Book Review: "Your Guide to the Apocalypse", by Matt Hagee

Jesus is coming again. We know this as believers. The church has been taught this fact for years since He left the earth. His disciples were told by angels when He ascended, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11, KJV)."

Since that time, the study of Christ's return has been one that has consumed men. God used men here on earth: Paul, John, Daniel, Ezekiel, and Jesus Himself to teach on the end times. Now that we have the Bible, men are constantly attempting to interpret prophetic passages. Matt Hagee endeavors to do this in this book, Your Guide to the Apocalypse.

Hagee does a good job of looking at the events leading up to the events of Scriptures teaching. This book, while it does look at some events of the Tribulation, is more of a stage setter for what is to come. And I like that about this book. Because the truth is, if we are truly saved, we will not be here. Our goal is to win souls to Christ before He comes back. The worries of the gospel in the Tribulation will be put back on Israel through the 2 witnesses and through the 144,000 witnesses (see Revelation 7 and 11 for more details on those).

I also appreciate his look at the letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation. These letters are so often overlooked in studies of the book, but they are very important letters. God put them there for the benefit of the churches then, but also the churches now.

As I have said, I greatly appreciate Matt Hagee's take on the build-up to the prophetic events and the addressing of the letters to the 7 churches. I would recommend this book to one who is curious of what is to come. I would also like to issue a caution that is true with any Biblical topic, but specifically eschatology (the study of the end times)-- be extremely careful to take a look at God's Word while reading this book. Look up and study the Scriptures for yourself along with this book. This is merely a guide. God wants us to study the Word for ourselves too.

I'll give 4.5 stars out of 5 for a good guide to what is coming.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THIS BOOK:

Hagee, Matt. Your Guide to the Apocalypse: What You Should Know Before the World Comes to an End. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook, 2017.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Blogging for Books book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

WHERE TO PURCHASE: https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/544966/your-guide-to-the-apocalypse-by-matt-hagee-foreword-by-john-hagee/

Lamentations: The Weeping Prophet

When we look at Christ in the book of Lamentations, we don't need to look any further than the title. The entire book is full of the lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah, who was known as the weeping prophet back in the Old Testament. Why did this prophet get this title and how then can we see Christ in the same light? 

It was because of the sins and ultimately the destruction of Judah. They had become so wicked that God allowed them to be taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Jeremiah had so desperately wanted the people to return to God that seeing the city of Jerusalem in its destroyed state moved him to tears. From the very opening of the book, we see Jeremiah's tears: "How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people!
how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! (Lamentations 1:1)" 

As you move through the book, you constantly see terms of sadness and hopelessness. Words like weep, mourn, and distress show the condition of the hearts of the righteous who still follow God. Words like desolate, solitary, cut off, and captivity show the condition of the country that has been left behind by the people who once followed God and of the people who now live far from home.

And through all of these lamentations, all of this hopelessness, all of this destruction, we can still see a picture of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is seen in the author, Jeremiah with the same name-- the weeping prophet.

Just as Jeremiah wept over the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus also wept over Jerusalem. Luke 19:41-44 tells this story of Jesus. 
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Just as Jerusalem was destroyed in the time of Jeremiah by Babylon, it would one day be destroyed by the Romans. And Jesus wept because of that! In another passage he pleaded with the citizens of Jerusalem, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37)" It broke His heart that His people would not follow Him.
And it still breaks His heart.

It breaks His heart when sinners reject the salvation that He died to secure. It breaks His heart when those who He has saved live like there has not been a sacrifice made for them. It breaks His heart to think that there are those who have not even heard His name once. 

Where does that leave us? Our hearts should break for what His heart breaks for. It's cliche, I know, but seeing sinners die and go to hell, seeing believers live in sin, and seeing people die without ever hearing the gospel should break out hearts. We must strive to emulate the heart of Christ and allow His burden to become ours.

Jeremiah: The Righteous Branch

Jeremiah 23:5 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."

In Jeremiah 23, Jeremiah begins this chapter by issuing a warning to those leaders of God's people who would destroy God's flock from within. These are men who have neglected God's calling to lead Israel specifically. He then prophesies that a remnant of God's people will be gathered together again. They will be ruled by one called here the "Righteous Branch." This branch is a symbol of Christ's Millennial Kingdom.

