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Bible Blogging Christian Church God Home Ministry Scripture

Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday September 24TH 2023, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

I’m back in Homestead for the first of 2 Sundays in a row at my longtime home church of the past 8½ years. I’m looking forward to service and fellowship with my closest brothers and sisters of my church family and this fantastic journey.

Back home in Sebring I’ve been working on my next sermon on “Jude & Judgment” (based on Jude’s letter near the end of the New Testament). I hope to preach it to my Homestead church family at the end of November.

And now here on #SundayScripture it’s the continuation of the refresh, renew, and reboot of my sermon on “Pray & Believe” – originally preached on Sunday June 16TH 2019. Here’s Part 9:

[CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK]

There was an excellent movie in the theatres in early-2019. It did pretty good at the box office too. It made over 40 million dollars here in North America. That’s a lot of people seeing a faith-based movie at the theatres. It was called “Breakthrough”. It’s available at many stores – on DVD and Blu-Ray – and you can also stream it. It’s about a suburban mom who loved Christ and her family. She was a prayer warrior. She prayed often. She prayed intentionally.

Her 14-year-old son was playing with two friends on a frozen lake in mid-January during a milder-than-normal winter day. The kids were warned to get off the unsafe ice, but like typical teenagers – they brushed aside those warnings. They all fell through the ice. Two recovered safely back to the surface. One did not. He was underwater for 15 minutes before he was eventually rescued by a first-responder who refused to give up. Was the first responder led by an angel ?

After 15 minutes underwater the kid was lifeless. He was rushed to the hospital in a coma.

The movie was based on the real-life events that occurred in January of 2015 just outside of St. Louis Missouri. It made national headlines. The mom got an entire small town to pray for her son. Guess what she got ? She got miracles ! God hears our prayers. God responds with miracles.

It was a great movie. I shed tears several times, and I nearly wept out loud once or twice. And that’s OK to do – even for a guy in his 50s. I was also overwhelmed with joy. Watch this movie on DVD or online or on TV if you get the chance. Hollywood doesn’t make too many movies like this.

But that’s the power of prayer. Think about this. Who do you pray for ? Who do you pray for ? If all of your prayers today were answered by God tomorrow – then how many people – other than yourself – would experience life-changing miracles ? How ‘bout this. Would any of those people be complete strangers ?

But Pastor Chris – why would I pray for complete strangers ? I want God to answer the prayers for my loved ones – my family and my friends.

Yeah – same here. But God commanded us to love your neighbor as yourself, and everyone is your neighbor. If you see or hear another person – no matter where you are – then he or she is your neighbor. Love them. Pray for them.

[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK]

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Categories
Bible Blogging Christian Church God Home Ministry Scripture

Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday September 17TH 2023, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

6 months ago I moved in to my dream home in my dream neighborhood in my dream part of Florida – 185 miles away from my Homestead homes of the past 36 years. 7 months ago I bought my new home. I thank God every single day for providing for me and bringing me here to my current place. With each new day that He has made – I rejoice. Every morning I press the remote control that raises the motorized blinds out in my lanai, and it reveals the landscape behind my home. I thank God for His glorious creation. I thank Him for blessing this beautiful neighborhood and all of its residents.

It’s “Back To Church” day at my new church here in Sebring. That’s a lot of fun and food after our 10:30 AM service. I’m looking forward to hanging out with my new church family in fellowship with one another.

And now here on #SundayScripture it’s the continuation of the refresh, renew, and reboot of my sermon on “Pray & Believe” – originally preached on Sunday June 16TH 2019. Here’s Part 8:

[CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK]

Peter didn’t stay very long. God sent him on a mission – to continue to evangelize and spread the Good News throughout the lands. God’s Message continued on despite opposition and persecution. God’s Message continues on 2,000 years later. Today – you and I – we have been sent on a mission – to be disciples – to go and tell – to evangelize and spread the Good News throughout the lands. That’s everywhere we go.

Peter lived for another 20 years after that. Meanwhile King Herod’s demise came very quickly – like a week or two later. It was a wonderful day. He had on his royal robes. He was on his royal throne. He was living large and in charge. He gave a speech to his loyal followers. He received a great ovation. His subjects referred to him as a God. And then – as the Bible says:

Instantly an angel of the Lord struck (King) Herod with a sickness – because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. (Acts 12:23)

And that ended the short 3-year reign of King Herod Agrippa of Judea.

I like the Book of Acts. A lot of great stories there. A lot of great stories involving angels of the Lord. Angels accomplishing the work of the Lord. Angels spreading the Good News of the Lord. Angels performing miracles of the Lord. Angels protecting the people of the Lord. Angels protecting us.

Angels are spiritual. Angels are heavenly. But we must never worship angels. Angels are inferior to Christ. Angels are servants of God. The Son is far greater than the angels. God said to Jesus, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” He didn’t say that to any angel. God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship Him.” (meaning His Son).

[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK]

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Categories
Bible Blogging Christian Church God Ministry Scripture Travel

Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday September 10TH 2023, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

This morning I’m back in Homestead Florida at my longtime home church of the past 8½ years. I’m also filling-in for my Pastor and preaching a full sermon this morning. It’ll be a full sermon that I have not yet written, and I won’t be writing. It’ll be a spontaneous spur-of-the-moment sermon – straight from my heart at that precise moment. Basically – I have no idea what I’ll be saying – until I actually say it. Well – I have a general idea. The title of my sermon is “Dreaming & Praying”, and it’s all about dreaming big dreams and then praying to God about them. It’ll be based on 9 verses of Scripture from two of Paul’s letters – Philippians 4:4-9 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

My sermon will lead-in to Communion, as I’ll lead our monthly observance and celebration of what Christ did for us on that cross on that day – and what He did for us on the 3RD day – and what He continues to do for us to this day.

Last Sunday morning I visited a new church in my new hometown of Sebring Florida. I loved every moment of it. The 2ND person I met used to live in Homestead, and we have mutual friends. She even knows my church in Homestead and my Pastor. She and her husband (who I also met) ran a company that once installed my front porch screen enclosure and door back in the late-’90s. What a small world we live in !

I introduced myself to the Pastor, and I enjoyed a short conversation with him prior to the service. He’s a very personable guy. The service itself was organized, and the Pastor’s sermon was relevant and powerful. He has a quirky sense of humor, but he surely glorified God in his message. Based on that first service last Sunday – I’ll definitely be back for a 2ND service next Sunday. I think God led me to the right church this time around.

And now here on #SundayScripture it’s the continuation of the refresh, renew, and reboot of my sermon on “Pray & Believe” – originally preached on Sunday June 16TH 2019. Here’s Part 7:

[CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK]

So the early church was praying for Peter in prison, and as the Bible says:

The night before Peter was to be placed on trial – he was asleep – fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly – there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick ! Get up !” And the chains fell off his wrists. (Acts 12:6-7)

Do you sense a miracle going on here ? Wait – it gets even better:

Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat, and follow me” – the angel ordered.

So Peter left the cell – following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts, and (they) came to the iron gate leading to the city (that’s Jerusalem), and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through (the gate), and (they) started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

Peter finally came to his senses. He said, “It’s really true !” The Lord has sent His angel and saved me from (King) Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me !”

When he realized this – he went to the home of Mary – the mother of John Mark – where many were gathered for prayer. (Acts 12:8-12)

And I’m gonna paraphrase the rest of the story. Peter knocked on Mary’s door at the gate just outside the house. A servant girl answered the door. Peter didn’t even have to say his name. The servant girl knew exactly who he was from his voice alone. She got so excited that she didn’t even open the door. She ran back into the house – back into the room where everyone was praying, and she told everyone in a loud and excited voice, “Peter is standing at the door !”

The prayer group didn’t believe her. They told her, “You’re out of your mind !” The servant girl insisted that it really was Peter.

They still didn’t believe her, so the entire group went to the door at the gate to check it out for themselves. They opened the door, and there he was – Peter. They were amazed. They were astonished. They were in shock. They were beside themselves. Peter calmed them all down, and he told them how the Lord had led him out of prison.

See the believers – Peter’s friends – had been praying very earnestly for him. God answered their prayers. God actually brought Peter back to his friends. That’s what they were praying for !

[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK]

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Categories
Bible Blogging Christian Church God Movies Scripture Sports

Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday September 03RD 2023, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Yesterday afternoon I saw “The Hill” at the movie theatre. It’s a faith-based true story about a young baseball player with a disability and his family including his Pastor Dad in a small town in Texas. The story was uplifting, and I enjoyed every minute of it. 4 stars. “A+”. I recommend !

This morning I’ll be checking out a new church here in Sebring. I’ve decided to leave my first church here in my new hometown after about 4½ months. I’m looking forward to a new Pastor and a new church family to meet and greet.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another – especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT)

And now here on #SundayScripture it’s the continuation of the refresh, renew, and reboot of my sermon on “Pray & Believe” – originally preached on Sunday June 16TH 2019. Here’s Part 6:

[CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK]

So back to our story on King Herod of Judea. In 44 A.D. – some 10 or 11 years after the death and resurrection of Christ – King Herod had the apostle James (the brother of John) killed with a sword. Now this is a different James than the James that I preached on for much of 2018. That James was the half-brother of Jesus Himself. This James – son of Zebedee – was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. In fact he may have been the first of the 12 to join Jesus. He was also the first to be murdered for his faith. The other James – the one that I preached on for much of 2018 – (and into 2019) – well – he began his letter – what we now know as the Book Of James – about 5 years later – addressing it to the 12 tribes – the Jewish believers that were scattered abroad due to persecution.

So King Herod had the apostle James killed with a sword, and he continued the momentum by arresting Peter during Passover of that same year – 44 A.D. He sent Peter to jail where he was heavily guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. There was no way that Peter could possibly escape … or was there ?

While Peter was in prison – the church prayed very earnestly for him. (Acts 12:5)

You know that God answers the earnest – the intentional prayers of His believers and followers – His holy people ? I know that. I hope that you know that too. God answers your prayers. Are you talking to Him ?

I’ve asked God for miracles – big miracles – impossible miracles – life-changing miracles – over these past 17 years of this journey. Guess what I got ? I got miracles ! I know I’m not alone. I’m looking at miracles – beautiful living miracles – here in this church body. I am in the presence of miracles, for with God – who we are all in the presence of – all things are possible. There is always a way with God.

You know that none of us are supposed to be here. If the enemy had his way – we wouldn’t be here. This church body wouldn’t exist. We probably wouldn’t know each other. Some of us wouldn’t be alive today. But we are. And we’re here. And God put us together as His church body in this place. He did that intentionally. We are not here by accident. We are not here by coincidence. We are His holy people. We are His disciples. We are His messengers. We are His miracles. (Everyone say “miracles”.) We belong to each other. We need each other.

[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK]

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp