Blessed To Be A Blessing

Blessed To Be A Blessing

July 28th Luke 16:1-18  (NKJV)

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

16 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was ^[a]wasting his goods. 

  ² So he called him and said to him, 

‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

³ “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 
  ⁴ I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’
⁵ “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’  
⁶ And he said, ‘A hundred ^[b]measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 
  ⁷ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred ^[c]measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’  
⁸ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
⁹ “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous ^[d]mammon, that when ^[e]you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 
  ¹⁰ He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. ¹¹ Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
  ¹² And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
¹³ “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

The Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom

¹⁴ Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they ^[f]derided Him. ¹⁵ And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
¹⁶ “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 
  ¹⁷ And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one ^[g]tittle of the law to fail.
¹⁸ “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 16:1 squandering
2. Luke 16:6 Gr. batos, same as Heb. bath; 8 or 9 gallons each
3. Luke 16:7 Gr. koros, same as Heb. kor; 10 or 12 bushels each
4. Luke 16:9 Lit., in Aram., wealth
5. Luke 16:9 NU it fails
6. Luke 16:14 Lit. turned up their nose at
7. Luke 16:17 The smallest stroke in a Heb. letter

New King James Version (NKJV)

LUKE 16:1-18

The unjust steward was covetous. He had not been faithful to his master or to his master's debtors. He had wasted his master's goods on himself. When found out, his self-serving nature considered the options, and decided there had to be a change. He decided to use his lord's money to make friends so that when he was fired he would have someone to help him.

His master was apparently wealthy enough that he didn't take offense at the steward's discounting of the debts owed to him, but rather he commended the steward. He didn't commend his dishonest ways, but he was commending the fact that he had finally used his lord's money to plan for the future instead of wasting it on himself. Although the steward was motivated by what he would ultimately gain, there was prudence in his actions. This was lacking before.

In this sense, the children of this world (lost men) are wiser than the children of light (born again men) because they plan for the temporal future.

Jesus is telling us to use money (the unrighteous mammon) to make to ourselves friends that would receive us into 'everlasting' habitations. The use of the word 'everlasting' denotes that Jesus is now talking about our eternal future. The people who have been saved and blessed by our investments in the kingdom of God will literally receive us into our everlasting home when we pass on to be with the Lord.

Our material possessions have been given to us by God so that we are actually stewards of His resources. The Lord gave us this wealth to establish His covenant on this earth - not so that we could consume it upon our own lusts.
- You have been blessed to be a blessing!

Miracles From the Vault:

Miracles From the Vault: Anthology of Underground Cures

Co-blog from: Ya' Think

Blog: My Unusual Road of Life....
by kerminator

Co-blog from: Ya' Think

** Many people play with words and ways in life to look better or become valued, or assume a totally false personal position in life!**

Date:   7/27/2019
Blog: Ya’ think??
by kerminator

Unless you find the Right way - everything else is Wrong!

** Our life here is not really all about us - rather it is about how you interact and/or treat others. **

Date: 7/15/2017 ... viewed 356 times

Unless you learn and apply {Agape or God's kind of} love - you will have wasted your life!

Once you truly learn the Right way - everything else is wrong!

Yet people continue to wallow in the pits of sin and live a destructive lifestyle.

WHY?

Mainly because they are self-centered and absorbed in greed!

How and why?

Even if you don't feel like doing evil deeds, to say you are good is hypocrisy! Even when your motive for doing something that is considered wrong then you are not genuinely seeking the welfare and benefit of others.
{Loving your neighbors}

The Biblical definition of a hypocrite, "someone whose words and heart (or actions) do not agree."

A hypocrite may act the part of a Christian or talk like Christ, but he or she can not do both. Hypocrisy is defined by the dictionary as, "The feigning of beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; insincerity"
(American Heritage Dictionary).

To do what God wants you to do, or do unto others what you would want them to do unto you, is not hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is often said to be doing something even though you don't want to or feel like doing it. It is true that God demands that our motive and reason for doing things be right, but this does not mean that we always want to, or delight in, doing something.

** hy·​poc·​ri·​sy | \hi-ˈpä-krə-sē also hī-\
plural hypocrisies

Definition of hypocrisy

1: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not: behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel His hypocrisy was finally revealed with the publication of his private letters. especially: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion our conventional morality often serves as a cover for hypocrisy and selfishness — Lucius Garvin

2: an act or instance of hypocrisy a keen awareness of one's parent's hypocrisies

> Synonyms or Antonyms for hypocrisy

Synonyms:
cant, dissembling, dissimulation, insincerity, piousness

Antonyms:
genuineness, sereneness, sincerity

Many people play with words and ways in life to look better or become valued, or assume a totally false personal position in life!

For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.

What do you think now?

Hypocrite or not?

Once you truly learn the Right Way -
everything else is Wrong, False or Incorrect! Choose that which is right and beneficial towards others. Otherwise you are living a false existence!

For all the wrong reasons

For All The Wrong Reasons

July 27th

Luke 15:28 'And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.'

LUKE 15:25-28

If this elder son had considered his brother, he would have rejoiced at his return even as his father did. Rather, he was totally self-centered (that's pride) and became angry. 
This illustrates Proverbs 13:10; 'only by pride comes contention.'

How can we esteem others better than ourselves when in truth we really think we are better than others? 
Some people are better athletes than others. Some are better businessmen than others. Some are better speakers than others, and so forth. Just being a super hero does not make you any better than some one else! Learn to get over your selfish pride!

 First, we need to recognize that our accomplishments don't make us better than others. There is a huge difference between what we do and who we are.

Better performance does not make a better person. A person's character can be severely wanting even though his performance is good. A classic example of this is found in the Pharisees of Jesus's day. They did many of the right things for all the wrong reasons. Because - inside they were corrupt at heart. 

Then our evaluation of others needs to change. 

God judges by looking on the inside, not the outside (1 Sam. 16:7).
We would be better served to do the same, because on one is perfect!

 We need to esteem others on a different basis than what most of us do.

Secondly, to esteem someone better than ourselves simply means to value them more than we value ourselves. 

To many this may seem impossible, yet it isn't.
This is exactly what Jesus did.

If Jesus, who was God in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16), could humble Himself and value our good above His own welfare, then we should certainly be able to do the same.


It can happen when we die to self and live to God.

The Father's Love

The Father's Love

July 26th

Luke 15:20 'And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.'

LUKE 15:20

For this boy's father to have seen him 'a great way off' would imply that the Father had been eagerly awaiting his son's return. Certainly, in the spiritual application of this parable, our Heavenly Father is longing to cleanse and receive the sinner, if he will just repent and come to Him for forgiveness.

