Lesson for 10/18

Greetings all, I give honor to God, to Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit. Tomorrow's Sunday school lesson comes from Acts 10:24-38. "Peter Takes a Risk" Before beginning the scripture set for tonight - let us delve into a few prior verses to provide clarity and understanding. Acts 10:1-23 explain how Cornelius, an an officer in the army. 2"He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.^"  An Angel of God appears to him in a vision saying "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God." He is then instructed to send men to go find Peter. As you continue to read, you will see that, literally the next day Peter had a vision. Peter's vision ties deeply into tonight's scripture and reveals how God can bring two totally different people together, for His glory! The lesson begins at verse 24 - Peter and the group sent, were heading back to Cornelius' house. Once they arrive verse 25 says that Cornelius met Peter. and fell down at his feet. and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying Stand up; I myself also am a man. As they being to talk, Peter mentions, its against the law for a Jew to associate or visit a Gentile (non Jew). - Peter then says in the latter part of verse 28..;"but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean." This was Peter's vision! Going back to verse 14   “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Peter was unsure, why he was being told this at the time of his vision; but as they continued to talk, Peter uses this moment to share what God has done. Verse 34-35 ^"Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." Peter then began to preach the Good News of Jesus, and how God anointed his Son with the Holy Spirit and was always with Him. Just as God was with Jesus, He is also with us! Remember - No matter your race, gender, age, ethnicity, educational background, or Spiritual level. God wants, accepts and draws those who genuinely have a zeal and passion to serve Him!

Thanks for reading. God loves you, and I love you all too!

Lesson for 10/11

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 9:19-31 its titled “Earning the right to be Heard” The lesson talks about Saul, who in verse 19 and 20 – had been with the disciples preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. In verse 21, the people that heard Saul preach were amazed and said “is this not the man who made havoc in Jerusalem amongst those who invoked this name?..” If you read a few verses prior to tomorrow's lesson you will see that Saul was persecuting Christians. But on his road to Damascus, the Lord revealed himself to Saul (Acts 9:3-6) and he changed! Today, some of us experience people that hold others past against them. They continuously remind them of how they use to be, or don't believe a change for God has been made. As you continue to read you will see in verse 23 that the Jews plotted to kill Saul; even some of the disciples were afraid when Saul attempted to join them. To God be the glory, because he always provides a way out! In verse 27 you will see a man, by the name of Barnabas “took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus” Sometimes, God puts people in our lives at the right time – to love and stand up for us. No one is perfect, and we fall short at times, but as Christians we are to encourage each other. God is in the business of transforming lives every day. We should seek to care and pray for each other regardless of the past. If God can forgive people for their sins, then so should we.

God bless and be heard!

Lesson for 10/4

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 8:9-24. Its titled "The Source of True Power"

The SOURCE of TRUE power. Verses 9-11 begins with a man, Simon, who practiced magic, and was considered great among the people of Samaria. The people were being fooled by Simon's acts; As believer's today, the Holy Spirit enables us to distinguish what's of God, and whats false. If a individual professes to be a Christian but constantly magnifies him or herself, then that person is not a true servant of God. Our Heavenly Father deserves all the credit! Simon was stealing God's glory.
Then Philip, a deacon of the early church proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Verses 12-14 bring out how the people began to believe what Philip was preaching, even Simon himself. We should strive for a spiritual influence as strong as Philips. God's word was made manifest through his preaching - and people became saved! Jumping to verse 17. Peter and John arrive and Simon witnesses the apostles performing miracles. The scripture says "Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" Simon offers them money in exchange for the same power. But Peter sets him straight in verse 20. (Please read) - Fellow believers, we can't obtain God's gifts with money! I repeat - we cannot purchase God's favor. We are ALL commissioned to go out and spread the good news of Jesus Christ, to show Godly love and fellowship together. We are not to expect monetary items in exchange, we are not to go with the motion of religion. But we are to GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY! We are doing it for Him! We are building our hopes on things eternal! We will fall short, but we are to repent, just as it states in verse 22.

Let us mature in faith. Draw closer to God, through His Son Jesus. Show genuine love. And may we recognize, acknowledge, praise, trust and glorify the TRUE SOURCE!

Thanks for reading.

