Jesus is the light

Seek the Lord

Love your neighbor

Forgive each other

Love God with all your heart

Pray to Jesus

(August 31, 2001 5:58 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 10 .

"These things happened as an example to keep us
from wicked desires such as theirs." (verse 6)
You look at some people's lives.
If they are far from God, they are in trouble.
You can learn from their mistakes.
Stay far away from evil.
Live a life of holiness.
"For all these reasons,
let anyone who thinks he is standing upright
watch out lest he fall!" (verse 12)
Keep a good perspective.
We are all struggling to be closer to the Lord.
Don't let it go to your head.
God's grace is doing its work in you.
"No test has been sent to you
that does not come to all men." (verse 13)
We are all tempted.
God's grace is there.
Do the right thing.
Do what God wants you to do.
Be strong in the Lord Jesus.
"Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, many though we are, are one body,
for we all partake of the one loaf." (verse 17)
Think of us as one.
We are on the same side.
We all win in the end.
Jesus is our leader.
We are one in him.
"Whatever you do ---
you should do all for the glory of God." (verse 31)
Offer today up to the Lord.
Give your best to him.
Do it for him.
Give glory to God.

(August 30, 2001 7:13 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 9 .

"You are the very seal of
my apostolate in the Lord." (verse 2)
Paul looked at his brothers and sisters in the Lord.
They were very special jewels.
You are that jewel to the Lord Jesus.
You are very precious to him.
"Who plants a vineyard and
and does not eat of its yield?" (verse 7)
When you work for the Lord you share in the benefits.
There is peace in the world.
There is love for people.
There is hope for the future.
"I am ruined if I do not preach it!" (verse 16)
Paul spoke out.
The Holy Spirit prompted him.
Speak up for Jesus.
Let others know he has changed your life.
"To the weak I became a weak person
with a view to winning the weak." (verse 22)
Share in the trials of others.
Walk with them.
Listen to them.
"In that case, run so as to win!" (verse 24)
You are in a race.
Do your best.
Keep your eyes on the finish line (life with Jesus).

(August 29, 2001 5:53 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 8 .

"For us there is one God, the Father,
from whom all things come and for whom we live;
and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom everything was made
and through whom we live." (verse 6)
All good things come from the Lord.
Be thankful.
Live for Jesus.
Jesus is your everything.
"When you sin thus against your brothers (or sisters)
and wound their weak consciences,
you are sinning against Christ." (verse 12)
Set an excellent example.
Discuss why you do what you do, if it is not obvious.
Keep a good informed conscience.
Avoid sin.

(August 28, 2001 6:03 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 7 .

"Each one has his (or her) own gift from God,
one this and another that." (verse 7)
May God bless your marriage.
Be a faithful husband or wife.
May God bless your relationship.
You have much to share.
"To those not married and to widows
I have this to say..." (verse 8)
If you are single, dedicate your life to the Lord.
Be of service.
Work for the Lord, as Paul did.
"Wife, how do you know that you will not save your husband;
or you, husband, that you will not save your wife?" (verse 16)
Help each other to get to heaven.
Pray together.
Read the Bible together.
Attend church together.
God will bless your efforts.
"Each one should lead the life
the Lord as assigned him (or her)..." (verse 17)
You have a part to play in your marriage.
Do it well.
You have an assignment.
You are part of God's plan.
Do what the Lord Jesus asks of you.
"I should like you to be free of all worries." (verse 32)
Whether you are married or not, the Lord calls you.
He gives you the strength to live.
Do his will and your worries fade away.
Do your best where you are.

(August 27, 2001 5:56 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 6 .

"Must brother drag brother into court,
and before unbelievers at that?" (verse 6)
Can't you work something out without going to court?
Is it necessary to sue them?
See what the Lord has to say about the case.
Seek his counsel.
"Can you not realize that the unholy
will not fall heir to the kingdom of God?" (verse 9)
Not everyone makes it to heaven.
You need to humble yourself.
Ask forgiveness of your sins.
Truly change your ways.
"Do not deceive yourselves." (verse 9)
Know the truth.
You don't want to be surprised on the last day.
The ways of the world lead to destruction.
The ways of the Lord lead to life.
"God, who raised up the Lord,
will raise us also by his power." (verse 14)
Jesus is power.
He will raise you up on the last day.
You want Jesus on your side.
"You must know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is within ---
the Spirit you have received from God." (verse 19)
The Holy Spirit was sent to you.
It is a precious gift that you have.
Honor the Spirit with a holy life.
Glorify God. (verse 20)

(August 26, 2001 8:57 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 5 .

"I hand him over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh,
so that his spirit may be saved
on the day of the Lord." (verse 5)
We are body and spirit.
Don't hold on to any sin.
Destroy what is evil in your life.
Then the Spirit will truly come alive.
"Get rid of the old yeast to make of yourselves,
fresh dough, unleavened loaves, as it were;
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed." (verse 7)
You need new life.
You need freshness.
Christ is your new life and freshness.
He sacrificed himself for you.
"To avoid them, you would have to leave the world!" (verse 10)
We are in the world, but not of the world.
Be a positive influence.
Set a good example.
Be the salt of life.

(August 25, 2001 8:21 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 4 .

"He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness
and manifest the intentions of hearts." (verse 5)
The Lord sees everything.
Be pure of heart.
May your intentions be honorable.
"Name something you have
that you have not received." (verse 7)
All good gifts come from God.
All that you have are gifts from above.
Be thankful to God for his goodness.
"Up to this very hour
we go hungry and thirsty, poorly clad,
roughly treated, wandering about homeless." (verse 11)
Have you had to suffer for Christ?
It is possible for this to happen.
You could lose your job for your beliefs.
You could end up on the streets.
You could become a missionary and endure much for the Lord.
When difficult times come call on the Lord for help.
"That is why I have sent you Timothy,
my beloved and faithful son in the Lord." (verse 17)
The Lord sends people into our lives.
They are there to help us and guide us.
Maybe you are sent to other people.
Be a guide to them.

(August 24, 2001 6:02 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 3 .

"I planted the seed and Apollos watered it,
but God made it grow." (verse 6)
People can tell you all about the Lord,
but your growth comes from God.
He is the source of life.
Grow in the Lord.
"No one can lay a foundation other than
the one that has been laid,
namely Jesus Christ." (verse 11)
What is your foundation?
Is it in this world or out of this world?
Build your life and hopes and dreams on Jesus.
He is a sure foundation.
"Are you not aware that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (verse 16)
You are special.
God dwells in you.
Live a holy life.
The temple of God is holy.
"Let no one delude himself." (verse 18)
Don't be misled.
Don't be fooled by the things of the world.
Be wise in the things of God.
He is your source for truth.

(August 23, 2001 6:00 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 2 .

"Your faith rests not on the wisdom of men
but on the power of God." (verse 5)
Faith comes from the Lord.
Pray for an increase in faith.
Lord, increase our faith.
We trust in your power.
"God has revealed this wisdom to us
through the Spirit." (verse 10)
True wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit.
Go to the Spirit for what you need.
Pray at work, school and at home for help.
We need the Lord and he is faithful.
"The Spirit we have received
is not the world's spirit but God's Spirit,
helping us to recognize the gifts he has given us." (verse 12)
We are blessed and don't realize it.
It is there, but we need the Spirit to see it.
Thank the Lord for all that he does for us.
Lord, we bless you and thank you today!
"The natural man does not accept
what is taught by the Spirit of God." (verse 14)
Live a life of the Spirit.
Without the Spirit you miss so much.
See with the eyes of faith.
Come Spirit of life to each of us.
Teach us.

(August 22, 2001 5:59 AM CDT)

Read 1 Corinthians 1 .

"Grace and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ." (verse 3)
Is there peace in your life?
Do you have the grace of God?
Stay very close to the Lord.
He is the giver of all good gifts.
"He will strengthen you to the end,
so that you will be blameless
on the day of our Lord Jesus." (verse 8)
He gives you strength for each day.
He changes you over and over.
One day he will return.
Look forward to this day.
"You are quarreling among yourselves." (verse 11)
How does that look to the world?
We should love those in our church.
Look to Jesus to resolve your conflicts.
Give in for the sake of the gospel.
"The message of the cross...
is the power of God." (verse 18)
Christ gave up his life for us.
Receive this message.
There is power in the cross.
"Has not God turned the wisdom
of this world into folly" (verse 20)
Get your wisdom from God.
The wisdom of the world leaves us far too short.
There is much more to learn.
God knows all things.
Seek him and his wisdom.
"Brothers, you are among those called." (verse 26)
God calls you.
You don't have great status.
God calls you just where you are.
You are special.
"Let him who would boast,
boast in the Lord." (verse 31)
Praise the Lord.
Don't praise yourself.
Give God the glory.
He has made you what you are.

