Nov 12

Nov 3

Oct 29

  • clivesmit
    clivesmit added a text contribution One Step At A Time
    Saul wanted the big over-arching plan for his life. Jesus gave him a simple step to follow. So often we want God's plans for our life clearly mapped out for us. Jesus is simply interested if you will follow the current command / step that He has given to you. If we can not be found faithful in the small things.... What is the last command / challenge / step that Jesus gave you? What is stopping... Read more »
  • clivesmit
    clivesmit added a text contribution It Pays To Listen To Advice
    Doesn't this advice sound familiar? "And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]" Try Acts 5: 38-39 "Now in the present case let me say to you, stand off (withdraw) from these men and let them alone. For if this doctrine or purpose or... Read more »

Oct 27

  • clivesmit
    clivesmit added a text contribution Focus On Your Giftedness
    I used to read this verse and see that serving the temporal needs of people to be of a secondary importance. The Apostles wanted to focus on real ministry. Tonight as I read these verses again, I am convinced that the Apostle's simply knew what their role in the body of Christ was. They were gifted to communicate the Good news and to pray to see the release of God's Kingdom. Other's were simply gifted... Read more »

Oct 26

  • clivesmit
    clivesmit added a text contribution Rejoicing In The Midst Of Trouble
    Today most Christians faith would crumble when trouble came their way... in fact, in the absence of blessing we wonder if God loves us and is for real. How different were the apostle's attitudes. They rejoiced in their suffering. They embraced it and saw it as an honour to suffer for Christ... just as Christ had suffered for them! Check out these 2 great verses: 1 Cor 10:13 Romans 8:28 God is more... Read more »
  • clivesmit
    clivesmit added contributions: Gamaliel and Rejoicing In The Midst Of Trouble
  • clivesmit
    clivesmit added a text contribution Hypocrites
    If you look up the word 'Hypocrites' in the NIV you find 1 reference in the Psalms to this word and a few outside of the Gospels. The majority of uses of this word were made by Jesus. Jesus grew up in Nazareth... which was an hours walk from Sepphoris. Sepphoris was Herod Antipas' center of government, was perched on a 400 foot hill that overlooked lower Galilee including towns like Cana and Galilee.... Read more »
  • clivesmit
    clivesmit added a text contribution The Cripple Man At The Gate Beautiful
    In this verse the man who is 40 years old (Acts 4:22) and crippled from birth is said to have been placed at the temple daily. This means that Jesus must have passed this man countless times as He went to the temple. Why had Jesus not healed this man? Was it because the Father had not told him to? (John 14:31) Was the Father saving this man for a time to bring Him glory? (John 9:3) What we do know... Read more »