Wellspring of Life Church

When truth and idolatry meet, conflict is bound to happen. We must be willing to bring the truth of God's Word  into the idolatry and the darkness that exists around us, realizing that some will respond positively to the Gospel and others may respond with retaliation. Nevertheless, be faithful and trust God for the results.  By Dave Bartlett

God's power was not just available and active in the days of the early church, it is available and active today. We need to be available and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit and as we are, we will be instruments of His power through us.  By Dave Bartlett

Paul's ministry highlights not only the importance of evangelism but also discipleship. "Discipleship is the heart of the Christian life: following Jesus, learning from Him and helping others do the same." By Dave Bartlett

When we praise, we become a weapon that silences our enemies. We can take down our giants through our songs. We have the power of God when we praise. Victory comes through worship and praise. By Kenny Guidry

We all face tough times. It's in the those times, we need and appreciate the brothers and sisters that come along side of us, to encourage us to not give up and keep trusting God's plan. We can be assured that God's presence and power is at work within us and He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or think.  By Dave Bartlett

Paul was deeply troubled by the idolatry that existed in Athens. He faced off with his secular audience by immediately directing their attention to the altar of the Unknown God. Proclaiming that He is the Creator of the Universe and does not live in temples built by human hands. He challenged and summoned them to respond to the crucified, risen Lord. This is a great model for us to follow in sharing Jesus with others. Dave Bartlett

Paul, Silas and Timothy continue on their missionary journey bringing boldly the message of Jesus, no matter the opposition. They encourage us today as believers, to be faithful in sharing the Truth courageously and lovingly, entrusting the results for spiritual transformation to God, the only One who can bring it about. The Bereans are also examples to us to be students of God's Word, so we can adequately share the Truth with others.  By Dave Bartlett

Paul and Silas were unjustly beaten and imprisoned with their feet put in stocks. Instead of despairing, they prayed and sang hymns while the other prisoners listened. At midnight, God divinely intervened by way of a powerful earthquake, shaking and opening all the cell doors and setting all the prisoners free. As a result, salvation came to the jailer and all of his family. The Word of God cannot be bound and salvation is for anyone who will call upon the name of the Lord and ask, what must I do to be saved? By Dave Bartlett

Everyone is searching for something of value in life. Jesus tells two short parables to show us that the greatest treasure is not in this world but in the Kingdom of Heaven.  By Brook Stockert

Paul has been invited to Macedonia by an unnamed man to “help,” and in response, he has found his way there to begin his mission to Europe. God is a God of surprises as He leads His people to fulfill His mission.  As we obey the Lord's leading, we may not know who He has ordained for us to meet or what circumstances we may encounter. We can, however, trust His plan because it's the best plan and it will always prove to be redemptive for us and for others.   By Dave Bartlett

These verses encourage us to walk in step with the Spirit. He sometimes leads us in ways we may not understand but if we follow Him we will see Him accomplish His purpose and will in and through our lives.  By Dave Bartlett 

We can learn a valuable lesson from Barnabas and Paul when it comes to handling disagreements. It is important  when facing a conflict, to work towards a resolution. Seek to understand the other person's viewpoint and find a reasonable compromise.  When we let God have His way in our relationships, rather than demanding our own way, we bring glory and honor to His name, which is our highest goal.  By Dave Bartlett

In these verses of Acts 15, we see Grace put on trial and a test for the early church to either become unified or hinder God's divine plan of salvation to be extended to Gentiles. They concluded that God's grace was not limited but was available to all who would receive it.  By Dave Bartlett

If you read the Bible from cover to cover math shows up everywhere. Counting, addition, multiplication, precision, and magnitude. Whether you love math or find it mysterious, God's math is for you! Five simple mathematical principles from scripture we can totally apply to our lives.  By Jenny Nipper

There are very real pitfalls. Those of apathy...of distraction...misalignment...misjudgments...and the like. To let Jesus in, is something we have to contend for, hold on to, and adamantly desire. The Christian life is just that, a lifestyle.   By Brook Stockert

God's timing is not a random sequence of events but a meticulously crafted frame work, designed by Him and through this framework, He works all things for our good.  By Kenny Guidry

Conflict hits within the early church regarding whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses in order to be saved. Some Jewish Christians insisted on these requirements, leading to a dispute. Whenever we encounter conflict within the body of Christ, we need to choose to be like Jesus. Choosing to love, offering forgiveness, seeing others as God sees them, valued and loved.  By Dave Bartlett

