In Whose Keeping Acts 12: 6

click to Read the passage: Acts 12  (a new browser window will open)

(And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was

sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers

before the door kept the prison.)

1. Certainly not in an evil king’s keeping.

(Herod)

2. Certainly not in false religion’s keeping.

(v. 3 it pleased the Jews)

3. Certainly not in human force’s keeping.

(v.3 he proceeded further to take Peter also.)

4. Certainly not in the keeping of men.

(v.4 …and delivered him to four quarternions of soldiers…)

(v.6 …sleeping between two soldiers, …)

5. Certainly not in the keeping of physical bounds.

(v.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: …)

6. Certainly not in the keeping of physical bonds.

(v.6 …bound him with chains; …)

Phil. 1: 12-14

v.7- 7. Certainly in the security and power of God’s hand.

(…And his chains fell off from his hands.)

What is Death to Self? John 12: 24, 25

click to Read the passage: John 12  (a new browser window will open)

(Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone:  but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.)(He that loveth his life shall lost it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.)

Being free to love, know and serve; follow Jesus, 

                The flesh objects; it has to be quieted.

1. The Holy Spirit is the initiator of action.

2. Instruction from God is received without debate or question.

3. Hurts from others are met with Christ like compassion and

                forgiveness.

4. Spiritual insight is applied to decisions and life challenges.

5. Weakness is an opportunity to draw on God’s strength.

6. Failings are not covered up but are repented of.

7. Spiritual fellowship is maintained.

8. God’s word is constantly renewing the soul.

9. Love is generously expressed.

10. Self refuses to be honored.     (No vain glory.)

Evil's Delight Acts 12: 1-4, 19

click to Read the passage: Acts 12  (a new browser window will open)

v.1 1. To misuse earthly authority.

(Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain

of the church.)

v.1 2. To trouble the work of God.

(to vex certain of the church.)

v.1 3. To trouble the workers of God.

(to vex certain of the church.)

v.2 4. To attempt to destroy God’s vessels.

(And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.)

v.3 5. To extend religion’s hold.

(And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take 

Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.))

v.4 6. To attempt to bind God’s work.

(And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered

him to four quarternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to 

bring him forth to the people.)

v.19 7. Evil’s delight always turns to disdain when God moves.

(And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the

keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went 

down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode.)

More Precious than Rubies Proverbs 3: 15

click to Read the passage: Proverbs 3  (a new browser window will open)

(She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not

to be compared unto her.)

Wisdom is:

1. Not limited to outer adornment.

2. Not subject to thievery.

3. Will never decrease in value.

4. Is not limited by how many may possess or how many may be blessed.

5. Cannot be lost.

6. Brings greater joy.

7. Has much greater longer lasting value.

The Fruit of Seeking God Psalms 70: 4

click to Read the passage: Psalms 70  (a new browser window will open)

see also Psalms 40: 16

(Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as

love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.)

1. The fruit is in the seeking.

2. Those that seek the Lord will joy in their seeking.

3. Those that seek the Lord will joy in their finding.

4. Those seeking the Lord will gain gladness of heart.

5. A heart full of the Lord has a special love for the gift of salvation it has

received.

6. A heart full of the Lord is enamored with the presence of Christ.

7. A heart full of the Lord will desire Christ’s exaltation.

Self will be removed in order that Christ may be seen.

The Lord will be magnified.

The Instrument God Uses Mark 11: 2-7

click to Read the passage: Mark 11  (a new browser window will open)

vs2 1) God has available many instruments to use in His Kingdom's work. 

( ... ye shall find a colt tied,) 

vs2 2) The instruments God uses do not have to be experienced, only available. 

(on which man never sat;) (loose him, and bring him.) 

vs4 3) The instruments God uses must first be found by God.

 ( ... found the colt ... ) 

vs4 4) The instruments God uses will be found where people and their ways meet. 

(outside in a place where two ways met;) 

vs7 5) The instruments God uses come under God's authority. 

(And they brought the colt to Jesus,) 

vs7 6) The instruments God uses are bearers of others burdens. 

(cast their garments on him)

vs7 7) The instruments God uses bear the burdens of Christ. 

(and he sat upon him.) 

The Issue of Faith Mark 5: 22-24, 41-43

click to Read the passage: Mark 5  (a new browser window will open)

vs.22 1) Has Jesus been sought? 

(when He saw Him) 

vs.22,23 2) Is Jesus the only source of your faith? 

(He saw Him ... ) 

vs.23 3) Has Jesus been clearly asked? 

(and besought Him greatly, ... ) 

vs.24 4) Is Jesus committed? 

(and Jesus went with him; ••• ) 

vs.4l 5) Has Jesus given instruction to respond to? 

( … I say unto thee arise.) 

vs.42 6) Am I trusting Jesus right now for victory? 

(and straightway the child arose, and walked, … ) 

vs.42,43 7) Is glory Jesus' alone? 

( ... and he charged them strictly that no man should know it,) 

The Heart of Ministering Philippians 2: 25-30

click to Read the passage: Philippians 2  (a new browser window will open)

v.25 1. Ministering to real need.

(Yet I supposed it necessary to send to your Epaphroditus, my brother, and

                companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that         

                ministered to my wants.)

v.26 2. Desirous of the fellowship of God’s family.

(For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had

                heard that he had been sick.)

v.26 3. Concerned with others' needs.

(and was full of heaviness, :)

Doesn’t wish to be a burden on others.

v.27 4. Willing to expose himself to personal suffering for the sake of the gospel.

(For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him: and not on him only, but on me also,  lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.)

v.30 5. Accepting and following his priority of ministering to others needs.

(Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.)

v. 27,6. Literally looking to Christ for sustaining nurture.

   30 (but God had mercy on him;)  (he was near unto death,)

v.30 7. Withholding nothing for the claims of Christ.

(not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.)

Desire to Get to Jesus Mark 2: 1-5

click to Read the passage: Mark 2  (a new browser window will open)

V 1 1) Listen for a report of His presence (where He is doing a work?) 

( ... and it was reported that He was in the house) 

v 2 2) Go get into His presence. 

(and straightway many were gathered together) 

join others in need 

v 2 3) Get under the authority of God's word 

(and He preached the word unto them) 

v 3 4) Take with you another in need of His touch. 

(they come unto Him bringing one sick of the palsy, ... ) 

v 4 5) Don't be defeated by any obstacles to faith-get into His presence. 

(crowd) (uncovered the roof ... ) 

v 4 6) Put forth the necessary labor and commitment to get into His presence. 

(and when they had broken it up, ... ) 

v 5 7) Stay in His presence while Jesus acknowledges your need and responds with His provision. 

(When Jesus saw their faith, ... thy sins are forgiven thee.)