Paul Email -31Oct2013- Romans 3 Faith Before Righteousness

How you doin? It boggles my mind that after 9.5 years sober, that I still find parts of my unredeemed life luring. Phish is playing 3 shows next door to where I work tonight through Sat. Watching the crowd come in and thinking of their music makes me hear a lie that it would be fun to go and be part of something that upon first glance looks really fun. At least to me. Of course then I can remember what it looks like after the show. The truth of a life without Jesus then appears and truth always prevails. Romans 3 today.

My unrighteousness under the old convenient makes it possible for me to have faith in Jesus. My life has certainly demonstrated the flaw and unrighteousness of my ability to choice correctly on my own. If left on my own... I can guaranty I would fall away from Jesus completely. As I've said before, I'm often been asked "how do stay sober?". As I've pondered that question over my sobriety, I can't find any one particular thing that I've done except summit my will to Jesus. So as the heading on verses 9-20 points out "No One Is Righteous". Praise Jesus for what follows.

Verse 22-24, "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." COME ON!!!!!!! "Justified freely". That's a tough thing to wrap my mind around. Verse 20, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." My consciousness of my sin demands that I turn my will over to Jesus. That's a good word. The lie is that I should get myself together and be a good person. I've proven that I'll fail at that. So where does that leave me? Verse 25, God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith." Atonement through the blood of Christ. WOW!!!!!!! Faith before righteousness. Verse 28, "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law." The old covenant is an inferior covenant. The new covenant offers us atonement. The law makes me conscious of my sin which renders me dependent upon Jesus. AWESOME!!!!!!! Faith in Jesus is the righteousness that I'll never obtain on my own. That's a good word. The dictionary in my Bible defines faith like this, "reliance, loyalty, or complete trust". Webster's says, "strong belief or trust in someone or something, allegiance to duty or a person, firm belief in something for which there is no proof". Have faith in Jesus today.

PS   Verse 22 can't go unnoticed, "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe". 

Paul Email -30Oct2013- Romans 2 (2 choices)

How you doin? I've been accused of being very black and white. Accused of having very sharp edges on my views and beliefs. I'm okay with that as long as my views are in line with Jesus' teaching. My beliefs on Spirituality and/or God are probably the most sharp edged views. Either we believe the truth of God or we believe the lies of Satan. There is no 3rd choice. There are only 2 categories. Romans 2 today.

I have my own spin on Shakespeare, "To believe or not to believe". Verse 4, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?" 1st off I love the character sketch. God's "kindness, tolerance and patience". I can't ever imagine going back to the life I lived that showed contempt for God. He has touch me in a way that keeps me hungry for Him. SAY WORD!!!!!!!

So the 2 choices we have are clearly stated in verses 7-8, "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. ⁸ But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." It's not rock science. Truth or lies. Eternal live or wrath and anger. The Bible never speaks of no after life. It never says you die and nothing happens. It says life eternal either way. Life eternal in heaven with the Creator, the Father of truth, or life eternal in hell with the father of lies in torment and torture. It's hard to belief there is a choice.

Based on the Lord's prayer, particularly "Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven", I believe these 2 choice apply here on earth... not just at death. Bill Johnson said "If you are not free from sin until you die, Jesus isn't your Savior... death is". My proclamation is... Jesus is my Savior. I believe that I'm offered my inheritance here on earth. COME ON!!!!!!! Choice wisely today.

PS    Stacey's brilliant. She pointed out verses 14-15, "(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)" That's a good word!

Paul Email - 29Oct2013- 2 Cor 3

How you doin? So we were reading the Bible with the kids this morning and it led to memory verses. The kids have memorized 5 verses and are working on their 6th. I asked if they could memorize 2 Corinthians 3:18. It's a bit long for them so we may go with 2 Corinthians 3:17. Anyway, it got me reading and thinking about 2 Corinthians 3. What a late start today. Mens Bible study, car maintenance, and Dr.'s appointments = late starts.

2 Cor. 3 is just AWESOME!!!!!!! It's amazing to how 18 verses has consumed my thoughts and attention for about 7 months now. After yesterday's book I'll keep it short. Yesterday Romans 1 pointed out how the Jews had traded the truth of God for lies. So, God turned them over to hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving. I call this "what not to do". The Bible is loaded with prophecy, instruction, and promises. These things help with what I call "what to do". 2 Cor 3, is an incredible instruction, prophecy, and promise for me. Verse 18, "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." WOW!!!!!!!  The key words for me are "transformed" and "His image". I believe as Christians we try to conform people to our ways. According to Webster's conform means, "to be similar to or the same as something, to obey or agree with something, to do what other people do : to behave in a way that is accepted by most people". That would be okay if I stayed the same and was 100% Christ like. However I'm not... far from it. If I got everyone I know to conform to my ways of thinking this week, I would need to do it all over again as God grows me to Him. I believe that's why He offers us transformation. If He's willing to transform me... maybe I should try to let Him transform other people through me. COME ON!!!!!!! According to Webster's transform means, "to change (something) completely and usually in a good way". Now we're talking. This call from God causes us to repent. Webster's says repent means "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life". This sounds like "what to do". If I turn from one way... I must be heading another Way (pun intended). "Contemplate the Lord's glory" today... I believe you will be transformed.

PS  I spoke to 2 people and Stacey heard from 1 person who are just as excited about the up coming conference as we are. God is so good.

Paul Email -28Oct2013- Romans 1 What Not to Do

How you doin? I can't say that I recall reading the first chapter in Romans before. I know I have, but after reading it today I can imagine why I forgot it. If anyone has any questions about God's view of homosexuality or idolatry, it will be answered in Romans 1.

After a remarkable qualification of who Paul is and who Jesus is in verses 1-4... we are qualified. Verse 5-6, "Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." That's a good word. If anyone wonders what we are called to do, this should help. Of course there many different ways of getting this done, but one goal.

Paul is such an incredible example of following Jesus. In verses 11-12 Paul says, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." WOW!!!!!!! Can you imagine if our church here in the U.S.A. took these verses to heart. It gets better. Verses 16-17, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”' POWERFUL!!!!!!!

We're getting to the good part. Verse 18 speaks of God's wrath coming to the Godless and the wicked and those who "suppress the truth by their wickedness". Verses 19-20 are the bomb, "since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." COME ON!!!!!!! I appreciate the fact that God's "invisible qualities" are "clearly seen". For me, not having excuses is a good thing. If I allow my mind to make excuses I start staring at them instead of the truth. That's a good word.

Now the "what not to do". Verses 21-32 give a vivid explanation of fallen sinful  mankind.  Verse 21 starts with, "For though they knew God,". So Paul's talking about believers. I find it mind boggling to see people who I know for sure have had an encounter with Jesus, fall away from Him or out of touch with Him. The end of Romans 1 is a warning to me. These verses alert me to "what not to do". I can remember in my very early sobriety, I was often asked "what are you going to do?" I remember the relief I felt when I figured out it was OK to answer "I don't know what I'm going to do, but I know what I'm not going to do". At that time I knew I wasn't going to drink or do do drugs. For me that allowed for God's grace, mercy, and glory to rest on me. COME ON!!!!!!! Now my "what not to do fits more in line with this Scripture. Verses 22-23, "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles." No good. Verse 25, "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen." I certainly will be putting this on the "what not to do" list.

