Acts 18...Don't stop

I read chapter 18 a couple of times, then a verse hit my like "DUH??!?!" I don't know how I missed it the first time.
Look at verse 9-10 with me (again!), "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, don't be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.""

Every now and then, He leads me to look at the verse in another version, and today I am SOOOOO glad I did.  Here is the same passage from The Message....

"One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: "Keep it up, and don't let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I'm with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city." 

WOWZERS!!! This spoke to me so strongly!! There is so much power and strength in these 2 verses for me....I am going to break it apart piece by piece, but I'll try to be brief (because I could go on all day!!)

1. The Master....think about that for a minute...dictionary.com defines master as a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something.  That makes me think of that old Bill Cosby line, where he says I brought you into this life, I can take you out. LOL! But seriously, to me that means God will use me to do His work every day I am willing to listen....but if there is a day that I say "I just don't feel like it today Lord", He may decide to use someone else.  His work will be done, and if I say no, someone else will say yes. Am I ready to allow Him to be Master in my life??

2. "don't let anyone intimidate or silence you".... I have always felt like my story, what happened in my life was for a very specific reason.  There is someone I am supposed to reach with my story, a heart it will touch and change forever. I have told my story hundreds of times now, even to specific women God put in my path to talk to... but I still feel like I haven't reached "the one" I was supposed to yet. So I will never let someone say, ok Libby that's enough talking about domestic violence. Or ok, we get it, you were hurt. Or we get it, God turned your life around and brought new blessings into your path. I will not stop saying it until every women has heard a voice in the darkness sayings it's ok to stand up against that, it's ok to be knocked down but now you let God help you stand back up and start anew.  I refuse to believe I went through that nightmare for nothing, God is and will continue to use that for His Glory.

3. "I'm with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you"....for a loooonnnngggg time, I didn't believe that statement. I really didn't. But why?? I know who God was, I knew what He was capable of, I knew of His love, and I believed He was bigger than anything I could imagine....but I didn't believe He WOULD protect me. Did you catch that? It's not that I didn't believe He COULD....I didn't believe He WOULD.  Why would He get in my little mess?  There are a lot bigger things for Him to worry about in the world than me.  But this is just another case of me putting Him in a human box.  As a human, I can only handle so much at one time, some things take precedence, there are priorities.  For example, if I am trying to get ready for work, and Abigail comes knocking on my door for the millionth time just in that morning, I say "is anyone dying or bleeding....then I will be there in a minute". As an OCD type, I have lists, things are in order of importance. But God is not human. Let me say that again...GOD IS NOT HUMAN!!! He doesn't think that way! Everyone that He created is just as important as the next....preacher, singer, musician, drug addict, prisoner, president, mommy, 7 year old, lawyer, or homeless....we are ALL precious in His eyes.  We are His children, and everything that grieves our heart grieves His. So He is ALWAYS with me, and ALWAYS protecting me.

4. "You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city"...I love this part!! I love the "you have no idea".  I really don't. Sometimes as believers we feel like we are the minority out in the world, at work, or at school, or in our neighborhoods, or even in our own family.  But really...we have no idea!! If we would all just rise up and BE THE CHURCH....TOGETHER!!!! Think of what an impact we could make in our homes, workplaces, cities, the world!  So just think about it for a minute....there is a church on almost every corner of downtown that I can think of, so let's say there are 10 churches.  And even if they only each had 100 members....all of a sudden your voice of 1 has become 1000....but only if we all stand up and speak as one voice!! And fight for change in our world.  We spend so much time tearing each other down IN the church, how can we ever expect to make a change AS the church??


Oh precious Protector...thank you today for my story and my voice, and the calling to reach out to others with both. Continue to burden my heart with "the one" I am to find and tell of the wonders of my loving Jesus. In Your Matchless Name, Amen.

Acts 17...be happy

In Acts 17, Paul is in Thessalonica teaching and preaching, explaining the gospel, telling the story of the Messiah. It says in verse 4, a large number were persuaded.  But here's the verse that upset me, verse 5...."But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, and started a riot in the city." 

