 |
Home | Mission Statement | Video Gallery | Audio Gallery | Photo Gallery | Daily Manna | Testimonies | | Links | Contact us |
 |
But he who trusts in Me shall possess the land and inherit My Holy Mountain" (Isaiah 57:13). |
 |
| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders [3] Bible Verse:Acts 20:32-38 (ESV) "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. " Message:
Paul gives himself as an example at the end of his farewell speech. Whatever we may think of Paul's pride, we cannot fault him for his sincerity. He has dedicated himself and his enormous talents – his mind, body, and soul – to the spread of Christ's word and grace. He was the instrument of God, in bringing Christianity to the world outside of Judea.
He has traveled all over the Greek world. Today, we think of Turkey as a separate country, an Islamic country with a peculiar language called Turkish. But in 50 A.D., things were very different. Turkey did not exist. Islam did not exist. The land, often called Anatolia, was a collection of tribes dominated by Greek culture and language. Its importance in world affairs was great. The Greek-speaking area including Greece, Macedonia, and Turkey/Anatolia was the cultural center of the Western world.
Paul's admonitions to the elders, in the form of extolling his own virtuous behavior, concentrates on wealth. He has spent only what was necessary to feed and clothe himself and his followers; and the source of his funds has been the work of his hands. He forms a stark contrast to some Christian leaders today (and even more so to Christian leaders in the Middle Ages).
Paul’s emphasis on earning his own keep contrasts with his teachings that full-time Christian church leaders might be compensated. In 1 Corinthians 9:14 (probably written while he was in Ephesus) he wrote, “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” This verse suggests that churches should provide for the financial needs of their clergy.
Meditation : Prayer : The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; Make me perfect in every good work to do your will, working in me that which is well pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever......Amen |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
