Walking in the Spirit

(Ephesians 5:18-21)

(Ephesians 5:18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Drunk: On the way.

Filled: Made full; supplied with abundance.

I have to chase a rabbit right off the bat. People try to use this verse to say that it’s alright to consume wine or liquor. But nothing could be further from God’s truth, the word drunk has the thought of being on the way; so when are you on your way to being drunk? After the first drink.

God uses the phrase “drunk with wine” as an example to show that we shouldn’t be filled with carnal things. At salvation our souls were saved, but our flesh is still evil, and seeks to fill itself with the things of this world. Our spirit seeks to get as much of God as it can contain, and in this verse we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (that’s Spirit with a capital S, meaning the Holy Spirit). We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at Salvation, but we must seek to be filled up with the Spirit of God.

How do we become filled with the Spirit? The first step is to Study your bible daily, speak to yourself in the Psalms, sing Hymns (songs about Him) and spiritual songs (not country, rock, pop, rap etc.) to yourself.

(Ephesians 5:19)  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

        The second step is to thank God for everything. Each day we should thank God for all His blessings to us (saved us, fed us, cloth us, protected us, loves us, etc.). As we begin to thank God, it won’t be long before we begin to worship Him and as we feed our spirit we will become more filled with the Holy Spirit.

(Ephesians 5:20)  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

The third and last step is to submit ourselves to God’s will. Not every Christian is submitted to God. We have to starve the flesh to bring it into submission to the word of God, Once the spirit has grown inside of us, then we will be able to submit to God’s will.

(Ephesians 5:21)  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

How do we know we are being led by the Spirit and not the Flesh?

I will answer this with a question: what fruit is your life producing?

The Works of the Flesh

(Galatians 5:19-21)  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Adultery:  In a scriptural sense, all manner of lewdness or unchastity, as in the seventh commandment. In scripture, idolatry, or apostasy from the true God. Jer. 3.

Fornication:  In a scriptural sense, all manner of lewdness or unchastity, as in the seventh commandment. In scripture, idolatry, or apostasy from the true God. Jer. 3. The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman. Adultery. Matt. 5. Incest. 1Cor. 5. Idolatry; a forsaking of the true God, and worshipping of idols. 2Chron. 21. Rev. 19.

Uncleanness:  Moral impurity; defilement by sin; sinfulness.

Lasciviousness:    Looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; wantonness; lustfulness.

Idolatry: the worship of images, statues, pictures made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies,the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals. Excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on adoration.

Witchcraft: The practices of witches; sorcery; enchantments; medication ("pharmacy").

Hatred: Great dislike or aversion; hate; enmity;  hostility.

Variance: dispute or controversy; disagreement; dissension; discord; a quarrel.

Emulations: a striving to equal or do more than others to obtain carnal favors or honors; jealousy.

Wrath: Violent anger; fierceness, indignation.

Strife: Contention in anger or enmity; contention.

Seditions: dissension:--division.

Heresies: any opinion that is repugnant to the doctrines of Scripture is heresy.

Envyings: Ill will at others, on account of some supposed superiority.

Murders: To kill a human being with premeditated malice.

Drunkenness: Intoxication.

Revellings: To feast with loose and clamorous merriment; to carouse; rioting.

If you are being led by the Spirit then you will bear the fruit of the Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit

(Galatians 5: 22,23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Love:  to regard with affection - if our hearts are right, we love God above all things.

Joy: To rejoice; to be glad; to exult; cheerfulness.

Peace: Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience.

Longsuffering: Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not easily provoked.

Gentleness: Softness of manners; mildness of temper; sweetness of disposition; meekness.

Goodness: Kindness; benevolence; benignity of heart; but more generally, acts of kindness; charity; humanity exercised.

Faith:  (Hebrews 11:1)  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Credence; moral conviction of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God.

Meekness: Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.

Temperance: Moderation; self-control.

So, what kind of fruit does your Christian life bear? Is it nice, sweet, kind, honest, righteous, upright, loving, peaceful, and enduring? Or is it full of thorns, strife, rottenness, worms, and fades away?

Jesus Christ said "I am the door ...."

NOAH’S ARK

(PITCHED WITHIN AND WITHOUT WITH PITCH)

(Gen. 6: 5 – 18; 22)

1)   The world during Noah’s life is full of evil – The worst evil a man could think of was common place!!

2)  The Lord God looked upon Man and said enough is enough – He saved a remnant   (8-members of one family) and destroyed all other mankind!!

3)  The Lord gave a way to escape destruction – THE ARK!! Man just had to believe and enter in to receive Salvation!!

  

1)   Our present World is full of evil – 2009 Crime statics just in the USA - Murder: 15,000+, Rape: 88,000+, Robbery: 408,000+, Burglary: 2,199,000+, Theft: 6,327,000+, Car Theft: 794,000+ this is just the crimes that were reported, and don’t forget Abortion Etc. Which are not considered crimes!