What in the world is that about?? Why when someone else gets something, do we always head straight for jealousy? Especially in the church??? And it only gets worse....

Later in the chapter, people decide that Paul should leave and go to Berea to avoid all of the chaos. But look at verse 13, "but when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up."

Are you kidding me?? Oh, I so don't want to be that way.  Let me be happy for other people's blessings! I want to be able to see someone get that healing they have been praying for and rejoice in it with them.  I want to see a friend finally get pregnant, and shout for joy with them. I want to see another believer hear the calling on their life, and honestly wish them the best. Why is that so hard?

Same thing on a church level....I never want to feel upset because another church is seeing the movement of God. I never want to be jealous of the building, or instruments, or of anything that another church may have.  That's not what we are called to do as believers.  We are supposed to rejoice WITH each other, and FOR each other no matter what is going on with us.

Lord, help me to always see the joy in other people's blessing and not only my own.  I want to see YOUR goodness everywhere I look. I want to SHOUT for joy at all Your glory on this earth. Amen!!

Acts 16....I'm all shook up!

This is a story I had heard before, probably many times, but I am not sure I ever read it for myself. It's the story of Paul and Silas being thrown in prison, and praising their guts out until the walls shook!!!!

I really try to find the one thing that speaks the loudest to me when I read, but today I just couldn't narrow it down to one! Each are little parts in the story, but they struck a big chord in my heart.

The first is in verse 25, "after midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening." Most of the time when I heard this story, everyone focuses on how no matter what the circumstances were, they praised God.  I think that is absolutely a huge part of this story, but I got caught by the second half of that verse today.  The others were listening....people are always listening. So what is coming out of me for them to hear?  Is it positive....encouraging....uplifting...loving...from Christ?? Or is it negative...hateful....mean....discouraging....from the world??  People are always going to be listening, everyone wants to hear what you or I have going on in our lives.  Are we saying things that will make them want to find out more about Him?  Not only were Paul and Silas singing and praising no matter what their circumstances were....but the other prisoners stayed and listened no matter what their circumstances were. People want more out of life. Don't they? Don't we?  Then let's give them something worth listening to! Not complaining about work, or home, or kids, or traffic or whatever....on facebook, on the phone, in person, or even in church. We are charged with being the representation of light in a dark world.....are you living up to that call? Am I? I definitely want to....and I know it's  hard sometimes....but I have to remember, someone is always listening.

The 2nd thing that caught my heart today was something I have seen repeated many times throughout my reading in Acts. Every time they visit someone, it is said "he and his whole household were saved". That really struck me today. For years I prayed and prayed for a husband who would lead my family spiritually. I fasted, I prayed, I got on my knees, I read, I journaled, I wept....I did everything I could think of to raise him up. And I always felt the Lord telling me that one day John (my ex husband now) would be that, would be in church with me and the girls. When everything fell apart after John hit me....I was so angry with God. I could not understand why He would let that happen to me, or why He lied to me about him being in church with us.  I was so crushed.  But then, when I finally started talking to(and listening to) God again, when the anger subsided, and I was able to ask why... I cried out to Him and said, but you promised. God answered, as loud as I have ever heard Him, He said....I said your husband would be in church with you one day, not John Sims.  And now, I understand.  I thank God every day for bringing Dean into my life, and the life of my girls.  Dean always picks on me because in an older blog I had done, there is one I wrote asking God why can't I find a man who loves God, and would just love me and my girls.  And now that is exactly what I have. An amazing man who follows God's voice, and then leads this family to chase after Him. I could not have wished for a better husband. Dean is my gift from God. He is "my him", the "him" I prayed for,  I cried for, I longed for.  And I know many of you are saying, oh they are just newlyweds.....it's not so, it will always be this way. Because I know without a shadow of a doubt that God put this family together for a reason, and I will always be beyond thankful for that.  I love that Dean leads us, not by his own feelings and thoughts, but from the guidance and direction straight from God. Thank you God and thank you my him.

