Podcasts about lord some

What is the fear of the Lord? Some people may see it as being afraid of His judgment, and others may see it as having respect for His powers. In this message, Dean uses examples from the Bible to explain what the Fear of the Lord truly is and how it Awakens us to our life and purpose.

Lessons about healing from Acts – Part Two The healing of the sick on the island of Malta Last time: There are many references to healing in the Book of Acts. General references include: the disciples’ prayer that God would stretch out his hand to heal (4:30) the statement that on one occasion all the sick were healed as Peter’s shadow passed over them (5:14-16) a description of Philip’s evangelistic ministry in Samaria (8:5-8) and the mention of extraordinary miracles of healing as a result of people touching handkerchiefs and aprons taken from Paul (19:11-12). Specific miracles of healing described in Acts include: The healing of the cripple at the gate of the Temple (3:7-9) The healing of Aeneas and the raising of Dorcas (9:33-42) The healing of the cripple at Lystra (14:8-10) The raising of Eutychus from the dead (20:9-12) Paul’s deliverance from snake-bite, the healing of Publius’ father, and of the sick of the island of Malta (28:1-10). We noted that: It was not just apostles who performed miracles (e.g. 6:8, 8:6-8) Most of the healings recorded took place in an evangelistic context (or resulted in many turning to the Lord) Some healings were extraordinary (e.g. 5:14-16, 19:11-12) Healings were not the only signs which led to the conversion of many (e.g. the miracle of tongues on the Day of Pentecost).       The main lessons that we can learn from the miracle in Acts 3 No situation is too difficult for God. It is not always the person in need who is expected to exercise faith. We can move in faith ourselves as we seek to minister to people, but to do so we need to be submitted to God’s authority and led by his Spirit. In this connection it is important that we learn to hear what God is saying. We can only command healing in the name of Jesus when we are sure we have heard from God and are acting under his authority. It is important to distinguish between praying for the sick and commanding their healing. We can and should always pray for the sick, but we can only command healing when we have heard directly from God on the matter. God works miracles through us in order to confirm the message of the gospel. The healing of the sick on the island of Malta        Acts 28:1-10 1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.  2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. The events described take place after the ship, on which Paul is travelling as a prisoner on his way to Rome, has been wrecked. Thanks to God’s mercy, all have managed to reach the shore safely. Because of the cold and rain, the islanders kindly light a fire and, as Paul goes to put wood on the fire, a poisonous snake bites his hand (v. 3). But Paul shakes it off into the fire and suffers no ill effects (v. 5). This miracle, which is clearly comparable with the promise of Jesus in Mark 16:18, causes great amazement among the islanders who decide that Paul must be a god. Although this is not stated here, we must assume that Paul would have quickly corrected this misunderstanding, just as he did in Acts 14 when he and Barnabas were thought to be gods after healing the cripple at Lystra (Acts 14:8-18). We are then told that Publius, the chief official of the island, welcomed them into his home where they stayed for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery (v. 8). The description of the order of events following this is noteworthy. (1) Paul went in to see him (2) he prayed (3) he placed his hands on him (4) he healed him. (5) As a result, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. This healing is noticeably different from the miracle performed by Peter on the cripple at the gate of the temple. The phrase after prayer (v. 8) is significant here. In Acts 3 we do not read that Peter prayed for the cripple. Rather, he commands his healing – In the name of Jesus… walk! Similarly, Paul in Acts 14:8-10 commands the healing of the cripple at Lystra – Stand up on your feet. But here in Acts 28 he prays before laying hands on the man who is ill. This need not mean that he prayed for him, as we are told that after prayer he placed his hands on him and healed him. The suggestion may well be, therefore, that in praying Paul was looking for guidance in the matter. If this interpretation is correct, there is an important lesson to be learned from Paul’s actions here. If we do not already have clear revelation concerning the healing of a sick person (as did Peter in Acts 3 and Paul in Acts 14) it is important to pray for guidance before seeking to minister healing. As a result of this healing, the rest of the sick of the island came and were cured (v. 9). The islanders of Malta, therefore, had witnessed some amazing miracles at the hands of Paul – his deliverance from snake-bite, the healing of Publius’s father, and the healing of the rest of the sick. Yet despite this, surprisingly there is no direct reference to the conversion of the islanders, although it might be argued that their coming for healing was, in itself, an indication of their faith But there is one further issue to be considered before we leave Acts 28. It is noteworthy that Luke, who was the author of Acts, was present with Paul at this time. This is evident from the various uses of we and us in this passage (e.g. vv.1, 2, 7, 10). Now we know that Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14) and it has been suggested that verse 9 implies that Luke used his medical skills in curing the sick on Malta. This view is based on the words They honoured us… (v.10). Surely, it is argued, Luke must have done some healing if he was honoured along with Paul.   