(August 21, 2001 6:00 AM CDT)

Read Romans 16 .

"Remember me also to the congregation
that meets in their house." (verse 5)
Open your house or apartment to others.
Invite them in for prayer and fellowship.
Share their company.
"Greet on another with a holy kiss." (verse 16)
Show your love for your brother and sister.
Give them a hug.
We are all children of God.
"I want you to be wise in regard to what is good
and innocent of all evil." (verse 19)
Know what is good and pleasing to God.
Stay far from evil.
Be wise in the ways of the Lord.
"I, Tertius, who have written this letter,
send you my greetings in the Lord." (verse 22)
It is interesting that Paul needed help to write this.
Be of service to others.
Help in anyway that you can to get the word out.
"To him, the God who alone is wise,
may glory be given through Jesus Christ
unto endless ages. Amen." (verse 27)
It starts here on this earth.
It grows and grows and never ends.
Give praise to God.
Join the angels and saints in praising the Lord.

(August 20, 2001 6:01 AM CDT)

Pray for 3 people that need surgery soon.
Pray for the people in Jackson, Nebraska.
A tornado hit their town a few days ago.
Thanks.

Read Romans 15 .

"Everything written before our time was written for our instruction,
that we might derive hope from the lessons of patience
and the words of encouragement in the Scriptures." (verse 4)
Read the Bible.
The words are there for you.
You need them.
You need the lessons and encouragement.
"Accept one another, then, as Christ accepted you,
for the glory of God." (verse 7)
Can you do that?
Can you accept others where they are?
Can you love them and encourage them?
"So may God, the source of hope,
fill you with all joy and peace in believing
so that through the power of the Holy Spirit
you may have hope in abundance." (verse 13)
God bless you today!
God be with you.
Be filled with joy.
Jesus is our hope.
"As soon as I can set out for Spain,
I hope to see you in passing;
I trust that you will send me on my journey only after
I have had the joy of being with you
for a little while." (verse 24)
I don't think Paul ever made it to Spain.
Others went there to spread the gospel.
Spend time with those around you.
Share your joy with them.

(August 19, 2001 8:10 AM CDT)

Read Romans 14 .

"Extend a kind welcome to those
who are weak in faith.
Do not enter into disputes with them." (verse 1)
Present what you believe with kindness.
Do not "beat" people with the Bible.
Be a friend, make a friend, bring a friend to Jesus.
"The man who observes the day
does so to honor the Lord." (verse 6)
Honor the Lord on the Lord's Day.
Make it a special day of prayer and resting.
Think of the Lord often and attend church.
"Both in life and in death
we are the Lord's." (verse 8)
Your life is not your own.
You belong to the Lord.
Live for him.
Love him.
"Every knee shall bend before me
and every tongue shall give praise to God." (verse 11)
Worship the Lord.
He is deserving of all our praise.
Kneel before him.
"Every one of us will have to give an account
of himself before God." (verse 12)
God has given you life.
What are you doing with it?
Are you living up to what God expects of you?
"Let us, then, make it our aim to work for peace
and to strengthen one another." (verse 19)
May there be peace in the world.
May it begin with you.
Pray for peace in the Middle East.
Pray for the bombing to stop.

(August 18, 2001 8:43 AM CDT)

Read Romans 13 .

"Do what is right and you will gain its approval,
for the ruler is God's servant
to work for your good." (verse 3,4)
Pray for the leaders of your city, state and country.
They are under God.
Do what is right.
There will be order in our society then.
"Pay each one his due:
taxes to whom taxes are due;
toll to whom toll is due;
respect and honor to everyone who deserves them." (verse 7)
Don't cheat on your taxes.
Pay what you owe.
Be fair in all your business transactions.
Give respect and honor to all you meet.
"He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." (verse 8)
Love each other.
This shows we are Christians.
We follow Jesus.
Think of others and what they need.
"It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep,
for our salvation is closer
than when we first accepted the faith." (verse 11)
Wake up.
Be alert.
The hour has come.
See Jesus and believe in him.
"The night is far spent;
the day draws near." (verse 12)
You do not know when your last day will be.
Be prepared.
Be ready to meet Jesus.
Live an honorable life.

(August 17, 2001 6:01 AM CDT)

Read Romans 12 .

"Do not conform yourselves to this age
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
so that you may judge what is God's will,
what is good, pleasing and perfect." (verse 2)
If you are just like everyone else,
that is a problem.
Christ calls you to be different.
He calls you to a holy life.
It starts in your mind.
Pray for the mind of Christ and to do his will.
"We, though many, are one body in Christ
and individually members one of another." (verse 5)
We need to work together for the kingdom of God.
We need to help each other.
If one is hurting, we are all hurting.
We all have something to contribute to the body.
Do your part.
"Your love must be sincere." (verse 9)
Love God.
Love your neighbor.
True love given for the kingdom.
"Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial,
persevere in prayer." (verse 12)
Rejoice with your brothers and sisters.
Be confident when trials come.
Pray always.
"Never repay injury with injury." (verse 17)
Be forgiving.
Not everyone is perfect.
Try to live in peace with all around you.
"Do not be conquered by evil
but conquer evil with good." (verse 21)
Return love for hate.
Do what Jesus would do.
Overcome evil with good.

(August 16, 2001 6:49 AM CDT)

It was a beautiful evening for golf last night.
Sunny, some fast moving clouds, 72F and little windy.

Read Romans 11 .

"Just so, in the present time there is a remnant
chosen by the grace of God." (verse 5)
God has chosen you.
You are different.
Stand out.
Be sunny and beautiful.
"For if their rejection has meant
reconciliation for the world,
what will their acceptance mean?" (verse 15)
Many people have rejected God.
What if they change their minds and hearts?
What if they find faith in Jesus?
Heaven and earth will rejoice.
"If you do not, you too will be cut off." (verse 22)
The mercy of God is there.
If you reject it, God cannot help you.
Be open to God's grace and mercy.
"How deep are the riches and the wisdom
and the knowledge of God!
How inscrutable his judgments,
how unsearchable his ways!" (verse 33)
What a wonderful plan!
God sent Jesus to save you.
Receive these riches beyond belief.
Ask for the wisdom of God.
"For from him and through him
and for him all things are." (verse 36)
Jesus is the source of life.
He has made all things.
He holds the universe in his hands.
He is all that we need.

(August 15, 2001 5:59 AM CDT)

I keep looking out the window this morning.
It's raining.
It hasn't rained in a long time.
Thank the Lord!

Read Romans 10 .

"The word is near you, on your lips
and in your heart." (verse 8)
Read the Bible.
Listen to the words.
Let them sink in (like the rain).
Let your heart be renewed.
"For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved." (verse 9)
Say it out loud.
Jesus, you are the Lord of my life.
I believe in you.
Come and change my heart.
Raise me up on the last day.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved." (verse 13)
Only Jesus can save you.
Call on his name.
Jesus, come and save me.
"How can they hear unless
there is someone to preach?" (verse 14)
Pray for your pastor.
Pray for missionaries.
Pray that they are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Pray that they have strength to preach and teach and heal.
"Faith comes through hearing,
and what is heard is the word of Christ." (verse 17)
Listen closely.
Give your full attention.
Hear God's word.
May your faith increase abundantly.

(August 14, 2001 6:01 AM CDT)

Read Romans 9 .

"And this was the promise:
'I will return at this time,
and Sarah shall have a son.'" (verse 9)
God promises life to you.
It is yours today.
Jesus will come to you and bless you.
Receive the Son of God.
"Friend, who are you to answer God back?" (verse 20)
Who are we to talk to God?
We are children of God.
We have status because of Jesus.
We approach the throne with Jesus beside us.

(August 13, 2001 6:03 AM CDT)

Read Romans 8 .

This chapter is filled with many verses of great encouragement.
Treasure every word that is here.