Jesus was using this parable to rebuke the Pharisees for their harsh, self-righteous, unforgiving attitude towards sinners. The older brother in this parable was symbolic of the Pharisees. Like this brother, the Pharisees had not lived an outward life of rebellion and they thought that others who didn't measure up to their standards were surely hated by God. But, 'God so loved the world' and 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.'

Just as this older brother was self-centered and jealous, the Pharisees were not operating in the love of God towards sinners because they were so in love with themselves. They resented Jesus giving the sinners what the Pharisees thought they deserved.

If relationship with his father had been the real desire of the older brother, he would have rejoiced to see his father's joy at the return of his son. The repentant prodigal son had learned the vanity of things and he had come home to a relationship with his father that neither he nor his older brother had known before.

The scribes and Pharisees, like the older brother, had gotten caught up in serving self through their religious actions. The publicans and sinners who repented were supplying their Father with what He really wanted - relationship.
Relationship with the Father was always available to the scribes and Pharisees, but they chose the temporal praise of men rather than relationship with God.

Quand les négatifs deviennent positifs

Blog: Mon chemin de vie insolite ....
par kerminator

Quand les négatifs deviennent positifs

** La repentance est une partie nécessaire du salut. Le repentir peut inclure la tristesse divine, mais la tristesse ne comprend pas toujours la repentance. La repentance est simplement un changement d'esprit accompagné d'actions correspondantes. **

Date: 25/07/2019

dans les évangiles
Votre dévotion quotidienne avec
Andrew Wommack

Les points négatifs deviennent des points positifs
25 juillet

Luke 15:18 'Je me lèverai et irai vers mon père et lui dirai: Père, j'ai péché contre le ciel et devant toi.'
Luc 15: 18-19

C'est un bon exemple de vraie repentance. Ce fils n'a pas revendiqué sa propre bonté ni essayé de justifier ses actes, mais il s'est humilié et a fait appel à la miséricorde de son père. De même, nous ne pouvons pas nous approcher de Dieu avec justice, mais nous devons nous humilier, placer toute notre foi dans un Sauveur et nous détourner de nos mauvaises voies (
2 chr. 7h14). C'est la vraie repentance.


La repentance est une partie nécessaire du salut. Le repentir peut inclure la tristesse divine, mais la tristesse ne comprend pas toujours la repentance. La repentance est simplement un changement d'esprit accompagné d'actions correspondantes.


Il existe un type de chagrin divin et un type de chagrin impie. Le chagrin divin conduit à la repentance. La douleur impie, ou la douleur de ce monde, tue juste.


Notre culture a rejeté toutes les émotions «négatives». Mais Dieu nous a donné la capacité pour ces émotions négatives et il y a une utilisation appropriée de celles-ci.

(Apprenez les raisons des émotions négatives - Cherchez la vérité!)


Les gens devraient se sentir mal à propos du péché. Il devrait y avoir du chagrin pour nos échecs.

Cependant, cette douleur devrait conduire à la repentance, puis lorsque le pardon est reçu, notre douleur devrait être jetée sur le Seigneur (Ésaïe 53: 4).


La douleur ressentie par ceux qui ne se tournent pas vers Dieu ne produit que la mort.

Ils se plaignent de leur situation parce qu'ils ne se tournent pas vers Dieu (c'est la repentance). Les chrétiens ne devraient avoir de chagrin que jusqu'à ce qu'ils se repentent. Une fois que le repentir est venu, nous devons nous approprier le pardon et la purification qui nous appartiennent déjà par le Christ (1 Jean 1: 9).

Le changement positif que nos chagrins nous ont amené modifie notre attitude envers les choses qui nous ont causé du chagrin.


Les négatifs deviennent positifs à travers Jésus.

Negatives become positives

in the Gospels

Your Daily Devotional With

Andrew Wommack

Negatives Become Positives

July 25th

Luke 15:18 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.'

LUKE 15:18-19

This is a good example of true repentance. This son did not claim any goodness of his own or try to justify his actions, but he humbled himself and appealed to the mercy of his father. Likewise, we cannot approach God in self-righteousness, but we have to humble ourselves, put all of our faith in a Savior, and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chr. 7:14). That is true repentance.

Repentance is a necessary part of salvation. Repentance may include godly sorrow, but sorrow does not always include repentance. Repentance is simply a change of mind accompanied by corresponding actions.

There is a godly type of sorrow and an ungodly type of sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Ungodly sorrow, or the sorrow of this world, just kills.

Our culture has rejected all 'negative' emotions. But God gave us the capacity for these negative emotions and there is a proper use of them.
(Learn the reasons for Negative Emotions - Seek the truth!)

People should feel bad about sin. There should be sorrow over our failures.
However, this sorrow should lead to repentance, then when forgiveness is received, our sorrow should be cast upon the Lord (Isa. 53:4).

The sorrow experienced by those who do not turn to God produces only death.
They grieve over their situation because they don't turn to God (that's repentance). Christians should only have sorrow until they repent. Once repentance has come, we need to appropriate the forgiveness and cleansing that are already ours through Christ (1 Jn. 1:9).
The positive change that our sorrows led us to, changes our attitude towards the things that caused us sorrow.

 Negatives become positives through Jesus.

  

Hard Knocks are not the best teacher.

Hard Knocks Or God's Word

July 24th

Luke 15:17 'And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!'

LUKE 15:11-17

God's Word makes it clear that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Romans 1:18-20 reveals that even those who don't know God's Word have an intuitive knowledge of right and wrong and God's judgment against sin.

Therefore, for anyone to live in sin, as depicted by this prodigal son, they have to be deceived. This is exactly what the Bible says is the case in     2 Corinthians 4:4. When Jesus said, 'he came to himself,' He was referring to the deception being removed and the son's spiritual eyes being opened.

Like this story of the prodigal, tragedy often brings people out of deception and back to their senses. It's not that God sends the tragedy. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, 'Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee' (Jer. 4:18). However, tragic situations do clearly illustrate that 'it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps'     (Jer. 10:23), and they cause us to look somewhere else for help. Although turning to God is always beneficial, regardless of what provides the motivation, 'hard knocks' are not the best teacher.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 'All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' God's Word was given for reproof and correction and if we will submit to it, we can 'be perfect, thoroughly furnished' without having to experience tragedy first.

What do you think you can do?

Blog: My Unusual Road of Life...
by kerminator
Life is?? #324 What do you think you can do?

