Word for the Day

 Don't SHINE so others can see you...

SHINE so others can see God thru you. 

CS Lewis

Word for the Day

 

The Book of Acts

Cornelius’ Story

Acts 10:1-11:18 _NLT

            Christianity’s early days were filled with excitement as the Holy Spirit moved changing people’s lives, people from all different regions and surprising backgrounds. Even the once dreaded Saul (Paul) was saved on the road to Damascus. Non-Jews became saved and among them was the Roman Centurion Cornelius. 

            Because violence was prevalent in that region, Roman soldiers were commissioned to keep order. Since Rome was a conquering empire, their soldiers were hated, which made being stationed in Israel a bit of a tense scene. All this put Cornelius in a difficult position since he had received Christ. He had the reputation of being a godly man who wasn’t afraid to put his faith into action. He was also known for helping to meet the needs of the poor people in his community. He was a praying man who regularly sought God’s face and for these traits he had earned the respect of the Jews.

            In a vision an angel told Cornelius to send for Peter who was in a neighboring town. He was anxious to meet with Peter since he saw it as an opportunity to increase his knowledge of God. Cornelius is an example of God’s willingness to reach whosoever desires to know him, whether Jew or Gentile. God never plays favorites, and never hides from those who seek him.  Christ was sent to die because God loves all of his creation - Peter, Cornelius, you and me. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

The Book of Acts

Cornelius Calls for Peter

Acts 10:1-8 _NLT

“In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.”- Acts 10:1-2

            “Caesarea is in the center of the coastal Plain of Sharon in northern Palestine, on the shores of the Mediterranean, some sixty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was named in honor of Augustus Caesar.” Herod the Great had set a military base (known as a “garrison”) to protect the seaport and the city, which he had elaborately built up into his provincial capital. Cornelius, a noncommissioned officer, or centurion was put in charge of a group of soldiers (anywhere from 300-600 men).

            Being a military man Cornelius was able to give and also take orders with no hesitation. Therefore, being a godly man, when an angel of the Lord came to him in a vision in the middle of the afternoon one day and called out to him, scripture tells us the centurion “stared at him in terror”. This would lead one to believe this may have been the first visit Cornelius may have had from an angelic being. The angel commissioned Cornelius to send two men to Joppa to get Peter and bring him back to Caesarea. The angel even told him where Peter could be found.

            His military training caused him not to question the angelic messenger, but rather to immediately call two of his household servants and one devout soldier, and telling them about his vision, sent them off to Joppa to fetch Peter and bring him back to Caesarea.

            The important lesson we can learn here is that if you are certain you are hearing from the Lord, do not hesitate to do that which you’ve been instructed to do. God knows what he’s doing at all times and is to be listened to and obeyed, for whatever it is would be for your ultimate good or the good of the situation you may be in. 

I’ve never been visited by and angel, but I did have a brief encounter with Jesus early on in my walk with Christ. I was in a woodsy area reading my New Testament and praising the Lord and I heard a faint rustle of leaves (it was in the fall season). I looked up and saw what appeared to be a man in the distance (perhaps 50 or so yards away). I believed it to be Jesus for he was adorned in white linen. He took several steps toward where I was sitting, extended his hand toward me and simply said, “Trust me.” That was it. He was gone, but I’ve never forgotten that event and I have never stopped trusting the Lord.

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament

The Book of Acts

Peter Heals Aeneas & Raises Dorcas

Acts 9:32-43 _NLT

“Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda.”- Acts 9:32

            Lydda was considered a crossroads town, approximately halfway between Jerusalem and important port city of Joppa. The apostle Peter, who had been ministering in the name of the Lord, came to visit Lydda. While there is met a paralyzed man by the name of Aeneas who had been bedridden for 8 years. The account in Acts doesn’t say that Aeneas asked to be healed, instead, Peter simply went to him, called him by name and said, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and roll up your sleeping mat!” Aeneas was instantly healed. According to this account, all the people from Lydda and nearby village Sharon, witnessed Aeneas walking about and they all turned to the Lord.