"There is no condemnation now
for those who are in Christ Jesus." (verse 1)
Be into Jesus.
He is your shelter.
He is your strength.
"You are not in the flesh; you are in the spirit,
since the Spirit of God dwells in you." (verse 9)
We live in this world, but we are not of this world.
We live a life led by the Holy Spirit.
All that we do should be for the Spirit.
"The Spirit himself gives witness with our spirit
that we are children of God." (verse 16)
You are a child of God.
You have access to all that God owns.
Call on your Father in heaven.
He will give you all the spiritual gifts you need.
"I consider the sufferings of the present
to be as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed in us." (verse 18)
Offer up your sufferings.
God will bless you with his glory.
Consider yourself blessed.
"He who searches hearts knows what the Spirit means,
for the Spirit intercedes for the saints
as God himself wills." (verse 27)
Search our hearts, Lord.
Make us like you.
Intercede for us.
May we do your will.
"We know that God makes all things work together
for the good of those who love God
and are called according to his decree." (verse 28)
Somehow we know it will all work out.
God will triumph.
He will win in the end.
We will be with him in glory.
"If God is for us,
who can be against us?" (verse 31)
Be with God.
Be on the winning team.
Stay near to him.
"Who will separate us from the love of Christ?" (verse 35)
Let nothing stand in your way.
Find God and hold on for dear life.
Christ is our treasure.

(August 12, 2001 10:21 AM CDT)

Read Romans 7 .

"You died to the law through the body of Christ,
that you might belong to the Other who was
raised from the dead,
so that we might bear fruit for God." (verse 4)
Turn away from all that is not of God.
Belong to Jesus.
Bear fruit in your life.
"The law is holy and the commandment
is holy and just and good." (verse 12)
Love God and love your neighbor.
The law is holy.
Tell the truth.
Be good.
"I cannot even understand my own actions.
I do not do what I want to do but what I hate." (verse 15)
Without God we are helpless.
Call on the name of the Lord to do what is right.
When you do fall get back up.
Ask God to forgive your mistakes.
"All praise to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (verse 25)
We praise the Lord.
He is the one that saves us.
We are not perfect.
All the glory goes to God.

(August 11, 2001 9:04 AM CDT)

Read Romans 6 .

"If we have died with Christ,
we believe that we are also
to live with him." (verse 8)
Christ is our hope.
We put aside all sin.
We die to sin.
Then we live with Christ.
"The wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (verse 23)
Seek life, not death.
Push evil out of your life.
Ask Jesus to forgive your sins.
Receive this gift of eternal life.

(August 10, 2001 6:03 AM CDT)

Read Romans 5 .

"We know that affliction makes for endurance,
and endurance for tested virtue,
and tested virtue for hope." (verse 3,4)
Our trials make us stronger.
They give us endurance for our long journey.
God blesses our virtue with his hope.
"At the appointed time, when we were still powerless,
Christ died for us godless men." (verse 6)
Jesus came to earth at the right time.
He died on the cross for us.
He rose from the dead.
He is the hope for all of us.
"For if by the offense of the one man all died,
much more did the grace of God and
the gracious gift of the one man, Jesus Christ,
abound for all." (verse 15)
Adam failed.
He committed sin long ago.
Christ came to overcome sin.
He poured out abundant graces.
It was an overwhelming abounding gift.
"Despite the increase of sin,
grace has far surpassed it." (verse 20)
Yes, there is sin in the world,
but there is abundant grace to counteract it.
Trust in God and his amazing grace.
I saw a man being arrested yesterday
on the way home from work on West Dodge Road.
Pray for God's grace to touch him.

(August 9, 2001 6:01 AM CDT)

Read Romans 4 .

"Blest are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
whose sins are covered over." (verse 7)
What a blessing it is to be forgiven!
The Lord is very kind to us.
He loves us very much.
He blesses us with peace.
"Hence, all depends on faith,
everything is grace." (verse 16)
Jesus blesses us with his faith.
We receive the grace of God.
Everything depends on Jesus.
He is the author of our faith.
"Hoping against hope, Abraham believed and
so became the father of many nations..." (verse 18)
Abraham is our father in faith.
We have the same hope that he did.
He passed it on to his children.
It is a hope that endures for all time.
Pass this on to your children.
"Thus his faith was credited to him as justice." (verse 22)
Faith is a gift.
We don't earn it.
God gives it freely to us.
We are all God's children.