When Jesus comes again one day, He will establish a Kingdom on this earth. Where the image of the branch comes in is this: the branch is a new plant that has been cut out of the old one. It is a shoot or a sprout growing out of the ground. While it is based out of the same kingdom and the same family, it is a new line, a new king, a new worship.

It was prophesied that one of the last kings of Israel, Jeconiah or Coniah, would not have a ruler come from his line anymore. And if Jesus were the biological son of Joseph that would have disqualified him from ruling. But Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, who did not descend from this cursed line, yet was still by right in the ruling line through his stepfather Joseph. This is where the righteous branch- the sprout- comes from. Christ comes to the earth to rule and to reign, fully in the right of His kingdom but making it new.

This is a prophecy, along with the prophecy of the virgin birth, is a great prophecy for us as Christians to know. Some would use this prophecy to say that Jesus Christ is not fit to be king because His father comes from this cursed line. But because we know that He was not the biological son of Joseph, we know that He is not disqualified. These two prophecies further show how much we can trust God and His Word. It is imperative that we continue to develop our trust in Him that our faith may never waiver, and this righteous branch, this new kingdom out of the old kingdom, is a great example of God's sovereignty and His ability to accomplish His will through the terrible actions of others. Coniah was an evil king, again, to the point where God cursed His seed from ever being able to be on the throne. But God worked to where His Son still has the right to sit on David's throne without this curse being upon Him. Is not our God amazing! Is not our God good! Is not our God righteous!

Book Review of Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God, by Mark Batterson

Does God still speak?

This is a question that we as Christians often ask. We know that God spoke audibly to people like Samuel, Noah, Elijah, and other Bible saints and prophets. But does He still speak to us today?

In his book Whisper, Mark Batterson would argue that He does speak. As humans, many have heard and outlined that we have 5 love languages. Batterson finds 7 different love languages of communication that God has with His people. These are Scripture, Desires, Doors, Dreams, People, Promptings, and Pain.

I give this book a 4.5 rating out of 5. From the eye-catching artwork on the front cover to the revealing title and subtitle, all the way through the deep content within, this book is a very good look at how we as Christians can hear God's voice on a daily basis. We just have to be listening.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THIS BOOK:

Batterson, Mark. Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah, 2017.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Blogging for Books book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Isaiah: The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

One of the many Messianic prophecies that we find in the Old Testament, this is one of the few that lists names for Christ. All of the names here view Christ as a ruler. He is the wonderful counselor, bringing about righteous judgment on this earth and in heaven. He is the mighty God,  full of wisdom and strength as our virtuous ruler. He is the everlasting Father, continually acting in that role as Father for all who will come to Him in every generation.

And He is the Prince of Peace.

It is fitting that this verse is in Isaiah. Out of all the books in the Bible, only Leviticus mentions the word peace more, with most of the references there being toward peace offerings. Isaiah prophesied at a time when Israel was searching for peace, and that time has continued even until now. Isaiah, like many others, held to the belief that the reign of their Messiah would bring peace to this earth, rather than bringing war to defeat all of Israel's enemies.

One of my favorite verses that shows this desire and knowledge that God would bring peace to and for Israel and to all who love God is Isaiah 26:3. This passage is part of a song that Isaiah wrote for Judah. Here, he writes "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." The words perfect peace there in the original Hebrew are actually the same word repeated twice: shalom shalom.

The word shalom in Hebrew is often and rightly interpreted as peace. It is the only word that we have that comes close to the application that the Hebrew language brings. While we view peace as calm, comfort, or tranquility, Hebrew shalom goes deeper. Shalom is a sense of completeness or wholeness that gives one the desire to give back. And Isaiah says that God will give a double portion of completeness to those people who keep their mind focused on Him.

One day Christ will come again and truly bring shalom shalom to the earth. Until then, let us keep our minds focused on Him, that He might bring us His shalom, His completeness to Him. And when He brings it to us, let us give our lives back to Him in reverence and in service.

Church Hunters -- Part 4

In our final study of what to consider when choosing a church, we are going to turn down a completely different road. To this point, we have looked at the church itself--the commissioned, continuing, and convinced church. Now we will look at a singular person in the church: the called pastor. The pastor is a very important part of choosing any church. Often, if one wants a good picture of what the church is, he can look to the pastor and see a picture of what the church will eventually become. What should one look for in a pastor?

I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 provide us with the characteristics of a bishop or elder (other Bible words for pastor). We will be looking at the pastoral characteristics found in I Timothy 3:1-7.