** How to test your potential to do a job you’ve never done before
Can you succeed in a job without prior experience?
career interests tend to be correlated with career abilities.**

Date:   9/2/2018  ... viewed 269 times
Does the job excite you?

Hundreds of scientific studies have shown that career interests tend to be correlated with career abilities. This means that you are more likely to become good at something if it really interests you.

So, even if you don’t have the right skills for a given job yet, being interested in that job will increase the likelihood you’ll be able to acquire them. Along the same lines, some academic reviews indicate that you are much more likely to be good at something which you are intrinsically motivated by or enthusiastic with.

I.E. Look for something that sparks your interest and ability - which is key.

For instance, if you are an outdoor type of person, don't look at a position that has to be mostly spent behind a desk all day. If you are the type who loves to do physical things when you rather just sit and do research or data entry. Be selective try different things to know where your real strengths are.

That said, the correlation between interests and abilities is not perfect, therefore following your passion alone is not a guaranteed the formula for being a high performer. Rather, when your passion aligns with your abilities, and those abilities are in turn aligned with a demanding job, which are you sure that you have what it takes to excel?

Related: You will have to prepare for jobs that don’t exist yet so that it is important for the job which is a good fit for your personality?

Your personality is the sum total of your predispositions and habits, how you think, feel, and act most of the time in comparison to others.
In other words, it’s what makes you, you. Academic studies show that personality can predict your career success, too.

For example, being an extrovert gives you an advantage in jobs that require many interpersonal relations, such as sales, customer service, and PR jobs, but being an introvert will give you an edge when it comes to working independently, focusing on detailed tasks for extended periods of time, and listening to others (as opposed to being the center of attention).

{It comes down to: do you always need special personal attention or can you be given an assignment and then carry it out with minimum over sight?}

In that sense, talent can largely be seen as a particular person in the right position. If you find a job that is a natural fit for your style and behavioural preferences, you can turn your personality into a powerful career-building tool. It is perfectly possible to learn and develop skills for jobs that are less naturally suited to our personality, but it will require more time, effort, and won’t always be as enjoyable.

{There is nothing worse than having a slick high paying job which you hate compared rather than making less but feeling a better sense of accomplishment in what you do. Remember money will never make up for sadness or madness.}

Related: Learn how to turn your personality into a career advantage

Is learning your superpower?

Your willingness and ability to grow and adapt your skillset to the changing workload is one of the most important ingredients in the success of your career. That’s because it predicts your likelihood to become better at anything, including jobs that don’t exist yet. It’s made up of raw mental power, as well as curiosity and drive.

People who are quick learners, interested in people, ideas, and novel experiences, and persist in tasks that are not intrinsically motivating, are much better equipped to acquire new skills.

In turn, becoming good at something never done before. This is why so many employers are making curiosity one of the key hiring criteria, and why it’s so important to demonstrate that you’re a quick study during job interviews.

{This is the key to how most really successful people and those who invented or started bigger enterprises in their life. EX. Thomas Edison, Napoleon, Henry Ford, Bill Gates, George Washington Carver, Harry S. Truman, Isaac Newton and many others thru out history.}

Related:
How to prepare your kids for jobs that don’t exist yet.

A final piece of advice: The best way to put these principles in the practice is to get feedback from others, particularly people who know you well.
Or those whom you are comfortable with and trust providing their honest opinions on your potential.

While working out whether something is interesting or not is easy, you had better understand what new jobs really will require from you.
Then how your personality differs from others, and how much you’re able to learn quickly, and do not be afraid to ask other people to help you.

i.e. Don't be a phony - get real with your desires and strengths in life and use them!

What happens when you sin?

What happens when you sin?

R.S.V.P. 

** répondez s'il vous plaît, or please reply

July 22nd

Luke 14:16, 23 'Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: ...And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.'

LUKE 14:16-24

The man who made the supper symbolizes God who has invited 'whosoever will' to come to Him. The parable teaches that it is not God who fails to offer salvation to everyone, but rather it is the invited guests who reject God's offer.

These people had feeble excuses just like the excuses of those today who don't accept God's offer of salvation. Therefore, the Lord's Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be furnished with 'undesirable's from the world's point of view, not because God rejects the upper class, but because they reject Him.
Those who have an abundance of this world's possessions don't tend to recognize their need for God as much as those who are without.

Jesus's parable could also be applied to the Jewish nation. God offered salvation to the Jews but they, as a whole, refused Him. Therefore, the Lord sent His servants to the Gentiles to fill His kingdom.
This very parable proves that the Lord is not advocating us using force to convert people to Christianity, because this man accepted the decision of those who rejected his invitation.
Therefore, it must be understood that the Lord is admonishing us to compel them to come in by our persuasion or entreaty. The word 'compels denotes aggressiveness, even in persuading of people.

  The Church, as a whole, and all of us as individuals are not supposed to simply hang out our 'shingle and wait for the world to come to us. We are supposed to be aggressively going into all the world with the Good News. We have an urgent command to be a witness because the time before our Lord's return is short.

**  Only those who put forth righteous effort can expect to find the Salvation of God in their earthly life!  It is your choice! Choose wisely!  (** By Blogger)

Who Is Saved?

Who Is Saved?

July 21st

Luke 13:23-24 'Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.'

LUKE 13: 22-27

Jesus said that many will seek to enter salvation and will not be able to. There are many reasons for this, but it is not because God refused salvation to anyone.

'The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men....' (Ti. 2:11) and God 'is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance' (2 Pet. 3:9).  {Notice intent by use of the wording "All"} 

There is effort involved in obtaining salvation. The effort is not for the purpose of earning salvation. 

That is a free gift (Rom. 5:15); but we do have to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). Faith in Jesus' goodness is what saves us - not our own goodness - and Satan is constantly trying to destroy our faith. We have to earnestly contend for the faith. True salvation is not just mental assent, but a real heartfelt commitment.

Many people today think that going to church and associating with Christians will provide them with salvation. Some people think that they are Christians because their parents were. But salvation is having a personal relationship with the Lord. You cannot inherit salvation through the natural birth process. 'You must be born again.'

We can rest assured that all those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Mt. 5:6). 

'Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Now, do you understand?

Addiction?

From a post of interest!

From:  Pocket Worthy

·

Stories to fuel your mind.

How Giving Up TV For A Month Changed My Brain And My Life

Watching a couple hours of TV a day can have major effects on your brain. So what would happen if you quit cold turkey?

Fast Company |

• Stephanie Vozza

I’ve never seen Game of Thrones, I don’t know what the Scandal is, and I couldn’t name a single “real” housewife. I thought I didn’t watch much television and that taking a 30-day break would be a piece of cake. I was wrong.

The average adult watches 2.8 hours per day of television, according to the American Time Use Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another study puts this number higher, at four hours and 15 minutes each day. I added up all of the viewings at my house, and we were definitely on the high side.

• A one-hour standing date with Judge Judy, marking the official end of my workday
• An hour of news
• Thirty minutes of Jeopardy (because it’s educational)
• And an hour-plus of mindless shows before bed

Nielsen, we have a problem.

The Dangers of TV

A lot of research has been done around TV viewing and children, and Adam Lipson, a neurosurgeon with IGEA Brain & Spine, says one of the best studies is from Tohoku University in Japan. “They noted thickening of the frontopolar cortex, which is related to verbal reasoning ability, and also correlated with a drop in IQ in proportion to the number of hours of television watching,” he says. “Also, they noted thickening in the visual cortex in the occipital lobe, and in the hypothalamus, which may correlate with aggression.”

Studies involving adults have tied television watching to Type 2 diabetes, depression, and even crime adds Lipson. “Many of the studies report adverse effects with television watching greater than one hour per day,” he says. “There have been EEG studies that demonstrate that television watching converts the brain from beta wave activity to alpha waves, which are associated with a daydreaming state, and reduced use of critical thinking skills.”

Eric Braverman, founder and president of Path Foundation NY, a nonprofit research organization devoted to brain health, is a little blunter: “The boob tube turns you into a boob,” he says. “Television mesmerizes people and turns them into intellectual spectators. It feeds passivity and makes you less engaged.”

Ouch. But he’s right. Once the blue glow fills a room, I often find it hard to break away. Television watching is a habit my husband and I started as kids; we both grew up spending “family time” around programs like Love Boat and Fantasy Island. He agreed to take the challenge with me.

 No TV. No Netflix. No live streaming anything. “How hard could it be?” we thought.

What Happened

During the first few days, we were at a loss for what to do. It had been our routine to watch whatever is on TV after dinner, and suddenly we were both dumbstruck for ideas. So we went to sleep at 8:30 p.m. Then a new routine kicked in. We started cooking together, took the dogs on longer walks, completed tasks around the house that had been on the to-do list for too long, and had great conversations over a glass of wine. On Friday and Saturday nights when we didn’t have plans with friends, we listened to CBS Radio Mystery Theater on YouTube, a radio program we had both loved as kids.

While week one was filled with fighting the urge to turn on the TV and brainstorming other activities, weeks two and three were when things started to change for me physically and mentally.

Most notably, I felt less stressed. A lot of the programs we used to watch, like Dateline or 48 Hours Mystery, had elements of suspense, drama, and violence. Had this stuff been rubbing off on me?

“TV increasingly traffics in violent programming to keep the viewer in a state of constant fear,” says Wheeler Winston Dixon, Ryan professor of film studies at the University of Nebraska. “TV also acts as a pacifier, a sort of virtual escape, but it is one that never satisfies, and only leaves the viewer wanting more of the same emptiness.”

**{Where there is no end or goal; the same old story just keeps going neather satisfing or offering sataifaction!}  > Blogger

Another side effect was that I felt less rushed when we were out. There was no reason to run home to catch a show. Whether I was in line at the grocery store or shopping for a suit with my son, I didn’t worry about time. And I seemed to have more patience.

By the end of the TV-free month, I finished the stacks of magazines that were sitting on my nightstand and end table, cleaned out my closet, started the capsule wardrobe I always wanted to have, donated 10 bags of household items we no longer needed, went to a viewing of a documentary about minimalism, and took my son to New York with me when I attended a writer’s conference, spending time with him being a tourist.

I also read three books and enjoyed one so much. I’m rereading it. Reading is a much better substitute for your brain and creativity, says Braverman. “The greatest thing is reading fiction and nonfiction, it stimulates both sides of the brain,” he says.

Everything in Moderation

Yet, TV isn’t all bad, says Braverman. “There are tons of programs that challenge the brain, such as shows about history,” he says. “Life is not about learning every second. The TV is a tremendous potential source if properly handled. The problem is that it’s a difficult instrument to control. Some things have more destructive qualities, and TV is one of them. Just like sugar is a deceitful food, TV is a deceitful presentation of life.”

Braverman has a formula for how much is okay: “Everybody needs an hour of aerobic exercise every day,” he says. “If you work out for an hour, you can watch TV for an hour. Work out for two hours, and you can watch it for two hours. Never watch more television than the amount of time you exercise.”

Did We Turn the TV On?

I didn’t. (My husband has gone back to watching the Golf Channel at night.) As I write this, it’s day 33, and I have not watched a single television show. Not even the final episode of The Good Wife, which I recorded and was so sad to miss. That’s because the best result of this experiment was the sense of calm that has seemed to set in, and the waves of contentment that come out of nowhere. Which sounds crazy, but it’s true. I don’t want to go back. At least not yet.

“Happiness comes from the interaction between inspiration and perspiration,” says Braverman. “Anything that stops humans from perspiring to achieve something inspiring gives a false fantasy and an endless distraction from reaching your full potential.”

This post originally appeared on Fast Company and was published June 6, 2016.
This article is republished here with permission.

Introduction to Romans

Introduction to Romans

The book of Romans is the longest and the clearest exposition by the Apostle Paul on the Gospel. This book contains the doctrinal foundation for the Christian faith, and it is for this reason that it was arranged first in order among the New Testament epistles. The truths presented here must be understood before proceeding to other doctrinal matters.

In this letter, Paul dealt with a larger number of doctrinal issues than in any other of his epistles. His treatment of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith was so masterfully done that its divine inspiration cannot be questioned. The depth with which Paul treated these great subjects shows that this knowledge was truly given to him by the direct revelation of God (Galatians 1:12).

An understanding of the truths in Romans 3 transformed Martin Luther’s personal life and ignited the fires of the Reformation that shook the world. Indeed, an understanding of the truths expressed in this book are essential not only to the salvation of every individual but also to the maturing and success of every Christian.

Authorship

Paul is undoubtedly the author of the letter to the Romans. The first verse of this epistle clearly states so (Romans 1:1). There is no dissenting opinion of this among the early writings of the church. The writer also sent greetings to Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3, see note 2 at Acts 18:2), his helpers, and also to Timotheus, his workfellow (Romans 16:21). The book of Acts confirms these people worked closely with Paul.

