Well Rounded

I am well rounded primarily because Luanne is the world's #1 cook and I'm the #3 best eater in the world. Lemon chicken, breakfast pizza, ham & beans, key lime pies, baked squash, barbecue pork steaks, cookies, cookies, and cookies.

Too often Christians only do what they are comfortable with and not what the Bible teaches us. Then we get out of proportion. Being a well-rounded Christian involves balance of Bible study, worship, service, prayer, and giving.

Acts 2:42 is an excellent choice to become a well-rounded Christian.

Power In God's Word

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11

There is power in God's Word. Here are a few key verses to memorize for our strength, protection, and spiritual growth.

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Habakkuk 2:20 - But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Ezekiel 22:30 - I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.

Romans 1:16 & 17 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

John 3:16 & 17 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Jude 3 - Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

Holy Spirit Boldness

In Acts 23:31-26:32 the Apostle Paul is held in custody before he ultimately appeals to Caesar and is transported to Rome. Paul is held in a majestic Roman city on the Mediterranean Sea, on the west coast of Israel. The city is called Caesarea Maritime. This miniature Rome has an amphitheater, race track, the finest port leading to the east, and an amazing aqueduct (pictured to the left).

This picture to the right is at the horse track ("Hippodome"). In fact, this is Herod's box where the Roman leaders most probably sat as Paul was on trial. While Paul is being held he gets a chance to preach to the entire world as they pass through this port city.

Take a few minutes to reread this passage in Acts and ask God for the same guts and Holy Spirit boldness that Paul had as he spoke to Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.

Going To Church With Jesus

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 4:12-17

This photo shows the ruins of a fourth century synagogue (meeting place for Jewish believers). The synagogue was used for worship, education for children, as well as public meetings. This building was built on the ruins of a 1st century synagogue, the very place where Jesus came to worship His Father. This synagogue is found in the city of Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee (pictured below).

This is just another amazing fulfillment of Scripture. Messiah born in Bethlehem; called a Nazarene; called out of Egypt; light will shine out of darkness out of Galilee.

Jesus' message - repent (change) for the Kingdom is near. How should we live with the Kingdom of God just a split second away?