2) The Lord has promised an end to the evil of our present World: (2 Peter 3:10)   But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

3) The Lord has made a way to escape the Fire and right now is the time – Jesus Christ the Son of God!  (2 Corinthians 6:2)   (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

PEOPLE IN NOAH’S TIME THOUGHT NOAH WAS CRAZY (Building a boat, preaching) PEOPLE TODAY THINK BAPTISTS ARE CRAZY (Attending, serving, witnessing)

BOTH GROUPS OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THEY HAVE PLENTY OF TIME!!

“The devil and his cohorts were devising plans to get people to reject the Gospel.”Let's go to them and say there is no God," proposed one. Silence prevailed. Every devil knew that most people believe in a supreme being. "Let's tell them there is no hell, no future punishment for the wicked," offered another. That was turned down, because men obviously have consciences which tell them that sin must be punished. The concave was going to end in failure when there came a voice from the rear: "Tell them there is a God, there is a hell and that the Bible is the Word of God. But tell them there is plenty of time to decide the question. Let them 'neglect' the Gospel, until it is too late." All hell erupted with ghoulish glee, for they knew that if a person procrastinated on Christ, they usually never accept Him.” - Unknown

Several years ago a man and his wife were found frozen to death in their car. A blizzard had dumped tons of snow in the area, burying their vehicle. Before she died, the woman scribbled a note on a piece of paper and stuffed it in the glove compartment. The note read: "I don't want to die this way." Tragically, less than six feet from their icy grave was a stranded bus, whose festive passengers remained warm throughout the night.  – Unknown

(Genesis 6:14)   Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

I have come to know that every word in God’s Bible (The King James Bible) is precious!  And in verse 14 let’s look at PITCH!  NOAH WEBSTER’S 1828 DICTIONARY DEFINES PITCH AS:  A THICK TENACIOUS SUBSTANCE (PINE RESIN) USED TO CAULK AND SEAL THE BOTTOMS AND SIDES OF SHIPS. 

    “If you are ever truly washed in the Blood of Christ it sticks and won’t ever ware off – there’s nothing you can do to get rid of it!!”

From the Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)

The word translated "pitch" in Genesis 6:14 is the same word translated "atonement" in (Leviticus 17:11)   For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.    It is atonement that keeps out the waters of judgment and makes the believer's position "in Christ" safe and blessed.

          From Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible:   

He must pitch it within and without —without, to shed off the rain, and to prevent the water from soaking in—within, to take away the bad smell of the beasts when kept close.

Praise God that the precious Blood of His Son not only washes us white as snow - it also keeps this rotten flesh from stinking up our lives and leaves us smelling sweet like THE ROSE OF SHARON!!

1)  I believe that this Pitch is a picture of Salvation through the Blood of Christ:

Once you are washed in His Blood you will never sink into the flames of Hell.  (Genesis 6:14) ………. and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. The verse says to pitch it within (this is first listed) You first have to cry out to Jesus Christ for Salvation, then He will apply His Blood to your Heart:  (Ephesians 3:17   That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,)   That’s an internal work which is also an Eternal work.

The verse then says to pitch it without; Once Jesus moves inside His presence will show outside as well!!  What’s in your heart will shine through: (What’s shinning from your heart?)

  IS IT THE WORKS OF THE FLESH?

(Galatians 5:19)   Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

(Galatians 5:20)   Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

(Galatians 5:21)   Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: ….

OR IS IT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT?

(Galatians 5:22)   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

(Galatians 5:23)   Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2)  There was only ONE way to be saved from the flood - God’s way: God gave Noah instructions on how to construct the Ark. Without the PITCH on the inside, the Ark would have stunk – and without the PITCH on the outside the Ark would have sunk!! The flood waters were not just coming from the ground it was also falling from the sky, so the PITCH needed to cover every inch of the Ark to be able to save Noah and his family from drowning - If Noah had followed God’s direction half way they would have been doomed!!  - GOD GAVE US INSTRUCTIONS, THE HOLY BIBLE!

3) There’s only ONE way to be saved from the Fires of Hell – Jesus Christ - He is our Ark:

(John 14:6)   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Have you been PITCHED on the inside by the Blood of Jesus Christ? If not, pardon me but you STINK!  If you stink on the inside, no matter how good you make the outside look your ship will sink into the flames of Hell!!  This is what Jesus says about you: (Matthew 23:27)   Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

(Matthew 23:28)   Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

God has given you the choice to accept Jesus or reject Him – Not choosing is choosing to reject Jesus!!

(John 3:16)   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.     

