Reaching up, Reaching out, Reaching in ( Acts 16:1-15, 2 Chronicles 7:14)

This week we watched a Christian movie, "Behind the Mask."  This one is set in the Revolutionary War period, Benjamin Franklin is in it.  It has romance (clean) and good vs. evil choices. It's another good one.  It turns out, right now in America, Christian movies (faith based) are the most popular.  I never thought I'd see the day.  Our country is experiencing a faith lift : )

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

Things are looking right for a miracle, all over the world.

Acts Chapter 16:1-15

Timothy joins Paul and Silas
1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, 2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Timothy 1:1-2 NKJV)

Paul loved Timothy and called him his son in the faith.   It's nice to see that Paul took time to encourage him.  Paul wrote 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy to him in his travels.  In these books he gave Timothy some wise advice on being a Pastor or Missionary.

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
I know I'm on the wrong track when I listen to what I think is best and don't pray for the Holy Spirit to give me words to say.  The Holy Spirit has helped me stop arguing with my husband and also say the right things in other awkward situations at work.  He makes me sound so good!  One of my Pastors called it, "Intense Fellowship."  (hahaha) I believe we receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Savior.  There are lots of other opinions out there.  In my experience, He's usually most helpful when I ask Him to.

I really like Lydia, she was artistic like me, and sold purple linens.  That would make her a crafter with linen and dye.  She also opened her home to the apostles.  I always smile when I see her name in the Bible.

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gifts and talents You've given us.  I believe You love to see us doing crafts, exercising, helping others, and using our time wisely.  We are faced with so many temptations.  I pray You will bring peace to those in the middle east who are struggling to survive.  Please be with leaders in Europe, guide them with wisdom with so many refugees.  I pray You will pour out Your love in Israel.  Joseph wrestled with You to become Israel a nation.

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

(Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Here's a song from Tenth Avenue North, Where the healing begins (link)

We are looking forward to going to a concert with them next Saturday : ) in Ocean Grove, NJ.