14. January 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

Just wanted to touch basis today.  Spent the day again preparing to get back to normal at my business.  Only had a couple of customers today and we had to make a parking lot because our parking lot is still a sheet of ice.   Phones were beginning to ring again for future appointments so that was encouraging.  Just getting to computer so I just wanted to wish everyone a happy weekend and I will return posting on Monday.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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13. January 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

Spent the entire day shoveling snow/ice from the parking lot at my Spa that I own here in Atlanta trying to get it ready to open up on Friday.  We’ve been closed all week due to the weather here.   Was not at a computer all day, I am just getting in.  Will post again on tomorrow….

Take care

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12. January 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

We will conclude the 18^th chapter of Acts today.  In our story today, Paul is not mentioned but two of his counterparts that we have been discussing; Priscilla and Aquila. 

Here is our story:

Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard , they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote , exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come , helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

You will hear more about Apollos later in the scriptures.  Please note that this is his introduction to the text and we will see his other roles later in scripture.

Stilled snowed in here in Atlanta but I finally ventured out today with my hubby to check on the business.  It took him quite a while to shovel the ice/snow in our driveway just to get to the streets.  I have tons of pictures of him falling while shoveling.   I tried to venture out on my own and turned around at the first hill I came to.  It was way too scary for me when the truck began to slide on its own. 

Hopefully tomorrow, I can open up the business again and things will begin to return to normal in Atlanta. 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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11. January 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

In today’s lesson, we pick up from where Paul is now in Corinth, He has met Priscilla and Aquila and he has washed his hands of the Jews.  He has been in Corinth for a year and a half.  

Here is our story today:

 Acts 18:12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying , This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16 And he drave them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. 18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21 But bade them farewell , saying , I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will . And he sailed from Ephesus. 22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up , and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed , and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

In today’s lessons, we simply see the several stops that Paul is making on his missionary journey and how the Jews are still set on proclaiming him as a Heretic.   It is amazing how Paul use to be the biggest persecutors of the Christians and now becomes the number one advocate.  Paul use to be one of those Jews that is now attacking him concerning the faith.  Paul was a devote Jew and only lead an attack against Christianity to protect the Jewish faith.  It wasn’t until his personal encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus that he himself becomes converted.   Paul understands what the zealous Jews are feeling for he was once like them.  He is also a great testimony to them for many knew of the great position he held in the Jewish community.

We’re still snowed in here in the Atlanta area.   Having Cabin fever.   I think I’m going to go try and walk to the gas station; I’m craving a “SNICKER’S BAR.”  I bought all healthy food for this anticipated “SNOW IN.”   (LOL)  I’ll let you know how it turns out. 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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10. January 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Well, we are officially under a winter storm warning for the state of Georgia and have been snowed in all day in Atlanta.   I have not realized how good it feels to be closed in at home all day with my husband.  I am really enjoying being with him.   I have so many projects that I have started on this fabulous snowed in day and it looks like it will carry on a couple of more days.  I want to wish everyone a very happy New year again and I am so excited to begin and really get into my New Year.  The first week I was a little sick but I am feeling much better and excited about the upcoming year.

Today, we want to begin our study of the book of Acts.  We left off with Chapter 17 so today, we will begin Chapter 18.  As you know, we have been studying what Paul has been doing on his missionary journeys and we last left him in Athens.  

Here is our text for today:

Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought : for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed , he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed , and were baptized . 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid , but speak , and hold not thy peace : 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

There are several things that I would like to point out in this text.

Paul washes his hands of the Jews.  If you have been following the lessons then you will recall that when Paul enters a city, it is his custom to attend the Sabbath day services and he was often asked to speak to the audience.   On many accounts, Paul was able to persuade some Jews and it resulted in many conversions but also on many accounts, he was ran out of the city and placed in prison and his life was in jeopardy on many occasions. 

Paul announces in this text that he will now focus on the Gentiles.  Paul also unites with Priscilla and Aquila who will become some of his great teachers/disciples in the New Testament church.   We also learn in this text that Paul’s profession/trade was a tentmaker.  Paul is now in Corinth and will spend a year and 6 months in that city.   The letter to the Corinthians develops from Paul’s relationship that he forms in the time that he spends evangelizing Corinth. 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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5. January 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

I am really so excited about the New Year but I have been under the weather all week.    I have been in the bed since Monday night and today, I decided to get up and out for a minute, but back to bed in a couple of hours.   I know that many of you check the website everyday for the daily devotional and I’m been inconsistent  during the holiday season.  I know I want be posting this week.  I just want to feel better.  I think it’s a sinus infection.   I will continue our study of the book of Acts on Monday of next week.

I hope everyone is having a great year.   I can’t wait to get into mine…  I’m excited.  I’m encouraged.

Take care and have a great weekend.

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