(John 3:17)   For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

(John 3:18)   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

4)  It’s time to pitch your ship with the Blood of Jesus Christ: 

·        Be truthful and admit you are a sinner:  (Romans 3:23)   For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

·        Would a Holy God really die for me a sinner:

(Romans 5:8)   But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

·        Turn from your sin and turn to Jesus:  (Luke 13:3)   I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

·        Accept God’s Gift – Eternal Life - Jesus Christ:  (Romans 6:23)   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

·        Cry unto Jesus to save you:   

(Romans 10:9)   That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.                                            (Romans 10:10)   For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.                                   (Romans 10:13)   For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Hey Soldier Don't Forget Your Armour

Scripture Never Says To Remove The Whole Armour Of God.

Ephesians 6:11   Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

The Lord tells us to put on the WHOLE Armour of God  and once we have put it on God never in His word says to remove it –  (Ephesians 6:14)   Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:15)   And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:16)   Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:17)   And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 He didn't say to pick and choose which pieces to use to withstand the devil.  If we leave out one of the pieces of armour God listed there will be a chink in our armour, and Satan will exploit it.  Without the (TRUTH of who Jesus Christ is, what He did and His imputed RIGHTEOUSNESS) or the (GOSPEL to guide our feet and bring peace to our soul) or the (FAITH in Jesus Christ that He is the Son of God and we shall be with Him in Heaven) or that (SALVATION is mine and I can’t lose it) or the (WORD of God – my King James Bible) we open a place for Satan to attack!!

And don’t forget PRAYER – Prayer is where we show Faith and God gives us Power…  (Ephesians 6:18)   Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Prayer is the oil that keeps our armour working smoothly and prevents the buildup of rust (sin). Armour full of rust is worthless, but if we go to God in prayer showing Him our rust and asking forgiveness He will remove it:    (1 John 1:9)   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So remember put on the WHOLE armour of God, once you have it on don’t neglect any part of it, and never ever make the mistake of taking it off and leaving it in your closet!! Satan is waiting to find where to attack!!

The Blessings Of God

Christian Do You see how God has Blessed You?        

(Psalms 5:12)  For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

(Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) BLESS'ED: Made happy or prosperous; enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God;


(Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary) FA'VOR: To regard with kindness; to support; to aid; to be propitious to; to countenance; to befriend; to encourage.

The Lord promises in the scriptures that He will bless the saints of God with His favor. In other words the God of heaven, the God who created the Earth and breathed life into man, the Great I AM; will surround us with a shield of Blessings. What form will these blessing come in? My thoughts are that It will be in the form of: protection, friendship, aid in a time of need, love, joy, peace, plenty, and contentment. (Psalms 30:5)  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Anyone who says the Christian life will be a bed of roses without any trouble is totally wrong. Brother Paul says in (2 Corinthians 11:24-28) - "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches". If Brother Paul; who was one of the Lord Jesus's apostles had such trials and tribulations, how can we expect to live our lives after being saved without any troubles or trails? Troubles, problems, needs, hurt, and attacks by the world and Satan shall come but like bro. Paul we can say: ... I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Our Christian life has its problems, but I have to say along with the Brethren “I wouldn’t trade my worst day as a Christian for all of the best days I had when I was lost.” A Christian life is the best life you can live. Our lives as Saints of God are characterized by a few powerful words: “LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, and FAITH”. These are those things that the world longs for, but as born again believers God blesses us with them. (Galatians 5:22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,.

It’s easy sometimes to lose sight of the blessings of God, we begin to take what we have as Christians for granted instead of remembering that our salvation is a gift from God. Each day we should travel down memory lane to the day we knelt at the foot of the cross and cried out to Jesus for salvation. If we will just remember what we deserve (Hell) and that the only thing good about us is Jesus Christ we will see how blessed we really are. (Ezekiel 34:26)  And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. If we keep our hearts and eyes focused on our Lord Jesus Christ the blessings of God will continue to fall upon us. If you want to bless your heart today; just remember that Jesus will come back one fine day to take you to Heaven. Now that right there should get your motor roaring like a rocket engine! (Hebrews 12:2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

May the Lord of heaven bless you today.

       

Pardon

                                   Pardon

                                                            
(Romans 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Wages: (Noah Webster’s 1828 Dict.) Reward; fruit; recompense; that which is received in return.

Gift: (Noah Webster’s Dict.) The act of giving or conferring.

The Bible tells us that sin brings death; but it also tells us that there is a way to be free from the bonds of sin and its penalty death and Hell. And that way is through the pardon or gift which God gave us Jesus Christ!! The PARDON has already been issued for whosoever, but for you to receive it, YOU must ACCEPT it!!!

(John 3:18) “He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Pardon: (Noah Webster’s 1828 Dict.) Forgiveness received; the release of an offence or of the offender to suffer a penalty.

“Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to Chief Justice Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. "A pardon is a slip of paper," wrote Marshall, "the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged. “For some, the pardon comes too late. For others, the pardon is not accepted.”

