Connection is Key

And when Paul laid his hands on them, 

the Holy Spirit came upon them, 

and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 

(Acts 19:6)

It is important for us to have a personal connection and empathy in our ministry, and our obligations to God. Our ministry should not be distant or detached. We should take every opportunity to immerse ourselves with people so that we may truly know and understand their struggles and where thay are coming from. To establish and extend the church, there must be evangelizing (preaching the gospel), empowering (through God’s Spirit), and equipping (pastor-teachers must equip the saints for the work of the ministry). In doing so, we cannot just be believing but also receiving the Holy Spirit. This gives us the correct understanding and reception of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

In the heart of ministry, connection is key,

Empathy and understanding, the lock and we the key.

Our obligations to God, a compass in the sea,

Guiding us through waves of life, setting our spirits free.

Not distant, not detached, we stand among the crowd,

Voices in the chorus, humble yet loud.

Immersed in the lives of others, we find our place,

Understanding struggles, each unique face.

Evangelizing, preaching the gospel's song,

Empowering through the Spirit, making the weak strong.

Equipping the saints, for the work of the ministry,

A beacon of light, in a world of mystery.

Belief is not enough, the Spirit we must receive,

A transformative power, if we are to believe.

The Holy Spirit's reception, understanding so clear,

In the heart of ministry, love is always near.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with humble hearts. We recognize the importance of having a personal connection and empathy in our ministry, and we acknowledge our obligations to You. We pray that our ministry will not be distant or detached, but instead, deeply immersed in the lives of those we serve.

Help us to truly know and understand the struggles of others, to see where they are coming from, and to meet them there with Your love and grace. Give us the wisdom and courage to take every opportunity to immerse ourselves with people, to walk alongside them in their journey.

We pray for the establishment and extension of Your church. May we be diligent in evangelizing, preaching the gospel to all corners of the earth. Empower us through Your Spirit, that we may be bold in our faith and steadfast in our mission.

Equip us, Lord, to fulfill our roles in the ministry. As pastor-teachers, may we effectively equip the saints for the work of the ministry, guiding them in their spiritual growth and nurturing them in their faith.

We understand that belief is not enough, and we pray for the correct understanding and reception of the Holy Spirit. May we not only believe, but also receive the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Let it guide us in our actions, inspire us in our decisions, and strengthen us in our challenges.

In all things, may we always seek to glorify You and further Your kingdom. We ask all these in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Background and Learning Lessons

Acts 19:1-8 is a part of the New Testament in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts, which describes the early Christian church’s growth and the spread of the Gospel. This passage is set in Ephesus, a major city in ancient Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

In Acts 19:1-8, the Apostle Paul encounters some disciples in Ephesus. He asks them if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They respond that they have not even heard of the Holy Spirit. They were baptized into John’s baptism, which was a baptism of repentance. Paul explains that John the Baptist told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. Paul then entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

This passage encapsulates Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, marked by transformative teaching and the deepening of faith. It reveals the dynamic shifts where the name of Jesus stirs both transformation and tumult. It’s a significant part of the narrative as it shows the impact of the Holy Spirit on the believers and the spread of the Gospel in Ephesus. It also highlights the importance of correct understanding and reception of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

Acts 19:1-8 offers several important lessons:

The Importance of Correct Understanding and Reception of the Holy Spirit: The disciples in Ephesus were believers but had not received the Holy Spirit. This passage emphasizes the importance of not just believing but also receiving the Holy Spirit.

The Power of the Holy Spirit: When Paul placed his hands on the disciples, they received the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues and prophesying. This shows the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Evangelizing, Empowering, and Equipping: To establish and extend the church, there must be evangelizing (preaching the gospel), empowering (through God’s Spirit), and equipping (pastor-teachers must equip the saints for the work of the ministry).

Re-Baptism: People who have been baptized wrong, should be “re-baptized” – baptized right. There are some wrong baptisms in the world today. There is only one right baptism.

Personal Connection and Empathy in Ministry: Paul’s ministry was not distant or detached. He ate where they ate and would talk to them as he walked through town. He knew who was struggling, and what their struggles were. He listened to people, learned about them, and asked them questions.

Obligations to God and Interest in Him: Paul showed the disciples their obligations to God and interest in him, as the Creator, by which the kingdom of God was set up. He also showed them the violation of those obligations, and the forfeiture of that interest, by sin, by which the kingdom of God was pulled down.

These lessons remind us of the importance of understanding the full message of the Gospel, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, and the need for correct teaching and baptism. They also highlight the importance of personal connection and empathy in ministry, and our obligations to God. (Copilot)

Be Persistent in Prayer

And will not God vindicate his elect, 

who cry to him day and night? 

Will he delay long over them?

Luke 18:7

And He told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.'