BUT There is no statement in Acts 28 that Luke used his medical ability in Malta. It is by no means impossible that Luke as well as Paul was charismatically gifted in the realm of healing. The bestowing of honours on both Luke and Paul does not imply that both were used in healing the sick. (Cf. Acts 14:8-12 where both Paul and Barnabas are honoured because of a healing performed by Paul). The most natural way to interpret the passage is to understand the sick of the island coming to Paul for the laying on of hands (v.9) as a result of the healing of Publius’s father (v.8). However, the fact that Luke probably did not use his medical skills in Acts 28 does not mean that medical skill is not important. We’ll talk about this next time. Conclusion Our examination of healing in Acts has shown us that: Jesus’ disciples performed very similar miracles to those that Jesus performed There is every reason to believe that we can expect similar miracles (Mark 16:16-18 and John 14:12) No situation is too difficult for God. The impossible becomes possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not just apostles who perform miracles. Signs are promised to those who believe. It is not always the sick person who is expected to exercise faith. We can move in faith ourselves as we seek to minister to people, but to do so we need to be submitted to God’s authority and led by his Spirit. We need to hear what God is saying. We should only command healing in the name of Jesus when we are sure we have heard from God and know that we are acting under his authority. If we are unsure about this we should pray before seeking to minister to the sick. Most of the healings recorded resulted in many turning to the Lord. God works miracles through us in order to confirm the message of the gospel. It is in the context of evangelism that we can expect healings and other kinds of miracle to happen. Testimony: Ruby’s healing Details of this healing and other miracles I have experienced are recorded in my book ‘Signs from Heaven’ available via my website.  

There are many references to healing in the Book of Acts. Some of these are general, others are specific. General references include: the disciples’ prayer that God would stretch out his hand to heal (4:30) the statement that on one occasion all the sick were healed as Peter’s shadow passed over them (5:14-16) a description of Philip’s evangelistic ministry in Samaria (8:5-8) and the mention of extraordinary miracles of healing as a result of people touching handkerchiefs and aprons taken from Paul (19:11-12). Specific miracles of healing described in Acts include: The healing of the cripple at the gate of the Temple (3:7-9) The healing of Aeneas and the raising of Dorcas (9:33-42) The healing of the cripple at Lystra (14:8-10) The raising of Eutychus from the dead (20:9-12) Paul’s deliverance from snake-bite, the healing of Publius’ father, and of the sick of the island of Malta (28:1-10). We will consider the first and the last of these in some detail, but first the following general points are important: It was not just apostles who performed miracles (e.g. 6:8, 8:6-8) Most of the healings recorded took place in an evangelistic context (or resulted in many turning to the Lord) Some healings were extraordinary (e.g. 5:14-16, 19:11-12) Healings were not the only signs which led to the conversion of many (e.g. the miracle of tongues on the Day of Pentecost). We will consider two passages in more detail: The healing of the cripple at the gate of the temple (today) The healing of the sick on the island of Malta (next time) The cripple at the gate of the temple This amazing miracle is recorded in Acts 3:1-8 where we read: 1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”. 7 Taking him by the right hand he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. The condition of the man before he was healed. Physically he was in a desperate state He had been a cripple from birth (v. 2) He was over 40 years old (Acts 4:22). He had never walked in his life!   And his psychological condition was really no better. There is no indication that he had faith to be healed. He was expecting to receive nothing but money (v. 3) He was put at the temple gate every day to beg (v. 2).   In complete contrast to this we see the confidence of Peter and John   Although they had no money to offer the man, they had something infinitely better! Peter says, What I have, I give you. This is highly significant. It implies that in some way Peter knew that he had the gift of the man’s healing and that he had the authority to give it to him.   But how could Peter know this? The answer must surely be that he knew it by revelation of the Holy Spirit. Why do I say this? Jesus himself was a man under authority and did only what he saw the Father do. In John 20:21-22 he had said to his disciples, As the Father sent me, I am sending you, and with that he breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit The disciples were not only to continue the ministry of Jesus after he had gone, but that they were to continue it in the same way, by revelation from heaven. Once Jesus had gone, they would receive this from the Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost. That is how Peter could say, What I have I give you He knew by revelation of the Spirit that the time for this man’s healing had come (cf. 1 Cor 12:10) Timing is often highly significant with regard to miracles of healing. Since the man had been placed at the temple gate every day, it is highly likely that Jesus must have passed that way. If so, there was a purpose in the delay for this man’s healing, as we shall see. Peter’s use of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (v. 6) In Bible times, as is often the case today, to do something in someone’s name was to do it with their authority. And you can only have a person’s authority to do something if they have told you, or at least given you permission, to do it! The name of Jesus is not a magic formula whereby you can get what you like just by claiming it and adding the words in the name of Jesus That might be getting fairly close to breaking the commandment, You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God (Exodus 20:7) To act or speak in the name of Jesus means to do so with his authority, and that is exactly what Peter was doing here in Acts 3. In fact, Peter is so sure of his authority here that he takes the risk (humanly speaking) of taking the man by the hand and helping him up (v. 7). You need to be very sure that you’ve heard from God if you’re going to take the hand of a person who has never walked in their life, help them up, and tell them to walk! But Peter had heard from God. That’s why he had faith for the miracle. Faith for the Miracle In verse 16, Peter explains to the crowd that had gathered how the miracle had taken place – by faith in the name (authority) of Jesus. As we have already seen, the faith referred to here was not the man’s, but Peter’s. Nevertheless, Peter is quick to draw attention away from himself and to give the glory to Jesus. It was not by Peter’s power or godliness that the man had been made to walk (v.12) Miracles do not happen for us because we are especially holy. They are charismata, gifts which come from the grace of God, and the Holy Spirit gives them to us just as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11). Finally, the dramatic effect of this miracle upon the people who saw it   They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened (v. 10) Jesus had promised in Mark 16 that miraculous signs would accompany believers in order to confirm the word of the gospel. And that is what we see happening in Acts. But unlike so many situations today, in Acts the miracle usually occurred before the preaching of the word, not after it (cf. Acts 2 where Peter preaches to the crowd after their attention has been arrested by the miracle of speaking in tongues) So now in Acts 3 Peter uses the miracle as a wonderful opportunity to preach the gospel (vv.13-16) and as a result the number of believers grew to about 5,000 (Acts 4:4). The main lessons that we can learn from this miracle No situation is too difficult for God. The impossible becomes possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not always the person in need who is expected to exercise faith. We can move in faith ourselves as we seek to minister to people, but to do so we need to be submitted to God’s authority and led by his Spirit. In this connection it is important that we learn to hear what God is saying. We can only command healing in the name of Jesus when we are sure we have heard from God and are acting under his authority. It is important to distinguish between praying for the sick and commanding their healing. We can and should always pray for the sick, but we can only command healing when we have heard directly from God on the matter. God works miracles through us in order to confirm the message of the gospel. It is in this context that we can expect miracles to happen. If we are not preaching the word, then there is nothing for him to confirm!   NEXT TIME: Paul’s ministry in healing the sick on the island of Malta.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalm 100 1Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.2Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.3Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.4Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name.5For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations. Excerpt: Why do we serve the Lord? Some might say they do it out of a feeling of owing God for what he has done for us, and some might say it is simply what Christians ought to do to display their righteousness. We may serve God and serve people around us because we have a sense of duty or obligation to do so. But many of us can attest to the feeling of when somebody is around even when they don't want to be, especially when there is work involved that stretches the boundaries of our comfort zone. As a believer I have heard many times from pastors (and I have even preached this as well), that we ought to always seek to be uncomfortable in our spiritual walks with God. While this holds theologically true, today I rather take another approach to our service to God. Music by: Marc Dtwo - "Flowetry Reborn (Instrumental)" - https://soundcloud.com/point-blank20  Peter Thompson - Devotional Tracks - 04 - http://www.ourworshipsound.com

Sarah Gates from Servant Mamaand Dear Mil Spousejoins me on the Home and Hearth podcast today to share her experiences as a military wife as well as practical ideas for how we can best serve as the body of Christ the military families around us.   What we Chat about in This Episode ~Sarah's journey to unexpectedly becoming a military spouse and what her experiences with military life have entailed so far ~How the difficulties and unexpected aspects of living the military life has affected Sarah's faith and walk with the Lord ~Some of the challenges faced by military families  ~Dealing with feelings of abandonment as a military spouse ~Documenting the goodness of God in our everyday lives ~The best, most practical ways to reach out and minister to long-distance military families ~How the body of Christ can minister to active duty military families ~How to support the spouse and children of a deployed service member ~Sarah's non-profit ministry, Dear Mil Spouse- her vision for it, how it got started, and how people can get involved ~And more!  For full show notes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast