Acts 9 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Saul of Tarsus was terrorizing the Christian community by having them put in jail for heresy. However, the Lord performed a miracle to get Saul’s attention and turn him around. Knocking him off his horse and blinding him, Christ Jesus Himself spoke to Saul our of a cloud and challenged him for persecuting Him and the believers. After the Holy Spirit arranged for Ananias to pray for Saul opening his eyes, Saul became a mighty witness for God’s Kingdom.

No doubt there were Christians praying for Saul.

Go ahead. Think of someone who is doing great damage to Christians and begin praying for them.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. [Jn 14:12]

Acts 7, 8 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Stephen gave one of the most powerful sermons ever, but it infuriated the Jewish religious leaders. They had him stoned to death. Resistance to Christ’s message was growing, but the church grew even more. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned into good. Stephen will have been rewarded for his courage and witness.

He was FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST. We need more like him.

What makes us glad makes other mad.

Acts 5 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Ananias and Saphira both lied to the Apostles and the Holy Ghost when they kept back some of their offering for themselves. Their deceit was the offense, not keeping their own money. Communism adherents supposedly have “all things common.” when the leaders and aristocracy keep more than their share in deceit, the system and its integrity breaks down.

When those better off “remember” the poor by financially assisting them, we have a healthier benevolence system. Each man will be rewarded by the Lord for his generosity. No need to deceive anyone. Just don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing …give in secret. [Matt. 6:3]

Acts 4, 5 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Peter and the disciples performed a notable miracle when the lame man in the Temple was healed. It created quite a stir in Jerusalem and a platform for the disciples to preach about Christ. They were brought in and challenged by the High Priest and the leaders NOT to preach about the name of Jesus. The disciples rather continued ministering in the Name of Jesus and thousands were added to the church. Their stance could only be described as BOLD!

There is growing persecution for the name of Jesus in our culture. Continual prayer and fellowship with Christ and His Word will maintain a boldness within us needed to overcome the diabolic resistance coming.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [Rom. 1:16]

Acts 2 [NV Dramatized Audio]

Peter stood up and preached a marvelous sermon at the occasion of the Pentecost infilling in Jerusalem. People were moved as He spoke because he was FILLED with the Holy Ghost. There was a curiosity level that inspired them to ask, “What should we do?” “Repent … and be baptized in the Name of Jesus,” was his response.

You and I should be so filled with God’s Spirit that people begin asking us what to do to get right with God. That’s my goal. How about you?

Acts 1, 2 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

When the disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit, the must have made so much noise that many outside the room where they were gathered to observe and listen. Many thought they were drunk. It must have been an overwhelming and consuming experience for it to have commanded such attention.

This same experience is available today. The promise was to “children’s children and all who are afar off.”

God, send a mighty wave of your Holy Spirit to touch us today. Let it happen not just at church youth camp, but in our church services. Set us free, Lord.

John 21. [NIV Dramatozed Audio]

Jesus asked Peter 3 times, “Do you love me?” Each of Peter’s positive responses was met with instructions to care for Christ’s flock – people.

We can be good little Christians, go to church, sing praises with the best of them, and fall way short in the area of loving and caring for people. Even then we think we’re hitting the mark by scratching the back of those who can suitably return the favor. Jesus wants us to serve “the least of these.”

(Jesus) will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’ [Matt. 25:40]

John 21. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

After Hus resurrection, Christ came to His disciples who were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They had caught nothing. He merely said, “Cast your net on the other side of the boat. Immediately, they caught 153 fish. It was a miracle! It was also a miracle that the net did not break.

When we are living life with Jesus near our boat, we will experience a miracle existence. Nets won’t break, supernatural bounty will happen, stuff won’t break … just stay close to Jesus and call out to Him.

John 19 cont. [N I V Dramatized Audio]

Jesus stated that all authority comes from Him. Authority descends and flows from The Author, the Heavenly Father. The authority that men now have is only permitted and “authorized” by God and will have to give account for what they did with it and how they used it.

It’s like a fishing line in the water. The Great Fisherman holds the rod and reel and will eventually bring it in to see what the line has accomplished. We are the hook and line. We can be “fishers of men.” Everything else on the line will be discarded and burned.