and day.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I experience the presence of God’s love, when using the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Absorbing God’s Word

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

Applying God’s Word

Recently, I was invited to speak at an upcoming men’s Christians in Commerce/WorkLight retreat in North San Diego County California. The dates of the retreat are October seventh through the ninth. I’ve been asked to be a presenter on these retreats for 37 years, but have never traveled to southern California for one. I am looking forward to it, knowing that God has always shown up at every weekend I’ve attended.

Even though the weekend format is the same every time, each experience is uniquely beautiful because of the different men in attendance. Therefore, I’m extending an invitation to my male readers and to men you might know in southern California who would be interested in attending.

The facility is Prince of Peace Abbey at 650 Benet Hill Road, Oceanside California. Prince of Peace is a beautiful monastery that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The retreat starts Monday evening at 5:00pm and ends Wednesday morning at 9:30am. Cost is $200, which includes two nights and all meals.

Orange County/Mission Viejo Men’s Challenge Weekend – WorkLight

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I have two days I can give to Jesus?

Absorbing God’s Word

“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.” Proverbs 15:27

Applying God’s Word

Last year I wrote a Challenge warning folks of impending price increases. I suggested that we all stock up on household items while they were at lower prices and to reduce personal debt. It’s pretty hard to reduce personal debt when there’s a continued cost increase for food, gas, goods, and services. We know family and friends who are living paycheck to paycheck and using credit more than ever.

Folks on fixed incomes are having to dip into their savings accounts and that’s if they have a savings accounts. The question is, “Why?” One answer is that we have entrusted our hard earned money to politicians and leaders who are “Greedy”. The uncontrolled senseless spending is bringing ruin to many here in America.

I am a registered to vote as a Non-Party Affiliated. That allows me to take a good look at the politics and policies of the past, present and future administrations and vote accordingly. Their actions speak louder than words.  

Accounting of God’s Word

How would God vote? How will I vote?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “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

Jesus uses the word “EVERY” two times in the scripture above. When I read this verse, I think of this divided world, our divided country, our divided states, our divided cities, our divided neighborhoods and our divided families.

I get a kick out of folks who ask, “Where’s God and how come He’s not doing something about all this?” God hasn’t left the scene. He gave each of us free will and the empowerment of His Holy Spirit to be governed by His truth . That’s the beauty of God, huh? He gives us guidelines to live by and yet all too often we close a blind eye to them. To govern ourselves takes work but unfortunately we are a lazy people. We would much rather be governed by other worldly gods or by the people who worship those gods.

In order to govern myself, I stay in God’s word and absorb as much of His truth as I can possibly process. The first thing I do when dealing with division in my own life is I look in a mirror. That’s where it all starts. When I’m separated from God the hope for unity is lost.

Accounting of God’s Word

What am I doing to eliminate division in my own life?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”. Matthew 18:4

Applying God’s Word

Louise and I witnessed something special the other night. We were at a restaurant that had live music. As most of you know, Louise and I love to dance and are always encouraging other couples to join us on the dance floor. The woman usually says, she wished her husband danced or the husband says he doesn’t dance.

On this particular night it was children, ages 4 to 10 who were dragging their moms and dads out on the dance floor. Parents were on the dance floor with 1, 2 or even 3 children. How the parents looked and danced didn’t seem to matter. All their inhibitions were erased as they proceeded to dance like little children.

God is asking us to leave our PRIDE behind in order to be like a child.

Accounting of God’s Word

What stops me from being like a child? Is my image more important than the image of God?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25

Applying God’s Word

Even after the 2024 Olympics, Michael Phelps remains the most medaled Olympian in history with a record 28 medals. He definitely knows what it’s like to be crowned and yet it didn’t bring him lasting happiness. That occurred after reading “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren and Phelp’s own realization that true happiness comes from knowing God. 

My lasting happiness comes from knowing God and introducing His way of life to others.

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” What makes me happy? Have I experienced the lasting happiness that comes from knowing God?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!.” Exodus 14:12

Applying God’s Word

The Israelites are telling Moses that even though they were slaves in Egypt they felt secure. Their life with God in the desert meant giving up that security and placing their trust in Him.  

I liked my life before following Jesus. I remember the day He said, “Come Follow Me.” At the time, I was a slave to the world but like the Israelites I felt very secure. Following Jesus meant placing my trust in Him for everything. I didn’t say yes right away, but I decided that a little effort on my part might be enough to satisfy Him.

Once I became serious about daily prayer and reading scripture I began to reflect on how His words applied to all the areas of my life. It was a powerful awakening for me. A year after His original call to follow Him, I said yes. I can’t imagine what my life would look like had I not chosen to follow Him into the desert.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I too secure with my life to follow God into the desert? Have I become serious about daily prayer and scripture yet?

Absorbing God’s Word

“In his love God will no longer rebuke you, but will “REJOICE” over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17  

Applying God’s Word

In the above scripture, the Hebrew word “Rejoice” is more accurately translated as “Dance”, ie, God will dance over you with singing. It reminded me of a song our church sings once a month to celebrate birthdays. It’s called “God Danced”.

While having new copies of the song printed, I had a conversation with a woman in line. As I was leaving I gave her a copy of the song and explained what it was. It dawned on me that she wouldn’t know how the song went, so as she was getting into her car Louise and I rolled down our window and sang it to her. Smiling ear to ear, she said, “Bless you both.”

Just picture God singing this song and dancing around you on the day you were born.

God danced. He danced. God danced the day you were born.  He kicked his shoes aside, formed a line, paraded around with a horn. God danced. He danced. God danced the day you were born.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I know how much God really loves and appreciates me?