It is fair, that they don't understand my words. 

It isn't fair that they aren't able to go to school. 

It isn't fair the only book they have been taught to read is the Koran. 

It isn't fair that they stoled my heart. 

Just seven young boys, shooting at birds and lizards with slingshots looking for their next meal. 

It isn't fair that a twelve year old is responsible for 6 younger friends and brothers. 

It isn't fair that when they asked me what i was reading, and my answer didn't make sense to them.

It isn't fair that i have what i have. 

It isn't fair that I cant switch lives with all seven of them. 

They don't know what I have, other than white skin. 

They had pockets filled with rocks and a rubber band in hopes of having a bird.

They don't know what they need. 

It isn't fair that i have a heart that cares, and a mouth and brain that wont always connect. 

God is fair, He is faithful, and He is sovereign.

Father my prayer is for those boys, natural leaders at the birth of their younger brothers, smiles ear to ear, and freedom… Come down on them and use them, because on days like this I feel useless. 

"But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

-1 Chronicles 21:24

"For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob." (Psalms 59:12-13) These are the words of David, this rule applies to David. David was caught in his pride, he numbered his fighting men, even though he knew that God would consume with wrath those who took pride in things of this world. Joab knew this, but David was set on getting a number. The sad thing is that number never mattered. At one point David's number was 600 hundred and the Lord was with him… At one point his number was 1 and the Lord was with him. The fact that his number was now 1,100,000 men  plus God, was no different from David being an army of 1 plus God. So God gave him the option of how the judgement was to be played out, David picked God to judge since he knew God was a merciful God. But this judgement was only taken out physically on the people of Israel. So when it comes to sacrifice David wanted to pay the full price. Because he never paid for his sin, the people did. 

Because of my pride and sin how many people's lifes have I effected? If i was to see a third of the people in my nation die, because of me would i never forget to give God from the deepest parts of me? Or what if one man died because of my sins… to give me life? Would i never forget to give to God from the deepest part of me? I have no application… because this is too simple of an answer. But I always forget.

Happy birthday Tanner :D

Update at the Airport hotel (only place to get a signal)

today we did some outreach ministries/Medical needs to these islands out on lake victoria. it was pretty surreal. some of the people had never been off the island and it was very small with maybe 150 people living on it. it was a ghetto in the literal sense. really really sad to see, but i made some relationships with the people there... very kind, good hearted people. 

and this past week i have just been hanging out with the kids, and helping the women with the dishes... they called me african already ha. im loving it out here. 

our house is pretty great, but we had a storm last night that broke one of the windows. I love it here. 

and the lake is as hot as a bath tub.  

Sitting in Seattle

waiting to get to Uganda!

Job walked with Him

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

-Psalms 23:4

When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we have two options. We can walk through it alone, because no one wants to go along on that ride. Or we can walk through it with God. Job could have listened to his wife when she said, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:10). Or his three friends who told him, "Hey your kids were living in sin, thats why they died… you must have sinned as well, just admit it." 

But in the social solitude Job stays faithful to God and did not sin. While the whole world that we know dies, and abandons us… I want to be like Job and continue to walk with God. Perhaps God wont always comfort me with His rod and His staff… But He will send me broken pots to scrape my wounds. "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10). 

Today, I will finish the book of Job, just as a reminder to myself that nothing in Uganda can shake me from my walk with the Lord, because He will be with me the entire time. "I will fear no evil."

Susa to Jerusalem

"he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

-Psalms 23:3

No matter how tangled I make my life, No matter how far I run from His loving hand. He is just one genuine prayer away from me. He restores my soul, from the mess that I make it. From there He is able to lead me in paths of righteousness, for His Kingdom. I cant help but be reminded of Jews who came back from the Babylonian exile in 586 bc. The Jews ran from God for so many years, so He sent them off for 70 years, and when they came back He started to restore them as a people. Allowing Zerubbabel, King Cyrus, and King Darius to help rebuild the Temple, and Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. And giving them the Minor Prophets to keep the people on track in the path of righteousness. Even the items in the temple were kept safe during the captivity, and restored at the end. God is faithful in His Word. 

It is sad because I read the stories and they came to life in me. But I still find myself being taken back to captivity in Babylon. Than allowing the whole process to start over. At this very moment God wants to restore me… But first I have to walk from Susa to Jerusalem, so that God can rebuild His temple in me. 

We Like Sheep

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quite waters,"

-Psalms 23:1-2

God takes care of my every need. I have nothing to be in want of. He allows me to get rest (green pastures), and He restores me with life (water).

All I need to do is be an obedient follower, willing to follow where God directs me, just like a sheep. Today, I'm going to read a bit of Isaiah and than take a nap.

Your silence speaks to me

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower ad bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

-Isaiah 55:10-11

Coming to the end of my time in training. Going through the Word each day, this verse is so powerful in my mind, I am at a lose for words. 

Today I'm going to take a walk and spend time listening to the silences of the theoretical "snow and the rain falling." 

I am loved, I am blessed, and I am so grateful!

Many people are happy being a big fish in a little pond. That is what its like when we stay in our own world. When we are secure in what we do every day, so we become the Big man in town. No room for true growth.

Many people are afraid to be the zooplankton in the ocean. But with God, I feel like i have that room to grow, being the smallest thing out there with the opportunity to become something huge to glorify Him. I was just out pulling a beaver dam out tonight, this beaver will block off the flow of the river within one night, causing the road to flood. It is an amazing creature.  Anyway I looked up, and right above me is the milky way in all its glory. I am only a man in all of  God's creation, with all the room in the universe to grow!

Im so glad God pulled me out of my little pond and showed me how small i really am, and how i need Him to take me through this life if i have any hope of getting through it. Funny thing is He loves me, AND HE IS SENDING ME TO ENTEBBE, UGANDA IN A WEEK TO WORK! AND PLAY WITH KIDS! Im so encouraged by everyone at home, getting my back in the work God has called me to. May God continue to Bless us so that we can Bless others all around the world! 

"brevity is the soul of wit"

Get Stretched

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

-Isaiah 55:9

I have nothing for this one, so I just opened my Bible. The first thing I saw was, "He took up our infirmities, and carried our diseases." (matt 8:16). Seeing how I am the one causing myself harm, and Jesus Christ is my healer and Savior. It's almost like our ways are the complete opposite. I want to be on His team, but I'm one of those guys, that the other teams says, "Hey Jacob your the best player on our team." This is frustrating, so today I'm going to spend time in prayer. I'm pretty sure I know what God wants me to do…. but its hard getting branches removed. 

Finite

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."

-Isaiah 55.8

Life starts moving so fast, I start thinking i have all the answers. So many books, so much life experience, and still I am a finite being. God must smile when He sees me stressing out, He knows I try to be all I can, but all I can, can not be compared to what God is. 

Today, I will think my own thoughts, knowing that is what I am doing. I will take 20 minutes to sit quietly listening to the world God created. 

Aint no rest for the wicked

"Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

-Isaiah 55:7

Praise God! Some of the things I did before, I thank God that He has mercy for me, and has pardoned me. 

There is still work to do on my heart, I have submitted my actions fully to Christ. But it is my heart and mind that still has evil thoughts and desires. I hand it over to God, but its like its in the transition between our hands… I am saying that i want Him to take it from me… but i just haven't let go with my hand. I will fast once a week and pray for God to take my evil thoughts, and replace them with those that are glorifying to Him. 

Just before Uganda

Dear friends,

As I wrap up schooling in Montana, and prepare for Uganda. I want to let everyone back home know that through this work God has called me to, He has broke me down and rebuilt me as a better man after Him. Visiting with Pastor Craig Linguist on his last visit, I am very blessed to help him in uganda. Some of my roles will be:

1. Island outreach programs. Where we will be spending a day and a night on Lake Victoria Islands, reaching out to the people there. 

2. Children's Programs at Calvary Chapel Entebbe Uganda on Wednesday's and sunday's. Also homework assistants Programs throughout the week.

3. After 90 days we have to leave the country due to visa laws. So we will be helping a ministry in Nairobi Kenya. Pastor Moses and Pastor George are 2 nationals serving there via Crossroads Bible Church up in Portland, WA.

4. We will be returning to Entebbe after 3 weeks of Kenya to further help Pastor Craig.

I am very blessed to be a part of calvary chapel and Potter's Field Ministries efforts to encourage the fellow church in Africa. But as many of you know I answered the call to God's work on a very short notice. Not having time to get all my affairs in order. God allowed me to sale my car 4 days before I left. That money has helped me buy the plane tickets to get to montana, Africa, and to get back home, but I am short on living expenses by approximately $1,500. I know God is sovereign and He will provide. Also I am part of a team that sends people to those in need, they are called Potter's Field Ministries. Which is a program overseen by Pastor Michael Rozzell, who many of you have seen his presentation of the Word and pottery. If you find it in your heart to help, you are giving to a great group of people after God's heart. I tell you this for a few reasons. The harvest is great and this program needs more workers for God, and also we need constant prayer. I hope to be in your prayers, Please share what God is doing throughout this program with anyone looking to help support us in fiances, prayer, and the worriers.

Your Brother in Christ

Jacob.

If you can help please write a check to:

"Potter's Field Ranch"
with a note that says ‎Attn: Missions Training School (for Jacob Sanchez).
P.O. Box 68
Olney, MT 59927

If you have any questions call:
1.877.337.2624

Even when i get lost, God finds me like no one else can.

(upper stillwater wilderness).

Shake Them

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near."

-Isaiah 55:6

All to often we put confidence in tomorrow when we aren't promised today. All to often I hear my friends talk about the Salvation they can have in Jesus Christ today,  as if it will be available to them tomorrow. It scares me to think, that the urgency to rent a movie is far more than the worlds urgency to find Salvation. The Lord is near. 

For my application, I have several friends and my entire extended family, who know the truth, who know that Im living what i believe. Sometimes I think, why has the Holy Spirit not touched them yet? Sometimes I think that I have to die doing what God has for me, in order to shake them a bit. But until my father takes me home, I will continue to grow in patients, love, and the word. I will shake them by living even harder for what i believe in. "To me to die is gain, and to live is Christ." 

Doing the dishes

"Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink"?

-Luke 17:8

I feel like this was my heart speaking to my mom back at home. Yes, I never had to cook. I never had to do my own laundry. I was spoiled. When I go home to my family, I'll do the laundry, now that I know how. I will cook, all the things I kill and bring home. I'll do the dishes. I don't have a servant, I am a servant and I will not be mistaken as anything else. 

Covered in His blood

"So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" 

-Luke 17:10

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). A day of judgment is coming. Where the good, and the evil deeds in our life will be revealed. The way i see this verse is, when God tells me all the evil i have ever done, and the judgement of death comes on me, i will say, "I am an unworthy servant." 

But that isn't the end, Jesus Christ will come in and say, "You were bought with my blood, you feared God in Love, and I love you... well done good and faithful servant. Come home, where you belong." 

Today, I will give thanks to Jesus Christ in prayer for loving me, and choosing me to live with Him in a life everlasting. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalms 139:23-24).

For the Kingdom, and no one else

"Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?"

-Luke 17:9

I really cant imagine what the master's view point would be. But working with kids for 5 years, I noticed the behaviors of the kids. When I had a kid who was looking for my praise… i didn't give it to him, because I would be conditioning him to only do his work when i was around. However, when i saw kids busting out their homework, helping teachers clean, and anything else worth praise. I would often thank them at the end of the day. Not because their work was done for my approval, but because I wanted to encourage them. 

So for me, I want to get into mindset of, everything is done for Christ because I love Him. Not for someone to see me doing something and saying thank you… Like I did it for them. Because I didn't, I did it for Christ. I usually tell them that too, Its sort of an awkward conversation, because I kind of shut the person down… but I'm serving the King, and no one else and they need to know that. 

My application is to continue to go into a job with the mindset that this is being done for Christ and no one else. 

Don't lose heart when they talk to you like your a servant... You are.

"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?"

-Luke 17:7

When we live as a servant, it never ends. Servant hours don't go from 9 to 5 monday through friday. As hard as it is, I long to be a servant in Jesus Christ. My thought process in the last few weeks has changed from the earthly visible master's words, to my Father in Heaven's words. Pastor G once told me, if I call myself a servant, I shouldn't get upset when someone speaks to me as a servant. This is still very difficult, but "the righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (proverbs 24:16a). 

My application is to continue to rise by hearing God's voice, instead of the words of man, to become a better bond slave. 

Dissension covered in Love

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every formof malice."

-Ephesians 4:29

"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." (Proverbs 10:12). Jesus Christ in Love, without Him I would be lost in bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and everything else. Only through Him can I be freed from myself. 

I just want to continue to fall in love with Jesus Christ through my devotionals each morning and evening. 

Building

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

-Ephesians 4:29

I was listening to the radio station KLOVE back in california one day. There is some band called "building 29" and they told their story on why they have their name. This verse is the reason. I was beyond blessed to hear the verse and what they said on it. So i decided this is going to be one of those verses i live by. My dad always told me, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Funny thing is this is really hard. I also heard pastor Steven say, "Don't go into a important conversation without having the end in mind." All this is what i want to live by, but i still fail multiple times a day. Im working on it. 

Today i will watch my words, I am going to take it slow today so that I can hear what i say before i say it. So that i might be a son of encouragement rather than I destroyer of words. 

Cut down the the Asherah Poles

"And do not give the devil a foothold."

-Ephesians 4:27

"…Smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. They destroyed the high places and the altars…" (part of 2 Chronicles 31:1). The Kings of Judah throughout their history have had times of giving the devil a foothold, and destroying those footholds put in place by their fathers. When ever a good king, good leader, good shepherd comes into power, they take the footholds away. When we allow the devil in the house, its hard to tell him he isn't welcome at the dinner table. 

Thinking about my footholds, i would have to say one of the worst would have to be vegetating on Facebook. Its something simple…. but its amazing how stupid it is. Back home i would be on it for at least a few hours, coming up to Potter's field has helped me cut back, but even here i don't want to spend more than 20 minutes on it a day, so i wont. It's a great tool to stay in touch with people, but its a path that leads to a languished walk. 

"Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." (Psalm 119:37). 

Sun Stand Still

"He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted  in the sea,' and it will obey you."

-Luke 17.6

This brings to mind the story of Joshua and the sun standing still. "O sun, Stand still over Gibeon… So the sun stood still… till the nation avenged itself on its enemies." (parts of Josh 10:12-13). God gave this gift to Joshua, because Joshua believed what God said: that the kings of Jerusalem would be given to Joshua in war. In that time, they would stop fighting as soon as the sun went down. It is a ridiculous demand, but Joshua had the faith in God. Also when Joshua heard the kings of Jerusalem were starting war with the Gibeonites, Joshua got up immediately and started to march throughout the night in order to fight along side the Gibeonites. "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:18b).

As the time draws closer to my arrival in Uganda, and i don't have all the money i need for my living accommodations in Uganda. I will continue to keep my faith in the Lord, and i will march all night by letting my needs be know to my family, and my church family. God is sovereign in my salvation, I would a hypocrite not to believe He is also sovereign in my physical needs as well. 

Ephesians 4:28

"He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need."

-Ephesians 4:28

The words "producers" and "consumers" come to mind with this verse. Its "creative" vs. "destructive" not that being a consumer is a destructive thing, but if you are capable of being a producer, there are plenty of consumers out there to match up with, so live a creative life. I feel like i am called to be a person who has something to offer those in need. God has blessed me, so that i might take care of the needy. If i do come to a point where I'm not producing, and my hands are idle, it would be a very selfish part of my life. Even if my creative is simply taking in the Word, with that i am able to bear so much more fruit in my life. 

My application, would be that i continue to consume the Word every morning, and throughout my day, so that i might become a producer to those in need. Its unconventional but completely Biblical. 

Ephesians 4:26

"'In your anger do not sin' Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,"

-Ephesians 4:26

"In your anger do not sin" By nature I am a sinner, but in Colossians we are told that Jesus Christ "took it away, nailing it to the cross." All we have to do is recognize that, and act upon our convictions with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

When ever I do let the sun set on my anger, I form wedges in relationships. I can remember people i have problems with, but I cant remember the problem. I need to make things right with people when God brings them back into my life. 

Ephesians 4:25

"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body."

-Ephesians 4:25

Get rebuked! Rebuke people! As Ben-David leaves today this is whats on my mind. But God is showing me that this verse is more of an exhortation to the unbelievers. I remember in high school, when ever religion would come up, i would say something along the lines of, "I know what i believe, i hope you find it."

Speaking truthfully to your neighbor to me sounds like we need to speak the truth in full. We are all members of one body, that body being the church, and the church is called to the great commission in matthew 28. Simple put we cant spend time dancing around the truth and never getting to it. Granted you have to say it seasoned with salt, and be culturally sensitive. Put away the false hood of saying yeah you're a good person, because there is none that are good but God. And the only way we can be re-signed to God's team is through accepting that Jesus is Christ. 

I'm so happy i grew out of the timid, shy christian i was in high school. I am a man of God and i'm never going back. I'm no longer chasing after the wind, but I'm in my Father's will. Sharing with those the Holy Spirit brings to me. After all God doesn't need us to voice His beauty, but He wants us.

Ephesians 4:23

"to be made new in the attitude of your minds;"

-Ephesians 4:23

When i think about my own mind… evil men of the past are dwindled in the potential of my flesh. The leaders of the pornographic industry, Hitler, anyone you can imagine; i am the same in thought as them. The only thing that separates us is they actually did it. However, our minds were the same. 

Now after knowing who Jesus Christ is, i still have those thoughts, but i know they are not glorifying to my Creator. Therefore i allow God to dismiss them when they enter into my mind, and that is the difference. My attitude in my mind has changed. Just last night someone said something stupid to me, when they really didn't need to. Instead of retaliating in anger, i went straight to my room to pray. 

I will continue to seek God's direction in such situations. Like my father always tells me, "Don't be wise in your own eyes. Take it to God." If it wasn't for God my attitude would be very unpleasant. 

Ephesians 4:22

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;"

-Ephesians 4:22

I was taught, with every Bible story pointing to Christ. He showed me how to conduct my life. Jesus Christ is my Savior, Lord, and Teacher. I used to aspired to gain the world. Trying to find that spot where i would be everything any man could be. The man that every woman wanted. Filled with money, anger, and pride; empty of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ had more in store for me than the simple temporal life, He had Eternal life in my story, so He broke me down until i saw He had a path for me to follow. Instead of the rabbit trails i was blazing on my own. 

After seeing how Jesus Christ, Paul, and a host of others lived, I could easily throw in the towel for the world. After all, if i seek the Kingdom first, everything else will be added unto me. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:24b-25). Today i am a new creation, and being that, i did my devotionals, reminding myself that i'm a sinner, in need of a savior. Going through the crucifixion in scripture, i have my priorities right, so i will be taught by Christ every morning. My old self is dead, but i'm going to put a bullet in it every morning just incase.

Romans 12:13

"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

Romans 12:13

When i think about this verse the first thing that comes to mind is material things. But Paul told us, "…we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 corinthians 4:18). So with that thought in mind, unconditional love is what people need. So many times ill find myself being so prideful, so conditional. That i have forgotten that Jesus is Christ, and He emptied Himself so that i might have eternal life. So in practicing hospitality, i just need to love. I need to practice denying myself through fasting and praying. So that when a brother in Christ acts in a way that i wouldn't. i can give him the love that Jesus Christ gave me. Hospitality is friendly and generous… I wont be stingy with love any longer. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2).

romans 12:12

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

-Romans 12:12

As i watched the Passion of the Christ, I was reminded of who Christ is. He took the beatings, because it was what was needed in order that we might be saved. He was patient through the beating, because He knew one day i would be complaining about my momentary troubles, and i would be reminded of the worst death you can die… and He did die for me. Through the entire thing He was in constant prayer with His Father in Heaven. 

It was such a good reminder to me to know what Christ did for me. I am such a sinner, that i forgot that Jesus is Jesus Christ. All i am is a jar of clay, hard pressed on every side, but not crushed because of Christ. I will keep my eyes on whats eternal and not what is temporal…. and i will do so by reading through Luke 23 every morning. 

Enjoying my time here, in the ups and humbling times... God is good

Romans 12:10

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

-Romans 12:10

Dear Father in Heaven, you know my heart. You are closer than my own soul. For me to withhold any thoughts from you, would be me lying to you. You know that i would do anything for a brother in need. But you also know that in my heart i like to play judge, deciding if they really need it or if by my help they will only continue to be lazy. i often find myself forgetting that i'm a sinner. You see me looking for those splinters in my brother's eyes, while i have the whole forrest in my own sight. 

Dear God, come and help me. I remember when i saw the muslim nation as my enemy, dreaming of going into their land and murdering them, for the simple reason that i was American. I remember fighting every guy who disrespected anyone in high school, thinking i was doing God's work. All i have ever done, is taint the title we know as "Christian." It took 2 things for me to change my viewpoint, a jack johnson song called "sleep through the static" "The truth is we say not as we do. We say any time, anywhere just show your teeth, and strike a fear. God wears camouflage, cries at night and drives a dodge, pickup the beats, stop hogging the feast, thats no way to treat a enemy." And Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him…" After this i saw that You love me, but You were not created for me… but I was created to worship You. So it was about time i stopped being my own judge and submit to the real Judge. You blessed America and You continue to bless us, but You is not American. 

Lord i got passed all of that, you allowed me to get drunk with all the people i judged. Intoxicated in sin, i was the same as anyone else. But in that you still had your hand upon my life, you taught me that i could love anyone. Anyone who was broken, i had the same wound, i could relate to anyone Lord.  The whole time you had me going to church, fake as could be. You gave me that too Lord, in order that i might see the fakes, because they were just like me. 

Than You set me free from all of that. I got deep in your Word. With that i got more involved with the church. Some of the church will be my friends through all of eternity. They are my brothers, my fatherly figures, my motherly figures, and my little sisters. However Lord, you know that there are those christians who sit in clouds of arrogance. This was once me Lord, still is, and i hate that part of me. I hate them Lord. I'm not devoted to them, especially in brotherly love. You have seen me in life, You have seen me gather the wise, the brave, and the broken who have qualities to be on fire for you…. but you have also seen me chase off anyone who would put a bitter taste in the mouth. The arrogant, the annoying, the lazy. God they are created in Your imagine. You do not see the physical that man sees, but you see their heart… Lord why cant i see the heart? 

They ruin things that i can see Lord… but i want to see what you see, are they building in your Kingdom? Are they producing fruit that i cant see, because of the planks in my eyes? Lord let me see what you see, give me your eyes for one moment. 

On earth i can crush any man who comes against me. But i don't want to. I want to love. I want my chest to drop, i want the tension in my back to subdue. Lord more than anything i want to come home to you… but you have lessons for me to learn here. 

You know i don't like people Lord. I love you, and you loved people… the sick, the broken sinners. I love them also, its these religions people i don't love Lord, and that is a conflict because we are supposed to be of one mind, one accord. I will continue to pray for devotion to You Lord so that i might be able to honor everyone in the church above myself, and not just the ones i see fit. 

Romans 12:9

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

-romans 12:9

"for love is as strong as death. its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame." (Song of Songs 8:6). So for love to be sincere, it has to contain passion. Because if it is a lie, truth will be found. Love must be sincere, it is the adhesive to life's relationship. God is love and love is God. 

So if we love God we must hate what is evil, because evil things will keep us from our Lord. We are instructed in Proverbs 23:17 "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord." Which leads to holding to what is good. Jesus tells us that there is none that are good, but one, who is Yahweh the living God. We are called to cling to Him.

I am going to continue to live in the divine romance, written to me through the Bible. Waking up each morning searching for Love, so that my heart will be after God's, and it will break when His does. I will hate what is evil, and continue to love Him, because He first loved me. 

mark 8:38

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

-mark 8:38

Jesus is the Capstone which holds everything together. So when we reject Him and say He is not God we will be left with archway that wont stand, but rather lie in rubble. We are called to be the salt and light of the world, preaching in Jesus Christ's name. How could we be ashamed of something perfect within a corrupt world?

I will share Jesus Christ with who ever gives me the opportunity to share. 

Mark 8:37

"Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

-mark 8:37

Only the soul endures into eternity. "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers." (proverbs 19:8). The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I will wake up every morning seeking to feed my soul in God's word. 

Mark 8:36

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

-mark 8:36

You can indulge yourself in the pleasures of the world. You can believe the lie the world offers you, but in agreement with the king of this age, you have lost fellowship with Jesus Christ. Being away from God is volunteering  your soul for destruction. So in an eternal sense why would you give up being with God for a moment of pleasure? You can have all this world, just give me Jesus. "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." (isaiah 55:6).

God has promised us so much, eternal life being at the top of the list. Why would we bother with anything else the world has to offer? "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (matt 6:33). My soul belongs to Jesus Christ, and my feet will go wherever He directs them. My ears are open to His call. 

mark 8:35

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."
-mark 8:35
"Whoever defends himself will have himself for his defense, and he will have no other; but let him come defenseless before the Lord and he will have for his defender no less than God Himself." (Towzer). We can build our quivers, store up treasures for a day of need, but without God what can you really gain? Driving home from Rafting Glacier National Park late at night. We saw a huge fire on the side of the mountain. With a fire truck flying by us we decided to follow it. As we approached the fire, we saw that it was a house, and not the forest fire as we had thought. We lifted our voices to heaven asking for safety for those involved. But as me and Tanner sat watching the flames, i said, "can you imagine not having God and trying to get through this." He said, "no i cant, its everything they ever worked for, gone."
Laying down your life for Christ and the Gospel is the only way to save it. You can lose your house, you can lose your family, you can lose your life. If you don't have God its the end of your book, but with God, its just the transition to a new chapter, because he has something better for you called Heaven and he is constantly preparing our hearts for our real home. "In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1Timothy 6:19). I never want to forget those flames i saw, i never want to forget what the gospel did for me, i want to continue to live preparing my heart for heaven. As God prunes the branches that stem from His root, ill always know, its because he is getting me ready for heaven.

Mark 8:34

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"

-mark 8:34

Peter had just taken Jesus a side to rebuke Him for prophesying his own death for the first time. I assume Peter had desired Jesus to bring His kingdom down and crush the Roman Empire. Jesus rebuked Peter saying, "get behind me satan." After this we see Jesus telling the crowd, if you want to follow me, you must die to your own ideas. You must be like Christ, not yourself using Christ to get the things you want.

I wont be standing behind Christ because he told me, "get behind me satan" but because, i will be dead in myself following in his foot steps as he leads me.

act 12:9

"Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision."

-act 12:9

This is not the first time Peter was following without knowing what was really happening. Just before Jesus was going to wash Peter's feet Jesus told him, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." (john 13:7). During the last supper, Jesus was telling the disciples that one of them would betray Him, "Simon Peter motioned to this disciple (who Jesus loved) and said, 'Ask him which one he means.'" (john 13:22). Jesus was telling the disciples that he would be going somewhere they could not come. "Peter asked, 'Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.' Then Jesus answered, 'Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!'" (john 13:37-38). Peter had a copious amount of questions, all answers leading him to feel stupid i'm sure. So here we see a different Peter, one who did not open his mouth, he only walked to where he was lead. We see Peter go from a fool to a wiseman. "A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them." (Proverbs 14:3).

As much as i don't understand things, I will just pray to God for wisdom and discernment. I'll practice my walk in faith, before i begin to talk about faith. 

act 12:8

"Then the angel said to him, 'Put on your clothes and sandals.' And Peter did so. 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,' the angel told him."

-act 12:8

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground..." (Ephesians 6:10-13).

When chains fall off, my first thought is, "Get me out of here, i don't care what i'm wearing." But I see that God wants me to be equipped with the right attire, so that when the day of evil comes, I will stand not in my own strength, but in the His Spirit. "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." (proverbs 12:15). I will continue to equip myself in the Spirit before I go out into the world. 

Act 12:7

"Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He stuck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peters wrists."

-act 12:7

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them" (psalm 34:7). Lord when you show up to deliver me from my oppressor, I will be ready to go. I want my faith to be so strong, that i will metaphorically be standing up in my sleep, so that there will be no "quick, get up!" but only a "well done my faithful servant." Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus. 

act 8:30

"The Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading? Philip Asked."

-act 8:30

Being a naive kid, i started listening to secular music. Not knowing any of the meanings of the words they used, I began using those words. My mom caught me saying a few of them and she asked if i knew what they meant. I answered no, after she explained some of them i realized those weren't the type of words i wanted in my vernacular. Now the opposite is the case for the Ethiopian eunuch.  He was repressing something he had no idea what it meant, but i'm sure that once Philip was able to share with him the Good News that Scripture brought he was only more inquisitive about Jesus Christ. 

I want to understand anything i say, if i don't i might stumble another follower of Christ. 

act 8:35

"The Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus." 

-act 8:35

Philip was referring to the Scripture of the prophet Isaiah 53:7-8. It talks about how the sheep was led to be slaughtered and he was quite before them. Which it doesn't say the name Jesus, but we know that the Old Testament was made in preparation for the New testament. The Good News is throughout the Bible in prophecies and stories. The cool thing about the Bible is, an evangelist like Philip can start with the Old Testament or anywhere else and bring it full circle back to Jesus Christ. I have a friend at church who came because another friend at church asked him if he knew where his name came from. Being that it came from the Bible he was able to take it back to the Good News of Jesus Christ and today, he is at my church. Not only does everything in the Bible point to Jesus Christ, so does all of creation. I want to bring everything full circle and share the Good News with the my world. 

act 12:6

"The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance."

-act 12:6

Herod was a man, he believed that he was bigger than God, he put Peter between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and soldier at the entrance. God is wherever we are, God has divine immanence. It was outside of Herod to get those two guards closer to Peter than God was. God is closer to us than our very souls. Peter once asked Jesus, "What then will there be for us?" This is what He had for you Peter. He had you spending the night sleeping between guards, bound in chains. He also had for you the salvation that comes in the morning. The life that he offers is beyond us, we don't deserve it, but he is there ready and willing to give us freedom from our sins. Form what ever our personal "soldiers and chains" might be. "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light." (job 12:22). We might think we are the one spending the night in jail between guards and in chains, but He is there with us. 

I want to see the shadows and know He is bringing me out of them, soon to deliver me. I want to be patient while man thinks he has me locked down. Than I want my God to show man that He is the God who turns the impossible into reality. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

act 12:5

"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."

-act 12:5

King Herod arrested a few men from the early church, having Peter he decided to keep him in prison. When we are alone, when there is something between us and the body of Christ, God will unite the two, through prayer. Here we have the church earnestly praying to God for Peter. In Revelations we are told that, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…" (21:4a). God was with Peter here and we see that the church was with Peter as well, they held him high in prayer. God always hears the prayers of the righteous. Matthew 21:22 says that "if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." The church believed that Peter would be fine because he was in God's hands. They didn't know what God would do. 

I will "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12). So that when i am sitting in jail for spreading the Good News, waiting on the Lord, i will be faithful in prayer. I want to be a prayer warrior, its more powerful than any thing man can create, its from God. "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (james 5:16b).

Act 8:29

"The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

acts 8:29

Philip was walking in and with the Spirit, so when he heard his orders to go he did not hesitate. If he would have hesitated he would have missed the opportunity. He would not have been able to catch the eunuch, since they were traveling on a major road between Gaza and Jerusalem. With the Romans in charge of the known world we can count on that road being highly capable of fast travel. We have all seen another car on the road with a headlight out,  or their truck open. We know how hard it is to communicate to someone, when that person is trying to go somewhere and thinks your weird for trying to help them. Not only that but have you ever tried to speak while running… its not easy. Being that the Holy Spirit prompted Philip, and Philip went when he heard "Go" the Holy Spirit was able to use Philip. Paul said in Romans 15:5-6 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity amount yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." We see the endurance and encouragement given to Philip here  literally. May God give that to all of us, so that we can run the race set before us. 

I seek to have the courage and endurance given by the Father, to chase after the lost who have questions, that i might be able to "stay near" them in their time of need. As a member of the Royal Priesthood i'm called to point man to God, and share God with man.

act 7:57

"At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,"

Acts 7:57

Imagine feeling corrected, corrected in a way you plan on continuing in. The religious leaders had power, they had money, and they had the people of Israel. So they covered their ears to Stephen's words, they ultimately covered their ears to God. "If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable." (proverbs 28:9). They knew this verse from the old testament, and i wonder how many times they quoted it, but its sad to see how quickly they would turn a deaf ear to God's messenger. Than again "like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool." (proverbs 26:7). God put convictions on their consciences, so they tried getting rid of the thing convicting them. At the top of their voices they rushed Stephen to kill him. The Sanhedrin had ears believe it or not, and in scripture we know, to those who have ears let them hear. They knew they had ears but out of their flesh they covered them. 

I never want my flesh to control me when i'm being rebuked. "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you." (proverbs 9:8). I want to be a wise man of God, not a fool of the law.

act 7:56

"'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'"

-Acts 7:56

Towzer once said, "Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us. It can be removed only in spiritual experience, never by mere instruction." I believe this to be truth, and i believe Stephen believed this to be truth. So i don't think Stephen wanted them to look up and see what he saw, but instead he wanted to share with them, what God did for him. He was trying to witness to them one last time, he was simply sharing his testimony with them. He says, "Look, I see…" He was showing them what God has done in his life, because He has been faithful to God. "Whoever defends himself will have himself for his defense, and he will have no other. But let him come defenseless before the Lord and he will have for his defender no less than God Himself." (Another quote from Towzer). This explains Stephen's Stoning so well, he did what God told him to do, and now was the test, so instead of running or trying to get out of it, he just says plain and simple, "hey, you guys know what your about to do to me, i know, God knows, but i'm still here because my Father in Heaven is here with me." "Be strong and courageous. do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b). 

I want to keep my eyes on my Savior in Heaven, I want to stand boldly before those who hate me knowing the Godhead is with me, and i want to be able to tell my testimony one last time before i go, so that God can use that for those who witnessed what happened, so they can know Him. 

act 7:55

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."

-Acts 7:55

Stephen was in the hot seat, with men literally surrounding him because of the way the Sanhedrin was set up. In the heat of things, he stops and looks up to heaven. This is key in our walk with God, all too often we get to climax in the story and we try to  make the story about someone else, "Hey listen if your upset you should find the apostles they were they ones who picked me up for this food ministry anyway." But Stephen gives us the best example, he kept it Christ focused. He had the attention of everyone. It says in verse 58 that there were witnesses. How powerful is that to the witnesses to be in the sights of your enemy's gun, to be on the receiving end of many stones? And say, "right there! i see the glory of God, and Jesus standing at his right hand, the Spirit is with me, its about You." I don't see Stephen dying for what he believed in, but i see him living for what he believed in. 

Being filled with the Spirit, seeing God and Jesus looking down at me is and inspiration to me, because He is with me no matter where i go. I will continue to live for what i believe in.

act 7:54

"When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him."

-Acts 7:54

The men of the Sanhedrin were listening to Stephen speak on how the Sanhedrin has rejected the Holy Spirit, the prophets who came telling of the Coming one, and Jesus Christ Himself. So they gnashed their teeth at Stephen. In other words they were grinding their teeth at him in anger. Often times this is the second stage of anger. First the eyebrows drop, second the face becomes hard, and your teeth begin to grind in anger. 

I all to often can relate with the Sanhedrin, my anger is not of God nor is my pride, it is something i struggle with. "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; i was a brute beast before you." (Psalm 73:21-22). I need to spend more alone time with God so he can free me from gnashing of teeth. 

act 2:46

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,"

acts 2:46

Today we see Jews and Christians as separate religions, but the truth is the three thousand that believed at Pentecost were still Jews. Jesus Christ our Savior was in fact a Jew. You see Jesus did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill the Law. So it made sense that these three thousand would continue to worship and fellowship in the temple courts, because Jesus Christ was the answer to their questions. This belief was were convict arose. See half the Jews did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, and the other half (the early church) knew Him to be God. This verse must have took weeks to be carried out. So things got hostile at times, just enough for the early church to begin meeting in homes. With sincere hearts they continued to grow with each other in Christ our savior. 

Believing in Jesus Christ gave us freedom. He took us from the works we were doing in hope of being good enough by going to the temple, to the freedom of His love bringing Joy to God's heart everywhere they went. With Glad and sincere hearts they fellowshipped and broke bread everywhere. They could literally role out of bed and worship together in their homes. This freedom through Jesus Christ is what brought us "glad and sincere hearts."

One thing that caught my attention was the two words "every day." How often do we see our church family? Sunday morning, maybe the evening service, perhaps Bible study on wednesdays? I want to spend everyday with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore i plan on spending each and everyday with the Church, and if we are not out in the world sharing the love of christ than we will be at the church building. 

act 2:45

"Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."

acts 2:45

As we enter any major city in this day and age. The lights shine bright against the billboards of objects society wants us to want. We see the television ads of what we need to live. My question is how do we need it for tomorrow, when we didn't have it yesterday? Evidently the word "need" means something you require to have because it is essential to your daily survival. Our early church had their focus right, they were filled with the Spirit. The early church knew that God was in their presents Jeremiah 30:11a says, "I am with you and will save you, declares the Lord." With confidence from this, they were able to sell everything they had and give to a brother in his time of need. 

This verse reminds me of a trip i took to the beach with a few families from the church. As me and my best friend-Tim fished and helped my little brother-Jeremiah (who is 9) cast off the shore. We had a multitude of little boys hanging out with us within minutes, we didn't know who they were but it was all good company. As my brother got tired of seeing us bring fish after fish in, he decided to go swimming. When he was gone we asked him if we could use his pole to let our new friends practice fishing. He said yes, and gave me a little look. I knew what his look meant because i all to often have the same look in my eye. Its that, "yes that is fine because i have been raised to do it, but i know someone will break it" look. Sure enough some sand got in the inner compartment of his reel, and it was broken (for the time being). He came back and just looked at me and said, "i knew i shouldn't have brought it." Well i ended up fixing it for him later, and everything was fine, but i all too often have the same feeling with the things I have been assigned a steward to. Every time something breaks, God renews it, and I am constantly learning that they were God's to begin with. 

Act 2:44

"All the believers were together and had everything in common."

-act 2:44

We are: waiters, accountants, computer programers, construction workers, doctors, lawyers, the list goes on. You see: tall men short men, fat men, skinny men. We are all shades of colors, each with a unique tone. Some men are leaders and some men are followers. Physically, socially, and emotionally we are a diverse group. You can spend an eternity dissecting the church. You can waste the short time we have on this earth over analyzing your brothers and sisters in the body. You will have a great survey at the end of your observations. But this will pass, and it wont matter. 

The undeniable truth is we have the same Father in heaven, and He loves us all. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:3-5) We serve the true and living God. Our eyes are all looking to heaven, and that is all we need to have in common. "All the believers were one in heart and mind…" (Act 4:32). When you really let your mind go, and come to the realization that what you have on this earth does not compose who you are. You are free to believe that once all is said and gone, all that we have left is our Salvation in Jesus Christ. The things of this world will not last. They are futile. It would not make sense to associate each other according to the flesh because its only a matter of time before it rots. 

For many years I would complain to my mother that i had nothing in common with anyone at church, she always looked at me and said, "you have the only thing that matters in common." I finally figured it out the last few years, and I need to continue to see my brothers and sisters in the church not for where they work, or their appearance, because God "…does not look at the things man looks at. man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 samuel 16:7). I think i can love more with my heart, if i only look at other's hearts. And in doing so, i will see all i have in common with the body of Christ just like the thousand new believers did at Pentecost. 

"Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles." 

-Act 2:43

As the people stood in God's presents they could not move away from the feeling of awe. Like a husband who is standing hand in hand with his soon to be bride at the alter, the feeling is indescribable… but he knows the love he has for her, and the realization that she will forever be his. We can imagine being one of the Three thousand standing there knowing that we are forever Gods. With our lives being given to Him and there is no going back, even if there was an option who would want that after "He rescued [us] from [our] powerful enemy, from [our] foes, who were too strong for [us]." (Psalm 18:17). We shall be His people, and He shall be our God, giving Him full dominion over our lives. The feeling is real, better than any rush… no wave, no plate of food, no amount of dopamine can come close, because the feeling of His love last forever. He "…turned my wailing into dancing, [He] removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to [Him] and not be silent…" (Psalm 30:11). The three thousand simply received God's love, and through His love we received everything we have. it is a wonder that I wake up each morning with the health and life I have. The things that happen in each of day can only be described as miracles. God's hand is upon my life and it is obvious. I will continue to look to the sky, to the depths of the deep, to a baby's smile and be reminded that my Creator gave these gifts to me. I never want that initial love to grow dull. I am in awe of my Creator, without Him i have nothing. So who am I to take my eyes off of Him?

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Act 2:42 "They" meaning the three thousand people whose lives were changed at Pentecost , because they devoted their lives to Jesus Christ. 

Primarily, they studied God's Word, which was the "apostles' teaching." Their teaching and letters consisted of stories of Jesus' love, His miracles, and simple the things that made Him to be our Savior. The closer the three thousand people got to knowing Jesus, the closer the three thousand became of one mind creating the body of Christ. 

Secondly, they began to fellowship with each other, which incorporates a whole list of things from simply talking to each other, up to supporting one other in time of need. Fellowship includes much more than just say a quick hello and the typical sunday morning social questions. Fellowship is what we will be spending much of eternity doing, its about developing eternal relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Thirdly, the people became to "break bread" or eat together. Image a world without Costco; you cant buy salmon by the fillet, you cant buy chicken by the pound, and you can not buy fruits and vegetables in the quality or quantity we can today. People worked hard for the food they had. I have been doing a lot of fishing this past year and regardless of the type of fish, it takes time in order to catch fish. One day i was trolling for salmon with my buddy Rob for close to 9 hours before we got a bite, and we only took home one fish. Now keep that thought in mind and thing about this: you spent your whole day fishing for that fish and it might feed your family if your lucky, now do you think you would want guest over as well? absolutely not, because in their culture the pot luck did not exist, if you asked someone to come over to eat its because you had food to share with them. Logically thinking, for the common man there is no way you could be sure you would catch fish for the next night. They became of one mind and for that they set their eyes on whats eternal. They broke bread with their eternal family members, and didn't allow the worries of this life to effect their fellowship. Where God abides, God provides. 

Lastly, they spent time in prayer together. There is power in prayer, when we take time to talk to God, he is listening. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." I need to spend more time with my brothers and sisters in prayer. I all too often find myself praying alone, and there is nothing wrong with that. But the power that I can harness in a group setting, can move a mountain. In today's culture, I want to be used to move those mountains. A revival is coming.