For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'"

And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

I tell you, He will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?" - Luke 18:1-8

Be Persistent in Prayer is a phrase that encourages Christians to pray continually and not give up. It is based on several biblical verses that teach the importance and power of prayer. Some of the reasons to be persistent in prayer are:

God rewards persistence: The Bible also teaches that God honors those who persevere in prayer and do not lose heart. He is pleased with our faith and trust in him, and he will reward us with joy and peace. Luke 18:1-8, Hebrews 11:6

God hears and answers prayer: The Bible promises that God listens to the prayers of his people and responds according to his will and timing. He is not deaf or indifferent to our requests, but he cares for us and wants to bless us. Psalm 34:15, 1 John 5:14-15

God shapes our character: The Bible shows that prayer is not only a way to ask God for things, but also a way to grow in our relationship with him. Through prayer, we learn to depend on him, to align our will with his, and to become more like him. Romans 8:26-29, James 5:16

The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. - Sirach 35:12-14

The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay. - Sirach 35:16-18

Lord Jesus, no one goes to the Father except through You. In you, I am always secured of my rights and have always been justified. Thank You so much for constanlty bringing me close to the Father. 

May You find faith in me when You come. Each day I live by faith in You as my Lord and Savior. Faith that You will always be with me so that my joy will always be full and complete. 

Today, I persistently pray for healing and protection against any form of harm, sickness, or pains. I pray for the wisdom of being fair and just in all of the works and undertakings that You have set before me. May your ever protective hands be upon me against any form of greed, selfishness and dishonesty. 

I may be persistent in my daily prayers to You but I believed that the only reason why You kept on favorably acting upon my prayers petitions is because of the unconditional love You have for me. Please accept my humble offering of praise and thanksgiving for all that You have done and continue to do for me each moment of my life.

With much love, I give You back all the glory and honor now and forever. Amen.

Pericope: 
THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW - Luke 18:1-8
TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD - Sirach 35:1-24


Published:

October 27, 2019, 7:37 
October 20, 2013, 7:42 AM
November 13, 2010, 5:29AM

Give Thanks to the Lord!

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, 

with all my heart; I will declare 

all your wondrous deeds.

PSALM 9:2

Father in heaven, You are truly full of all wondrous deeds. Thank You so much for all the works and business blessings that You keep pouring into my lap. 

With a heart of praise and thanksgiving, I give you back all the glory and honor in Jesus Name. I will declare your wondrous deeds all the days of my life. In your hands, you have enriched me in every way, always making my joy full and complete. May you continue to shower us with your infinite and abundant resources that can truly raise us up to higher grounds.

In a very special way, I humbly pray and intercede for all those who are still not appreciative of Your wondrous deeds and works done in them. May they see the light of truth that all things come from You through Christ. What they have are all manifestations of Your love for them and at any given time, You can take this away from them.

May the abundance of Your wondrous works increase in me so that I may again enjoy back the greatness of Your glory. With so much gratitude and thanksgiving, I humly ask and pray for all these in Jesus Name. Amen.

Teach Us to Pray

Jesus was praying in a certain place, 

and when He had finished, 

one of His disciples said to Him, 

“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 

LUKE 11:1

Jesus said, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” (Lk 11:2-4)

I knew that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish (Jon 4:2). All the nations You have made shall come and worship you, O Lord, and glorify Your name. For You are great, and You do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. (Ps 86:9-10) I will lift up my hands to Your commands and meditate on Your statutes (Ps 119:48). 

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to You I call all the day. Gladden the soul of Your servant for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon You. Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading. (Ps 86:3-6)

Let Your mercy come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise. Take not the word of truth from my mouth, for in Your ordinances is my hope. And I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, because I seek Your precepts. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love. (Ps 119:41,43-47)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures He gives me repose; beside restful waters He leads me; He refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for You are at my side with Your rod and Your staff that give me courage. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (Ps 23:1-6)

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen. (Phil 4:19-20)

GOD REGARDS YOUR PRAYER

The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, 

and all the kings of the earth your glory, 

when the Lord has rebuilt Zion 

and appeared in his glory; 

when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, 

and not despised their prayer. 

Psalm 102:16-18

KNOW HOW TO PRAY

The Spirit too comes 

to the aid of our weakness; 

for we do not know how to pray as we ought, 

but the Spirit itself intercedes 

with inexpressible groanings. 

Romans 8:26

Pericope:
DESTINY OF GLORY - Romans 8:18-27

PRAY IN HUMILITY

"Everyone who exalts himself 

will be humbled, 

and the one who humbles himself 

will be exalted.” 

Luke 18:14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.

“Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 18:9-14



Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality. He will not show partiality in the case of a poor man; and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged. He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her story.

He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted, and his prayer will reach to the clouds. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord; he will not desist until the Most High visits him, and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment. And the Lord will not delay, neither will he be patient with them, till he crushes the loins of the unmerciful and repays vengeance on the nations; till he takes away the multitude of the insolent, and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous. - Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18


Pericope:
THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR - Luke 18:9-14
TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD - Sirach 35:1-24

Published:
October 24, 2010, 7:44 AM