The result of our free will gone wild is NO GOOD. Paul tells us throughout this chapter about God's respect for our free will. Verse 24, "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another."  Verse 26, "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts."  Verse 28 really brings it home, "Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done." WOW!!!!!!! I can testify to the fact that Satan has a 1-2 pouch. He will distract us with one attack, while seriously hitting us with another. By attacking us with "what to do" (humanities version of closeness with God through good deeds), we over look "what not to do". This is Satan's version of the "3 Stooges" trick. Holding his left hand in the air to draw our attention to it while he hits us with his right hand.

Verse 21 finishes with, "they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." This speaks to deed/acts vs relationship. God invites us to be in an intimate relationship with Him through the reconciliation His Son provided for us. AWESOME!!!!!!! I can just imagine calling Audrey and Paulie (when they're adults) over to have dinner with Stacey and I. One of them responds with a list of things they didn't do... "I didn't lie, drink, curse, cheat on my spouse,... etc. The other responds with a list of things they did do, "I gave money to the poor, I feed the homeless, I volunteered at my church,... etc. Both answers are great answers but Stacey and I still miss them, because they didn't except my invitation. We still long for fellowship with them. We still want to spend time with them. I believe God gave me children so I can relate to Him. He feels toward me the way I feel toward my Audie and Paulie. They are 4 and 5 years old and the thought of not having a close relationship with them later in life makes me sick. I don't want to make God sick. I don't want to be one who "exchanged  the truth of God for a lie". Nor do I want to be one who "did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God".

I don't want you to misunderstand me. I believe deeds and acts follow close fellowship with the Lord. I do not believe that close fellowship with the Lord follows deed and acts. In the dictionary in my Bible fellowship is defined, "friendship; association; companionship". Webster's defines fellowship like this, "1: companionship, company; 2: a: community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience". We as Christians through that word around as if we have a working knowledge of it. As followers of Jesus we shouldn't need to say it, because we live in it. COME ON!!!!!!!

Verses 3-4 can't be left out, "regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." WOW!!!!!!! Except His invitation to fellowship with Him today.

Paul Email -27Oct2013- Acts 28 Prophecy in the Word

How you doin? My Aunt Paula is in the hospital. She is being treated for diverticulitis. She's getting IV antibiotic. Hopefully (expectantly) she'll be getting better as the Dr.'s co-labor with Christ to heal her. Please be praying for her wellness. Acts 28 today.

Sad to be finishing Acts. What a book. Then again I think this about every book in the Bible. Paul's final statement sounds to me like prophecy. Prophecy that I believe is for me. Verse 28, “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” The part that gets me is "and they will listen". God has encouraged me and instructed me to hear Him, listen to Him, and pat attention to Him in a HUGE way. God, being present future, is establishing my process. In the past I didn't/haven't listen to God whats so ever. I'm just now learning to hear Him. But it doesn't stop there. While reading the Old Testament, I clearly heard Gods plea for the Jews to hear Him, listen to Him, and to pay attention to Him. As Paul points out the words of Isaiah in verses 26-27 the Jews had "calloused" hearts. Callouses are hard or hardened skin. So they had hardened hearts. I can't help but to feel the fullness of God's grace when I read these verses. To think of being "ever hearing but never understanding" and "ever seeing but never perceiving" is gut wrenching. To have a "calloused" heart and closed eyes is as bad. The sentence in verse 27 sounds like a much better option,  "Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’" I love that God tells me that I'll listen to Him. It allows me to have hope in my ability to follow Him and to have an intimate relationship with Him. That's a good word. I'll take the advice I received 9.5 years ago in AA "take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth". Listen in your prayers today.

PS  The last verse in Acts is AWESOME!!!!!!! "He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" WOW!!!!!!! I truly feel blessed to have ears to hear, eyes to see, and the willingness/desire to pay attention to Him. I also feel His grace and favor to share the good news... that the Kingdom of heaven is near. COME ON!!!!!!!!

Paul Email -26Oct2013- Acts 27 Paul's Version vs God's version

How you doin? Man do I love God. While praying this morning, I just felt an overwhelming outpouring of love for Father God. An outpouring of praise for all that He is. His sovereignty, grace, mercy, plan, word, patience, power, authority, victory, reconciliation (through Jesus), and most of all His love. Just to mention a few. Acts 27 today.

I could have named this email "Human Understanding". I noticed the stark contrast in Paul's version of the future and God's version of the future. As I've said SO many times before, I believe/understand that God is present future. We as people relying on our own understanding... not so much. As Paul & 276 other men are sailing to Italy so Paul can face more trial, they face many dangers and challenges (test). Paul warns the men in verse 10, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” The key words here are "I can see". That's a bad word. Paul on his own paints a very human understanding picture (if that makes sense). That's Paul's version.

Now let's look at God's version. Paul's still involved. Verses 23-25, "Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." WOW!!!!!!! That's a good word. I love God's present future. These men are facing death by sea and God says (my version) "that's not my plan". COME ON!!!!!!! Paul was convinced that their lives were at stake in verse 10. He has a visitation from an angel and now he has "faith in God that it will happen just as he told me". AWESOME!!!!!!! Paul believed the prophetic word he received. I'm sure it's easier to believe when an "angel of God" is standing next to him. I can certainly see why Paul had a new report for the men. God's in control. He had a plan for Paul's life and Paul paid attention to Him. DIG IT!!!!!!! I love this stuff.

What does this mean for me. First, I must be willing and have a desire to hear the call. The call comes in anyway God can get it to me. Then, I must be willing to count the cost of following Jesus. I've never been more willing to pay anything to follow Him. COME ON!!!!!!! I'm willing to allow Him to draw me closer to Him. What once was the scariest thought ever (the cost of following Jesus)... is now the most thrilling intense desire I've ever had. SO GOOD!!!!!!! Last, I most be willing to step into the process, cocoon, dark room, or what ever analogy works for me at the time. I like calling it the process the most. I once was irritated by the process, now I've learned to love it, because it's fellowship with Him. I'm getting a little charged up over here. I received a mind changing prophetic word from John Kirby on 4/5/2013. I've also received a vision from God that comes in agreement with that word. SO GOOD!!!!!!! So I'm going to keep up my courage, pay the cost, and follow Him. COME ON!!!!!!!

The blood of Christ speaks a better word. Let's see what version prevails, Paul's or God's. Verse 44, "In this way everyone reached land safely." God's version won out, because He's in control and Paul had ears to hear, eyes to see, he paid attention, and had faith. Now that's a good word. Go with God's version today.

PS  Please be praying for Stacey. Prayers for strengthening and encouragement. It's not easy being on the boat with hurricane force winds.

Paul Email -25Oct2013- Acts 26 Hope of a Promise

How you doin? Acts 26 is a short chapter, but boy is it loaded. God is really turning up the heat in my process. AWESOME!!!!!!!

