Today we are starting chapter 9 in the Book of Acts. This is one of those chapters that are preached from more that many other portions of scripture – at least what is called the Damascus Road experience. This chapter will encourage all of us as we see Father God reaching out to the most anti-Christian person in the time of the first New Testament Church. So whether you have a family member(s) who are not serving the Lord right now or someone that comes to your mind who needs Christ in their lives, this chapter will help you know that this is (souls saved) a heavenly desire and purpose. This person that can come to the Lord could be your worst enemy who has been persecuting you the most. Heavenly Father loves whomever and is reaching out to them, just as He did here in chapter 9 of Acts. The last chapter of Acts that we studied, chapter 8, took us a little over three months. Now I know that we had over guests within those months, but still chapter 8 was our main text for the month. In review I want to mention a couple of important items Holy Spirit pointed out to us. 1. In the midst of great persecution, people in the body of Christ were not scattered because of fear, but were only fulfilling what Jesus said to them in John 16:32a “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home.” So the purpose of them leaving Jerusalem was not – in fear running away – but instead going back to their home areas preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:4) 2. We learned that the spreading of the gospel was lead, not by the Apostles – because they stayed in Jerusalem, but by the other believers who went back to their home areas. The Apostles stayed in Jerusalem because they were sent. They stay whether things are going great or not so great. They are sent by God and remain in that place until Father God sends them somewhere else. 3. Philip, one of the ordinary guys who were chosen to serve tables, was mightily used. When the crowds heard what he said and saw the miraculous signs he did, it says – “they paid close attention to what he said.” (Acts 8:6) The point here is that the people heard and saw God in their midst, not just heard about Him. The power of God was working through Philip just like it is to work through us. 4. Simon the Sorcerer, who was known as someone great and who people followed because of his “divine power” known as the Great Power, did not throw Philip off in anyway. Instead Simon saw the miracles happening through Philip were greater than what was going on with him, so he believed and was baptized along with many of the rest of the people. Lesson learned is “don’t let what the enemy is doing throw you off what God wants to do through you”. 5. Even though Simon coming to the Lord was great, the early church did not make him a hero, but instead rejoiced that the people of Samaria were coming to the Lord. 6. We learned that even though one can believe and be baptized they still have issues in their life and these issues need to be dealt with honestly and boldly. Many people are going around today thinking they are ok, but that is because no one has been willing to address their issues. Boldness is for more than standing before a firing squad, it is being willing to tell the truth, even to a new believer of much influence. I will try and finish this chapter eight review next week.

Here is a small part of my book that I believe the Lord is directing me to write. It’s on dating. This is the first part of chapter three… “So what is the purpose of dating and don’t tell me it is to get married. You are to be dating long before you are ready for marriage. In fact dating is preparing you for not only your married life but for life itself. The school of preparation for marriage and life takes more than just a few months with someone. It takes a lifetime (at least the first part of your life) to prepare for it. Dating, yes dating, is also used for those who may never get married. Now I know that you think this is strange, but life is made up of male and female persons. You will be working along side both sexes no matter what is ahead of you in life. The reason that you think this is a bit strange is because of your definition of dating. So don’t go away, you may be surprised. Even though this is not a marriage book I have to put in here, marriage is a lifetime of learning and improving, growing and trusting, commitment and giving. You are ever learning through this process. Cindy and I have been married forty-one years as I write this book and we are still learning how to communicate with one another, how to love one another, etc. Why? Why is there so much learning about marriage in life? - Because life does not stand still. It is always moving, always changing and always in a process. So what you did with or for your spouse today, will not work for tomorrow. Growth is changing, learning, allowing God to change you and mold you after Him, and that is a lifetime posture for everyone. So change, humble yourself, submit to the leading of Holy Spirit in your life and you will see exciting days ahead in your marriage and in life – I promise. Back to dating. The purpose of dating is to come together spiritually with one mind and with one heart. When you have done this, you have accomplished the purpose of dating. There is a lot of scripture that can help you in this, so let me guide you through some to show you the importance of all this. First of all God has made us “Spiritual Beings” before we were “Physical Beings.” Genesis 1:26-28 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” When the scripture says; “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This means He created us spiritual beings first. We were created in His likeness and He (God) is Spirit. John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” Please pray that Heavenly Father helps me finish this book by the end of August 2010. Thank you.

Is prayer really necessary? If so, why? Isn’t God sovereign? Doesn’t that mean He accomplished what He wants, when He wants? If so, why pray? Is God’s will for a Christian automatically guaranteed or is it linked to prayer and other factors? Why does it often take so long to get a prayer answered? Why is persistence required? Jacob wrestled with God. Is that what we are to do in prayer? I don’t like the thought of wrestling with God, do you? What about prayer for the lost? How can I be more effective? I get a little frustrated trying to think of new ways to ask God to save people, don’t you? I thought He wanted to save them. Then why do I feel as though I’m trying to talk Him into it? Is there a better way? Do I ask for their salvation again and again or simply petition Him once and then just thank Him in faith? What about spiritual warfare? If Satan is defeated and Christ has all authority, shouldn’t we just forget about the devil? Does God bind the devil or do we? What exactly is intercessory prayer? And don’t just tell me it’s “standing in the gap.” Enough religious quotes and spiritual jargon. I know the thought is taken from the Bible, but what does it mean? What about protection? Is everything that happens to me or my family simply allowed by God. Or is there something I need to do to procure our safety? How do we “bear one another’s burden”? (Gals. 6:2) Is there a right time for answers to prayer or does the timing depend on me? Are you getting tired of all these questions? Many people stopped asking them long ago, and probably stopped praying, too. Please don’t do that! Keep asking! The right answer begins with the right question. God is not offended by a sincere question. He won’t satisfy the skeptic and He is not pleased with unbelief, but He loves an honest seeker. Those who lack and ask for wisdom He does not rebuke (James 1:5). He is a good Dad. Will you pray this prayer with me. “Father, we need more understanding – not more knowledge. We have so much of it no that we are becoming confused. Yes, and even cynical at times because our Knowledge has not always worked. In fact, Father, our Bibles often seem to contradict our experiences. We need some answers. We need a marriage of theology and experience. We’ve been encouraged by the stories of other great prayer warriors – the praying Hydes, the David Brainerds, The Andrew Murrays and the apostle Pauls. But frankly, Lord, it gets a bit frustrating when our prayers don’t seem to work. And intimidating as well because we don’t know if we will ever be able to pray two to three hours a day, as these great intercessors did. We need more than inspiration now. We need answers. So, as Your disciples did, Lord, we say, “Teach us to pray.” We know it often requires hard work, but can’t it also be fun? We know there will be failures, but how about a few more successes? We know “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7), but couldn’t we see a few more victories?....Souls saved?.....Healings? We are tired of cloaking our ignorance in robes of blind obedience and calling it spirituality. We are tired of religious exercises that make us feel better for a while but bear little lasting fruit. We are tired of a form of godliness without power. Help us, please. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.” The above is taken from chapter one of the book, Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets. Intercessory Prayer is something the Lord is continuing to point to over the past year. For me it is something that we will work on and get the answers to our questions so that we can become true prayer warriors for Him.

I have been challenged this past couple of weeks as I have just finished reading the book entitled: “Apostolic Foundations: The Challenge of Living an Authentic Christian Life” by Arthur Katz. Arthur Katz is a man who started his life as a self-proclaimed Marxist/atheist who was converted to Christianity in 1963. In the mid-70’s he started a place known as Ben Israel Fellowship in Laporte, Minnesota, which is a year-round convocation center for the preparation of God’s people; a permanent community of committed believers… One of their main texts is the book of Acts, which is the same as what we have been working through. John Alley in his book, the Spirit of Sonship, quotes from Arthur’s book, Apostolic Foundations, and that is how I came across this man’s writings. In the last chapter of his book, Apostolic Foundations, Arthur Katz writes this: “Our modern life tends to be set in compartments: the secular and the sacred, everyday life and the religious, the private person and the public minister, and yet Paul did not know those distinctions. He was one true man through and through, the full-orbed man. The apostle is the thing in himself, the Word made flesh, and that is why Paul could continually offer himself as an example. He did not say, "Follow my principles!" but, "Follow me!" God does not say that it is the principles of the apostles and prophets that are the foundation of the church, but rather the men in themselves, and what they are in themselves in Christ. We are to be one true thing throughout, day in and day out. Paul was instant in season and out, always ready, always appropriate, before Jews and before Greeks, and God wants an entire church just like that.” I don’t know about you, but when I read something like this, I am challenged asking myself “am I that kind of man?” My prayer and my desire is ‘yes’, I am that kind of man. But can I press in for more? YES!! Much more. But we also need to ask the question; “are we that kind of a church?” In these last days, I believe the world is looking for a group of people who are not just “Sunday Morning” Christians, but are who they are, every day of the week. It is so good to be pressed in for more of God and more of what He wants in our lives. I am also so thankful for the men and women that Father God is bringing into our lives to help and guide us through this journey. Please pray as the Leadership Team meets together this week. Pray that Father God will lead and direct us into His very good and perfect will. We have some awesome times coming up ahead of us and I know that I don’t want to do anything other than what God wants us to do. And I know that you feel the same way. "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." (1Thessalonians 1:5)

July is the month for planning. Our leadership team is meeting and planning and our school leadership team is meeting and planning – all in the month of July. Who says July is a holiday month. Not here at the house, that’s for sure. In the midst of our planning our house is being shared with more people involved and that is only going to deepen our commitment to the Lord and to one another. This past week in one of our leadership meetings, I believe the Lord supernaturally met with us, and challenged us to walk deeper and closer to Him. I have been involved in meetings connected with the church since I was 16 years old and I think I can safely say I have seen a lot. But what I have not experienced until now, is a group of people who desire the Lord to work in our midst and for us to walk in the supernatural, not only as individuals but corporately. The following is a quote from Francis Schaeffer from his book True Spirituality: “These are the things that the world should see when they look upon the Church - something that they cannot possible explain away. The Church should be committed to the practical reality of these things, not merely assenting to them. There is a distinction between men, even converted men, building Christ’s Church, and Christ building his Church through converted and consecrated men.” He is talking about the work of the Holy Spirit and how the work of the Holy Spirit should and will make a difference and all should be able to see Christ building his church through converted and consecrated men. In other words unexplainable things should be happening because the church, the body of Christ is being built supernaturally and not naturally. Organization needs to be in the body otherwise we don’t know what everyone is doing and when communication breaks down, all kinds of unhealthy things take place. So we need organization, but we have to be careful that we don’t become an organization and cease to be the “body of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Almost all of us have been apart of an organization called the church, but have not been involved in a true body of believers where Christ is the head. Oh I know that almost every church would say they are the body of Christ, so if that is true, is the supernatural happening. Are miracles and the power of God moving in such ways that everyone can see it, but they can’t explain it other than the power of God? We want to be that kind of church. A group of called believers called out of the ordinary to do that which is not ordinary to man, but is ordinary to God. But what this will mean is that all of us will have to draw closer to the Lord and not realize in our own abilities and in our own wisdom. We will be spending more time in prayer both individual and corporately. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:10-11)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Five (number meaning Divine Grace) years ago when Cindy and I came here with our friend and guest, David Mainse from 100 Huntley Street, none of us could have ever guessed what God had in mind. But as we look back today over the last five years we rejoice in the Lord at all that has been done. First of all we want to rejoice in the Lord of all that He has done in our spiritual lives. Cindy and I have both grown in His grace and in His understanding of which we are in Him and how He wants us to function as His children. This alone is enough to rejoice in Him and to know that He is alive and real. We love the Lord with all of our hearts, and our souls, our minds, and our strength for He is good. We thank the Lord for friends and family that He has given to us. We are so thankful for the “Spiritual Family” we now have and the growth that is taking place in our relationships. We have always believed that God wants His people to be in relationship with one another that is deeper than just an association, but a family. That is what is happening right here at the house. (I just stopped myself from quoting scripture and making a point. I don’t want to do that here today, because I want this to be personal about how thankful we are to the Lord. ☺) Before we look to the future, we just want to say, thank you, thank you for your love for the Lord and your desire to want to grow in your relationship with Him. That is what Cindy and I are all about, growing in the Lord, and that is what you are all about and that makes a great, a winning, a fruitful, and a blessed combination. Now let’s talk about the future. We all know that the future is exciting and will be a great adventure for all of us as we remain in His grace and in the very center of His will. Our God is the Almighty God and nothing is impossible with Him. He desires to see all come into a loving relationship with Him and He will empower us, guide us, teach us, comfort us and lead us through this adventure. It’s exciting even just writing this. Our first commitment is to the people of Tofield and surrounding communities, and then to the Province of Alberta, to the nation of Canada, and then to the nations of the world. Looking at all this today, we can see God is leading us in all these regions and we will see our “spiritual sons and daughters” moving into these regions carrying the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate today, let us commit ourselves again to our Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ, empowered by Holy Spirit living in us, to do all that He wants us to do for His honor and for His glory. Let us say, “Lord use us” for your purposes and allow your grace to flow through us as we serve.

Happy Father’s day to all the fathers that are here today. It is good to see men who love God, both young and old, giving leadership in this world today. Let us pray for our fathers that God will continue to give them wisdom and revelation as they draw near to the Lord everyday. It is good to be back at the house. I don’t feel like a stranger, but I did miss being here and I am thankful for what everyone did in my absence. Thank you for your prayers. God moved in a mighty way during my time in North Dakota and I never dreamed that it was a time that I would have speaking to the Assembly of God Pastors of North Dakota. I spoke nine times in three days while I was there and I know God opened some things up to me about prayer that over the next few weeks I will want to share with you. The first treasure that God gave to me while I was there was: “God wants us to Pray and to get what we pray for!” God’s desire is to grant to you what you pray for. Matthew 21:18-22 “Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. ‘How did the fig tree wither so quickly?’ they asked. Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’ ” John 14:13-14 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” So the big question now comes, “So why don’t I get my prayers answered?” That is an good question and needs a honest answer. I don’t have enough room to give you a detailed answer, but I can give you enough for you to chew on. Hebrews 5:7 “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Notice the big key here to why Jesus received answers to His prayers. It says: “He was heard because of his reverent submission.” In other words when we come before the Throne of God with our prayers and petitions, we need to come in “reverent submission” to our Heavenly Father. Think of this for this next week. We will come back with more next week.

The very morning that we are to start the Prayer Conference in Bismarck, North Dakota, the newspaper called “The Bismarck Tribune” has as one of its lead articles on the first page entitled, “PRAYER PROTEST PREVENTS PARTICIPATION.” The article is about a guy, Morgan Christian, who was a participant in an annual ride, who was kicked off the ride because he protested (he said) a prayer that was said before a meal during last summer’s bike tour of North Dakota. The paper goes on to say, “Christian, 54, a self-described non-believer, said prayer had no place in the statesupported event at the turkey supper served to riders inside the public Turtle Lake High School gym.” So do you think that this article on the front page of the local newspaper has anything to do with the beginning of the Prayer Conference? I mean who cares that a few Christians are meeting together inside a church to pray. Most Christians don’t care and the rest of the people here in Bismarck don’t even know what is going on, unless I call the newspaper and let them know. (I will share with you next Sunday if anything happens after I call the newspaper) (:- So is this article a coincidence or is this something else? I believe there is more to this than a guy getting kicked off a bike ride because he doesn’t want them to pray before a meal. I believe the spirit world knows what is going on and that they know what could happen during the three days of the prayer conference and they are fearful. Jesus just needed to walk into a town and the evil spirits knew He was there and they knew who He was, even though many of the religious leaders didn’t. Matthew 8:28-29 “When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ‘What do you want with us, Son of God?’ they shouted, ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’ ” Mark 1:23-24 “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – The Holy One of God!’ ” Mark 3:11-12 “Whenever the evil spirits saw him (Jesus), they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.” In Acts 19:15 it says; “One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” This tells us that the evil spirit world knows who belongs to the Kingdom of Light and who doesn’t. Those that say they are a part of the Kingdom of Light, but are not, serve as no fear to the evil world. But those who are in the Kingdom of Light not only cause fear in the Kingdom of Darkness, but can and should do damage.

Cindy and I had the wonderful privilege of having our twogranddaughters, Sharayah and Shayna, stay with us this weekendfor a couple of days. We went out for ice cream (my favorite) andthen watched the movie called August Rush.It’s a story of a little boy who was looking for his parents throughmusic, and in the last scene of the movie - he finds them. Everytime I see this movie I end up with tears and a warm, fuzzy, familyfeeling. We had popcorn and planned that next time we willwatch Amazing Grace.As if this wasn’t enough, our son Corri sent us his first messagethat he preached last Sunday in North Rock Church in Denver,Colorado. I know this is his Dad saying this, but I was praisingGod for His faithfulness to hear our son sharing what God wasdoing in his life. It was fantastic!In his message, Corri shared how he turned away from God forthree and a half years while he was going to a Christian College.Cindy and I remember those years – praying, trusting, crying outto God for our son that he would come back to the Lord.During those times you question where you went wrong. How canyour son, who grew up in a Christian home and seeing themiracles of faith that he saw in his childhood, turn from the Lord?The only thing that Cindy and I knew at the time, was to pray.You see, you love your son and whatever is happening to him, heis still your son. You never give up on your son, or your daughter,or your family. So you pray and you pray and you ask others topray with you, believing that someday things will change.And then that day comes. After three and a half years, it comes,and then you forget the agony of those years and rejoice in themoment of victory for your son. Today, hearing his message thathe preached was reward enough.Life continues to bring challenges to us every day. It is not ifchallenges will be coming, but when. And when they do come,and they will, you and I need to know that prayer is the answer toeverything. Not worry, not alwaysquestioning yourself, (what did I dowrong) not blaming, not even anger.With love and prayer on our part andGod doing His part (and he always will)change will happen. Sometimes wethink we can handle it on our own, buteach son or daughter has to come to hisor her own understanding and hungerfor God. That’s when it has meaning forthem and will build them strong tohandle the storms of life.

God is so good! Things are happening that can only be called miraculous. Let me explain. As you know, Cindy and I left the broadcast company that we founded because we had compromised once we got a station on the air back in 1994. Once we realized the error of our ways we knew that the only way things could be turned around would have to come from our Heavenly Father and not ourselves. Now when you find yourself in this position you have to walk the way our Heavenly Father wants you to walk and that is counter to anything that this world would advise. Isaiah. 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” One of the main issues that God laid on our hearts was that we needed to rise up spiritual sons and daughters to carry on the Vision of Christian Broadcasting to the third and fourth generations. The way we were going was showing us that the Vision would be over before our generation had passed. One of the principals of heaven when you find yourself in this situation is to let go and let Heavenly Father lead and guide. Proverbs 11:24 “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Before Christmas I knew that we needed to give our students an opportunity to have a “hands-on” experience when it comes to radio. The greatest teacher is doing it verses talking about do it. So I went back to Touch Canada and asked if I could have permission to approach the program director to see if we could have our students work at the station. I got a great response “Yes” and we agreed that after Christmas we would get together and discuss how this would look like. Well this past week we had our meeting and it went FANTASTIC! Basically want happened is that Touch Canada is willing and ready to allow our students to have “radio time” to learn how to apply their skills in broadcasting. The only question for us is how soon do we want this to happen. In prayer this past week I felt that God was saying to me that having our students broadcasting will happen sooner than I had thought. Today I believe that is true. This week the President of the Edmonton Evangelical Ministerial (Mark and Sherry Adams) and Brother Bob Gal will be coming out here to talk to our students about how they are ready with over 400 churches to network with us as we get back on air. These churches will be networking with us in prayer and in letting people know what is happening on the Christian broadcast scene. Is that exciting and amazing or what? Praise His Holy Name!