The disciples were awestruck with wonder. Joy overflowed from hearts filled with gratitude. Peter healing the lame man through the power of Jesus. A s new strength flowed into the lame man’s anlkes and legs the bible records  “He leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” (Acts 3:8-9 ) The man’s life was transformed by Christ that the only logical response was praise and thanksgiving. “The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fullness that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power to His church. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in restraint, and now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the church the riches of the Spirit’s grace. And under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven. Words of thanksgiving and of prophecy were heard. All heaven bent low to behold and to adore the wisdom of matchless, incomprehensible love. Lost in wonder, the apostles exclaimed, “Herein is love.” They grasped the imparted gift. And what followed? The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief. Thousands were converted in a day.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p.38 . Paul instructed the church in Philippi to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) We should speak our joy by “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Ephesians 5:19-20) Excerpt from 10 Days in the Upper Room by Mark A. Finley pp. 76-78   The Acts of the Apostles, p.38 ).by...

Psalm 91 Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” Psalm 91 New King James Version...

Jesus was in Gethsemane where He could be alone in communion with God His heavenly Father. Away from the jostle and press of the crowd. On this night, He brought Peter, James and John with Him. He longed for their companionship and fellowship in prayer at this pivotal moment of earths history. (His Crucifixion) Jesus was only a short distance from them when He fell on His face and cried out, ” O My Father, If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Recognizing the horrors that was was before Him, Jesus pleaded with the Father to remove the cup of sorrows He was about to drink. Jesus always do the will of His father. His entire life gave glory to God. Jesus’ obedient surrender to the Father was the channel through which heavenly blessings flowed earthward. Same today as well , the Holy Spirit is poured out through surrendered hearts. ‘Faith that leads to submission to Christ’s will is the most important thing in the life of each christian’ The disciples were passionate about doing  Jesus’ will so we too should do the will of God. ” We ought to obey God rather than men” ( Acts 5:29) The disciples  willingly face persecution, imprisonment, and even death for Christ’s sake. They opened their hearts to the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s working and totally committed their lives to doing Gods will. Read Psalm 51 and meditate on  the following verses  ”Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalm 51:10-13) Excerpt from 10 Days in the Upper Room by Mark A. Finley p.70,71.   10 Days in the Upper Room by Mark A....

‘The Lost Pages’ by Philip Shaw In our life we write in books, the book of  life, and one day soon we hope to read it. In times of Joy, Peace and Celebration we would like to make these pages in Bold print, Book marks, and Many stars. During  trials, tribulations and turmoil to which have been called the ”lost pages.” These are the ones we would love to forget. At first glance the lost “graven” pages engraved with deep wounds cuts and scars.. seem like the best pages to be lost. But oh, how much sweeter the good pages would be, if not prefixed with the “lost pages.” The lost pages can be seen as chapter separators. They add a feature to the book that only they, the ”lost pages” can fulfill. Then there is the phenomena of “real” lost pages. These are times known or unknown to us some how forgotten. Whether its due to trauma, grief or other outside or internal force which moves these pages around. “Lost but never forgotten.”  ~~~Philip...

1I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 3When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. 4For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. Psalm 9:1-4  (KJV)  King James Version Entire chapter  ...

Pentecost made all the difference. The disciples carefully examined their own hearts during the 10 days in the Upper Room. They understood their weakness and pleaded for His (JESUS) strength. “As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief. As they called to remembrance the words that Christ had spoken to them before His death they understood more fully their meaning. Truths which had passed from their memory were again brought to their minds, and these they repeated to one another. They reproached themselves for their misapprehension of the Saviour. Like a procession, scene after scene of His wonderful life passed before them. As they meditated upon His pure, holy life they felt that no toil would be too hard, no sacrifice too great, if only they could bear witness in their lives to the loveliness of Christ’s character. Oh, if they could but have the past three years to live over, they thought, how differently they would act!” ( The Acts of the Apostles, p.36).As the disciples prayed together, with humbled hearts before God, the Holy Spirit brought to their minds the lesson of humility, trust,submission and service that Christ longed for them to understand. The Holy Spirit not only convicts us of sin, He  heals our broken hearts. He brings us hope. He assures us that God has a better plan for our lives, and inspires us with promises of a better future. “All of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”  (1 Peter 5:5-6) Excerpt from 10 Days in the Upper Room by Mark A. Finley, p.63 The Acts of the Apostles, p.36 by Ellen G....