Paul, still defending himself, gives his testimony once again. POWERFUL!!!!!!! Let me start with verses 5-8...  “They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. ⁷ This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. ⁸ Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?" COME ON!!!!!!! Verse 8 blows me away. The dictionary in my Bible defines hope like this, "to desire something with confident expectation for it's fulfillment".  Webster's defines it like this, "to cherish a desire with anticipation". Webster's from 1828 defines hope like this, "A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a believe that it is obtainable. Hope". I don't think Satan gets stirred up as long as our hope remains a wish. Biblical hope is not a wish of God's promises... it's expecting them. Paul is very aware of God's promises and is expecting them. In Revelation 12:10 it says, Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the 'power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down." We know that Satan is our constant accuser. His accusation attempt to steal our identity, our inheritance, and our worship. It's all a lie. DIG IT!!!!!!!

Paul goes on to tell about the promise that he has faith in verses 17-18, "I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them ¹⁸ to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’" Here Paul testifies to his vision. It sounds like the great commission to me. Verse 19 is great, “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." I can't help but to think of how pleased God is with Paul and all who follow Jesus. That's a good word. I need to land this thing. This chapter is dripping with radical faith and hope. The real hope, not our wishful hope. Hope is not a wish. Paul followed Jesus because he had hope. COME ON!!!!!!! The Jews, with Satan's help, were stirred up and accused Paul. Verses 22-23 are the trump cards, "But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— ²³ that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” WOW!!!!!!! That's a promise I believe. Jesus lights our path to the Father. I'm not wishing for that promise to come true... I'm expecting it. COME ON!!!!!!! Be expecting of something good today.

PS This is Webster's definition of wish, "to have a desire for (as something unattainable) <wished he could live his life over>". There is no definition in my Bible for wish.

Paul Email -24Oct2013- Acts 25 Perseverance

How you doin? This needs to be short today on account of my breakfast cook calling out. I'll be at work nice and early today. Acts 25 today.

Paul's life seems to have been spent in trial and persecution. Prior to his encounter his Jesus, he was in trials against followers of Jesus. He was the accuser. After Jesus knocked him on his butt, literally, he became the accused. As we read in Acts 25 yet another series of trials, I heard the truth of God not being penetrated or deferred. I can't help but to think that it would have been considerably easier for these Roman officials just to hand Paul over to the Jews. Paul must of had some kind of anointing on him. The Jews had some kind of influence on them. Verse 18-19 say it best, "When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. ¹⁹ Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive." The Jews had dispute with Paul "about their own religion". Nothing really to do with Spirituality. Everything to do with religion. I like Festus' response in verse 20, "I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges." Festus had no clue how to investigate matters of religion and Spirituality. Praise God that we do.

My over view of this chapter is the Jews demonic influence and Paul's tremendous perseverance through ridiculous trials of truth. Paul stood his ground and stood on the truth that he believed beyond a shadow of a doubt. That's a good word. I believe my trials are way more discreet and slightly less invasive. I mean slightly. Discreet trials aren't weak trials. Paul seems to stay so fixed on the truth. I'm trying to keep my eyes on the One who has victory in this war. I love the thought "Spiritual warfare is the only type of war where you don't look at your opponent". In order to follow someone or something you must be able to see them. Keep your eyes on the Winner today.

Paul Email -23Oct2013- Acts 24 Follower of "the Way"

How you doin? Just a quick reminder, God is in a good mood. I just feel so much love for Him and loved by Him. I love being obedient to him. Not well behaved (I'm still waiting for that), but obedient to His call and leading. I believe my behavior will improve as I follow Him. God is really the coolest cat I've ever met. He's so much fun to be with. Acts 24 today.

Paul's life after his encounter with Jesus seems to be one big saga. I love it. Not only does he have one of the coolest names out there, but his commitment to follow the "Way" is something to look at. While standing trial in Caesarea as a continuation from Jerusalem he says this in verses 14-16:
"However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." WOW!!!!!!! I couldn't say it better then that. Worshiping God as a follower of the Way. Jesus is the Way. In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." I remember hearing about people trying to find themselves or finding their way. Jesus is the Way. If I find my Way, I'll find myself... Jesus abounds in me. COME ON!!!!!!! That's a good word.

Verse 16 is challenging me. Is my conscience clear before God and man? That's a tough question. I immediate respond is yes, but as I think about it on Spiritual terms, I need Jesus. SAY WORD!!!!!!! Verse 16 references Acts 23:1, which I spoke about yesterday... “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” POWERFUL!!!!!!! How do I clear my conscience before God. Can I honestly look Him in the face and say "I give you my all". Can I honestly say "I lay down my life to you in worship". Jesus gave His life for me, so I can be reconciled with the Father. WOW!!!!!!! You would think that it wouldn't be so hard to follow the Way. Dear Jesus, increase my desire to follow you. Hear Him, listen to Him, see Him, pay attention to Him, so you can follow Him today.

PS  I can't help but to remember throughout the gospels that ALL who went to where Jesus was (followed Him) or welcomed Him when He came to them, were sozo-ed (saved, healed, delivered). All is well in His Presence. Perhaps not externally, definitely internally. I need to follow him to stay in His Presence. It shouldn't be too hard... I followed the Grateful Dead and Phish for years. It's Jesus' turn. AWESOME!!!!!!!

Paul Email -22Oct2013- Acts 23 More Holy Jealousy

How you doin? Paul's saga continues in Jerusalem. Acts 23 today. The very first verse makes me jealous (or have zeal). "Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” (23:1) AWESOME!!!!!!! I love the closeness that obedience creates with God. I can recall the times that I did something that was pleasing to my patents. That feeling of closeness and love was quite memorable. The times I've experienced God's pleasure with me are immeasurably more memorable and impacting. God leaves a mark. I can't say that in times of obedience to God that I haven't received a similar response from people around, even close to me. "At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth." (23:2) Stacey and I take our shots to the mouth. The up coming conference is the latest demonstration of obedience, which allow for people to strike us. Paul's response in verses 3-8 is priceless. I so long to comfortably say "I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day".

As far as taking shots or being struck on the mouth, verse 11 explains very well how Paul endures his continued mistreatment. "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” COME ON!!!!!!! God is present future. Paul knows he's getting out of Jerusalem, because God tells him he's to testify in Rome. Obviously if Paul wasn't going to make it out of Jerusalem, God wouldn't be telling him about Rome. AWESOME!!!!!!! I can relate to this in Stacey's and my life. God gave us both a glimpse of our future, which includes conferences, worship, retreats, and anything that assist in the Kingdom of Heaven being brought and known on earth as it is in Heaven. SAY WORD!!!!!!! So as we learn from this experience of bring the Welton's to our church, we will "take courage" and believe that God is present future. We are in the very beginning of our process and I love it. DIG IT!!!!!!! Well, I need to stop before my cheeks actually do catch on fire. They feel like they're going to. God is AWESOME!!!!!!! And so is the process of learning how to follow Him. Have zeal for your process today.

PS  How you doin? We're finishing breakfast and Paulie's fake crying and saying, "wa, wa, wa, boohoo, boohoo... I love Jesus". Stacey turns and looks at us wondering what's going on and I said "he's bustin on me from yesterday". Stacey burst out laughing and said "that's the funniest thing I've ever seen". Talk about getting smacked in the mouth. I have an encounter with the Holy Ghost and am delivered from the grip of fear and my son and wife make fun of my response. BRUTAL!

Paul Email -21Oct2013- Take 2 Praise GOD!

