Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Steve Modrzejewski.  

His message was based on Acts 18:23-28 and Acts 19:1-20. From these passages, we learn the following: 

(A) The servant of Christ must learn to be teachable:

And a certain Jew named Apollos,  born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scripture, came to Ephesus.  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.  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.

(B)  The servant of Christ must be ready to preach the Word and live the Word

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.  But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.  And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ~ 2 Timothy 4: 2

(C)  The servant of Christ needs to remember that the battle is not against flesh and blood:

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leapt on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.  And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

(D)  The servant of Christ must remember that true faith comes at a cost:

And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.  Many also of them which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men; and they counted the price of them , and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Our challenge for the week:  Am I teachable? Am I living the Word daily?  Do I put on the whole armor of Christ?  Am I ready to pay the cost of following Him?  May we each go before the Lord to make us useable in His hands as we do His work.

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Steve Modrzejewski.  His message was based on Acts 12: 1-17.

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw it pleased  the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread).  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.  Peter therefore was kept in prison:  but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains:  and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison:  and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly.  And his chains fell off from his hands.  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals  And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me...

Lessons learned from this passage:

• God is sovereign in ALL circumstances
  
• God's peace should rule in a servant's life
  
• God has a specific role (Peter's chain fell off after the angel smote him on the side)
  
• Servants of God also have a role (Peter got up, put his clothes/shoes on, and followed the angel
  
• God's answers prayers, though the answer may seem surreal, or dream-like.  Thank Him!
  

Challenge for the upcoming week:   Pray for the members of the Body of Christ experiencing persecution (remember India, Indonesia, North Korea, Myanmar, Assembly in Bucharest, etc).

• that  God might use His Holy Spirit to minister His Word in times of need
  
• for God's protection in their battles against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places
  
• for deliverance from persecution, if it's the Lord's will
  
• that they may be set free or re-united with with their loved ones 

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Steve Modrzejewski. He spoke about Cornelius. His text was Acts 10:

There was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway...

Here is a short summary about what we can learn from this chapter:

• God's plan has God's time
• Religious devotion does not mean eternal salvation
• A sincere seeker of God will be found
• There is only ONE way to God (Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life -- John 14:6)
• A servant of God deflects glory to God (see verse 26)
• A true seeker of God brings along those he loves (see verses 24, & 27)

We welcome our many guests today:

Bill Brunner's Daughter, Stacey and her Family

Danny and Stacey Gutierrez with Baby

Baby Abigail Gutierrez (5 weeks old)

Bea, Christine, Marcy, and Young

Christine with Daughter Marcy, and Son-In-Law, Peter

Helen with Grandkids: William, Winona, and Austin

Marni and Dimas

Our speaker for the Family Bible Hour was Mr Pat Hughes, missionary to Poland. He and his wife, Cindy, also did a presentation on their work in Poland during our evening Bible Study & Supper. His morning message was based on Hebrews 8

...We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens...But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises...

Summary: We have better promises based on a better covenant through Jesus our High Priest, who lives forever, and thus, can save forever. Do not let ritual replace the reality of the work of Jesus Christ

Cindy and Pat Hughes, Missionaries

Camille (flute) and Kristi (piano) performing You are my All in All

Dale M. and Bill C.

Frank and Connie K.