Often we think courage is a feeling, but courage is actually a decision to take action in the presence of fear. Our actions can either suppress the word of God in us, or spread the word of God through us. In the book of Acts, Stephen exemplifies his unwavering courage by being the first Christian to die for his faith. How can we be like Stephen and learn to own the crown of victory and peel off the layers that cover our God given destiny?

Do you ever feel like sometimes God shows up at the last possible moment?

Like he waits right up until the moment of truth, with sweat dripping down your forehead, eyes darting at the clock, leaving you wondering if he’s even going to show up at all? This week, as we continue our study of the book of Acts, we learn that the sudden movements and miracles God performs are usually on the heels of earnest prayer, and a home full of faith, fellowship, and freedom. These are the values that we stand as we seek to build a church that shouts, “Welcome home.”

As we venture further into our discovery about the Acts of the Apostles, we are introduced to the idea of being activated into the world of the supernatural.

Everything we think, believe, and dream, God will exceed, but we need to do our part. By acting in faith, and giving God something to work with, He will provide the "super" to our "natural" act of obedience.

As we venture further into our discovery about the Acts of the Apostles, we are introduced to the idea of being activated into the world of the supernatural.

Everything we think, believe, and dream, God will exceed, but we need to do our part. By acting in faith, and giving God something to work with, He will provide the "super" to our "natural" act of obedience.

Have you ever tried to come up with an excuse for something you didn’t want to do? Or maybe you’ve made an excuse for something you didn’t think you could do. As Christians, we think we’re great at making excuses for why and how God can’t use us. But really, an excuse is just a cover-up to conceal the truth. Let's be honest, our excuses tend to be pretty lame. Luckily for us, God chooses to use us anyway. As we continue our collection of talks on the Acts of the Apostles, we see how God used ordinary men to do extraordinary things by the power of his Spirit.

As we start a new collection of talks on the acts of the Apostles, we take a deep dive into the book of Acts and look at life after Jesus. When Jesus resurrected and ascended into heaven, he assured us that we wouldn't be alone. He promised to send us a helper, a counselor, and friend to help us along our faith journey. The helper that Jesus promised us is the Holy Spirit, and through him we are empowered to do all things because he lives within us.

Culminating our seven-week collection of talks entitled, “Jesus”, we celebrated Easter in the promise that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. On our faith journey, it is important to lean not on our own timing but on Jesus’. Though we may be in a season of waiting on God’s promises, it doesn’t have to be a wasted season. His will is to work in us before working through us. If we understand that delayed does not mean denied, we put our faith in his plan and allow for him not to meet our expectations but to put his miracles in our life - no miracle bigger than our salvation.

As we conclude this collection of talks on the"I am" statements of Jesus, one thing that's been pretty evident is the fact that he makes some pretty audacious claims about his identity. 

 

John 8:12 says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Just as light fills the void of the darkness, our hearts find contentment in discovering our purpose in Jesus. In his light, we have life, and he empowers us to be a light to all those who's paths we cross.

As we continue in our collection of talks about Jesus, we read in John 15, Jesus says "I am the true vine". Just as a branch cannot bear fruit without the vine, we cannot fully live our purpose without Jesus. He already has a spoken word over our lives. When we abide in him and obey his commands, we walk into the abundance he has for us.

The desire to know and grow with Jesus is fulfilled by allowing Him to steer our paths. As we continue our March to Easter with the collection of talks entitled, "Jesus," We learn more about Jesus, the Good Shepherd who guides, corrects and protects us along our journey. In John 10 Jesus declares that " I am the Good Shepherd", the good shepherd that lays down his life for us, the sheep. Unlike shepherds who are hired, He is a gatekeeper, our creator who knows each of us by name. It is by knowing this that we can fulfill everything we were called to do, believing that wherever we go, God goes with us.