(August 8, 2001 5:57 AM CDT)

Read Romans 3 .

"God must be proved true..." (verse 4)
God is all truth.
His ideas are far above ours.
He knows all things.
Go to him for the truth.
"This means that every mouth is silenced
and the whole world stands convicted before God..." (verse 19)
We have all fallen short.
We are all sinners.
None of us is perfect.
We call on the mercy of God to forgive us.
"All men are now undeservedly justified by the gift of God,
through the redemption wrought in Christ Jesus." (verse 24)
All people are given the gift.
Will you receive this free gift of grace?
Will you open your heart to Jesus?
"What occasion is there then for boasting?" (verse 27)
God reaches out to us.
He looks for us relentlessly.
He is the one that will save us.
We are in great need.

(August 7, 2001 5:59 AM CDT)

Driving home last evening I saw a car license plate
which read: "Seek God".
I was going west on Dodge at 62nd Street by UNO.

Read Romans 2 .

"By your judgment you convict yourself,
since you do the very same things." (verse 1)
Be careful.
Don't judge others.
Examine your own life and make corrections.
"Do you not know that God's kindness
is an invitation to you to repent?" (verse 4)
God is kind and merciful.
Turn your life around.
Repent of your sins.
"Eternal life
to those who strive for glory, honor, and immortality
by patiently doing right." (verse 7)
God grants eternal life.
Strive for this life with God.
Give the honor and glory to him.
Do what is right.
"You who preach against stealing,
do you steal?" (verse 21)
Do you take things that are not yours?
Do your return things that you find, if at all possible?
Pay back what you owe to others without them asking.
"Such a one receives his praise, not from men,
but from God." (verse 29)
Do you seek the praise of God or people?
Do things for the Lord.
God will repay you.

(August 6, 2001 5:55 AM CDT)

Read Romans 1 .

"To all in Rome, beloved of God and called to holiness,
grace and peace from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ." (verse 7)
Paul writes a letter to you.
To all in Omaha (or your town) you are called to holiness.
He sends the grace and peace of God to you.
"First of all,
I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ
for all of you because your faith
is heralded throughout the world." (verse 8)
Can that be said of your town?
Is your faith known around the world?
Be a community of faith for all the world to see.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel." (verse 16)
Do you hide your faith?
Does anyone know what you believe?
Share the gospel (good news) of Jesus.
"They certainly had knowledge of God,
yet they did not glorify him as God
or give him thanks." (verse 21)
How many people have been raised in Christian homes
and then turn away from God?
You know all about God and yet do not pray.
Give glory and praise to God who made you.
Thank him for all that he has given you.
"They were filled with every kind of wickedness." (verse 29)
We pray for all in Omaha today.
We pray for all that are lost in sin.
May God save them.
May they turn their lives toward God.

(August 5, 2001 8:19 AM CDT)

It's the last chapter.
I don't want to see it end.

Read Acts 28 .

"Paul had just fed the fire
with a bundle of brushwood he had collected,
when a poisonous snake, escaping from the heat,
fastened itself on his hand." (verse 3)
Paul had made it to Malta only to be attacked by a snake.
They expected him to die, but nothing happened.
God protected him from the poison.
God will protect you, also.
He is the same God.
"The rest of the sick on the island
began to come to Paul
and they too were healed." (verse 9)
God healed the people.
The winds had blown the boat just where God wanted.
God will bring healing to your life, also.
"When Paul saw them, he thanked God
and took fresh courage." (verse 15)
Paul had arrived in Rome.
The other Christians ran out to greet him.
Encourage one another.
Welcome them to your town.
"I wear these chains
solely because I share the hope of Israel." (verse 20)
They waited for the Messiah to come.
Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus is the hope of Israel and the world.
"From morning to evening he laid the case before them,
bearing witness to the reign of God among men." (verse 23)
Paul preached all day.
He was a witness to the truth of Jesus.
He tried as hard as he could to convince them.
The Holy Spirit is needed to see the truth.
"With full assurance, and without any hindrance whatever,
he preached the reign of God and
taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." (verse 31)
It does not say it here, but Paul died for his faith.
He was a faithful witness to the end.
Let us be like Paul.