Paul and Barnabas continued on their missionary journey strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them it is necessary to pass through many troubles. Whatever they would have to endure for the sake of the Gospel, would be worth it, as well as it will be for us.  By Dave Bartlett

Paul knew what it meant to suffer. Yet, he boldly proclaimed that our present struggles do not compare to the glory  that God has prepared for those that belong to Him. Trials and suffering's were not the final word in the story of Paul's life and they are not the final word in the story of our lives.  By Dave Bartlett

If we have given our life to Christ and He is our Lord and Savior we have been appointed to share the Gospel, keeping in mind that the Gospel is for everyone. The question for us is, does our life match up with the message we speak?  By Dave Bartlett

We must be willing to share the Gospel anywhere and with anyone, as we follow God's leading. We must follow the example of Paul and those early missionaries, to faithfully speak His word in the midst of opposition and rejection and leave the results in His hands.   By Dave Bartlett

Someone said, "The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions and the nearer we get to Him the more intensely missionary we must become."  The early church was a movement that displayed the heart of God as a result lives were radically changed. Those early missionary's were able to do that because they were all in with Him. The encouragement to the church, to us, is to be all in with Him, that we might display His heart that lives will be radically changed today.  By Dave Bartlett

In these chapters of Ruth, we see how Ruth was pursued by Boaz even though she had nothing to offer him. Boaz didn't care about her past or origin, he only cared about her future. And like Jesus, he redeemed her life. The story of Ruth mirrors God's love for all His children and shows us how we need only to step aside and "le Him." By Shelby Crosswhite

Jesus has clearly told us in His word what we should be doing while we wait for His return and what we should not be doing.  By Jenny Nipper

Ruth gave up everything she had to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi and a God she barely knew. She had to let others judge her, let a new land become her home and let God become her spiritual Father amidst the fearful unknown, in order for her life to be transformed by God's lovingkindness. What is God asking you to give up? Like Ruth, let us "let them." By Shelby Crosswhite

Just like with sports, careers, parenting or anything else that requires training and preparation, we are all at different stages in our journey. Whatever stage we are in, we need to commit to doing the things that prepare us to be God's image bearers so others may come to know Him.  By Brook Stockert

Peter's prison breakout was nothing less than miraculous! While being chained and heavily guarded, the church was earnestly praying for his freedom. God sent an angel to the rescue. Even when we don't believe the answer to our own prayers, we can know with certainty, that God is more powerful than any earthly king and His kingdom is greater than any earthly kingdom. He will always accomplish His plan. By Dave Bartlett

This chapter describes the growth of the church in Antioch, the first place believers are called Christians. Barnabas (the son of encouragement) was sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch to oversee this new growth and brings Saul with him. They were a powerful team that God used to bring the Word and encourage the believers to remain faithful in spreading the Gospel. May we be just as faithful and committed to sharing the Gospel.  By Dave Bartlett

The importance of recognizing the dangers of falling asleep spiritually, which can eventually lead to spiritual death. And the importance of knowing that God can and wants to resurrect us. He desires to bring us back into a life of vibrancy and purpose that is only found in our relationship with Him. By Marilyn Bartlett

The Apostle Peter has learned that God does not show favoritism, that grace cannot coexist with prejudice.  The Gospel is for everyone. We are to see one another as God sees us, with eyes of grace.  By Dave Bartlett

The Resurrection was not just a historical event that happened centuries ago. It is an ongoing reality and an everlasting truth that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, death has been defeated, hope has risen and love has triumphed forever.  By Dave Bartlett

It's hard to comprehend all that Jesus endured on the cross. We cannot begin to fathom the torture and suffering He went through. We should forever appreciate and never lose sight of what Jesus was willing to do on behalf of all humankind. He became the ultimate sacrifice, so that we could live forever. "It Is Finished!" By Arrow Lontine

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, is a pivotal event which fulfills an Old Testament prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah. His prophecy foretells of a coming King, riding on a donkey, marking Jesus' final days before His crucifixion. Jesus riding into Jerusalem shows us that the King of Glory humbled Himself and became a servant King so that we might live with Him forever. By Dave Bartlett

In this portion of Acts 10 the walls of prejudice have started to come down between Jews and Gentiles. We see Peter entering the house of Cornelius bringing the message of Jesus to him and his family.  It's a beautiful picture of God's grace that reveals He is no respecter of persons. His love and mercy is toward all humankind.  By Dave Bartlett