A Sin is a Sin There is No Small Sin

“A Little Leaven is all it takes”           

(1 Corinthians 5:1-8)

Do you remember the old saying; ”One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel?” “It’s a true saying!!”

Here in I Cor. Chapter 5 the Apostle Paul writes to rebuke the church at Corinth for not naming sin (in this case Fornication) in the church. In verse 5 brother Paul calls for the Church to deliver the un-repented fornicator unto Satan (This is Church discipline and is necessary for the healthy growth of the church).

Why is it so important to take care of sin as soon as it crops up in our Church, our Family, and our Life? The Apostle Paul knows the answer – look in the latter part of verse 6 “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” There is no such thing as a little sin, sin is sin. The sin of lying is as bad as the sin of murder in God’s Book! Once we start allowing a little sin into our life, it won’t be long till we start down that slippery slope of Carnality. One Little Sin can stain a Christian Life, One Worldly Family Member can infect a Family, and One Carnal Church member can corrupt and destroy a Church!

Leaven: (Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary) something which corrupts that which it is mixed with; to taint.

Taint: (Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary) to infect; to corrupt; to stain)                                                                    “So is there Leaven in our lives, our families, or our church?”      (1 Corinthians 11: 28) “But let every man examine himself …”

“Our Lives, Family, and Church should measure up to the Word of God!!” “Each Christian needs to regularly examine themselves, Parents need to examine their house, We as church members need to examine our church; we should ask God to shine His light on any wrong.”

 “Are the things we do, The thoughts we think, and The talk we talk Good?”

(1 Thessalonians 5:21) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

Prove: to try; to examine by comparing with a standard: (our standard is the King James Bible)

A)  Is it watching a little TV or is it a Little Leaven? - (What goes in the Eye & Ear gate infects the Heart - Football: Cheerleaders, Beer Commercials. TV Shows: Cussing, Fornication, Sodimites, Pornography, God bashing.)

B)   Is it a little bit of Worldly Music or a Little Leaven? - (What goes in the Ear gate infects the Heart – Rock, Country, Contemporary with its Rock beat and look!)

C)  Is it an easier to understand Bible Version or a Little Leaven? (The Bible version issue may seem small, but it’s a major battle between Satan and the true Word of God; the King James Bible!!)

D)  Is it a little fun on the weekend or a Little Leaven? - (I’ve been “good” all week, now it’s time to let down my hair!)

E)   Is it a little white Lie or a Little Leaven? - (One lie leads to another!)

F)   Is a little time spent on Facebook good fellowship or a little Leaven? - (Gossip, Adultery, Pornography, False Teachings)

“We need to Purge the Leaven that is crippling our Christian walk”

Purge: to cleanse or purify; to purge away sin.

(I Cor. 5:7) “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, ….”

(1 John 1:8,9) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

“Our Christian walk is Like a sack of potatoes; every once in a while we need to look for what stinks and throw it away!

Vatican Calls For World Government

Vatican Calls For World Government

Are you serving God?

WHO? …. ME SERVE GOD.

                                          (Acts 4:7-13)
                                               

                                                   

Acts 4:7-13  And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Within a few weeks of the death – burial – and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and after His apostles had received the Holy Spirit. We find Peter and John full of the Spirit in the Temple, healing a crippled man and preaching with power (5000 men were saved). What makes this strange is that not long before they were in hiding from the Sanhedrin and Temple guards. And recorded in the scriptures we find that Peter denied being a follower of Jesus three times. But here is Peter and John Preaching, being arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin (the same men who condemned Jesus to death) to be tried for preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

This time being tried by the Sanhedrin himself we find Peter filled with the Holy Spirit claiming not denying the blood of Jesus Christ, Preaching with boldness and power!!    

(Acts 4:7-12)   And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.   Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Peter and John were Fishermen, they had no schooling – they weren’t “Good”, (for all have sinned) – they had only been Christ followers for around three years. But still the knowledgeable and longtime members and leaders of the Sanhedrin marveled at the boldness and knowledge of these men.  

(Acts 4:13)   Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

The next time that God nudges your heart in a direction of service: (Preaching – Teaching – Missions – Bus ministry – Print ministry – Camp ministry – Christian School ministry – etc.) Don’t say “who me”, I’m not good enough, I’m not smart enough, I haven’t been a Christian long enough. Remember Peter and John they were the same as you – they had been with Jesus!! We don’t serve through our own power, but through the power, knowledge, and wisdom of Jesus Christ!! 

Everyone remembers the word's of Moses as he talked to the Great I AM, Moses said That he couldn't talk to the people of God, he said that God should use someone else. But God knew Moses was the right man for the job, so what's holding you back just listen to God and get to work!!

(Philippians 4:13)   I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.