Acts 20 Study - Day Four "He's Alive!"

Hello Readers,

Now that we have gotten the sleep out of our eyes, let's get started on day four of this study!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:10-12

New International Version (NIV)

10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

OBSERVATION
The young man Eutychus had died falling out of a window. (Acts 20 study day 3)  Paul, the one Eutychus fell asleep listening to, went down to the young man's body threw himself on the young man, put his arms around him and Paul said, "He's alive".

Who are you running to and putting your arms around?  Are you bringing people back to life?  

Sometimes the very people you are trying to encourage pay you little or no attention. They fall asleep while you are speaking to them but those very people may end up needing you to help them and bring them back to life when they fall on hard times.  Don't be angry with them and ignore their need.  Run to them, put your arms around them, show them loving kindness and you will bring them back to life. 

APPLICATION
Think about the people you come in contact with, family members, friends, co-workers, bosses, church member etc. Who is really going through something right now and could us your arms around them?   How do you bring someone back to life?  First by praying for them.  Jesus Christ intercedes for us by praying to God for us daily.  Hallelujah!  We should follow that example and pray for people daily. 

Secondly, we need to share God's word with them.  You may have a Bible verse that you run to when you are down and need an encouraging word, share it with that person.  It may bless them.  

Lastly, be there for them.  You can send them a daily encouraging text or tweet when you can't see them face to face.  Be consistent in showing them that you care.  One word of caution.  Don't make their problem your problem.  Yes, we weep with those who weep however we cannot become infected with their issue because you will end up hindering them instead of helping them.

PRAYER
Dear God our Father,  thank you for giving us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Thank you Jesus for daily praying for us.  Help us to be wise in how we help those who are going through hard times.  For those who don't know you Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, touch their hearts and give them a mind to want to be saved.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

Acts 20 Study - Day Three "Don't Fall Asleep"

Hello Everyone,

I pray the last two days of this Bible study have been a blessing to you and eye opening.

Let's get started on day three!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.

OBSERVATION

Paul was visiting in Troas and he knew that he would only be there for a short time so he kept on talking because there was a lot that needed to be shared with the people.  You know what that is like.  A preacher keeps preaching and all you can think of is when will he finish so you can go eat and take a nap. Well, Eutychus was tried of listening to Paul.  It was late at night and the conversation was of no interest to him.  Get this, the Word of God was being spoken to them, the promises of God were being proclaimed and the gospel of Jesus Christ was being shared.  However all of that which Paul may have been sharing with them was not exciting enough to keep Eutychus awake.  The word of God was being spoken but Eutychus slept through it and fell to his death.

How often do we fall asleep when God is trying to get a word to us.  Not just naturally asleep but spiritually asleep.  God is speaking to us through His word, pastors, and teachers who share an encouraging word with us. The "sleep" is not taking the word into our hearts so it can change us, correct us and help us grow.  If we are not growing then we will sleep and fall to our spiritual death like Eutychus.  Sometimes we "sleep" because the word being spoken to us is not what we want to hear.  It might be a word of discipline when we want to be told great things.

Almost 8 years ago I ended a relationship with a handsome, a smooth talker and that's all he was!  I did not want to hear that he was not the one, so I slept and wasted 7 years of life instead of listening to the word that was being told to me.  I had to fall and hit my head to finally wake up. Thank God for His mercy.

We cannot afford to sleep when God speaks.


APPLICATION

Set a time to go to God in prayer and to read His word in order to hear from Him.  Listen to God speak regardless of how long it may take to get the full message.  Stay alert and take in the word that God has for you.  It will help you to grow and become that person God created you to be.

PRAYER

Dear God our Father,  thank you for speaking to us.  Thank you for the Bible that we can read, your spoken word in print.  Father, forgive us for sleeping through the word, sleeping through our prayer time and sleeping when you are calling us to do great things for the Kingdom of Heaven.  Help us to absorb your word like a sponge and stay alert.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Study of Acts 20 - Day Two "How Many People Are Traveling With You?"

Hello Everyone,

Hope each of you let your light shine today.  Let's dive into the study!

Acts 20 Study - Day two "Who Are You Traveling With?"

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:4-6

New International Version (NIV)

4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

OBSERVATION
At this particular time Paul had seven companions traveling with him.  The question, how many people are traveling with you, came to my mind after counting the number of men who accompanied Paul.  In order for these men to have been selected by Paul to travel with him and help him on the mission field, they needed to have unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, be trustworthy, and fully committed to the Great Commission.

In a discussion I had with a dear sister I mentioned that you can't take a big group of people with you up the mountain.  Since Paul would travel some places by boat, let's imagine that EVERY person you know, literally, traveled with you on a cruise ship.  How chaotic would that trip be?  Not everyone would have the same goal as you do.  Some will want to go site seeing.  Some will only want to eat at the 24 hour buffets and sleep all day.  Some will want to do some of everything. The purpose for the trip, a great vacation, would be lost in the confusion and disagreements.

APPLICATION
Instead of a cruise ship, think about your life as a believer in Jesus Christ and the plan God has for your life. You cannot take everyone with you.  Yes you love them, pray for them and help them but only a select number can travel with you on your life journey.  Those special people need to be like those traveling with Paul. They need to have unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, be trustworthy, and fully committed to the Great Commission.  That group of people will make up your inner circle.

