Prayer, Bible Study, Evangelism And Prophesy

The best time we have in the day is while reading the Bible and in prayer with the Lord God. So I ask the question, have you made time for God today? This is very important to think about, in order to know if you are in good standing with God above. The Lord is looking for people that are continuously seeking Him and allowing Him to be the king of their lives. In doing this, they are led not by their own desires but by God. The early church was like this and the later church ought to be the same way. There should be no difference in our walk with Christ then how the early followers walked in the Spirit and not by temptations of this world. We learn in Acts, how the church began, where thousands of people were coming unto Christ and becoming disciples of Him. This meant that their lives were no longer their own but Jesus’s. He put a new heart inside of them and took out the old destructive one that was causing them to stumble in sin. In this way, they obtained many spiritual gifts and were called into different roles of the church. Some of them were given the gift of prophesy and other the gift of evangelism, among the woman and men. These gifts were God’s way of calling us all to be partakers of His kingdom. Anyone that has also been given these gifts, know this to be true. This transformation is a blessing and we owe it all to Jesus.

Let us now read from Acts, chapter 21, verses 1 through 9, to see what the early church was like. 1“And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.”

And so it was that the men, women and children prayed as they reached the shore. They communed with God while being led by the Spirit. Just picture them all kneeling 1“down on the shore” as they prayed. What a wonderful scene and great example of how we ought to commune, one with another, also. We then learn that the people met 1“Philip the evangelist”, who 1“had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” So this family was very spiritual indeed and followed in the ways of the Lord, in order to gain these gifts. Now, in verses 10 through 14, we learn of Agabus, a prophet, who gave a prophetic word to Paul, the apostle. It reads, 1“And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.”

So in summary, our best time with God is in the Word and in prayer. We are able to learn so much from scripture and then prayer helps us understand God’s words better. I must have read this chapter many times, but this time around the part on prayer, evangelism, and the gifts of prophesy stood out. A few chapters back, we learn that these gifts came after the people were baptized and then were given the gift of the Holy Ghost. They then spoke in tongues and were given spiritual gifts. This happened not because they relied on themselves, but in God. Because they looked to God in faith and did as He said, the Lord empowered them to do many great things in their lives. And I know that today, God has not changed. He is using people for His glory as much now than ever before. I know this to be true, for I know many people that have been given the gift of evangelism, prophesy, healing, and being a pastor. I, myself, am an Evangelist and go on the streets with others as well. We all love the Lord so much that going into the harvest is not a burden but a blessing. We love seeing people’s lives be transformed, as they come unto Christ. Even my friend Patrick has had people give prophetic words over him and they have come true, just like what happened to Paul, by Agabus. Many great things are happening now. The question is, do you want to be a part of it?

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will empower people’s lives as they give themselves over to You. May every believer truly desire to live a life for You and to serve You in Your kingdom. So many people sit around either doing nothing or are on the move doing their own things, while You are left out. This truly saddens me that there is so much time in a day and people have a hard time fitting in what is most important and that is making time for You, God. Reading the Bible is often forgotten and praying has become a lost art for so many people that say they believe in You. For this reason, Lord, I am praying for a revival in people’s lives. May they return to their one true love, which is You, Jesus. There is nothing greater on earth than to be used by You and I pray that people will come to understand this today. The things of this world do not last and only lead to destruction and I pray that this will sink into every person’s heart. Truly the world is enticing but Your will is greater and its blessing are eternal. We do not have to worry about people deceiving us, for You are always there for us. We do not have to worry about our earthly possessions becoming worthless, for our greatest possessions come from heaven, which do not rust. Truly, to live for You is the greatest blessing of all. Nothing is better than to gain Your spiritual gifts and to be used by You in Your kingdom. I love You Lord. May Your will be done for my life always and forever. In Your holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1Acts 21:1-14 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

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