How you doin? You had to see a double dip coming today. So I'm making breakfast for us and "Oceans" by Hillsong comes on. As I'm listening to this song I hear some very recently familiar words. "I call upon your name" is in the chorus. "Calling on his name" is the last 4 words in Acts 22:16. One of the verses that stood out to me this morning. "Your grace abounds in deepest waters" was the other words in the verse. In my email this morning I had said, "When His fullness abounds in me". I know this song "Oceans (Where Feet may Fail)" is way popular and well played. I can see why. We heard it several times at the Hillsong Conference in NYC that we recently attended. So, as perfect as God is, He does some undoing of me this morning. I've come to term it "He did "it" to me". "It" is undoing. I had fear grip me in an overwhelming way on Sat. Today I could feel Jesus in me breaking it off as I read with Stacey and listened to this song this morning. So as usual, when the Holy Ghost shows up, I'm weeping, shaking, and am overwhelmed by His power. I quickly try to pull myself together to eat with the kids. While eating I'm looking for a video of "Oceans" and of course the kids want to watch it. Here we go again. I loose it again and Audrey says "daddy why are you crying?" I reply "because I love Jesus". Then both of the kids kept bustin on me. I put a link to 2 versions of "Oceans" with lyrics. I hope you take the time to listen and read. (T.J., I'll try to find you a rap version.)

PS While I'm typing this "Grace Abounds" also by Hillsong is playing. I think God's trying to get something to me. I added a link to that song as well.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ-kxZs3emw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x35TejEYns

The Holy Ghost Makes me Famous! -Paul

So I wrote this email on 10/3. I sent it to 3 people that night, including the owner of the Herald newspaper here in Cape May County. It was published in the Herald this past week (10/16). It's on pages 56 & 58 for those of you who like papers. I've received some exceptional feedback from it. I do believe it can reach those that don't have drinking or drug addiction issues. Hope you like it.

PS As I've said before, the Holy Ghost authors these writings... I just type them

How you doin? I was riding my Harley to work and God gave me a word for a person who is brand new in recovery. The word came in the form of a question, "What are you pursuing?". I knew this question was intended for a 28 year old girl that confided in me that she is 3 months sober of drugs and alcohol. She just started working at my restaurant. She overheard me say that I bought my first Harley Davidson as a present to myself for sobriety. So she came to me and told me her secret and made me promise to keep her anonymity. This girl has tons of energy and nothing to do with it. I recognized her state of existence. I see it regularly in people who are new to sobriety. It looks like a person running a race, but have no idea where the finish line is. My heart goes out to each of these people that I see in this state. It's such a crucial stage of sobriety. This is the stage that determines whether or not they will stay sober. Let me explain:

I was addicted to drugs and alcohol for 20 years. From the age 13 to 33. In that time I became quite good at my addiction. I was what you could call a "professional drug addict/drunk". By the time I was 17, I can honestly say that I was never without the means of satisfying my addiction of either drugs or alcohol. Without glamorizing this dark time of my life, I had followed the Grateful Dead for 3 years and Phish for 2 years. I mean I followed them. I saw every show on both coasts and everything in between. I had connections in every state and nearly every city in the country. It didn't matter where I was, I could get what I needed or wanted. I look back now and see that it was a passionate pursuit of drugs and alcohol. It took all my energy and my attention. I had to practice it as though it was my career. So if I was asked "what are you pursuing" my answer would have been drugs and alcohol.

Now 9.5 years later, and 9.5 years clean and sober, I notice that every single person alive pursues something. Some things that I see people pursuing the most are money, relationships, power, comfort, security, addictions (of course), identity, self worth,... etc. The list is really endless. If you think about it, you are pursuing something or many things right now. We can all look back in our lives and see all the many different things that we've pursued. In the 9.5 years I've been sober I've pursued much different things then I did in my 20 years of addiction. I can recall early in my sobriety that I was fairly lost on what to pursue. Fortunately enough for me, I really wanted to know how to live sober.  I remember clearly how my passionate pursuit at that time was exactly where it needed to be. When you spend 20 out of 33 years stumbling around high and drunk, you really have no clue how to live sober. To learn how to live sober I had to be around sober people. So I spent a lot of time in AA meetings and church. Once I figured that out enough to survive, I pursued a relationship, or more specifically, a wife. A professional job was mixed in there as well. It's amazing how quickly these things came. I was married 3 years into my sobriety and man what a God story that is. I've been an Executive Chef for most of my sobriety. All that stuff pales in comparison to what I find myself pursuing today.

About 3 years ago my lovely wife asked me if I love God. I said "of course I do". Then she asked me if I tell Him. I didn't answer "of course I do". These questions catapulted us both into reckless, crazy, and passionate pursuit of God; more specifically a relationship with God. An intimate relationship with Him. Like any other relationship I needed to get to know Him. So, we started reading the Bible and praying together every morning. It was horrible at first. We came up with every excuse in the world not to do it. Over time it got better and now we miss only a handful of times a year. God recognized our pursuit of Him and made Himself extraordinarily available and known to us.

So what does this all mean to the 28 year old girl who is 3 months sober. Well, in my commitment to be obedient to God's voice and leading, I will ask her "what are you pursuing?" I will then share with her how pursuing God has changed my life.  More then my life, it has changed my mind. I will tell her that God can give her and be all the direction she'll need forever. I'll tell her that God will show her where the finish line is to the race that we're all in. I'll tell her that if she commits to pursuing God at this stage of her sobriety she will have the best chance of maintaining her sobriety forever. Out of the countless amount of things we can pursue in our lives, I'll tell her that there is not one that is even remotely close to being as beneficial, peaceful, pure, or awesome as pursuing God. I will try to live my life and conduct myself as one of her bosses in a way that she can see the lure of being a follower of Jesus. Jesus freed me of the captivity of addiction and He keeps me free. I love being free.

**Here is the link to the article online:  http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/95655-what+are+you+pursuing

Paul Email -21Oct2013- Acts 21 Response over reaction

How you doin? I had one of if not the scariest experiences I've ever had in my life yesterday. Without going into the gory details, Paulie was lost for about 3 minute in Trump Plaza in A.C. I've never felt so sick, scared, helpless, or pain. The thought of Paulie not being with us anymore was more then I could bare, even for 3 minutes. It's hard to believe that fear has this much power in my life. I'm having trouble shaking it. I can feel it gripping my entire body. It feels like an unwanted layer of skin. I'm dealing with every emotion all at once and fighting of my desire to react. This situation certainly demands a response, but not a reaction. Help us Lord. We love that little guy so much. Acts 21 today.

Acts 21 is a "cliff hanger". At the end of the chapter, Paul is arrested and beaten. Just a normal day for him. As he's being taken away from the angry mob that was beating him, the chapter ends with this "When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic". We'll see what he said tomorrow when we read chapter 22.

The angry mob is again interesting. They were confused and not making sense. "Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar" (21:34) "The commander could not get at the truth" speaks volumes. The demonic influence wasn't truth. COME ON!!!!!!! I also notice that there is always a few people stirring up the crowd. The sheep like mentality that we have as a people is scary. It really emphasizes the importance of reserving my opinions and comments for private times or one on one so not to stir up the crowd. In Matthew 18:15-17 it says, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector." The crowd doesn't get stirred until the sin wins over repentance. Here the crowd goes right to treating Paul like a pagan or tax collector. This doesn't match up with encouraging and strengthening each other. Reactions never work, but responses are necessary. That's a good word. Respond to one another today.

