ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7: 9

Applying God’s Word

What was more important to us on Friday November 1^st? Was it how we celebrated Halloween the day before? Unfortunately, Halloween overshadows All Saints Day, which is celebrated by many Christians the day after Halloween. That’s the day we celebrate the lives of some of the most holy people that have ever lived; St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Teresa and St. Catherine to name just a few. I’m pretty sure the saints are some of those among the great multitude that Revelation 7:9 refers to.

At one time or another every saint was a sinner and yet, they will find themselves standing “before the throne and before the Lamb”. The good news is that God invites us to join them. Unfortunately, there’s a tendency to think we are not worthy. This is incorrect. That would be like saying God is not capable of qualifying the unqualified. He’s more than capable.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I already one of God’s SAINTS? Fill In The Blank. My name is Saint __________!   

Absorbing God’s Word

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Absorbing God’s Word

Recently, I had an appointment across town which is normally a 20-25 minute drive. I hit every green light and it was smooth as silk. At times I wish life was like that, but unfortunately, there are days when I seem to hit every red light.

The last week has been crazy. We lost a few large trees this last summer and spent some money replacing them. One of the replacement trees only made it a week. The pool equipment got tired and decided it needed to be replaced, too. Then I lost the keys to our house which meant locks and keys had to be replaced.

There were moments when I wasn’t exactly rejoicing or thanking God for this season of character building. The good news is that I never stopped praying for patience in and through my circumstances.

Life is filled with stop signs, red lights, bumps and turns. Most of them are God’s way of molding us into the person He created us to be.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I hit any red lights lately? How did I handle them?

Absorbing God’s Word

“But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15

Absorbing God’s Word

Recently, I listened to a challenging sermon on Matthew 16:15 where Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

Jesus asks each one of us to answer that question. Do I believe Jesus is God because there’s written evidence that He fulfilled something like 333 prophesies? Maybe I believe He’s God because He performed hundreds of miracles and was resurrected from the dead.

Psalm 22 which was written in 1000 BC or the 1947 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls written in 600 BC are pretty convincing, too. In fact, the book of Isaiah chapter 53 is the same in the Dead Sea Scrolls as it is in the Bible.

At the end of the sermon the presenter said, “If I say Jesus is God, I am challenged to live differently.” In other words, saying I believe is one thing and living what I believe is another.

Accounting of God’s Word

What’s my answer? Is my belief in Jesus evident in the way I live?

Absorbing God’s Word

“This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the temple.” Ezekiel 43:12

Absorbing God’s Word

Ezekiel emphasizes the holiness of the temple area, particularly the mountaintop, which highlights the importance of a sacred place of worship. The Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside is such a place. It’s inhabited by twenty-one Benedictine priests and brothers who are also the caretakers of the property.

Having been blessed to stay at a number of beautiful retreat centers over the years, I have to say that this one was very special. It made me think that the placement of so many retreat centers on mountaintops is not a coincidence.

Arriving a few hours earlier than the rest of the retreat participants gave me time to walk the perimeter of the property, enjoy the breathtaking views and bathe in the silence of their sanctuary. Have a look. https://princeofpeaceabbey.org/

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I made any arrangements to make a spiritual retreat in the near future?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Absorbing God’s Word

Louise and I love this scripture. We also love the fact that we’ve been married nine (9) years as of 10/3/24. We’ve definitely had a good return for our labor. When younger folks ask us what the secret to a great marriage is, we tell them it’s a four letter word and it’s not the word “LOVE”. It’s the word “WORK”.

We put a lot of work into our relationship. We also start each day together in prayer. Even if one of us is traveling, we arrange to have our morning prayer-time together via phone or FaceTime.

It’s easy to get busy or lazy about showing up for prayer, but that’s where the “Two are Better Than One” comes in. We have three sources of accountability, each other, our prayer journals and of course Jesus. We know that He always joins us for prayer and He’s never late.