(August 4, 2001 8:48 AM CDT)

Read Acts 27 .

"There the centurion discovered an Alexandrian vessel
bound for Italy,
and he ordered us aboard." (verse 6)
Paul was on his way to Rome.
He would be a witness to the emperor.
It would not be an easy journey.
"Men, I can see that this voyage is bound
to meet with disaster and heavy loss,
not only to ship and cargo,
but to our own lives as well." (verse 10)
It was a dangerous voyage.
It was late in the year and the winds were strong.
Paul gave a warning, but they would not listen.
Do you listen to warnings?
"For many days neither the sun nor the stars
were to be seen, so savagely did the storm rage.
Toward the end, we abandoned any hope of survival." (verse 20)
Storms will come our way.
We wonder if we will survive, but God is there.
Do not lose hope.
"God has granted safety to all
who are sailing with you." (verse 24)
God is with you and your family.
Stay near to him.
He will protect all of you.
"Now I urge you to take some food,
which will give you strength to survive." (verse 34)
Break bread together.
Share the Lord's supper with each other.
You need it for strength.
"With the coming of daylight,
they did not recognize the land they saw." (verse 39)
They were lost.
They did not know where they were.
Their only hope was the Lord.
"He ordered those who could swim
to jump overboard first and make for land." (verse 43)
They had made it.
The Lord had saved them.
Trust in the Lord for safe passage.

(August 3, 2001 6:04 AM CDT)

Read Acts 26 .

"Today I stand trial because
of my hope in the promise
made by God to our fathers." (verse 6)
The promise is there.
It has been there for hundreds of generations.
Trust in this promise.
God will save his people from their sins.
He will bring them to eternal life.
"It surrounded me and
those who were traveling with me." (verse 13)
Let the light of God surround you.
Let it bring joy into your life.
Let it change your whole family and friends.
"That through their faith in me
they may obtain the forgiveness of their sins
and a portion among God's people." (verse 18)
Have faith in Jesus.
Ask him to forgive your sins.
Receive blessings reserved for you as a child of God.
Be thankful.
"I urged them to act in conformity
with their change of heart." (verse 20)
God has touched your life.
Conform yourself to God's ways.
Line your heart up with the heart of Jesus.
"This man is doing nothing that deserves death
or imprisonment." (verse 31)
Paul was innocent.
He suffered in chains because of his beliefs.
You may have to suffer for what you believe.

(August 2, 2001 6:03 AM CDT)

Read Acts 25 .

"If I am guilty,
if I have committed a crime deserving death,
I do not seek to escape that penalty." (verse 11)
Paul is on trial.
It is a serious matter.
Only God can save him from this.
We are all guilty.
We are deserving death for our crimes against God.
Only Jesus can save us.
"I appeal to the emperor!" (verse 11)
Paul appeals to see the emperor.
He will be sent to Rome.
Rome will be his last destination.
"It seems to me a senseless procedure
to send on a prisoner without
indicating the charges against him." (verse 27)
They can't figure out what to charge Paul with.
Why is he a prisoner?
They don't know what to do.

(August 1, 2001 5:57 AM CDT)

Yesterday we had a company picnic at Cooper Farm
on Mormon Bridge Road in north Omaha.
It was hot.
The water balloon tossing helped keep me cool.
God bless everyone that was there.

Read Acts 24 .

"Therefore we must always and everywhere
acknowledge our deep gratitude to you." (verse 3)
We acknowledge God.
We are grateful to him for all he does.
We sing praises to him.
"I have the same hope in God as these men have
that there is to be a resurrection." (verse 15)
We pray and have hope.
One day we will live with God forever.
We will be at peace finally.
"He gave orders to the centurion that Paul
was to be kept in custody but allowed some freedom,
and that no one was to prevent his friends
from seeing to his wants." (verse 23)
Paul was in prison.
He suffered for the name of Christ.
His friends could visit him, but he was still locked up.
This gave him time to pray and write letters to people.
"That's enough for now! You can go.
I'll send for you again when I find the time." (verse 25)
When the Lord is talking to you don't turn away.
Make time to listen to the Lord.
Allow room in your life for Jesus.