Paul Email -19Oct2013- Acts 20 Compelled by the Spirit

How you doin? God has really opened my eyes to the importance of following Jesus. The Holy Spirit was sent to us to comfort, council, and lead us. In Acts 20, Paul pants a wonderful picture of this idea.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (20:22-24) WOW!!!!!!! That's a loaded 3 verses. "Compelled by the Spirit", is luring. I truly believe that being compelled or lead by the Holy Ghost will allow for God's grace to fall on me. In order to testify to something I most experience it. For example, I can't testify to how awesome it is to have my favorite football team win the Super Bowl. In order to testify to the "gospel of God's grace" I must experience God's grace. I don't believe that only comes in hardships. Some of the encounters I've had with God are more then pleasant. God has also showered me with His grace by setting me free from captivity. COME ON!!!!!!! I prefer receiving His grace through my intimate relationship with Him. That's why my prayer is continually for Him to drew me closer and for awareness of His presence. Those times of being in his Presence are dripping with grace. AWESOME!!!!!!!

Following Jesus teaches me how to hear, listen, and pay attention to the Holy Ghost. Most importantly it puts me in God's grace and favor. So what does God's grace do for me. Verse 32 tells me, “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." SAY WORD!!!!!!! God's grace can build me up and give inheritance. THAT'S A GOOD WORD!!!!!!! I'll take both of those things. It's a really good deal. Building me up prepares me for hardship and my inheritance gives me grace, authority, power, and all the resources of Heaven. DIG IT!!!!!!! God's gifts and promises are a revolving door. The more of Him I receive, the more of Himself he offers me. WOW!!!!!!! I know for sure the world doesn't offer the same deal. Receive His grace today. 

Paul Email- 18Oct2013- Acts 19 (Christian vs Follower of Jesus)

How you doin? I hope you read this email in entirety. It's two parts. First, Acts chapter19. I can't see how I can read verses 1-6 and dispute or disbelieve that there is a baptism of the Holy Spirit. There are several Scripture that make the baptism of the Holy Spirit clear to me, but this one is of such simple language. I'm still confused or in search of wisdom about speaking in tongues as a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God hasn't offered me insight on this... yet. I do know that the thought of one or more baptisms of the Holy Ghost really stokes my internal fire. COME ON!!!!!!! I really want to see into, live from, and understand the heavenly realm. It will hurt until I do. I'm not waiting for death. Death isn't my savior... Jesus is. OH SNAP!!!!!!!

Verses 23-41 is titled "The Riot in Ephesus". The thing that stood out the most was the demonic influence. "The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there." (19:32) People not in there right mind. Obviously not being led by the Holy Ghost. The fruits of the Spirit don't include confusion and lack of self control. Apparently this god "Artemis" is all about confusion and mayhem.

Second, I had an interesting day yesterday. I've never seen such a clearer separation between Christianity and following Jesus. I spent the day with someone who proclaimed "I'm a Christian" several times. He said it as justification, explanation, and a way out of sin. In other words... "I don't/wouldn't do that, I'm a Christian". This same person cheats the government of taxes, is pro-choice, knocked on wood while giving thanks to God for being cured of bladder cancer (surgically), and said that homosexuals are born that way and that it's a shame they're not going to heaven. This same person claims to have clearly seen Jesus praying for him in a dream during his time with cancer. He also claims to have received a visitation from his "angelic mother" from heaven. My spirit was in such unrest last night. God gave me such clear understanding of the difference between Christianity and following Jesus. The difference between receiving a "get out of hell free card" or a good "fire" insurance policy and truly receiving the love of God and the gift of the Holy Ghost. In Isaiah 29:13 God says:   
“These people come near to me with their mouth
    and honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
    is based on merely human rules they have been taught.  

Other Scripture that speaks of this can be found in Matthew 15:3-20, Mark 7:2-23,  and Romans 14:1-6; 10-23. This is a very serious matter that really causes my discerning of spirits to be stimulated. I see it as a demonic influence. Perhaps the demonic spirit of religion. I will certainly be praying for this man and all others who are under this demonic influence. Fall in love with Jesus today and follow Him.

PS I also love the reminder of the importance of staying behind the Holy Ghost that the story of the sons of Scevia remind us of. (Acts 19:13-16)

Paul Email -17Oct2013- Acts 18 (Strengthening)

How you doin? I'm getting a late start, because my boss made me make up a "1/2 day". I was at work very late last night. Just kidding. I'm checking to see if he's reading this email. I was at work late though. Acts 18 today.

Paul is just AWESOME!!!!!!! In verses 9 and 10 he has a vision from God. One that I could live with. God spoke to him and said, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰ For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” "For I am with you", COME ON!!!!!!! What strengthening and encouragement from God Himself. Paul responded very well. Verse 11 tells us that he stayed in that city for a year and a half.

I've noticed in the book of Acts how often it's said that Paul and the other apostles "strengthened" the disciples and followers of Jesus. As it says in verses 9-10, Paul received his strength from God. But, other Scripture tells us that some people received strength from Paul or perhaps his anointing. Verse 23 says that Paul spent time in "Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples". This is a common verse throughout Acts.

I also dig the story of Apollos. He is described in verses 24-25 like this, "He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately,..." He sounds like someone I would like to be around. But at the end of verse 25 it says, "though he knew only the baptism of John". It's curious how this sounds like some type of lack. Perhaps Apollos was missing the relational part of God. There's hope. In verse 26, disciples of Paul's get a hold of him, "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately." This story has an great ending. Verses 27-28, "When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸ For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah." COME ON!!!!!!! Here is tremendous example of the importance of strengthening and encouraging each other. What a thrill it would be to disciple someone who goes on to do great things for the Kingdom. SAY WORD!!!!!!! Strengthen and encourage someone today.

Paul Email -16Oct2013 - Responses

How you doin? I'm drawn to the response of the people in the Bible. The response of the apostles and the disciples is the most desired response. They just give themselves completely to God and follow Jesus. The people they minister to aren't quite as acceptable to God's word. Acts chapter 17 tells us the response to the good news in different towns.

First is Thessalonica. Paul goes into the synagogue and tells of the good news of Jesus. "Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women." (17:4) This is a desired response or as I see it an appropriate one. To me truth stands out. "But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd." (17:5) This is the other response. Not quite as appropriate. There never seems to be much neutral grown. Like Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

Paul and Silas move on to Barea. "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. ¹² As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men." (17:11-12) Here's an awesome response from noble people. They listened to Paul tested what he was saying against the Scripture. Now this sounds very familiar. I love listening to different people with Bible in hand. Once I feel comfortable with a particular person, I have my Bible in hand to read along with them more then testing them. The Thessalonians weren't done. "But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up." (17:13) Apparently bad attitudes and disbelief will travel. So on to Athens.

Athens wasn't in very good spiritual shape. "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols." (17:16) Paul pressed on in his preaching of the good news in the synagogue and the market place of Athens. He faced tremendous rebuke from philosophers. Finally Paul is in a meeting with the "Areopagus". I'm not sure what that is, but it sounds very serious. I love what Paul says in verse 22, "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious." This is not a compliment. Paul goes on to give a AWESOME!!!!!!! sermon to this religious group in verses 24-31. Here's the response, "When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” (17:32) "Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed." (17:34)

I love Paul's persistence. He is such a great example of redemption and following Jesus. He received his anointing and participated in his process. COME ON!!!!!!! God's word demands a response. There is no neutral ground. I for one want to respond to Him in a way that earns favor and grace. SAY WORD!!!!!!! Respond well to Him today.

Another Year Older... and a disturbing discovery.

So on October 13th I turned another year older.  36 years of my life have gone by.  I really have the perfect life: a wonderful husband, 2 beautiful kids, a dream job (homeschooling and stay at home mama).  Life is great!

Ever since I got pregnant with Paulie I have been exhausted.  I just have zero energy.  It is not a fun way to live life.  But I just thought I was getting older, that the kids wear me out with their outrageous energy... stuff like that.

My doctor run routine blood work and discovered that I am very anemic and my vitamin D is low.  I am glad that I know what it is now at least... but could really use your prayers for healing.  I am working on supplements, but if they don't work, the next steps are very invasive.  Please pray that God gives me more hemoglobin!!

So Paul and the kids took me to Red Lobster for dinner on my bday.

Then mom cooked chicken and dumplings for me the day after.  She got the kids costumes for their Harvest Party coming up.  (Since the kids don't eat sugar anymore, as Paulie will gladly tell you, we decided to have a fun dress up party on Halloween and give stuff out to the trick-or-treaters without having to deal with the kids getting loaded down with candy themselves.  Best of both worlds!).  So here they are in their costumes early:

Hope everyone is well.  God bless you!  -Stacey

Paul Email -15Oct2013- Acts 16 (Who's in Control God or satan?)

How you doin? I heard something very disturbing this morning. A Christian who is very involved in worship, missions, and evangelism said, "Satan's in control". I was nearly floored when I heard this. I just pray that he's able to receive the truth, authority, and power that makes it impossible to say, think, or believe that "Satan's in control". God is clearly in control. Anything else is a lie. Acts 16 makes this more then clear.

"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to." (Acts 16:6-7) I love how the great men of the Bible like Paul and Silas followed Jesus and/or the Holy Ghost. I also love this display of God's control. Another example of God's control is in verse 14... "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message." Not only did "The Lord open her heart", but He opened it so she could respond to Paul's message. AWESOME!!!!!!!

After reading Acts 16 this morning I yelled out "WOW". I usually don't do that, but verses 16-40 blew me away. God's timing is perfect. After hearing a statement like "Satan's in control" we read the story of "Paul and Silas in Prison". WAY too much to get into this in this email... it would be a book, not an email. But I will say what an incredible story of signs & wonders, response, faith, obedience, perseverance, grace, compassion, and love. It answers so many questions and debates we tend to have as Christians. Questions and debates that I believe we shouldn't be involved in as followers of Jesus. After reading this story I can't see how I could possibly think or say "Satan's in control". I can't even see how I could believe the lies Satan tells. I hope you take the time to read at least Acts 16:16-40 if not the entire chapter. Allow God to be in control today.

PS I have to share these 2 verses... "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose." (Acts 16:25-26) COME ON!!!!!!! Paul and Silas' worship as a response to being flogged and imprisoned, provoked God's response. AWESOME!!!!!!! We are called and made to reign on this earth... not Satan.

Paul EMail -14Oct2013- What Does God think of Me?

How you doin? I've often heard people say "I hate this world and I can't wait to get to heaven". I've thought it and said it myself. I can't seem to find that any where in the Bible. I have found many Scripture telling us to subdue the earth and to reign on the earth. I've also found many Scripture that makes me think that God doesn't want me to hate anything of His creation. I believe God thinks highly of me and wants me to love Him and all that He created. Stacey had to work early today, so we'll pick up Acts 16 tomorrow. Today you're stuck with just me.

I love the mini series Bill Johnson did that provoked the thought and quote, "I don't want one thought in my head about me that God doesn't have in His head about me". I find it hard to believe that God's thinks poorly of me. Jeremiah 29:11-12 helps out with this idea, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." God has compassion and love for me. He thinks highly of me. I just can't come into agreement with the idea that I'm bidding time here on earth waiting to get to heaven. God's thoughts of me are to prosper me, give me hope, a future, and to listen to me. COME ON!!!!!!! The negative thoughts I have of this world are a lie. Here in Jeremiah 29:12 God says, "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you". In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches us how to pray. When I start having negative thoughts or hearing lies about this world I'm going to remember Matthew 6:10... "your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". God says He will listen to my prayers. God thinks I'm capable of reigning on this earth and exercising His will on earth as it is heaven. I need to get that thought about me in my head. Think about yourself what God thinks about you today. 

Paul Email -13Oct2013- Acts 15 (My gift)

How you doin? It's Stacey's birthday today. So I woke up at 4:43am and started trying to make her day go well. While in my prayer closet (the shower) God made it known to me that Stacey is the best example of "made in God's image". She reflects His righteousness. I truly believe that she is incapable of bad or harmful intentions. I'm not claiming her to be perfect, that would be too much pressure for her. She exudes God's love. So on a day where she is to receive gifts, the kids and I are the ones that receive a gift. One that comes everyday. I could only pray and thank God for her to express my love for her. Acts 15 today.

This chapter is as loaded as any other. Due to trying to make Stacey's day better then ordinary days, I'll be brief. Verse 32, "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." I just love this simple description of prophecy. Though this chapter is chock-full of great Scripture, this verse stood out to me the most. God is present future and prophecy is to empower, strengthen, and encourage us. COME ON!!!!!!! By hearing, listening, and paying attention to the Holy Ghost, we can hear prophetic words from God for ourselves and others. SAY WORD!!!!!!! Listen closely to God today. 

Paul Email -12Oct2013- Acts 14 (A Response)

How you doin? Lately I've learned a lot by watching the response of the people in the Bible. God's word demands a response. I've noticed the response from the apostles, disciples, believers, and nonbelievers. Acts 14 is one big response.

"There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed." (14:1) Paul and Barnabas respond to the Holy Ghost by being obedient. The people respond by believing. Not everyone responded well, "But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers." (14:2) Here we see a glimpse of Spiritual warfare manifested in the natural. Verse 3 is AWESOME!!!!!!!  "So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders." (14:3) Here we see a response from the Holy Ghost. The first 3 verses really set the stage for the rest of this chapter.

The place where Paul and Barnabas were was divided and there was a plot to stone them. They fled to another place... Lystra. Here we see another contrast in response. Paul heals a crippled man (14:8-10). The crowd saw what Paul had done and proclaimed him to be a god, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”. (14:11) The people went on to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. This is obviously a terrible response. Verses 14-18 describe Paul's and Barnabas' response back. Their response is tremendous. Very Spirit filled and blessed. Jews came from the towns that Paul and Barnabas had been previously and "won the crowd over". The Jews "stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead". (14:19) Yet again a poor response by the Jews.

The chapter ends with Paul surviving the stoning. Paul and Barnabas went on preaching the "good news" in the cities that had just responded so extremely poorly. The best response in this chapter by far is seen in verses 21-22... "They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said." WOW!!!!!!! They didn't sway from following Jesus. COME ON!!!!!!! I can't say that after being stoned, I would have continued on, especially in the same towns that just did me wrong.

The things that stood out the most to me in this chapter was the power of the lies among the unbelievers. They witness the grace and power of God, but couldn't see it or pay attention to it. The other thing was that when Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities that rebuked them, they went to the believers/disciples to "strengthen" and "encourage" them. They did not return to fight with or convince those that rebuked them. They didn't waste their time.  Respond well to Jesus today.

Paul Email -11Oct2013 - Acts 13 Authority Comes in Commission

How you doin? I'm very distracted today. There's so much going on... as usual. You would think I would be used to it. For some reason I continue to look to myself for strength and hope. I do indeed realize the flaw in that process. I'm trying not to believe the lies I'm hearing right now, but believe and look toward the truth's of God. The last 2 nights we've watched a live stream of Ravi Zacharias at Dartmouth. We also watched Bill Johnson's session at Bethel's "Open heaven" conference. You would think that would cure all. Ravi is so smart it's painful. Bill is so anointed it's painful. We look forward to this conference even via our stream on the computer. Last night Bill Johnson said "Jesus didn't come to show us what God can do... that was already established in the Old Testament. He came to show us what one man in right relationship with God can do." WOW!!!!!!! That's quite a thought. Bill also said "Your hope can't be in the return of Jesus... it must be in the power of the gospel." COME ON!!!!!!! Acts 13 today

Way to much to get into Acts 13 in this email. I did notice in the beginning of the chapter the commission that Barnabas and Saul received. "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (13:2) Barnabas and Saul went on "... sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,...". They proclaimed the word of God. They encountered plenty of apposition. Mainly from a sorcerer named Elymas. Saul "filled with the Holy Spirit" called Elymas out on the carpet, "You are a child of the Devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery." Saul had some serious authority. The story goes on with the sorcerer being blinded by the power of God. Bill Johnson also said last night "Authority comes with commission". God empowers us to serve Him. There's so much here. I hope you take the time to read Acts 13 today.

As so often happens with me, the last verse or two stands out. "So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." (13:51-52) I'll take that word. I tend to allow the dust on my feet to stay WAY too long. Shake the dust off your feet today.

Paul Email - 10Oct2013- Acts 12 (Chains Fell Off)

How you doin? I should have let Stacey keep praying for me on Tues. My allergies are really getting the better of me. My throat still doesn't hurt, but my head is fully in the fish bowl of deep congestion. I'm also warding off the unwanted spirit of offense. I'm not sure why I'm so susceptible to the Devils schemes, but it's not very fun going through it. Acts 12 today.

"Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison" is the title of the first 19 verses. I think I over look the value of this story. Peter is guarded by 16 guards in prison. Plus he's chained. In verse 7 an angel appears in Peter's cell and "He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.". 2 things stand out in this verse. Peter was in captivity and was woken up by the angel. In other Scripture, Jesus relates sleep to temptation and captivity. The second thing is "the chains fell off Peter's wrist". Awakening leads to freedom. Jesus came to this earth to reconcile us with the Father so we can be free from sin. I love being free from the things I've been freed from. I still battle with things like offense for some reason. I'm certainly not going to sacrifice God's glory on the alter of human understanding. I know God loves me, sustains me, and will free me completely. That's just what He does.

Verse 5 tells us that "the church was earnestly praying" for Peter. That's why this email goes out to a lot of you. I need you to be praying me, Stacey, & the kids. We seem to be willing to answer God's call and trust that He gives us grace to do what He asks of us. That looks good on paper, but here in my human condition, it's hard sometimes. Stay awake today.  

Paul Email -9Oct2013- Acts 10 (Fighting Frustration)

How you doin? I'd like to ask for prayer for my frustration. I know that frustration doesn't come from God. Peace and patience comes from God. I find myself getting very frustrated with way to many things. I felt very convicted about it doing our prayer time this morning. The worship music playing in the background is seriously working on me. Acts 11 is working on me even more.

Acts 11:15-18, is another Scripture that speaks of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." This story is primarily about Jews and Gentiles coming together in Christ, but I hear the message about the baptism of the Holy Spirit most. Again, like the size of a miracle, I don't believe that God has the importance of the order of things that we do. In my mind I think that we need to be baptized into the name of Jesus (or in water) then baptized in the Holy Spirit. The Scripture in Acts 10:44-48 makes this very clear. "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?" (10:47) This was in response to what was said in 10:44, "... the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message". I/we are the ones who get hung up on rules, regulations, and order. God just wants His children to come home. That's a good word. "They have received the Holy spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." (10:47-48) The Gentiles had already received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I'm thinking Peter, like Bill Johnson would say, was "making it legal". COME ON!!!!!!! Back to Acts 11. I love verse 17, "So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”. Occasionally Peter gets out of his own way. RIGHT ON!!!!!!!

The church in Jerusalem heard about what was going in Antioch and sent Barnabas. "When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."(11:23) He didn't try to shoot holes in their theology, question their authenticity, and disbelieve what God had done. I wonder why. First, he "saw the evidence of the grace of God". So how or why did he see the evidence? "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith,..." (11:24) I want that to be said about me. Not for my own edification or accolades, but for what the rest of verse 24 says, "... and a great number of people were brought to the Lord." SAY WORD!!!!!!! I love these great men of God. Full of the Holy Ghost and faith. Co-laboring with Jesus to destroy the works of the devil. COME ON!!!!!!! Here I am getting hung up in frustration. Help me Jesus. I pray for the Spirit of revelation to reveal more of the fullness of Jesus in me. SAY WORD!!!!!!! Be full of the Holy Spirit and faith today.   

PS   I feel Holy jealousy toward Barnabas. He was able to see the grace of God. There are so many theologies, doctrines, beliefs, and sadly enough opinions out there. But there is only one Spirit. I for one want to see the grace of God instead of being in agreement or conformed to theology, doctrine, or belief. It is my most consistent prayer, "Lord give me ears to hear and eyes to see".

Paul Email -8Oct2013- Acts 10 (Is any miracle "minor"?)

How you doin? I love tough questions. More specifically, how I answer them. Last night I went to bed with a headache and sore throat. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was going to be sick in the morning. Sure enough I woke up sick as could be. My throat was throbbing and my head was congested. During our prayer time this morning Stacey said "I forgot to pray for your health. Do you want me to pray for you?". We have been given some serious assignments in prayer lately. So Stacey's prayer to open our devotional time was very heavy. I started shaking my head "no", but then I said "yes" for her to pray for me. She started praying and I was praying to myself for my lack of faith not to hinder this process. After about a minute of Stacey's prayer I heard "test it out". So while she was still praying I swallowed and had zero pain in my throat. So, being the person who needs proof that I am, I swallowed again... no pain. I blurted out in the middle of Stacey's prayer "it's gone". Indeed my sore throat was gone. I'm know sitting here still pain free, but praising God for healing me and more then that increasing my belief. COME ON!!!!!!! I would say that it was a "minor" miracle, but with the intense prayer assignment we've received, it's far from "minor". I know that sore throats pail in comparison to cancer or diabetes or something else life threatening, but God healed my throat AND increased my faith and belief in the authority we have through Him. COME ON!!!!!!! So needless to say when it was my turn to pray, the Holy Ghost completely highjacked my prayer. It was quite enjoyable listening to the prayer as it was coming out of my mouth. SAY WORD!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear the testimony from the prayers today. POWERFUL!!!!!!! We did read Acts chapter 10 as well.

