Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. (Acts 23:16, ESV) A raging flood trapped a man in his house. On his knees, he desperately prayed for God to save him. At that moment, his neighbor in a canoe came up to the second story window and cried, "Get in!" "No, go without me," the man replied, "God will save me." The waters rose and forced the man to his roof. A rescue helicopter buzzed in and lowered a rope ladder. "Climb up!" the pilot shouted. "Save someone else," the man yelled back, "God will save me." Eventually the floodwaters swept him away and he drowned. While this man was confident of God’s rescue, he had real trouble recognizing God’s methods. Paul was also waiting confidently for a rescue. After all, God promised him that he would testify for God in Rome. So Paul wasn’t worried about the Jew’s plot to kill him, he just didn’t know what method God would use to rescue him from prison. Maybe it would be with an earthquake, like the one which freed him and Silas in Philippi (See Acts 16). Maybe he’d get an angel escort like Peter experienced (See Acts 12). In this case, God chose to use Paul’s nephew and the tribune to save Paul from the murderous plot. God could have sent an angel. He could have rained down fire on the 40 men waiting in ambush. He could even have snatched Paul away and dropped him directly in Rome. But Paul was wise enough to recognize God’s plan and act on it. And don’t miss the example of Paul’s nephew. When he heard about the plot to kill his uncle, he didn’t worry about whether or not he was the right person to expose it, he just did it. Maybe God’s calling you to rescue a neighbor or a friend today. Sure, God could appear to them like He did to Paul (Acts 9). But if God’s given you the words to say, don’t let anything stop you from sharing them.
Key Passage: Acts 23:12-22
Topic: Christian Living; God’s Care
"Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:7-9, ESV).
Here’s the story: A group of Christ-followers gathered to discuss whether or not people of other races can be saved–that is, forgiven of all their sins and enter into a personal relationship with God.
The main issue was a racial one. You see, the Jews were God’s "chosen people." Everybody else, called Gentiles, were not "chosen." So according to the Jews, Gentiles couldn’t be saved (unless they converted to Judaism).
But God had a different idea. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, salvation is available to all who believe in Him and follow Him. God knows the hearts of people, as Peter said.
And it is the heart of a person, not their skin color or their ethnicity, that makes the difference when it comes to salvation.
So, what about you and me? We can’t save people. But we can learn that since God doesn’t make a distinction based on race, then neither should we.
Acts 15:1-21
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.
Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done,
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I’m calling,
Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,
And you’ve told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I’m calling,
Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,
And you’ve told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I’m calling,
Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,
And you’ve told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
‘Cause I am yours.
I am yours.
hi i just want to share this nice song of Celine Dion.. it entitled Dance with my Father..
Back when I was child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then
Spin me around ‘til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved
If I could get another chance,
Another walk, another dance with him
I’d play a song that would never ever end
How I’d love, love, love
To dance with my father again
When I and my mother will disagree,
To get my way i would run from her to him
He make me laugh just to comfort me,
Yeah, yeah,
Then finally make me do just what my mama said
Later that night when i was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me,
If I could steal one final glance,
One final step, one final dance with him
I’d play a song that will never, ever end
Cause I’d love, love, love
To dance with my father again
Sometimes I’d listen outside her door
And I’d hear how mama cried for him
I pray for her even more than me
I pray for her even more than me
I know I’m praying for much too much
But could you send back the only man she loved
I know you don’t do it usually
But dear Lord she’s dying
To dance with my father again
Every night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream
I know you don’t do it usually
But dear Lord she’s dying
To dance with my father again
No Partiality
November 21, 2008
Key Passage: Acts 10:34-43
Topic: Salvation; Faith/Trust
Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35, ESV).
There are 300 acres of hilly, untamed land near Corning, Missouri, where a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts want to ride dirt bikes. Expectantly they haul their Hondas, their Kawasakis or their Suzukis to a country road–only to find a locked gate and a sign: "Members Only." Their hopes dashed, they’re forced to turn around and drive away.
Today, we’re reading about people who are a little like those riders…feeling like they’re excluded from something great.
They were Gentiles who thought the Gospel message was exclusive; that Jesus only came to save the Jews.
But they were wrong.
Jesus’ disciple, Peter, enlightened them: "God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable."
How exciting is that! For them and for us!
Salvation through Jesus Christ is not an exclusive gift; you don’t get it based on your race or background, how much money you have or what group you’re a member of. It’s based on faith in Jesus Christ who forgives your sins and makes a relationship possible with God the Father.
John 3:16 includes us: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).
That "whoever" isn’t just for the Jewish people but for men, women and children from every nation. Anyone can become a member of God’s family; all that’s required is receiving Jesus.
And there is a lot more at stake here than a fun-filled day; there’s a Christ-filled "here and now" and an eternity in heaven.
Video games give 9-yr-old boy confidence to drive car alone to see grandma
"I learned from playing video games at arcades and watching my father drive," the boy said, as quoted by a police spokesman in central Japan.
He took his family’s car from his house in the city of Ogaki earlier this week, and headed for his grandmother’s home, 15 kilometres (nine miles) away.
As the boy was driving, police received a call from a passer-by who said he had seen an vehicle that appeared to have no driver moving down the street.
Police found the car in the parking lot of a convenience store, where the boy was asking a store clerk for directions.
The car was nicely backed into the parking space, according to the police spokesman.
"I am sorry, I just wanted to go to my grandmother’s house," the boy was quoted as saying when a police officer found him.
The boy was able to take the car as it had been parked outside of his house with the key left in the ignition.
The boy’s parents did not notice his absence as the incident took place early on Monday, a public holiday.
"The boy is interested in driving because of video games. He drove the car out of his adventurous mind," the spokesman said, adding the police told his parents to keep a closer eye on him.
credits: abscbnnews
just wanna share another inspiring song by gary v.
When I
Look into those bright eyes
So young
Always so ready to run
Then I
See your change when fun subsides
And new colors start to arise
There’s a hidden picture
That wasn’t seen outside
When you run, don’t tire
Keep on reaching, higher
Even when the pain and trouble bring you down, sometimes
I will see you through
I’m forever right here with you
Even when you feel you don’t need me around
I will be your friend, forever
I will be your one, big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
When I hear you call
Don’t cry
This is not the end, nor goodbye
But begin
To know I’m with you ’til the end
And when you pray
I will hear every word you say
And so with all my promises made
For one like you
Someone who’s especially made
When you run, don’t tire
Keep on reaching, higher
Even if the pain and trouble bring you down, sometimes
I will see you through
I’m forever right here with you
Even if you feel you don’t need me around
I will be your friend, forever
I will be your one, big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
Yeah
I will be your friend, forever
I will be your big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
Yeah
I will be your friend, forever
I will be your big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
Be your friend, your brother
When I hear you call
Lift you when you fall
When I hear you call
