Mike Kines

Acts 12:1, 5, "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 5, Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."

The example of the early church was to pray whenever they faced persecution or opposition from the religious leaders or from the secular government. Here in this verse the church was praying for Peter who was in prison.

God answered their prayers, even if they had very little faith in their prayers. Read Acts chapter 12 for the whole story.

Remember that Christians today are still persecuted for their faith. Remember the persecuted church in your daily prayers. Hebrews 13:3.

Lord Jesus, I remember today that all over the world Christians are suffering for their faith in you. You said this would happen to us, and it does happen to us every day all over the world. I pray for the persecuted church today. I pray for grace and mercy for your people, Lord. May their faith be strong, and may they overcome all trials and temptations today, in Jesus name. Amen.

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Acts 11:26, "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

What does it mean to be called a Christian? It means that you are in Christ. God the Father has placed you into his Son Jesus Christ, and you are now united together with him. We are not just followers of Christ. We are IN Christ. This might not sound like a big deal, but it is.

Before believers were called Christians they were still the church. The New Testament came into existence when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. John 20:22. When the disciples received the Holy Spirit they were the church.

Heavenly Father, thank you for placing me into your son Jesus Christ. I am now in Christ Jesus. This makes me a Christian. I am not striving to be a Christian. I am a Christian because of what you have already done for me through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Acts 11:22, "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch."

Here is an example of where the church in one area was concerned about what was happening to the church in another area and sent practical help through Barnabas. This is an example of local churches helping one another in different areas.

Not only do individual Christians have spiritual gifts to share with their church, but the local church also has spiritual gifts to share with other churches all over the world. Romans 1:11; Romans 12:4-8.

Father God, there are churches all over the world who are in desperate need of practical help and support. I lift up these churches today, and I pray that you would provide for them protect them, and supply every need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus, amen.

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Acts 8:1, 3, "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 3, As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."

The greatest persecutors can also become the greatest preachers for Jesus when they are won to Christ. We should not give up on preaching the gospel even to the worst enemies of the gospel.

From the earliest days of the Christian church believers have been persecuted, hunted, oppressed, and killed for their faith. This pattern of persecution against the church has not stopped even up until this present day.

There are many testimonies of persecution against the church in these days. We need to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for their faith in Christ. Hebrews 13:3.

Father God, I don't want to ever forget my brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering throughout the world for their faith in Jesus. I pray for them today, I lift them up to you, Lord. I pray that you would have mercy on them, provide for them, protect them, and give them great faith in the face of danger, in Jesus name, Amen.

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Acts 7:38, "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us"

This scripture teaches us that the church, the remnant of true believers in Israel, were in the wilderness with the nation of Israel during their wilderness wandering.

The true body of believers, this church, was within Israel in the Old Testament. And in the New Testament the true Israel is the spiritual remnant of believers in the house of faith who believe in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:16.

Lord, it is a great mystery how Israel, the church, and the nations all fit together in your plan and purpose through time and history. Help us Lord to always remember who we are in Christ, to love our brethren, to pray for Israel, and to send forth workers into the nations to seek and save the lost. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Acts 2:47, "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

The Lord added to the church. It is his church, and he is the one who is building it. If people are getting saved and the church is growing it is because God is doing the work. Don't let any man take the glory for what God is doing.

The Lord allows us to participate in the work of evangelism and discipleship, but it is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction and who reveals the Lord Jesus to people. John 16:7-11.

Our part is to praise God, to magnify the Lord, to preach the gospel, and see what God will do in adding to the church.

Father God, thank you for building the church, for adding to the church daily such as should be saved. I pray for the privilege of being a part of this process of seeing people saved and brought into your family. Amen.

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Matthew 18:17, "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

I've known people in my past who used this scriptures to justify getting rid of people or driving people out of ministry. Is that what the Lord is teaching us here?

How did the Lord treat people such as a publican? The man who wrote this gospel, Matthew, was himself a publican! How did Jesus treat Matthew? Does this change the way you view this instruction "let him be unto thee as...a publican" ?

How does the Lord Jesus teach us to treat those who are our enemies? Matthew 5:39. We need to learn how to overcome evil by doing good. Romans 12:21.

Father God, you teach us that if people are rebellious and stubborn to regard them as a publican or a heathen. When I look at the way you treated publicans it causes me to pause and check my assumptions on what that means. You showed mercy and grace. You chose a publican to be an apostle. How should I then live?

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Matthew 16:18, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

What God builds cannot be destroyed by the devil. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. There are times when the church looks beaten down, persecuted, cast out, or killed. But in the end the church will be raised up and given the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord has given us authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of darkness. Luke 10:19. We have overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12:11.

Father God, I thank you that the victory has been won. The devil has been defeated. Grant us grace to abide in the victory that Jesus has won. Amen.

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Happy New Year!

Claiming God’s promises in his word for this new year!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com

Happy New Year

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com