1. The pastor is called to a good desire -- His reputation before God (I Tim. 3:1)

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

The pastor must have a desire to be in this position. Without that desire, he will soon lose his passion for the work of God. However, this desire must be in the right places. He must desire the position to serve others, to preach the Word of God, and to lead the flock. His desire must not be material gain or leading others astray.

QUESTIONS:

1. Does my pastor have a desire to be in the pastorate?

2. Is my pastor's desire based in scriptural things and not selfish things?

2. The pastor is called to a good character -- His reputation before the church (I Tim. 3:2-3, 6)

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

The pastor's reputation in the church must be a good one. He must have a character that reflects his position. An outline of the above characteristics would be this:

Unquestioned gender

The unquestioned gender is the fact that he is a he. This is crucial to a Christian's beliefs. It is God-ordained that pastors be men. This is not because women are not supposed to study the Bible or be leaders. Rather it is because God wants the church to be a picture of how the home is structured. His structure from the beginning is man leading the home. The church is a picture of the marriage and family relationships.

Unquestioned behavior

The pastor's behavior should be above reproach. Accusations should not be able to take hold in his life. He should always be aware of any dangers that could come into his life, his family, or his church. His behavior should be characterized by the purpose that God has given him. He should be organized or disciplined in his actions.

Unquestioned love

His love for the people in his church should also be unquestioned. He should be hospitable, welcoming people and helping with needs whenever he can. He should be a teacher, lovingly showing his congregation how to follow God's Word.

Unquestioned actions

His actions should be God-honoring. He shouldn't be a drunk or a bully. He shouldn't be greedy or constantly trying to get more stuff that he doesn’t need. He should be patient. He shouldn't be quick to argue.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is he a man?

2. Is his behavior unquestionably godly?

3. Does he have a love for the church?

4. Do his actions reflect that he is following God?

3. The pastor is called to a good home -- His family's reputation (I Tim. 3:4-5)

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Our pastor should be one that takes care of his family. He should be in charge in his house- the authority that his family looks to for leadership. His wife should be submitted to him Biblically. His children should obey and acknowledge his authority. If he is not able to be in authority over his own house, then he would not be able to be a good authority in God's house. 

QUESTIONS:

1. What is his wife's attitude toward him? Does she willingly submit to his leadership?

2. Do his children acknowledge his authority and obey him? Or are they rebelling constantly and not bringing honor to God?

4. The pastor is called to a good testimony -- His reputation before the community (I Tim. 3:7)

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

The pastor should have a relationship of respect with the community. He should be known as a man of character among all non-believers. If he does not have a good testimony in the community, how can he reach out to the community? How could they see the love of Christ through the church? The world needs to be able to respect the morality of the pastor, even if they don't respect his beliefs. 

QUESTIONS:

1. Does his testimony in the community reflect well on God?

2. Does his testimony in the community allow us to properly reach out to the community?

3. Will our church be given a bad name because of his leadership?

I hope that you have enjoyed this series on the characteristics of a Biblical church. God desires that all who have believed in Jesus Christ follow Him and the church is a large part of that following. Following through the commissioned church, the continuing church, the convinced church, and a called pastor are essentials for every Christian to have. Again, I offer a word of caution when asking these questions: If a few of the underlying questions do not add up to exactly where we want them to be, it does not mean that God does not want us in that church. Rather He wants us to be leaders and help that church grow. If however, the church does not exhibit the major qualifications that our presented in scripture, we may want to consider going elsewhere. Ultimately, we must let God lead us to where He wants us. 

1. Photo credits: www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YKKWGPNX

Church Hunters -- Part 3

We have looked before at the commissioned church and the continuing church as characteristics to look for when choosing a church to attend. Now we will look at the convinced church. In Acts 4, the church was preaching the gospel of Christ. They were following the commission and continuing in the practices which they knew were right. Now they were experiencing persecution. It was at this time that the church needed to be convinced. Now what did they need to be convinced about, and what do our churches, in turn, need to be convinced about?

1. They were convinced of their Messiah--Acts 4:8-10

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Though I am not a Jew looking for a Messiah, to these apostles, that's who Jesus was. He was promised from the beginning of time. He was the one who fulfilled all the prophecies given in the Old Testament. These disciples were convinced that the man they were following was the one who they needed to follow.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is this church one-hundred percent convinced in Jesus Christ being the Messiah, the Son of God?

2. Would this church and pastor ever consider turning to another Messiah as its Lord?

2. They were convinced of their Message--Acts 4:18-20

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Peter and John, when brought before the religious leaders had a predicament. They had been threatened and told to never preach in the name of Jesus Christ. But Peter and John made a decision. They made sure in their hearts that they would not waver, no matter who told them to stop preaching. They were convinced that they should obey God more than they should obey man. They were also convinced that they needed to tell all of what they had seen Christ to and heard Christ teach. They were convinced that their message needed to go forward. What about our church?

QUESTIONS:

1. Has this church changed the message that it teaches from God's Word?

2. Would this church and pastor ever consider changing the message that it teaches?

3. They were convinced of their Methods--Acts 4:23-24, 31-35

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

When Peter and John were released by the religious leaders and came back to the church, the two men told the church everything that had happened. Notice what they did after that in verse 24--"they lifted up their voice to God with one accord"--and in verse 31--"and when they had prayed." They kept the methods that they had used before right then and there after hearing the threats of the religious leaders. Then in verses 32-35, the continued the other methods that they had done before. They were convinced that the methods that they had used before and had worked still worked. Where does that leave the church today?

QUESTIONS:

1. Do I agree with the methods this church uses?

2. Will this church keep strong the core methods found in Acts 2:42-47?

3. Will this church waver in its methods when challenged by the world or will it stay strong and as separate as it needs to be?

We have now finished part 3 of this series of characteristics to consider in choosing a church. We have one more part remaining, which looks at a different part of the church than we have looked at to this point.

1. Photo credits: www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YKKWGPNX

Book Review: Know Who You Are, Live Like It Matters by Tim Tebow

To be honest, when I requested this book, I didn't know what I was getting. I simply saw the name and the picture on the cover and knew that I wanted to read it. I have been a fan of Tim Tebow since he was a freshman at the University of Florida in 2006. Every time I have had the opportunity to read things he has written, I have taken that opportunity. But I hadn't read the subtitle to this book-- Know Who You Are, Live Like it Matters: A Homeschooler's Guide to Discovering Your True Identity. I was not homeschooled. I was in a Christian school from K4-12th grade and then went on to live in the dorms of a Christian college. But even still, I can learn from Tebow's insights that he has written into this book.

This Bible Study is split into 4 parts with 9 lessons in each part. Each lesson is short and simple but has a challenge to it. Tebow, along with co-author A.J. Gregory, then gives discussion questions to be answered. He encourages those who are doing the study, both the kids and their parents helping, to take about 30 minutes to journal their answers to these questions, taking time to improve their writing, while also deepening their walk with God.

First, Tebow focuses on our identity in Christ in the section "Who Are You?" He opens this section by saying, "The world does not define you."(5) His purpose for this section is to help individuals realize that identity cannot be found in things, relationships, or even in themselves. Identity is to be found in Christ.

Second, Tebow focuses on how we go through difficulties in "Don't Sweat It; God's Got It." He stresses the importance of keeping our focus in trials on who we have our identity in. We can have our identity secure through easy times, but it is much more difficult to do this during difficulties. But through Christ, we can overcome.

Third, Tebow focuses on our relationships with others in "Others Matter." While our identity cannot be found in our relationships with others, these relationships still matter. As our identity in Christ grows, so should our relationships and how we interact with others.

Finally, Tebow focuses on our eternal impact in "Live Bigger." Our purpose on this earth is not just to be born, live, and die. God has placed us here to bring honor and glory to Him, as well as bring others to Him. God wants to use His people for His purposes. We should have the desire and the drive to allow Him to use us.

Tebow does an excellent job relating specifically to the student. While I wasn't homeschooled, as I mentioned before, I can almost get a glimpse into a homeschooler's life. It is a unique perspective, one that is so often overlooked. Tebow did very well in conveying that, and I would highly recommend this devotional book as a part of one's curriculum.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5

Where to Purchase: https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/548256/know-who-you-are-live-like-it-matters-by-tim-tebow-with-a-j-gregory/

Bibliography:

Tebow, Tim. Know Who You Are, Live Like It Matters: A Homeschooler's Guide to Discovering Your True Identity. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook, 2017

FTC Disclosure:

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the "Blogging for Books" book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

Church Hunters -- Part 2

Last time, we looked at the commissioned church. Today, we are looking at the continuing church. So what is a continuing church? It is a church that is continuing in what Christ left us on earth to do. While the commission is the essence of our ministry, the continuing is the environment that God has called us to create in the church. Let's look at Acts 2:42-47--

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The church here continued in several different things here. And not only did they continue, they continued steadfastly. Steadfastly there means faithfully or regularly. They did not fail to make use of these practices and create a godly environment in the church I would like to point out six of these practices, and then show the result of those practices.