In the story of Peter and Cornelius, we see God's grace and salvation is for all people. God is no respecter of persons. He is the creator of all human kind and His love extends to all ethnicities. As God's people we are to be agent's of His love, breaking down the walls of prejudice and building bridges of compassion and understanding. By Dave Bartlett

If we choose to apply and obey God's word, we will say and do the things God Himself, would do. If we make everything about Him we in turn will experience a life of joy and fulfillment.  By Dave Bartlett

Everyday, we like Paul, need to embrace the truth that God is with us and will turn our trials into testimonies. When we face challenges, we need to remember, that He will use them to shape us, strengthen us and demonstrate His faithfulness to us. By Dave Bartlett

When we allow our lives to be apprehended by Jesus, we will willingly and joyfully obey what He asks us to do, even if what He is asking us to do, doesn't make sense. His commands are always right. You never know what your obedience to God might accomplish for His kingdom and for His glory. By Dave Bartlett

Are you willing to say "Yes" to whatever Jesus asks you to do, say whatever He asks you to say and go wherever He asks you to go? If you are, it means choosing the narrow road but that is the road that leads to a life of joy and victory. By Dave Bartlett

Following the death of Stephen persecution broke out forcing believers to flee to Judea and Samaria. We read of Phillip faithfully preaching the Gospel in Samaria leading many to Jesus, including Simon the sorcerer who attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. God's mission for Phillip then, is our mission today.    By Dave Bartlett  

Stephen, the first martyry of the early church, provides for us a powerful example of what it means to sacrifice for the Lord. Because he was a man of faith and full of the Holy Spirit, he displayed for us how to live a life of grace and how to die with grace as followers of Jesus Christ our Lord. By Dave Bartlett

The early church serves as an example to us of how God has gifted each one of us for the work of the ministry. We see this wonderfully displayed here in Acts chapter six, as each one used their gifts to meet the needs of those were being neglected. You have been given spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ, use them and see how God will be glorified and His people  edified.  By Dave Bartlett

There are two themes found in this Old Testament story. The first, is the all-sufficiency of God to meet any crises we face. Second, our prayer is our means of access to the all-sufficient God.  By Kenny Guidry

The power of Jesus rests on us because His Spirit is in us. We find Him in the world around us and we find Him living within us. Are you living the new and resurrected life? By Brook Stockert

God gave the Apostles power to perform great miracles to authenticate their ministry and to spread the Gospel. In spite of persecution, beatings and imprisonment the Apostles and early believers joyfully continued spreading the Gospel. May we follow their example and allow God to empower us to faithfully spread the Good News and see miracles happen in peoples lives.  By Dave Bartlett

These verses in Acts 5 teach us that hypocrisy and deceit undermine the work of the Holy Spirit within the body of Christ. As God's people we are to be trustworthy, real and authentic. We serve a holy God and we are to be holy as He is holy.  By Dave Bartlett

The Acts Church enjoyed the miraculous display of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, saw numbers of people coming to Christ continually, even in the midst of heightened persecution. Because they prayed in the power of joy, prayed in the power of God's Word, united together in prayer for God's purposes to be accomplished and not for their own personal needs to be met, they saw extraordinary happenings daily. Dave Bartlett

God calls us to love the unlovable, even our enemies. The Bible provides us with many examples of people who were willing to do just that.  Brook Stockert

Peter and John serve as examples to us, in the face of adversity to be confident and courageous. They continued to speak in the name of Jesus, no matter what persecution they would have to endure. May we, like them, in the power of Jesus name, courageously live with hearts on fire for God. By Dave Bartlett

God has always had a plan to save all humankind. He brought forth His Son to fulfill that plan which included you. He came so you could know Him and the life He has designed for you to live now and for all eternity. You needn't fear the unknown, He is sovereignly in control and He is Immanuel, God with you.  By Dave Bartlett

In these verses Peter gives one of the greatest sermons in all of the New Testament. He begins by stating that the Gospel rests in history. The long-awaited Messiah has already come. God made this promise to Abraham, Moses affirmed it, Samuel the first prophet and every prophet following made the same declaration. Just as Peter spoke to those who were present that day, his words continue to speak to us today. Open your ears and eyes, the Messiah has come, to be your Savior.  Dave Bartlett