Accounting of God’s Word

Who’s holding me accountable to my daily appointment with God? Am I keeping Jesus waiting?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.” Isaiah 1:7

Applying God’s Word

We know for sure that God is shaking His finger back and forth at us. He’s trying to get our attention. We want what we want, which actually speaks these words to our creator, “WE DON’T CARE WHAT YOU WANT, GOD.”

One of the most important elections in the history of this country and possibly the world is only weeks away. Americans want accurate information, but it’s difficult for them to find a nominee or news channel that is telling the truth. Many voters will vote like their parents, favorite celebrity, political party or the candidate with the best smile. Some will make their choice based on policy. Unfortunately, many will not make their choice based on God’s truth or the values He’s asked each of us to live by. What A Mess!

Accounting of God’s Word

Who controls my thoughts and guides my steps?  Who am I influenced by the most, God or Man?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:8

Applying God’s Word

Here’s a scripture that I should repeat a couple times a day or more. It reminds me that the gifts of the Holy Spirit rely on God’s love to lead the way.

Admittedly, if there’s too much of me involved when using any of the gifts, God’s love doesn’t stand a chance. When I am operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God’s love is present, I can tell the difference. It’s like night and day.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I experience the presence of God’s love, when using the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Absorbing God’s Word

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

Applying God’s Word

Recently, I was invited to speak at an upcoming men’s Christians in Commerce/WorkLight retreat in North San Diego County California. The dates of the retreat are October seventh through the ninth. I’ve been asked to be a presenter on these retreats for 37 years, but have never traveled to southern California for one. I am looking forward to it, knowing that God has always shown up at every weekend I’ve attended.

Even though the weekend format is the same every time, each experience is uniquely beautiful because of the different men in attendance. Therefore, I’m extending an invitation to my male readers and to men you might know in southern California who would be interested in attending.

The facility is Prince of Peace Abbey at 650 Benet Hill Road, Oceanside California. Prince of Peace is a beautiful monastery that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The retreat starts Monday evening at 5:00pm and ends Wednesday morning at 9:30am. Cost is $200, which includes two nights and all meals.

Orange County/Mission Viejo Men’s Challenge Weekend – WorkLight

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I have two days I can give to Jesus?

Absorbing God’s Word

“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.” Proverbs 15:27

Applying God’s Word

Last year I wrote a Challenge warning folks of impending price increases. I suggested that we all stock up on household items while they were at lower prices and to reduce personal debt. It’s pretty hard to reduce personal debt when there’s a continued cost increase for food, gas, goods, and services. We know family and friends who are living paycheck to paycheck and using credit more than ever.

Folks on fixed incomes are having to dip into their savings accounts and that’s if they have a savings accounts. The question is, “Why?” One answer is that we have entrusted our hard earned money to politicians and leaders who are “Greedy”. The uncontrolled senseless spending is bringing ruin to many here in America.

I am a registered to vote as a Non-Party Affiliated. That allows me to take a good look at the politics and policies of the past, present and future administrations and vote accordingly. Their actions speak louder than words.  

Accounting of God’s Word

How would God vote? How will I vote?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25

Applying God’s Word

Jesus uses the word “EVERY” two times in the scripture above. When I read this verse, I think of this divided world, our divided country, our divided states, our divided cities, our divided neighborhoods and our divided families.

I get a kick out of folks who ask, “Where’s God and how come He’s not doing something about all this?” God hasn’t left the scene. He gave each of us free will and the empowerment of His Holy Spirit to be governed by His truth . That’s the beauty of God, huh? He gives us guidelines to live by and yet all too often we close a blind eye to them. To govern ourselves takes work but unfortunately we are a lazy people. We would much rather be governed by other worldly gods or by the people who worship those gods.

In order to govern myself, I stay in God’s word and absorb as much of His truth as I can possibly process. The first thing I do when dealing with division in my own life is I look in a mirror. That’s where it all starts. When I’m separated from God the hope for unity is lost.

Accounting of God’s Word

What am I doing to eliminate division in my own life?