1. They continued in teaching -- "doctrine" (v. 42)

The early church was one that heard the words of the apostles. These men had heard directly from Jesus Christ Himself. They'd followed Him for three and a half years. And what they had been taught, they taught to the people. Look where we are today. We have the scriptures, from Genesis all the way to Revelation. We have the very Words of God at our fingertips. As such, our churches should be teaching the doctrines that are found within. 

QUESTIONS:

1. Is my church teaching doctrine that lines up with scripture?

2. Is my church continuing to teach in different settings and formats?

3. Is my church exalting the Bible as the authority for all doctrine, rather than the men who speak in the pulpit?

2. They continued in fellowship -- "fellowship (v. 42); with one accord (v. 46)"

The early church enjoyed each other's company. They were friends. They didn’t just walk in, sing a couple songs, pray, hear some teaching, and leave. They formed relationships with the other members of the congregation. They learned to love these people. Many people in churches today seem to hold to the "come, sit, stand, leave" philosophy of church attendance. But God wants us to continue in fellowshipping with one another, in forming relationships. 

QUESTIONS:

1. Is my church a friendly church?

2. Does the pastor encourage us to fellowship with one another?

3. Do we have opportunities for fellowship (meals, small groups, etc.)?

3. They continued in discipleship -- "breaking bread" (vv. 42, 46)

This practice is a mix of the previous two-- teaching in principle, fellowship in practice. When the early church created relationships, they then were able to teach others more closely. They were breaking bread together, eating meals with smaller groups of people.  This is the practice. The principle comes in the word breaking. When they would break the bread, they would pass it around to all who were at the table. They would spread the bread around so that all could have some, and in the process also spread knowledge around. Where do this principle and this practice leave the church today? In practice, our relationships should deepen to the point where we can implement the principle of discipleship in our everyday living. 

QUESTIONS:

1. Does the church provide ample opportunity for me to learn from other members?

2. Does the church provide ample opportunity for me to teach other members?

3. Is discipleship encouraged along with outreach?

4. They continued in prayers -- "in prayers" (v. 42)

The early church knew the power that prayer had. The apostles had seen The power of prayer in the life of Jesus Christ and had learned how to pray from Him. These prayers filled the church with power. They prayed for God to work in their church, in the lives of other church members, and in their own personal lives. What should this mean for us in our churches? We should be using prayer to fill our church as a whole and the people within the church with power. 

QUESTIONS:

1. Does my church encourage us to pray for one another by providing prayer requests and praises in the service and/or on paper?

2. Does my church provide opportunities to pray for one another?

5. They continued in giving -- "parted them to all men (v. 45); from house to house (v. 46)"

Giving is one of the hardest things to do. As people, we naturally desire for our own welfare to grow through receiving. But here in Acts, the church was naturally giving. Not only did they give, but they gave sacrificially. They would sell off a piece of property and give all the proceeds to the church. The church could then spread that money to people who were in need. As a church now, we should be giving for several things that are even mentioned in the Bible. We should be giving 1) to support the local church ministry and the pastor (I Tim. 5:17-18), 2) to provide for the needs of others (Acts 2:45), and 3) to support the work of missionaries (II Cor. 8:1-5). 

QUESTIONS:

1. Am I going to have an opportunity to give to support the church and the pastor?

2. Am I going to have an opportunity to give to support others who are in the church and in the community?

3. Am I going to have an opportunity to give to support missionaries around the world?

6. They continued in worship -- "Praising God" (v. 47)

Worship is the culmination of all the above practices. Worship is not just a style of music, but rather an environment, a culture, and a lifestyle that glorifies God. When the early church did all of the above, they also continued in worshipping God. God was honored. God was glorified.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do the actions of this church exemplify worship of God?

2. Is the church's atmosphere and environment one that places a priority on worship?

3. Am I able to glorify God in my actions in this ministry?

Now, what was the result of this atmosphere? What did God do for this church? Look at the end of verse 47: "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." When this church created an environment surrounded around God-honoring practices, God brought in the souls who would be saved and would join the church. The church grew as a result of honoring God. They grew in numbers and in spiritual matters. This church is a great example for us to follow. 

1. Photo credits: www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YKKWGPNX