As usual this chapter is loaded. WAY too much for one email. I did love reading about Peter's "trance" and "vision". I get holy jealousy when I read about this intense form of communication and connection with God. AWESOME!!!!!!! I was also diggin Peters obedience. I guess it's hard to say no to God after that vision. Verses 27-29, Peter tells how it's very wrong based on the "law" for him to be there. But God trumped the rules and regulations and restrictions of the human condition through the vision. WOW!!!!!!! "But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection." (10:28-29) DIG IT!!!!!!! The other people in the story were also in touch with God... “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor." (10:30-31) Cornelius immediately followed his instructions and sent for Peter. Here's the best part. "Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” (10:33) COME ON!!!!!!! Everyone in this story was being obedient. Peter and Cornelius answered the call from God and God showed up... "Now we are all here in the Presence of God". YES & AMEN!!!!!!! Let this be a lesson to me. I'll take that word. Obedience = Presences. SO GOOD!!!!!!! As usual I'm a mess here this morning... undone. I love it! God is SO GOOD!!!!!!! Receive the miracle God has for you today.

PS To answer the question "is any miracle "minor"?... NO. Not as far as I'm concerned. I can't wait to read this email. I typed it, but didn't author it. COME ON!!!!!!!

PPS My throat is still good. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!

How you doin? I need to double dip, because Stacey's brilliant. While discussing my email and her journal, she had a good word. She said:  Is any miracle bigger or smaller than the other to God? If you put cancer up against God in a battle, the distance/disparity between the two is so vast that the cancer doesn't even register on the scale. If you put a sore throat up against God in a battle, the distance/disparity between the two is so vast that the sore throat doesn't even register on the scale. So when you look at it that way, it is all small to God. It is our minds that make cancer bigger than a sore throat. To God they are all the same.  He bore our sickness and sin so that we can be healed and cleansed from it all!  The greatest mystery is that, Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents". That is the true miracle!  :)

When she said this, I thought WOW!!!!!!!... how true? I'm guessing that God doesn't lay a finger on a sore throat and His entire hand on cancer. He just heals. Sadly enough I don't treat salvation the same way I treat healing or deliverance or any sign/wonder. I'm gonna start.

Paul Email -7Oct2013- (Anointing to Appointing)

How you doin? No Stacey this morning, so I'll share a little about our weekend. My 2 favorite speakers were Christine Caine and Carl Lentz (who we've seen before at Jesus Culture NY/LA). Christine is this very short Greek woman, but man does she have an anointing on her. She had me shaken during her talk. I often say that "I've learned to love the process". Christine used an analogy that just made sense. The Scripture she used was the story of David. He was anointed king and 15 years and 20 chapters later he was appointed king. What happen in that time. As I've stated so many times before, I love that God is present future. That he gives us prophecy about our future in our present. He does this so we can start the training.

Christine used the analogy of developing a picture. An old school concept I know, but maybe that's why I understood it. She pointed out that we live in an "instant-gram" world. I'm not even sure if I know what that is, but I know it has something to do with social media. Before the Polaroid instant camera and now cell phones and memory cards, we developed pictures. You remember. You took your roll of film to the drug store, grocery story, or those little booths that here in the middle of a mall's/plaza's parking lot. You dropped of the film and 4 or 5 days later you picked up your pictures with eager anticipation of great memories and images of the events in your life (Biblical hope). At least that's how it went for me. So what happen in that 4 or 5 days. Someone took the film into a dark room and developed the film into pictures. They put the film in a series of different chemicals and then let them dry so the image from the film would appear on the picture. It was a process. The light had to be right, so not to over expose the film. The film had to go in the chemicals in the correct order and then the paper needed to dry. COME ON!!!!!!! I so get it.

The 15 years David waited to be appointed king after he was anointed king was his process or developing. He received Gods present future. He was a 15 year old kid being told he was going to be king. He had to be thinking "what's up with that?". Especially seeming how he was the runt of the liter. Because he believed the prophetic word he received, he started his training or developing.

For me the process can be slow and it can be incredibly fast. Even when the Holy Ghost accelerates my process and blesses me with impartation and/or anointing, I'm still in a process. The process then becomes keeping or stewarding the impartation or anointing. I love the process. 2 of my favorite verses are Philippians 2:12-13, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." There are so many Scriptures that tell us about the process that we, as followers of Jesus, are in. Christine used this analogy because, as it says in Philippians 2:13, God is the picture developer and we are the pictures. God is developing His image on us. WOW!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!! I want to be a picture of His image. I welcome Jesus in me. Testimony of Christine's talk worked on me again. SAY WORD!!!!!!! Enjoy your process today.

Paul Email -6Oct2013- Acts 9 (Encountering Jesus)

How you doin? I hope everyone enjoyed their day off from the email yesterday. We had a wonder-full time in NYC at Hillsong Conference. It was very refreshing and encouraging. Stacey and I receive so much confirmation at these conferences that what we do in our devotional time is anointed and led by the Holy Ghost. Our time in the morning is by far the most connected I get to Jesus and to Stacey. The worship and praise at the conference was incredible. We were able to hear a different set of words and analogies about familiar subjects and Biblical truths. COME ON!!!!!!! I love Truth. Right back to it today. Acts 9.

Saul is transformed through an encounter with Jesus. Saul was feared by the disciples because he "was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." I like in verse 2 how Saul is looking for anyone who "belonged to the Way". That's a good word. I want to belong to the Way.

So Saul's on his way to Damascus to arrest disciples, when "light from heaven flashed around him". Jesus asked him "... why do you persecute me?" I love the language here. Jesus doesn't ask "why do you persecute them?". SAY WORD!!!!!!! The next part is most interesting. Saul's just been knocked down to the ground by the Presence of Jesus and spoken to by Jesus and he asked "Who are you Lord?" The way Saul asked this question makes me think that he already knew who He was. It seems to me that if Saul didn't know who He was he would have asked "who are you?". Jesus' response verifies my thought, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting". Then Jesus says, "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." WOW!!!!!!! What authority. Here Jesus makes Himself known to the most feared persecutor of disciples and anoints him and appoints him just like that. POWERFUL!!!!!!!

There is so much in Acts 9. In the interest of time and my rest, I'll cut it short. The chapter goes on to tell the story of Ananias which is the greatest treasure hunt in the Bible. COME ON!!!!!!! Saul receives his anointing, "At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. AWESOME!!!!!!! Saul went on to preach and "grew more and more powerful". He "preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus." He also spoke "boldly in the name of the Lord". It's so awesome seeing this example of what an encounter with Jesus can do. It's also an example of walking in your identity and destiny. COME ON!!!!!!!

One more thing. Verse 31, "Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." COME ON!!!!!!! I love this verse. This is my prayer for our body of Christ. It just sounds... AWESOME!!!!!!! Encounter Jesus today.           

PS    I will leak out the things I learned at the conference. If you want to hear about it, please feel free to call me.