Side Note: For you single Christians, the person you decide to marry needs to be a person who could be in that inner circle.  If they want to sit on the sidelines and not go on this journey with you, you need to pray for them and move on.  You don't want that weight on your shoulders for the rest of your life.

PRAYER
Dear God our Father,  thank you for all you have done for us.  Thank you for making our travel plans, for Jesus being our travel guide and the Holy Ghost your constant companion when others come and go.  Help us to choose the right people to travel with on this Christian journey.  Help us to also do right by them.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Acts 20 Study - Day One "Encouragement"

Hello Shining Lights,

This is day one of our Acts 20 Study.  Let's get started!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 20:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

Through Macedonia and Greece

20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. ² He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, ³ where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

^OBSERVATION

^{The keyword for this section of verses is ENCOURAGE!!! Paul encouraged the disciples before leaving them for his journey.  Then as he traveled through the area he spoke, "many words of encouragement to the people".  Who are we encouraging?  Paul was planning a trip but still took time to encourage the disciples.  He was travelling on his way to Greece but did not let the opportunity to encourage many people pass him by.  Then he stayed in Greece for three months and I believe that he was encouraging people even then.  One name for Paul should be "The Encourager"!} 

^APPLICATION

^{Encourage means to give courage, hope and confidence.  You may be going through a very ruff valley in this life journey but that should not stop you from speaking a life giving word to those around you and also to yourself. (That will have to be a separate lesson.) Ask God to give you what to say and how to say it so that the word you give to someone is a life giving and inspiring word.  I cannot tell you how many times I retype or adjust an encouraging text message or tweet to make sure the word sent out is a life giving word and from the LORD.} 

^{Please understand that your encouraging word does not have to be super deep.  Here are some examples of encouraging things to say:}

^{1.  God Love's You!}

^{2.  I Love You!}

^{3.  God is with you.}

^{4.  I am with you.}

^{5.  You were mastered by the Master.}

^{6.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.}

^{7.  God doesn't make junk so you must be a treasure. (Love that one!)}

^{What is so wonderful about speaking a word of encouragement is that when you do, you hear yourself saying it and thus you encourage yourself and the other person at the same time!!!!! Do you get that?  You absolutely cannot encourage someone without encouraging yourself.  As the words come out of your mouth, they are heard by your ears and the other persons ears.  WOW!!!!!!!  Thank God for revealing that.  HALLELUJAH!!!!  (Yes, I like exclamation points.)}

^PRAYER

^{Dear God our Father,  thank you for your holy and encouraging word.  Father help us to be an encouragement to everyone around us.  Give us wisdom in what we say.  Help us to choose the right life giving words to give each other courage, hope and confidence.  In Jesus' Name. Amen!}

^{Let Your Light Shine!}

^Jamison

^{P.S. God loves you and I love you too!}

Acts 20 Study - Ten Day Study

Hello Readers,

I pray that each one of you is well.  Well physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, relationally and financially.  Hallelujah and Amen!

On December 8th, my pastor, Dr. Lee Ward, preached a great message and asked the members to read Acts chapter 20 on our own.  So on Wednesday of that week it was on my heart to share with you what I have been learning from this eye opening chapter in Acts.  Over the next 10 days we will walk through Acts 20.  As we go through this passage of scripture feel free to share what you are learning and your comments. 

S.O.A.P.
The S.O.A.P. Bible study method is the format that I am using.  It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.  This is a great study format that you may want to incorporate in your personal Bible study or scripture reading.

Are you ready to embark on the study of Acts 20?  If so let's GO!!!!!

Light you light shine!

Jamison

Are You Ready To Be Blessed?

Hello Everyone,

 A thought hit me on yesterday and I wanted to share it with you. 

Yesterday, I was picking up around my room.  The usual things, hanging up laundry, putting away shoes and picking up my clutter hotspots.  That afternoon, in a conversation with my Mother, she asked me if I needed to give away any clothes.  First, I said no and then it hit me.  Mom has ALWAYS said to clean out your closet before going shopping.  Make room for the new clothes. 

 

 

So later in the day God put something on my heart.  How can He bless us when we will not let go of things that are just taking up space in our hearts? Past relationships, disappointments, past hurts, unforgiveness and other things that we hold onto, keeps God from blessing us in new ways.  We have to let these things go to make room for what God has in store for us.  How can we be ready to receive our blessings if we have issues taking up the space?

 

It is time to clean out our closets, physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.  Once we do and truly let go, not going to the trash can taking things back, then God will be able to pour down blessings upon us.  POUR DOWN THE BLESSINGS LORD!

 

ARE YOU READY TO BE BLESSED?!?!

 

 

Much Love,

 

Jamison

Where Have I Been?

Hello Everyone,

How are each of you doing?  It seems like FOREVER since I last posted.  For that I am truly sorry.

So where have I been?  I have been going through a valley and now it seems like I am coming out.  Hallelujah!!!!  Guys, I have had a Job experience minus the boils.  Thank God for His mercy.  Amen!

It has really been something.  All the while trying to keep the faith, sanity and a positive attitude and outlook.  Well, let me tell you when faith is all you have, you realize faith is all you need!  (Reread until that sentence sinks in.) 

Faith can really move mountains!  Health mountains, people mountains, marriage mountains, single mountains, child mountains, financial mountains, economic mountains, work mountains etc.  Just that mustard see of faith can change everything!!!

Whatever you are going through keep your faith.  Jesus will see you through. 

Much Love,
Jamison