the watcher

Acts 14:22-23 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. No one loves pain, a lady once told me "I cannot take any stress in my life". It got me worried though. Hmm The truth is that good, valuable and lasting success doesn't come easy. This is not a motivational statement. For that is what the Bible teaches: 1Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you]. This truth is what many of the new generations shy away from. Let me give you an illustration. A young graduate just finished his/her mandatory service to their country and is now looking forward...

Acts 14:11,14-15 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. Many have failed in their God given assignments because of one very big err. "Thinking it is about you". No, the moment you begin to think it is about you or that there is a glory that you can share with the Heavenly Father - YOU MISS IT. Hello, the enemy fell because he dared to make it about himself, He was created to serve but He wanted to be worship. Isaiah 14:13-14 For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.  I wil...

Acts 14:2-3  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Just like every successful person, you don't leave because you face challenges, you only let go when it is not working or you are no longer welcome. You do not leave your vision, dream, goal or that clear instruction but you are moving forward to fulfil it. So Paul and Barnabas also faced opposition in Iconium, they yet persisted for many still believed. Until it got to plotting to kill them, they had to leave. Not to leave the mission or assignment. Their departure was to continue the good work. Acts 14:5-7 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe a...

Acts 13:45,50-52 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. As glorious and splendorous the grace and salvation of God is to everyone, yet the decision still lies on the individual. For what Christ says is COME, however if one refuses, the Lord has NOT been recorded to force anyone. Christ says that all that come to Him have been drawn by the Father: John 6:64-65 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” Pe...

Acts 13:40-41 Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you. For they said, ‘Look, you mockers, be amazed and die!  For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’” One of the most difficult sects to bring to salvation are those who believe they already know - the religious. At the time of the apostles, these were mostly Jews. Even Christ when He walked on earth found them to be rebellious, for most of them resisted Him. Well the truth is that religion as I always say is man-made and you become so engrossed in it that you no longer see the Creator and His plan and will have a sort of self righteousness and earthly relevance that keeps you busy on things that have no eternal gain. Now hold on, we have the same err today. Please listen carefully: When you no longer see the Heavenly Father neither His Son, Yeshua Hamaschiach, Jesus the Christ who is the Living Word, then know that you are on the wrong path. I don't ...

Acts 13:9-11 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. The true enemy of the gospel is the Devil himself for each time a human is converted to become a believer he looses grip on that soul. This is why Christ said that the gate of hell will not prevail against the church. We also have humans who oppose the gospel, the major reasons include: * ignorance (as the case of Saul who later became Saul); * envy; * selfish gains; * instrument in the hand of Satan; * unbelieve. Paul and Barnabas encountered ...

Acts 13:2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. This was still at the early stages of the church, there really was a lot of ground to be covered. The message of salvation had to reach the ends of the earth. Christ said it when He sent out the seventy: Luke 10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. So what is happening now? What is our prayer and fasting all about today?  Now let us not get it wrong we do need all the earthly help, money, food, shelter etc.  However, when the Lord has provided these, the teaching we hear is of building empires. Hello, though there is nothing wrong with prospering to build empires for generations, there is yet some questions that have not been answered. * How long exactly do you have to live...