The Recipients of Paul’s Epistle “Romans”

Paul addressed this letter to all the Christians that were in Rome (Romans 1:7). There is no scriptural account of any apostolic mission taking the Gospel to Rome, so it may therefore be supposed that these Christians were converts from the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given (Acts 2:10) and from the personal witness of believers as they traversed the empire.

These saints in Rome were a diverse group: Gentiles who had come from pagan worship to trust in Jesus as their Savior, and devout Jews who had believed in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. This gave rise to many problems among the believers, and these were aggravated, no doubt, by the fact that no apostle had been to Rome to settle disputes and provide doctrinal teaching and guidance.

The Jewish Christians were adamant that the Gentiles had to convert to Judaism through the rite of circumcision. They lacked proper teaching in the revelation of grace that was given to Paul. Therefore, Paul felt an obligation, as the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), to instruct them in these matters and hence this letter.

Date and Place of Writing

This letter to the Romans was probably written during Paul’s third missionary trip, around A.D. 57-58, when Paul was in Corinth or that vicinity (Acts 20:2-3).

The date can be deduced from some of Paul’s statements in Romans 15:25-28 about how he was headed to Jerusalem to take the offering from the saints in Macedonia (see note 1 at Acts 16:9) and Achaia (see note 11 at Acts 18:12) to the poor saints in Judea (see note 1 at John 4:3). This places the writing of this book toward the end of Paul’s third missionary trip (see note 2 at Acts 18:23) as he headed for Jerusalem.

Phebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea (see note 1 at Acts 18:18), was the one who carried this epistle to the church in Rome (Romans 16:1, subscript at Romans 16:27). So it can be supposed that Paul was in Phebe’s hometown of Cenchrea or in Corinth (see note 1 at Acts 18:1) when he wrote this letter.

About the Author

Some facts about Paul’s persecution of the church, his conversion, and the intervening time until the beginning of his ministry have been dealt with in note 4 at Acts 7:58, note 1 at Acts 9:1, and note 1 at Acts 9:26. Information about Paul’s life after the close of the book of Acts is included in note 1 at Acts 28:30. Many notes about Paul’s exploits, character, and hardships are found throughout the book of Acts.

We Must Receive

We Must Receive

July 18th

Luke 13:16 'And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?'

LUKE 13:10-17

This sickness was the work of Satan - not the work of God. Jesus said it had bound her - not blessed her - for eighteen years. The teaching that says that sickness is actually a blessing in disguise, because the Lord is working His plan in one's life, is not found in scripture. As Acts 10:38 says, Jesus 'went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil,' not 'oppressed of God.'
There are 17 times in the Gospels when Jesus healed all of the sick that were present. There are 47 other times when He healed one or two people at a time.

Nowhere do we find Jesus refusing to heal anyone. Jesus said that He could do nothing of Himself, but only what He saw the Father do. His actions are proof enough that it is always God's will to heal!
Jesus provided for physical healing as well as forgiveness of sins. The very word 'save' (Gk.-'sozo') is translated 'made whole' in reference to physical healing in Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, and Luke 8:48. James 5:15 says 'the prayer of faith shall save (Gk.-'sozo') the sick.' Many scriptures mention the healing of our bodies in conjunction with the forgiveness of our sins.
Healing is a part of our salvation, just as much as the forgiveness of our sins.
It is God's will that no one should perish, but many do because of their unbelief. Likewise, it is God's will that we all be healed, but not all are healed because of failure to believe. It is a mistake to assume that whatever God wills will automatically come to pass. We play a part in receiving from God.

Believe His Word today.

Avoid Strife

Avoid Strife

July 17th

Luke 12:58 'When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.'

LUKE 12:56-59   NKJV

Make Peace with Your Adversary

⁵⁷ “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? ⁵⁸ When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
 

Jesus had just spoken about relationships before He gave this parable of delivering ourselves from the judge. The warning is clear that we should do everything within our power to avoid strife (Rom. 12:18). However, the consequences of failing to settle the differences are more than just physical prison or punishment.

Strife can produce spiritual and emotional prisons. James 3:16 says, 'where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.' Depressions, fears, loneliness, bitterness, sicknesses, financial problems, and many other things can become prisons from which we will not be delivered until we reconcile.

The dictionary states that to reconcile means 'to re-establish friendship between; to settle or resolve, as a dispute' (American Heritage). The key to reconciliation is effectively dealing with the enmity, ill will, hatred, or hostility that has caused the dispute. There are several approaches to reconciliation that may be applied. For instance, If we've offended someone by an unkind word that we've spoken, we can apologize. If we owe money to someone, we can pay the debt. If we've done something to someone we can make the necessary restitution. But in every case, reconciliation lies in dealing effectively with the root cause of the enmity.

The enmity between man and God was sin. God took the initiative to remove this barrier through the means and agency of Jesus Christ, thus leaving Him and man as friends once again. Thank God for His great love!

Don’t Sacrifice—Prioritize

What does it take to be successful?

 No matter what your definition of success is, you know that it’s not easy to achieve it. 

Even a simple definition of success like “I want to live life on my own terms” requires hard work. Every sane person who aspires to live a good life understands that.

But when people start talking about the things you have to give up for success, I think they are going down a dark path. No matter what you’re trying to achieve in life; under no circumstances should you “sacrifice” anything.

“But what about all the hard work you’re talking about? I need to sacrifice all the other things I want to do.”

The answer to that question is simple. No one said it better than Tony Robbins:

“If you think it’s a sacrifice, you shouldn’t do it.”

Whether you like Tony Robbins or not, you can’t deny he successfully achieved his goals. He communicates his goals all the time. He talks about how he wants to feed millions of people. And then he does it.

When I started on this whole self-improvement journey, I thought I had to sacrifice things.

• “I can’t go out every weekend anymore.”
• “I can’t spend my money on useless things.”
• “I can’t go on a holiday this year.”
• “I need to read every day.”
• “I need to stay positive.”

When you put it like that to yourself, it looks like you’re sacrificing many things in your life. But that’s the wrong way to look at it.

When you think you have to sacrifice something in your life in order to be successful, what do you think will happen?

You will build frustration and resentment towards yourself. And guess what happens then? That lofty goal that should have made you happy ends up making you miserable.

Don’t Sacrifice—Prioritize

I live by a simple rule: If I think something is a sacrifice, I’m not going to do it.

I look at everything I do as a choice. No one forced me to work hard. Similarly:

• You’re not sacrificing your free time. You’re spending your time to get better at what you do.
• You’re not sacrificing fun. You’re getting smarter by reading a book.
• You’re not sacrificing a holiday and rest. You’re loving the grind.

Sure, everyone needs time off. In fact, I believe rest increases our productivity. I’m not talking about that here. It’s about the way we look at our lives.

If you change your mindset from” I’m sacrificing something” to “I’m choosing something,” you’re prioritizing your life. You are no longer looking at what you’re missing out on; instead, you look at what you’re getting out of your life.

You know, this idea of sacrificing things to become successful comes from our nature to compare our lives to others. Why do you think you look at things as a sacrifice? Compared to what? Exactly, you compare it to what others do.

“Well, so and so is having an avocado salad at a rooftop bar in SoHo.” Who gives a shit.

Work-life Balance Doesn’t Exist

Another challenge is that we still believe in the work-life balance. Let’s just settle that whole conversation right here. The dialogue always goes as follows:

• We work to pay the bills.
• And our work takes up 8-9 hours of our days.
• That means we spend the majority of our time at working or going to work.
• In other words: Your work IS your life.

I’m always amazed when people talk about life and work as separate entities. You are your work. And your work is you. There’s nothing good or bad about that. It’s merely a fact.

Look, the solution to having a successful life is picking a career that fits your goals, lifestyle, and strengths. You want a job that doesn’t feel like a job.

“But how can I get a job I love so I don’t have to worry about work-life balance?”

You probably won’t like this, but here’s my honest answer: Prioritize learning over pleasure.

Get better at what you do. Find out what your strengths are, and work in a field where you can be part of the important minority (Price’s Law).

That means you always choose to improve your skills over going for drinks. That’s not a sacrifice. It’s a well-considered choice.

This post originally appeared on Darius Foroux and was published November 28, 2018.
 This article is republished here with permission.

Darius Foroux writes about productivity, habits, decision making, and personal finance.
Join his newsletter.

How to learn a new skill

Pocket Worthy

·

Stories to fuel your mind.

A Little-Known Hack to Learn a New Skill in a Fraction of the Time

It’s called ‘deliberate practice’ and it’s a proven way for your staff to master a new skill in a fraction of the time. Here are the five core elements that make it work.

Inc. |

• David Finkel

In this article, I'm going to share one of the most effective tactics for coaching your key team members. I call it "deliberate practice." It's one of the most powerful strategies that you can use to help your employees become owner-independent.

Deliberate practice refers to the intensely focused practice of a skill, habit, or ability. To practice deliberately, you have to break down skills into blocks of discrete micro-skills, map out the order in which you need to learn those micro-skills, and closely monitor your progress.

With deliberate practice, your learning can become magnitudes more efficient. You can master new skills in a fraction of the time that it would otherwise take. After all, not everyone can afford to spend 10,000 hours learning a new skill.

For some skills, it can be easy to find proven curricula to guide your deliberate practice. But for other, softer skills, you sometimes need to chart your own course.

For example, there are many proven training programs that you can use to coach your staff in sales. But now imagine that you had an employee--let's call him John--who shied away from direct conversations. Imagine that he preferred finessing situations rather than confronting them directly. You might find that while John is a nice guy, his management style causes trouble: His communication gets fuzzy and his team might not take him seriously.

To help John grow, you would have to help him develop his own program of deliberate practice. But don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds. Deliberate practice can really be broken down into just five key ingredients.

1. Intensity

You don't want to perform long, mindless bouts of repetition. You want to concentrate on one particular skill for a much shorter, tighter period of time.

2. Purpose

That practice that you're being intense about has to be for the specific purpose of learning a concrete skill set. You need a goal to work toward if you're going to improve.

3. Learning Blocks

You have to break your deliberate practice down into small, constituent parts. I like to call these "learning blocks." Learning blocks are groupings of micro-skills that collectively build toward larger, more important skills.

4. Strategy

You want to tackle each of those learning blocks the same way you would tackle any other plan for business growth--in a logical, strategic order. Before you begin your deliberate practice, give some thought to what needs to happen first, second, third, and so on.

Take field hockey for example. Before I began business coaching 20 years ago, I was a professional athlete. When I played field hockey for the U.S. national team, I discovered that my grip on my hockey stick was a quarter turn off. Now, that might not sound like a big deal, but it had a cascading effect that dramatically impacted the quality of my play.

You see, because my grip was slightly off, I had to slightly change my playing stance. That stance change required that my head tilt down toward the ball in such a way that I effectively cut off five feet of peripheral vision. When I eventually corrected my grip, my gameplay improved massively. With five feet more of peripheral vision, I was able to clock more of the movements of my teammates and opponents and, ultimately, make better game-time decisions.

Later, when I began coaching other athletes, I had to lay out a sequence of micro-skills for field hockey players to learn in order to get those extra five feet of vision. First, I would teach them the proper grip, then teach them the optimal stance, then introduce them to the other skills of play.

So if you're coaching John to help him become more direct, you might break that skill down into a carefully sequenced series of micro-skills. Here's what that sequence could look like:

• You might ask him to begin by developing real-time awareness of when he's dealing with situations head on and when he's finessing them.
• Then you might coach him to become more direct in earlier conversations with his staff so that he isn't waiting until the second or third conversation to set the record straight.
• Next, you might coach him to start observing which direct conversations he's comfortable having. Where is the border between what's comfortable and what isn't?
• And then you would eventually have him speak more directly in conversations where he'd prefer not to--the conversations that push his comfort level.

5. Feedback

You need to shorten the gap between cause and effect--between action and observation. Over the course of nearly two decades in business coaching, I've developed a simple way to do this without wasting any time. This strategy shouldn't take you any more than 10 minutes a day.

You can do this journaling work in any medium, whether you prefer to use a digital journal like Evernote or a traditional paper journal. Personally, I like to journal with a pen and paper and then store a photo of that journal entry in Evernote.

Given that your practice opportunity is already a part of your day, this work will take you no more than 10 extra minutes. But if you practice it every day for three or four days a week, you'll find that you can acquire new skills with incredible rapidity.

These are the five elements that transform "practice" into "deliberate practice." Good luck using them to speed up your development of your staff.

David Finkel is the co-author of "Scale: Seven Proven Principles to Grow Your Business and Get Your Life Back."

This post originally appeared on Inc. and was published March 27, 2018. This article is republished here with permission.

How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything.

Blog: My Unusual Road of Life....
by kerminator

Organize Your Goals in Life

** A targeted approach to learning helps us cope with all the nagging feelings associated with gaining expertise: inspective - How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything.

Date:   7/15/2019
Organize Your Goals

Effective learning often boils down to a type of project management. In order to develop an area of expertise, we first have to set achievable goals about what we want to learn. Then we have to develop strategies to help us reach those goals.

A targeted approach to learning helps us cope with all the nagging feelings associated with gaining expertise:
Am I good enough?
Will I fail?
What if I’m wrong?
Isn’t there something else that I’d rather be doing?

While some self-carping is normal, Stanford psychologist Albert Bandura says these sorts of negative emotions can quickly rob us of our ability to learn something new. Plus, we’re more committed if we develop a plan with clear objectives. The research is overwhelming on this point. Studies consistently show that people with clear goals outperform people with vague aspirations like “do a good job.” By setting targets, people can manage their feelings more easily and achieve progress with their learning.

Think About Thinking
Metacognition is crucial to the talent of learning. Psychologists define metacognition as “thinking about thinking,” and broadly speaking, metacognition is about being more inspective about how you know what you know. It’s a matter of asking ourselves questions like:
Do I really get this idea?
Could I explain it to a friend?
What are my goals?
Do I need more background knowledge?
Or do I need more practice?

Metacognition comes easily to many trained experts. When a specialist works through an issue, they’ll often think a lot about how the problem is framed. They’ll often have a good sense of whether or not their answer seems reasonable.

The key, it turns out, is not to leave this sort of “thinking about thinking” to the experts. When it comes to learning, one of the biggest issues is that people don’t engage in metacognition enough. They don’t stop to ask themselves if they really get a skill or concept.

The issue, then, is not that something goes in one ear and out the other. The issue is that individuals don’t dwell on the dwelling. They don’t push themselves to really think about their thinking.

Reflect on Your Learning
There is something of a contradiction in learning. It turns out that we need to let go of our learning in order to understand our learning.

For example, when we step away from a problem, we often learn more about a problem. Get into a discussion with a colleague, for instance, and often your best arguments arrive while you’re washing the dishes later.
Read a software or other technical manual and often a good amount of your comprehension can come after you shut the pages.

In short, learning benefits from reflection. This type of reflection requires a moment of calm. Maybe we’re quietly writing an essay in a corner —
or talking to ourselves as we’re in the shower. But it usually takes a bit of cognitive quiet, a moment of silent introspection, for us to engage in any sort of focused deliberation.

Sleep is a fascinating example of this idea. It’s possible that we tidy up our knowledge while we’re napping or sleeping deeply. One recent study shows a good evening of shut-eye can reduce practice time by 50%.

The idea of cognitive quiet also helps explain why it’s so difficult to gain skills when we’re stressed or angry or lonely.

When feelings surge through our brain, we can’t deliberate and reflect. Sure, in some sort of dramatic, high-stakes situations, we might be able to learn something basic like remember a phone number. But for us to gain any sort of understanding, there needs to be some state of mental ease.

The good news from all of this — for individuals and for companies looking to help their employees be their best — is that learning is a learned behavior. Being a quick study doesn’t mean you’re the smartest person in the room.

It’s that you’ve learned how to learn.
By deliberately organizing your learning goals, thinking about your thinking, and reflecting on your learning at opportune times, you can become a better study, too.

From:

Ulrich Boser is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he also founded and runs the science of learning initiative.
He’s the author of Learn Better: Mastering the Skills for Success in Life, Business, and School, or,
How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything.

What do you know?

Stan Snyder

2 hrs ·

My question this morning contains material that is not questionable, nor does it contain anything that should not be seen by young folk! It does contain Christian material, so I have an obligation to alert all you cowards at Spacebook so that you can cover your eyes and ears, so that you will not be traumatized for the rest of your lives by the name of JESUS! I will try my best to post the alert every time I post Christian material! YOUR WELCOME! On a number of occasions when I've had the opportunity to speak with atheist or so called non-believers, I've been amazed at the things, (excuses) that they've dreamed up to avoid facing the reality of a simple thing like creation! My favorite is the big bang theory it's a "theory" folks that means there is no physical basis, no evidence, none whatsoever! What really bothers me is their need to call God names, to suggest that He is a liar, that God is a sinner, and so on! Why can't they just say that it's their belief that there is no God, no Creator? Hummm, there's that terrifying "hummm" again, I guess that's a sign that I'm confused by the denial of the obvious! So, how can anyone, except by personal choice, deny the existence of something or someone, if they truly believe that it, or they don't exist?? You do realize that there is no reason to deny something that does not exist----don't you? Their mentality would be like me making up something, saying that I don't believe in it and the denying it's existence----Ah Duhhhh! That's a double dose of "duhh"! My real problem with all of this lies in the question, how do you hate someone or something that you don't know, that you've never had contact with, never met, or had a relationship with? Sadly this is the mentality that we see in too many people today, a mentality that the world has exhibited for over 2000 years, since Jesus appeared on the scene. So, you hate God and Jesus, what pray tell did they ever do to you, to receive you denial, your hatred, your ridiculous excuses for espousing your contrived reason for calling yourself an atheist? Basically, it's like me forming an idiotic opinion of someone that I've never met, have no knowledge of or picked out of a book of names for babies, yep, it's just that ridiculous! Each time you deny God or Jesus for any reason, you chalk one up for the devil, that old serpent, Satan, you know that lying, cheating, deceiving enemy of God and Jesus! You can try to "splain" yourself, your love for God and Jesus, The Holy Ghost and God's Word to an atheist all you want, just don;t get discouraged if they don't get on board! I remember a man who got in my face yelling at me because I would dare to share my Christian belief with another person, he totally went off on me! :) I smiled, I guess that you don't believe in God and then he went off again! :) I have a suggestion, when you get done with your tirade, go outback of this building, shake your fist at the sky and call God out ! Dare Him to come down and give you His best shot! Immediately his face went flush, Sir, Sir, I may have said that I don't believe in God, but I never said that I don't fear Him! Yepper that's a true story folks, so goes the mentality of a so called atheist. Remember that God has no need of our opinions, He will however not forget your name or the reason why you will spend eternity in hell. In the end it's your call! HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Stewards Of God's Grace

Stewards Of God's Grace

July 15th

Luke 12:42 'And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?'

LUKE 12:42

A steward is a person who has been entrusted with administering someone else's wealth or affairs. The possessions a steward controls are not his own and he does not have the freedom to do with them as he wishes. He is supposed to carry out the desires of the one who made him steward.

A banker is a steward. He has been entrusted with other people's money. He is free to invest that money wisely in a way that will benefit his depositors and stockholders, but would be sent to jail if he took all that money and simply consumed it upon himself. A steward is accountable (Lk. 16:2) to someone else for the use of that person's money. The money does not belong to him even though it is in his possession.

This parable, and other scriptures (1 Cor. 4:1; Ti. 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10), describes every believer as a steward of God's grace. The wealth, talents, and abilities we possess, as well as the revelation of God's love that we've been given, are not our own to do with as we please. We have received these things from God and are therefore accountable to Him for the use or misuse of these gifts. Keeping this in mind is essential for fulfilling our obligation to God as stewards of His 'manifold grace.'

AWMI.net

What is the Book of Acts?

Introduction to Acts

Since the second century A.D., the book of Acts has commonly been called, “The Acts of the Apostles.” In comprehending more thoroughly and correctly the contents of the book, we may more accurately say that it is “The Acts of the Holy Spirit Through the Believers.” We find that ten of the apostles’ “ministries” and “acts” are never mentioned; whereas, several “acts” of non-apostolic believers are mentioned (Acts 8:5-8; 9:10-11, and 17).

The book of Acts is the most significant handbook of information on the workings of the Holy Spirit in the world today. It is the practical working out of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, and Luke 24:46-49) and literally fulfills Mark 16:20, “They went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” The Greek word for “working” in that verse is “SUNERGEO,” and it literally means “to be a fellow-worker.”
 (Strong’s Concordance). This relationship between the Holy Spirit and the believers is clearly portrayed throughout the book of Acts.

Whereas “the former treatise” (that is, the Gospel of Luke) dealt with “all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1), the book of Acts describes what Jesus continues to do and teach through the lives of the believers (His church). We might say, “These are the acts of the resurrected Christ through the believers.”

As a result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the witness of Christ and His teachings spread through Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). Certainly, one of the aims of this book was to show that the Jewish Messiah and His atonement were for all people, for all time.

Authorship

a. Internal evidence: Although no claim is made in the book as to the origin, there is much internal evidence that Luke is the author.

Both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were addressed to Theophilus (Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1). This similarity, coupled with the statement, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus.”
(Acts 1:1), seems to leave no doubt that Luke was the author.

Furthermore, a careful reading of the book of Acts makes it clear that its author was a companion of Paul and a partner in many of his travels. Other companions such as Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timotheus, Tychicus, and Trophimus are all excluded from being the author due to the wording of Acts 20:4-5.

However, the Apostle Paul himself stated that Luke was with him during his imprisonment in Rome (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, and Philemon 24), making special mention in 2 Timothy 4:11 that “only Luke is with me.” This presence of Luke with Paul during his imprisonment, combined with the narrator’s use of the word “we” throughout his accounts of Paul’s imprisonment, provides conclusive evidence of Luke’s authorship.

b. External evidence: The extra-biblical sources overwhelmingly support Luke as the author of the book of Acts. The Muratorian Canon, which Irenaeus (A.D. 133-200), Tertullian (A.D. 160-200), Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150-215), and Origen (A.D. 185-254) all supported, held Luke to be the author of both Acts and the Gospel of Luke.

The Recipient of the Book of Acts

The recipient of this book, as well as the Gospel of Luke, was a man named Theophilus (Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1). Theophilus could possibly have been a prominent Roman official recently converted to Christianity. The term “most excellent” (Luke 1:3) came from the Greek word meaning “strongest, i.e. (in dignity) very honourable” (Strong’s Concordance).

It is also possible that Theophilus may not have been a person at all. The word “Theophilus” is made of two Greek words: “THEOS,” which means “a deity, especially...the supreme Divinity” (Strong’s Concordance), and “PHILOS,” which means “a friend” (Strong’s Concordance). It may be that Luke wrote to a “friend of God” whose real name he did not mention, or to everyone who was a friend of God (John 15:14).

Whichever the case, Luke’s two-volume work shows us the history of Christianity and bridges the gap between the Gospels and the teaching of the Pauline epistles. It is most valuable in understanding the truth of the Gospel and people’s response to it.

Date of Writing

The time of the writing of this book is probably around A.D. 63 since Luke ends this book with Paul being a prisoner at Rome for at least two years (Acts 28:30). It seems inevitable that Luke would have given the outcome of Paul’s trial if it had been written at a later date. Most historians believe the A.D. 63 year to be correct.

About the Author

a. Internal information: Luke is mentioned by that name three times in the New Testament (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, and Philemon 24 [Lucas]). He is the one referred to in the “we” portions of Acts (Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-15, 21:1-18, and 27:1-28:16). It is possible that the Lucius spoke of in Acts 13:1 and Romans 16:21 could be the same Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. If the Lucius spoke of in Romans 16:21 was this Luke, then he would be related to Paul.

Luke was referred to by Paul in Colossians 4:14 as “the beloved physician.” In the Gospel of Luke, the attention given to the miracles Jesus performed reflects a physician’s background (see note 2 at Luke 6:6). There is no evidence that he ministered as a physician after his conversion. On the contrary, if he had practiced medicine alongside Paul as some suggest, then he was remiss in not recording even one example of this in the book of Acts.

It is clear, however, that Luke was a close companion of the Apostle Paul. Luke joined Paul in Troas, as can be seen by the narration changing from the third person (Acts 16:4) to the first person plural (Acts 16:10-11). This first-person narration continued until Paul left Philippi heading for Thessalonica. This leads us to believe that Luke left the group in Philippi, then rejoined them again in Acts 20:5.
The rest of the book of Acts continues to use “we,” and Paul’s references to Luke (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, and Philemon 24) show us that Luke was with Paul during his imprisonment (A.D. 60 to at least 62). In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul said, “Only Luke is with me.” No doubt, they must have had close fellowship during that time.

b. External information: External evidence about Luke abounds. Eusebius and Jerome both assigned Luke as being a native of Antioch in Syria. Nearly all physicians of his day were Asiatic Greeks educated at Tarsus in Cilicia. This would further lead one to think that Luke was a Greek.

Eusebius wrote, “And Luke, who was a native of Antioch, and by profession a physician, for the most part, companion of Paul, and who was not slightly acquainted with the rest of the apostles, has left us two books, divinely inspired proofs of the art of healing souls, which he won from them.”

Jerome wrote in A.D. 384, “Luke, a physician of Antioch, not unskilled in the Hebrew language, as his words show, was a follower of the Apostle Paul, and the companion of all his wanderings. He wrote the gospel of which the same Paul makes mention.”

Additional material about Luke exists, but it is based mainly on tradition and not fact.