27 of 40 Lenten Journey
Today's readings: Acts 8 and page 65
in Terry Teykl's book: Acts 29
larryjameson.blogspot.com
Dear Prospect, Trinity,
and Asbury Church family,
Good morning everyone!
Today is my birthday!
I am 64 years old today.
I've thought about it,
and I think I will skip
going out to dinner today.
Maybe later! :-)
It is a treat for me to write
to you, because being your pastor
is the fulfillment of a deep
desire and calling in my life
from my childhood to this day.
It is such an honor to serve you!
God protected me, encouraged me,
and opened so many doors for me.
And I know that God's calling
and provision is moving you too!
We share a divine appointment.
This Sunday I look forward to
sharing a message with you
about Spiritual Breakthroughs.
Samantha Sharp and I are co-hosting
what we call "Study as Worship"
which is an Online Bible Study.
Our first one is 10am this Sunday,
March 29, 2020
at Zoom Meeting ID 302-000-9952.
We want as many of you as possible
to participate in the Zoom meeting
so please start working on that, OK?
And for those who are not yet able
to do a Zoom meeting, we encourage
you to watch the Bible Study on
Facebook Live or YouTube.
So you will have some choices.
Samantha has created a Facebook Group
called "Study as Worship".
If you can, please join that group
and encourage others to as well.
We are excited about being with you
this Sunday.
On today's reading in Terry Teykl's
book, page 65, he said,
"As you pray, expect breakthroughs".
That is exactly how God works.
Prayer opens us up to God's plan
and power. Then our eyes are opened
to see what others miss:
divine grace setting prisoners free.
A Spiritual Breakthrough happens
any time God's mercy gives liberty
to someone. When we pray, the powers
of oppression that hold people down
are replaced by God's love.
Prayer is our greatest ministry asset.
One of the finest things we do as
Christians is to let go, and let God.
I've been calling my neighbors
this week. I need to check in with
the Neighbors Network Coordinators
and let them know who I have been
chatting with. It's best to pray
before we call. And you have
heard me explain why we don't ask
questions. We simply check in.
God uses that to open doors.
As we see Spiritual Strongholds
(because we can't help but see
things that are wrong) we pray.
When the time is right, God
breaks through and sets people
free.
Prayer by Larry Jameson
Thank you, dear Jesus,
for empowering us to love
and serve you!
Sin had us all tied up.
But your grace changed that.
Thank you for all the people
who prayed for us.
Help us to pray, in the power
of your Holy Spirit,
for Spiritual Breakthroughs.
In your name we pray. Amen.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Acts 8 (RSV)
1 And Saul was consenting to his death.
Saul Persecutes the Church
And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samar′ia, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to a city of Samar′ia, and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. 7 For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
9 But there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the nation of Samar′ia, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that power of God which is called Great.” 11 And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samar′ia had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power, that any one on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert road. 27 And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Can′dace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this:
“As a sheep led to the slaughter
or a lamb before its shearer is dumb,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken up from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. 36 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azo′tus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesare′a.
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