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Christine's Blog (2,626)

Welcome to Galatians - Galatians 1.1-5

Welcome to Galatians. . .

. . .a small book of just six chapters written by the apostle Paul. If you were along as we explored the book of Acts, you remember that Jesus stepped into Paul’s pathway—Paul, a proper Jew, full of scholarly self-righteousness, who had mercilessly persecuted the new Christians—and Paul was radically converted to a Jesus-follower. After a time, he set out on three journeys where he preached the good news of Jesus Christ, and saw many people—Jews and Gentiles… Continue

Added by Christine on September 24, 2009 at 10:10pm — No Comments

The Perfect Storm

Acts 27.1-28.10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%2027-Acts%2028.10;&version=51;&interface=print

'Tis the story of Paul's voyage(s) en route to Rome. . . What could be Luke's purpose in writing in such detail about Paul's tumultuous journey?

Have you been in a storm lately? Probably not if you live in Southern California--we have earthquakes and fires. . . but you could have been where storms whip themselves up into tornadoes. . . storms caused by… Continue

Added by Christine on September 23, 2009 at 9:57pm — 2 Comments

You Be Da' Judge

Acts 25. 23 - The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Good Day!

Well, we've seen Paul brought before immoral men for judgment, but these two are the creme de la creme of immoral yahoos. Let me explain. King Agrippa II was the Herod of the day--great grandson of the one who had feared the birth of Christ so much that he… Continue

Added by Christine on September 22, 2009 at 10:13pm — No Comments

When the waters are deep

Hello, Dear Friends.

I want to pause where we are, here in Acts 25. . .

my heart and mind are full with concern for some loved ones who are in the throes of tremendous struggle. . . creditors are closing in, family members seem lost, jobs are needed, the "c" word has come from the doctor. . . and the list goes on. Yesterday, I commented on Paul in verses 1-21, and wrote about "the blameless being blamed," and how God would have us respond when wrongly accused. Today, I should… Continue

Added by Christine on September 20, 2009 at 9:54pm — No Comments

The Blameless Blamed

Acts 25.1-21 ~ Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus answered, "Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges… Continue

Added by Christine on September 18, 2009 at 6:16pm — No Comments

Later, Dude

Acts 24.22-27 - Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. ☗ "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case."☗ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and… Continue

Added by Christine on September 15, 2009 at 9:55pm — No Comments

Conscience. . . 'got one?

Today's passage - Acts 24.1-21 - Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in… Continue

Added by Christine on September 14, 2009 at 8:20pm — No Comments

Take courage

Acts 23.11-35 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%2023.11-35&version=31&interface=print

Verse 11 - The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage!"

As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

vv. 12-35 ~ We left Paul, lying on the stone floor, exhausted, battered, discouraged, and wondering just how long he would be alive, doubtful he would ever make it to his desired destination--Rome.… Continue

Added by Christine on September 9, 2009 at 9:54pm — No Comments

In the city of Self Control, you are the governor

THIS is good stuff. . . take a look with me:

In Acts 22.24-31, Paul cleverly establishes that he is a Roman citizen, and he is brought before the Sanhedrin, (the Jewish ruling council) for trial~

Acts 23.1-10 - Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day." At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you… Continue

Added by Christine on September 8, 2009 at 11:20pm — No Comments

Have a heart like Paul's

Acts 21.40-22.21 Having received the commander's permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: 1"Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense." When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I… Continue

Added by Christine on September 7, 2009 at 10:41pm — No Comments

Courage to do God's will

Well, Good Day. . .

It took extreme courage on Paul's part to do what he believed was God's will for him. Perhaps all of the groundwork I have laid about surrender, trust, and wanting to know God's will for your life. . . all sounds good. . . intellectually. The problem comes in the doing, and sometimes in the 'not doing'. . . but the waiting for God's direction--waiting for God to come and rescue you. Perhaps this inspirational story will paint a picture in your mind, and give you… Continue

Added by Christine on September 3, 2009 at 9:49pm — No Comments

How do you know God's will for you?

Hello!

About ten years ago, I was at a crossroads in my personal life, and wanted to know God's will for me--particularly as it related to serving Him in ministry. I had been told about a book, Experiencing God, and so I carefully read it, its Scriptural support, and interviewed myself with its questions. I return to it as my solid resource on ascertaining the will of God in my life. Here is what the author says about knowing the will of God;

The testimony of the Bible from… Continue

Added by Christine on September 2, 2009 at 8:31pm — No Comments

Paul, Jesus, and Freedom

Happy Independence Day! Congratulations on your freedom. . .

Acts chapter 20 begins Paul's movement toward Jerusalem. . .

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%2020&version=31&interface=print

In verses 1 - 7 We see Paul's ministry team travel from Ephesus to Troas. Once in Troas, the believers gathered to break bread together, and then Paul preached to the people. . . going late into the night. Luke mentions that there were many torches in the… Continue

Added by Christine on September 1, 2009 at 9:44pm — No Comments

L.A. Lakers and Mob Mentality

Acts 19.21-41 Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. “And after that,” he said, “I must go on to Rome!” He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia. About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept… Continue

Added by Christine on August 31, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Spirits. . . Holy vs. Evil

Acts 19.8-20 8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so… Continue

Added by Christine on August 20, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

John Wooden - Mentor

Good Day~

1. Pray that the truth and inspiration of God's Word will be revealed for you from this passage . . . 2. Read the passage 3. "What do you NOTICE?" Read it again, and highlight what strikes you 4. If it fits, pull it apart for application.

Acts 18.23-19.7 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native… Continue

Added by Christine on August 6, 2009 at 10:49pm — No Comments

LEGACY

Acts 18.1-23 Please open your Bible to read, or read from the New Living Translation -

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%2018.1-23;&version=51;&interface=print

The basic summary of this passage is that Paul goes from Athens to Corinth, a distance of about 50 miles, where he meets Priscilla and Aquila, who had been run out of Rome by Claudius. Like Paul, they were tentmakers, so Paul lived and worked with them, and taught in the synagogue as well.… Continue

Added by Christine on August 4, 2009 at 9:10am — No Comments

Wisdom vs. Wisdom

Greetings! . . . More on Acts 17 - Paul's Visit to Athens

Have you ever heard the word versus used as a verb? You probably have, if your kids played sports. . . They say something like, "Tomorrow, we're versing the Dodgers." 'Not even a word, but you sure understand what they are saying, don't you? Well, today, we are going to observe Wisdom versing wisdom--Godly wisdom versing man's wisdom.

Yesterday, we saw Paul in Athens 'versing' all of the gods of earthly wisdom,… Continue

Added by Christine on August 3, 2009 at 12:15pm — 1 Comment

The day you made God smile

Good Morning~

Keeping our bookmarks in Acts 17, I want to explore this trait of Paul's that caused him to be so courageous--it seems like it was part character trait, part devotion, and part faith--it was his undying trust in Jesus Christ. Yesterday's briefing included some self-investigative questions--starting with the jumping-off point of total surrender of ourselves to God--including your thoughts about His love for you. Most Christians realize God is asking for us to surrender… Continue

Added by Christine on July 30, 2009 at 11:01pm — 2 Comments

Wanna' be like Paul?

My summary of Acts 17.1-15 - The young missions team of Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled further into Europe--to Amphipolis and Apollonia, and on to Thessalonica--the bustling capital city of Macedonia, with about 200,000 in population. Paul again started preaching in the synagogue where a number of folks responded to the gospel, which riled up some of the Jews who chose not to believe. Their jealousy compelled them to go to the officials with the accusation that the missionaries were causing… Continue

Added by Christine on July 24, 2009 at 10:21pm — No Comments