And the third thing that touched my heart was in the last part of the chapter in verse 40, "...they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them." This sort of links back to the first part too, but different at the same time. We can't always just be concerned about those who do not know God, those who are lost.  Please don't misunderstand me at all, I know that is our mission on earth to reach out to those who don't know the love of Jesus.  but sometimes, every now and then, those of us who KNOW Him, need a little reminder too.  As much as we are sent to reach out to the lost....there are some who are "found" who are hurting and need the loving encouragement that can only come from a brother or sister in Christ.  In this day and time, it is very easy to get down and out...and we have to be there to lift each other up, to love on each other, to gently nudge and say just remember He loves you.

God, today I pray so wholeheartedly that I can be a light in a dark world, a proverbs 31 wife, and an encourager to my brothers and sisters....always. Amen.

Acts 15...thoughts on one word

I have had one word sort of stuck in my head for a few days, and then it happened to be mentioned in Acts 15 today too. So it seemed like a perfect opportunity to write about it, because I think it's a word we forget too often. At least I know that I do.

"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved." Act 15:11

Dictionary.com defines grace in many ways....
elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion or action
a pleasing or attractive quality
favor or goodwill
a manifestation of favor
mercy, clemency, pardon
favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity
the condition of being in God's favor
moral strength

All of those definitions are true of God aren't they? But look how different all of those definitions are. Amazing right??  Grace is huge and it covers so many things. I decided I wanted to find some more examples in the bible today.  I needed an injection of  grace today!

Psalm 84:11
"For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right."

Isaiah 60:10b
"I will now have mercy on you through my grace."

Zechariah 12:10a
"Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem."

Acts 6:8
"Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people."

Acts 13:43
"...and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God..."

Acts 20:32
"And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself."

Romans 5:20-21
"God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all the people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:14b
"Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace."

Romans 12:6
"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well."

1 Corinthians 1:3a
"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace."

1 Corinthians 15:10
"But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me....yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace."

There are tons more of course, but that last one really struck me....He choose to pour his special favor on me. Little ol' me. Nothing special, just me. AND as if that's not enough, He is working through me by his grace.  How incredible is that?!?!!?

Lord, help me to remember your grace.  Help me to walk in your grace. Help me to feel your grace. Help me to show your grace. Help me to deserve your grace, even though that is never possible.  I am in total awe of You and your grace today. Help me to stay that way. Amen.

Acts 14....Signs and wonders

First I want to say that I believe anything that happened to or was promised to people in the bible, can happen today. That why I love this verse in Acts 14!!! Look at this....

"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders." 
Acts 14:3

How awesome is that??? Why don't we believe for that? Why is that so hard for us to grasp? Paul or Barnabas are no different than you or I. They were just regular guys. There is no reason we can't do the same signs and wonders NOW! If our hearts and minds are lined up with Him and His will...anything  is possible!!

But there is a verse that I think is even more of the key to seeing signs and wonders in 2013. Look at verse 27, "They gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles."

As the church, we have to share the things that He does for us and through us.  Because think about that for a second, let's say I laid hands on someone and they were healed.  That would be amazing, but hard for me to believe.  But if I went to church, and heard of 10 different people who had the same experience....wouldn't it be easier to grasp that it was possible?? Plus we are called to be inspirations to each other, to push each other to want to see more from Him each day. And the only way we can do that is to share and tell of His wondrous works!

Oh yeah as a bonus woohoo....look back at verse 3...the message of grace.....doesn't that warm your heart? It sure does mine today!!!

Acts 13...giftings and callings

"While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Acts 13:2

My bible that I typically read from is a NIV version. But today before I started I thought I would check out this verse in a couple of other versions. Verse 2 was pretty much the same, but I reallllllllyyyyyyy liked verse 3 in The Message. Check this out....
"In that circle of intensity and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off."

There is soooooo much good juicy info right here in 2 little verses I can't believe it. And it may seem super complicated, but its not. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. While they were worshipping.....sounds simple enough. If you want to know what God wants for you and your life, try worship first.  But there's an added bit to this that is easy to breeze over......does it say while I was worshipping? No, not at all. It says while THEY were worshipping. I am not discounting the importance of private worship time, but there is something very powerful in corporate prayer. Things happen when we will all get together and lift our voices and hearts in song to Him.  If you know me at all, you know this something that is very near and dear to my heart.  I love worship. That is where my passion is, where my  heart is, music is my love. So this point speaks to me big time!!!

2. Listen....the Holy Spirit TOLD them what they were called to do.  If you ask Him, He will answer.  He has already shown you through your life what your giftings are....and if you listen He will show you how those can be helpful in reaching people for the Kingdom.  Everyone has a specific job and a specific calling, because He made each of us specially with a unique purpose in mind.

3. This one comes from the second verse I quoted...the church laid hands on the them in agreement, and sent them on they way.  #3 sort of has an a and a b portion.....a.) there's that word intensity, just like yesterday with the church praying earnestly. The church stood up and got behind what the Holy Spirit had told them their calling was. The church wanted to foster their giftings, and watching what God does with them. That's where part b comes in.....they sent them on their way.  They didn't say...oh wait, you have gifts, we need you here, you can't leave, we helped you. They sent them out into the world, knowing that God would bring it back tenfold.
Ok, so there's also a part c on this one for me too, a bonus.....they laid hands on them. Ok, so first it's biblical, but it is also such an experience.  To have someone stand with you in agreement and love you enough to go to the Father in prayer with you, and for you. I mean the bible does say wherever 2 or 3 are gathered, right??!?!  This is not a hard concept to grasp.  Yes, I pray by myself, and with my husband, and with my family....but that's not enough. Believers need to pray together for each other, and lay hands on each other.  I'm telling you...there is power in the touch of a friend, and then you add in the spirit of the Lord...wowzers!!!

Lord, I am ready to give my talents and gifts to you completely. Use me, push me to get out of my comfort zone, stretch me beyond my limits. Make me a person who you say that is my child, and I am so proud.  Amen and Amen!!

Acts 12....Hmmmmmm

It's another 2fer sort of day!! 2 things make me go hmmm in Acts 12.

The first in in verse 5..."So Peter was kept in prison, but the  church was earnestly praying to God for him."

So I decided to look up earnestly in the dictionary.....and I LOVE what I found.....characterized by or from an intense and serious state of mind. UH HUH!!!! That is how I want my friends at church praying for me, a serious state of mind, they mean business. And they don't plan on stopping until they get something done!  Can you imagine what it would be like if we prayed for people earnestly?? I mean look at this story here in Acts 12. Peter gets thrown in jail, so his church starts to pray, intensely. What happens?? A angel from God goes to him at night, and gets him out of jail.  No violence, no get out of jail free card, no trial....just says stand up and the chains fall off, as they walk up to gates they just come open.  Think those prayers worked???

The second thing that makes me go hmmmm is in the last verse of the chapter, #24, "but the word of God continued to spread and flourish." LOVE LOVE LOVE this. At the end of the chapter, Herod is looking for Peter after he escaped. He asks all the guards, and of course kills them because they have no idea what happened. On an appointed day, Herod decided to give a public speech. After he spoke, someone in the crown shouted those were words of a god not a man.  And because Herod didn't stop and praise the one true God....he was struck right there by an angel of God, eaten by worms, and died.  But the last line is the best...."but the word of God continued to spread and flourish." God's story, the gospel, His love, will continue to cross this earth and be amazing no matter who or what gets in the way.

Time for another visit to the dictionary....flourish?? .... to grow luxuriantly, to achieve success, to be in a state of activity or production, to reach a height of development or influence.  Again uh-huh I say.  I want to see God's word flourish. But I don't want to just sit back and watch. And I definitely don't want to get in the way (or be eaten by worms, gross!!). I want to do my part, I want to help it continue to flourish. I want to be a vessel. I want to be a light in this world full of darkness.

Lord today I pray...get me out of your way, keep me from getting in my own way....help me to do my part in spreading your Word and making it flourish. AMEN!!!