Lesson for 9/27

Hey everyone, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow is titled, "Stand up; Speak up" comes from Acts the 7th Chapter, the publication skips around starting with verses 2-4, 8-10, 17, 33-34, 45-47, then ends with verse 53. I recommend reading the entire book, Acts, 7:1-60 NIV to really get the depth of what Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church, is trying to bring across. He was a wise man and spoke very well; He loved to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, and performed many miracles in Jesus' name. The lesson today starts off with verse 1,  Stephen is asked by a high priest of the Sanhedrin council "Are these charges true?' Immediately, Stephen goes into preaching, in an instant he brings up account after account of how God has expressed faithfulness to the Israelites in the past. As you read the verses, you will be encouraged to see that even today, God blesses those who truly rely and put their faith in Him; not putting matters in to their own hands. He is sovereign, He is Good!- but what we often overlook at times is God is also fair and just! We can't just repeatably sin and do any and everything, not expecting any form of punishment. In verse 39 Stephen tries to remind them: ³⁹ “But our ancestors refused to obey Him. Instead, they rejected Him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. ⁴⁰ They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him! ⁴¹ That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made. ⁴² But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars....." God turned away from them..Now jumping ahead to verse 51, Stephen is telling the council:

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵² Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³ you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” Then in verses 54-60: it brings out how furious the Sanhedrin members became with what was all said. The members took Stephen out, and stoned him to death. THE MOST POWERFUL verses in the lesson to me are the last two.  "⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." Despite the persecution, the adversity, the anger, the hurt, the pain that he faced - he STILL prayed for the people who were killing him. What a reflection, what encouragement for us today as we continue to strive and endure! Would we today, die for what we believe in? Will we spread God's word, and proclaim the name of His son Jesus? -  Yes! God bless you. Thanks for reading.

Sunday school lesson 9/20

Hey all the lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 5:27-29, 33-42. It's titled, "Empowered to speak" Very important scripture set, we are often silenced or we are afraid to speak up in certain situations - but verse 29 brings out that "we must obey God rather than human authority" if something is not right, speak up! Everything we do in Jesus name, should be to glorify God! Try it, trust God and you to will rejoice as the disciples did in verses 41 and 42! Pleasing Him is such a great feeling! 

Stay blessed all!

Lesson 9/13 Be Generous

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 4:34 - 5:10. Its titled "Be Generous" Although today's lesson starts at verse 34, as you read your bible, start at verse 32. I believe 32 and 33 are key scriptures, the NIV says "³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all" - I can teach a lesson off of just this right here! These two scriptures are vital to our Christian faith! When you are in one heart and one mind, with the people around you and everyone is in tune with doing God's Will, looking out for each other, sharing and praying together in Jesus name, God's Spirit can't help but be in the midst! The lesson focuses on the Church during the time of the Apostles, but it also reflects today in our lives. As you begin verses 34-37, it teaches us a lesson in generosity. It brings out how people of that time looked out for each other. When someone was in need, the members of the group came together to meet that need - people such as Barnabas in verse 37,  sold land and houses and gave the proceeds to upbuild the kingdom. 
Now, verses 1-10 of Acts ch 5 gives us a lesson in deception - As you read these, carefully consider whats taking place. Ananias and his wife sold a piece of property. It would have been perfectly fine for them to keep a portion  of the funds from the sale and give the church a portion. But the issue arose when they weren't truthful with the Church leaders about the gift. When the Bible says in verse 4 NIV - "⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”" Its implied that due to pride they claimed to have offered the most, they said told they gave their all, but in reality they giving less/holding back - with the illusion of full donation or pure generosity; playing with God. As harsh as the lesson ends, it is to teach us a valuable lesson, and that's to watch out and not fall into the pitfalls of greed, pride and hypocrisy. We are to indulge in genuine sharing, generosity and  loving fellowship with each other. 

Keep Faith and To God be the Glory!

Thanks,

Colin W.

Sunday School lesson 9/6

Hey all the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 4:23-31. "Help to be strong" In this lesson we learn about how Jesus' disciples prayed for boldness to speak the truth of the Gospel. "If the Roman authorities had been willing to crucify Jesus, wouldn't they just be committed to getting rid of His followers?" At this time, the disciples were afraid and began to pray. In this faith walk, we often are faced with situations and trails that do indeed scare us at times. We turn to our left and right only to discover that we can't solely rely on our self or our peers - but we have to sincerely pray like the disciples did. Then just watch, as God comforted the disciples in verse 31 of Acts 4 - He will do the same for us! Then we are to rise up and tell somebody else what God has done! Declare the good news, as the disciples did! We are Christians!  Stay blessed all, in Jesus name!