jay thompson

clear the way

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepareYour way; the voice o one crying in the wilderness, 'Make readythe wayof the Lord, make His paths straight.'"…

Mark 1:2 (NASB), Mark 1:3 (NASB)

promise keeper

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1) GOSPEL- a reward for good things, the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, the glad tidings of salvation through…

Mark 1:1 (KJV)

a child is born

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) WHY? That is a question that many ask about Jesus ... "Why did He come to earth."…

Matthew 1:21 (NASB)

start for home

A sick and dying child is a parent's worst nightmare. Whatever it takes, as a parent, we will do it in order to see our children taken care of. The government official went to Jesus and begged Jesus…

John 4:50 (NLT)

get up and go ... got up and went

God used Philip to begin carrying the gospel to the Samaritans. In Acts 8:26-27, God has a new mission for Philip. These are some things that God challenged me to be and do through these verses. vs…

Acts 8:26 (NASB), Acts 8:27 (NASB)

someone God uses

After the followers of Christ were scattered to Judea and Samaria, Phillip one of the elected leaders of the people began preaching the Good News of Jesus to the people of Samaria. takeaway... God used…

from 1:8 to 8:1

In Acts 1:8, we get the incredible promise and mission to be Jesus' witness at home and abroad. This is the mission statement for followers of Christ (the church), but if we are not careful we study the…

Acts 8:1 (NLT)

Is God enough for me?

Stephen was chosen by his peers to be a leader in the early church. Stephen was a man full of God's grace and power. GRACE - the free and unmerited favor of God, goodwill and loving kindness. POWER -…

Acts 6:8 (NLT)

how to pick your leaders ...

The apostles are faced with the real need of the widows, so they direct the people to pick from among themselves people who could help meet the need. The apostles did not pick themselves but gave a picture…

Acts 6:3 (NASB)

confidence ...

Where is my confidence based? Is it in what I do? - The apostles taught God's truth and God did many signs and wonders through them (Acts 5:12). Is it in what people think of me? - The people were…

Acts 5:29 (NLT)

fake ...

Ananias and Sapphira said that they were ALL in with Jesus but their actions revealed that they were only PART in. I need to make sure that me actions match my words. When we seek to look good before…

Acts 5:2 (NLT)

if ...

We each have a choice to make!! - Am I going to settle for average? - Am I going to a pursue what is comfortable for me? - Am I going to trust in what I can do? OR - Am I going to die to myself? -…

Matthew 10:39 (NLT)

name calling ...

It is not important what people call you, but it is very important what God calls you. The people called Gideon JERUBBAAL (Let Baal contend against him). In other words, they were saying, "Look out Gideon…

Judges 6:12 (ESV), Judges 6:32 (ESV)

God uses everybody

When then Holy Spirit descended on the group of people gathered together, they ALL began to speak in various languages. A few thoughts ... - Great things happen when God's people gather together. - God…

Acts 2:4 (NASB)

called out

Joseph and Matthias were nominated (called to stand before) the other followers of Christ. They were called because of their character, obedience, and involvement. The question I ask myself is , "would…

Acts 1:23 (NIV)

let it go and hang on to God

One of the reasons I won't let go of what I have is because I have forgotten that it was given to me. God has given IT (it can be whatever) so that we can SERVE (wait the table) others. The needs of the…

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

stop worrying and start living

We spend to much time worrying about what is to come when we should be living out what we already know. (Acts 1:6-8)

Acts 1:7 (NLT)

who gets the credit?

Don't take the credit for what God does through you ... Recognize that the credit belongs to Him. (Daniel 2:30)

Daniel 2:30 (NLT)