ACT Ministries Blog

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

Applying God’s Word

“It’s Impossible”! That was my reaction to the above scripture the first hundred times I read it. Surely the apostle Paul was out of his mind when he wrote it, right? Actually, Paul wrote it because his experience of praying continually brought him great joy and an attitude of gratitude.

Does praying continually really work? I know that it does. Even though I’m still a student of praying continually, I’m incredibly thankful for the immeasurable amount of God’s joy that comes from prayer. My prayers give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to open my spiritual eyes to what God is asking of me. In other words prayer is my spiritual antenna. If it’s not extended I not only miss out on God’s joy, I also miss out on the signals and promptings from God’s Holy Spirit.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I practice praying continually? Is my spiritual antenna picking up God’s signals?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2

Applying God’s Word

John is writing to Gaius, a beloved friend and disciple. He’s expressing a great measure of gratitude to Gaius for His dedication to Jesus. I extend that kind of gratitude to each of you for joining me on this incredible journey and also for your dedication to our Lord Jesus.

In a few days we will all have an opportunity to be like Gaius to our families, friends and even strangers. We need not smother them with our knowledge of scripture or pressure them into believing everything we believe. We need only allow Jesus and the Holy Spirit the freedom to love them all through us.

Upon reflection about being thankful this past week, I wrote down, “I am thankful that my life hasn’t turned out to be all that I thought it should be. Instead, I’m thankful that my life has turned out to be far more than I ever imagined it would be.” I thank God for that!

Accounting of God’s Word

Blessings, love and Happy Thanksgiving from Louise and me. We all have plenty to be thankful for.

Absorbing God’s Word

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

Applying God’s Word

My life as a dancer began at an early age when I tap-danced my way through the fourth and fifth grade. I attended “Betty May Dance Studio” at 1052 Guerrero Street in San Francisco and loved it. I was the only boy in the dance class, which brought about some bullying/teasing at school. I didn’t know back then how impactful the gift of dance would be in my life, but God did.

Although, the God-given gift of dancing never won me an abundance of popularity growing up, it did help win the heart of my late wife, Joanne. It’s also the gift that God used to introduce me to my present wife, Louise. It’s one of the those gifts from God that has brought incredible joy to my life.

It’s only by the grace of God that at age 78 I’m still dancing, doing so in the name of the Lord Jesus and giving thanks and praise to God the Father through Him.

Accounting of God’s Word

What gift/gifts has God blessed me with? Am I using them in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ?

Absorbing God’s Word

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:25

Applying God’s Word

Becoming a hearer or a doer of God’s word is no easy task. As a young man, I was too caught up in myself and my worldly image to hear anything God was trying to tell me. The more I strived to be a winner in the world the further I drifted away from God and His purpose for my life. I was more focused on being a loser in the eyes of the world than a winner in the eyes of God.

Last week’s election seemed to label people in our nation winners or losers based on who they voted for. Not so! We are all winners if we look into the perfect law of liberty, persevere, and are not a “hearer who forgets but a doer who acts” out of love for Jesus Christ.

 Accounting of God’s Word

Am I a winner in the eyes of the world or in the eyes of God?

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?