            In Joppa there was a woman named Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas, who was very kind, always doing things for others and assisting those less fortunate. Well it seems that she turned ill and died. When the believers in Joppa heard that the apostle Peter was in nearby Lydda they sent for him right away. As soon as Peter arrived he went to see Dorcas’ body. He asked all the widows who were there mourning her death to leave the room. Once alone, Peter knelt and prayed. Then facing the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” The woman opened her eyes and sat up! Peter helped her up and then called for all the widows and the believers to come and see that the woman who had died was now very much alive.

            This news spread throughout the entire town with many there placing their faith in the Lord. This was the beginning of a long stay in Joppa for Peter. The thing that stands out to me is the fact that Peter healed by the power of the Holy Spirit and invoked Jesus name and no one else. He said to Aeneas, “Jesus Christ heals you.” It wasn’t that Peter said, “I heal you in Jesus’ name” or “I heal you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” He specifically said that Jesus Christ healed the paralyzed man. That is intriguing to me. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

The Book of Acts

Saul in Damascus & Jerusalem

Acts 9:19b-31 _NLT

“Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is indeed the Son of God!’”- Acts 9:19b-20

            Saul’s boldness and his penchant for stirring up controversy wherever he went was his trademark. It’s absolutely what he was known for. 

            The early church continued to grow due to the spirit led teaching and preaching of the apostles. The Jewish leaders, who were furious regarding the churches growth, sought to murder Saul and anyone else who preached and taught about Jesus being the Messiah. Jews who were against this new teaching, saw it as a heretical threat to Judaism, so they waited day and night at the city gate so they could seize and do away with Saul. Having been made aware of this plot, some of the believers lowered Saul in a large basket through an opening in the city wall. His next destination was Jerusalem.

            The apostles who were still located in Jerusalem were terrified of Saul, not believing he had truly been converted. A disciple named Barnabas became a bridge between the apostles and Saul, enabling him to slowly be accepted. The testimony of his powerful messages in Damascus had preceded him and helped persuade the Jewish believers that Saul’s conversion was indeed real.

            Continued threats to Saul’s life prompted the believers to take him to Caesarea where they placed Saul on a ship sailing to his hometown Tarsus. Subsequently, the church experienced peace throughout the region (Judea, Galilee & Samaria). With the help of encouragement from the Holy Spirit the church experienced remarkable growth. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

The Book of Acts

 From Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Saul’s Conversion

Acts 9:1-19 _NLT

“Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers (disciples). So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.”- Acts 9:1-2

            Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who sought to bring down this new religion that was seeking to expand throughout the region. His request shown above revealed his devious intentions. The Pharisees wished to appease the Roman government as much as possible and Christianity was a fly in the ointment, so to speak. They were seen as a disturbance, something that knocked things out of equilibrium. Saul was witness to the stoning of Stephen, as told in the previous chapter and now wished to go to Damascus to arrest the ‘followers of the Way’ that were there. God had other plans for Saul. 

            Why would Saul wish to travel 135-150 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus to stop this burgeoning movement? It could have been to capture those who had fled Jerusalem or to stop the spread of Christianity to other major cities. It also could have been to stop them from causing any issues with Rome. It could have been a personal reason, as in advancing his own status and reputation as a true Pharisee, zealous to enforce the law. It may have also been to unify the Judaism factions against one common enemy. Perhaps it was a combination of some or all of these reasons, but regardless of the reasoning behind it, Saul was on his way to bring punishment to who he saw as the law breakers.

            We are all more than likely familiar with Saul’s conversion story, but for those who are unaware, Saul was on his way on the Damascus Road when he was startled by a supremely bright light that knocked him off his horse. A voice was heard, but no one was seen. The voice came out of the bright light, confounding those accompanying Saul. The voice was that of Jesus who wanted to know why Saul was persecuting him. Saul was struck blind and had to be led by the hand the remainder of the way to Damascus where he went to the place Jesus had instructed him. 

            Ananias, not of Ananias & Sapphira, but a different man, was told by the Lord to seek out Saul. Saul’s reputation had preceded him, and Ananias was apprehensive, but God reassured him that Saul would become the light God would use to bring the gospel to the gentiles, as well as the Jews. Ananias obeyed the Lord, found Saul, and touched him causing scales to fall from his eyes. Saul could now see and was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. He got up and was baptized immediately, then ate and drank to build up his strength for the mission the Lord would send him on would be arduous and take all of his fortitude to accomplish with the help of the Holy Spirit. Saul would become the igniter of expansion throughout the region and beyond. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible