Psalm 119:38 We hear these words daily, “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom”. Devotion to God is not a mystical experience, but a diligent work of God who establishes His love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control in every receptive soul. Galatians 5:22-23

 Good Morning

We have three birds, two finch and one parakeet and since we are redoing the master bed room the birds have moved in with me in the study. Each day when I do the devotional I have the awesome opportunity to watch the birds go through their morning routine. The finch share a cage and the parakeet lives by herself in a separate cage. In the morning when I take the covering off the bird cages the parakeet goes through the same antics trying to get the attention of the finch. They could care less! Cutie pie the parakeet bounces up and down, careens off the side of the cage and then swings on her swing, repeating this activity until she wears herself out. The finch; one unpacks the nest of unwanted trash and the other one brings up new twigs and paper for the make over. One finch is heavy set the other is skinny. Skinny does the hauling and Fatso does the makeover. When they are done they both take a bath, have a little breakfast and discuss various accomplishments. I know the finch understand that the parakeet lives next door, but I am thinking that there is a language barrier, or maybe it is a hygiene issue. I’ve never seen the parakeet take a bath. The three are very entertaining, better than television.

Acts 11

Acts 11:19-21  ~ Cyprus and Antioch are nearly 300 miles north of Jerusalem, that is a long journey even by today’s standard, but after the death of Stephen it was necessary for believers to move out of the city where Christ started His church. Persecution was on the rise, but also this gave opportunity for the universal church to grow and the local church to establish. Church planting should be a common occurrence for the Church of Jesus Christ. A word is coined in Antioch, “Christian”

Acts 11:22-26  ~ News travels faster than the foot can carry it. I think we do not say enough about the news that develops as the result of the grace of God in the lives of the people around us. Our news seems to be wrapped around some tidbit of gossip, an ill wind or Charlie’s broken car.. How we need to take a lesson from these passages that it is the grace of God that provides us with the encouraging news that people are gaining salvation and finding purpose of life. Saul will soon be joining Barnabas and life in these times will get even more exciting and if the LORD tarries we will journey with Paul and his friends through the rest of Acts.

Acts 11:27-30  ~ Here we see a sudden change from the context. There is trouble in the land and the voices of prophets declaring a warning can be heard. The churches respond properly and send relief. I believe that this is a clear indication that believers can come to the rescue of others. We need government and protection, but what we need more of is for local churches all across the world to have purpose of heart and continue with the LORD. There are many needs affecting the universal church of Jesus Christ, mostly ignored in today’s world by the local church who call themselves Christians.

 Now if you do not have your bible with you, the following is a link you can go to and find the verses of scripture I have referenced herein. Bible Gateway at: www.biblegateway.com/