Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 20 2025 | Acts 13:1  KEY VERSE: “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.” Acts 13:1 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   The Church of God is the most interesting human organisation I have experienced. It comprises people from diverse backgrounds, varied experiences, multiple ethnicities, and differing perspectives. The disciples of Jesus Christ were a diverse group of people. The Early Church, as we see in our text today, was also a diverse group; yet, they were all woven together into one living family and empowered by the same Holy Spirit.   What makes the beauty of the Church's unity in diversity possible is that all its distinct individual components are endowed with the same Spirit, and this comes with the endowment of power and spiritual gifts for the life and ministry of the Church, both for believers and for unbelievers around them. What is it that defines your relationship with others in the Church? Does your church membership motivation rise above the physical and societal, and reach into the powerful binding and bonding work of the Spirit? Are we giving room for the projection of the gifts of the Spirit, and are we providing room for the manifestations of God in our midst and through us? FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Resolve to know fellow believers not from a purely human perspective, but from the perspective of the spiritual family. Activate the gifts of God's Holy Spirit in you and put them to work for the common good. PRAYER: Dear Lord, what a privilege to be part of your family, and to be lifted by your Spirit by indwelling me and gifting me. Please help me to be a blessing to those that you have connected me to. And may your Church be the united Spirit-led Church. For your dear Name’s sake , Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 201 :  Ecclesiastes 1-3 - Life’s Meaning and Seasons DAILY word study: CHURCH The Greek word for "church" is ekklesia, meaning "called-out ones." It refers to those summoned out for a specific purpose. In Acts 13:1, the church at Antioch wasn’t just a group of people. It was a Spirit-formed community marked by calling, gifting, and unity. Each person had a place, not because of social background, but because they were called out by God and equipped by the Spirit. Reflect on this: Don’t see the Church as a place you go. See it as the people God brings together for His purpose. You’re part of a spiritual body, gifted and sent.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 19 2025 | Acts 12:24-25  KEY VERSE: “WHEN BARNABAS AND SAUL HAD FINISHED THEIR MISSION, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark” Acts 12:24 (NASB)   MESSAGE:   Yesterday, we saw that despite opposition and persecution, the early church suffered, the Lord sovereignly prospered the work of His church. With the progress report in these 2 verses, Dr. Luke brought another section of his work to a conclusion. His brief report says, “ BARNABAS AND SAUL HAD FINISHED THEIR MISSION”. We will see more of their mission in the next chapter.   Every one of us was born into this world with a specific divine assignment. That is your God-ordained mission, which varies for each person. It is your duty to understand your mission and dedicate yourself to fulfilling it. The Lord Jesus Christ, in his prayer to the Father before going to die on the Cross of Calvary, said: “... I HAVE FINISHED THE WORK WHICH THOU GAVEST ME TO DO” John 17:4 (KJV). Speaking to the elders of the Church of Ephesus, Apostle Paul said: “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I MAY FINISH MY COURSE AND THE MINISTRY WHICH I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY SOLEMNLY OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.” Acts 20:24 (NASB). In his letter to his son Timothy from prison, Apostle Paul penned these famous words: “I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE” 2 Timothy 4:7 (AMP).   You too have a race to finish, a work or a mission to accomplish. Until you have completed your divine assignment here on earth, you cannot look forward to exiting this world. THEREFORE, RUN WELL, FINISH HARD AND FULFILL YOUR DESTINY! FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are you aware of your mission – your divine assignment? If you are, what efforts are you making to complete your mission? Understand that your mission may require you to identify and engage individuals to join your team. TEAMWORK DELIVERS THE DREAM RESULT! PRAYER: Father , I thank you for the divine assignment you have for me. I pray that you empower me through the Holy Spirit to run the race you have set before me so that I finish well and receive the crown of righteousness waiting for winners.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 200 :  1 Kings 11 - Solomon’s Downfall DAILY word study : MISSION The Greek word translated as “mission” is diakonia, which means “service” or “ministry,” referring to a task or responsibility carried out on behalf of another. The word diakonia means more than just a job - it points to a sacred task, a responsibility entrusted to us by God. It involves intentional service to others, often accompanied by personal sacrifice. Saul and Barnabas didn’t just travel—they completed their divine task. Jesus too spoke of finishing the work He was given. Completing your mission is about being faithful to what God has given you, not what others expect. Reflect on this: Are you doing what you were sent to do, or just staying busy? A divine mission ends when the Sender says it’s done.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 18 2025 | Acts 12:24-25 KEY VERSE: “But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.” Acts 12:24 (NASB)   MESSAGE:   The 12 th  chapter of the Acts of the Apostles opened with a bleak message – the killing of James and the imprisonment of Peter, awaiting execution by the sword. But it ended on a victorious and positive note. What separates the good message from the bad message is the 3-letter word “BUT”. The church was born and initiated in killings and persecutions. Envious Jews killed Jesus Christ, the church's one foundation. His followers were given the proverbial “forty minus one” lashes. This was soon to be followed by stoning Stephen to death, more killings, tortures and harassments. Despite all these wicked schemes deployed to kill the church, she continues to grow and multiply from one degree of glory to another.   The work of the Lord through the Church and para-church organisations such as Scripture Union will continue to grow and multiply. From its humble beginnings with 120 faithful disciples in the Upper Room in Jerusalem (as recorded in Acts 2), the Church of Jesus Christ has grown globally to become the largest religion, with billions of members who have pledged allegiance to the Lamb. The Church is unstoppable because Jesus Christ had decreed, “ I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT ” Matthew 16:18 (KJV).   Yes, the church is marching forward from victory unto victory until every soul is won to the Lord. No power on earth or in hell can stop the growth and multiplication of the Word of the Lord and the work of the Church. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Though millions of souls have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, there is still more to reach out to. What are you doing personally, and what is your congregation doing to ensure that the word of the Lord continues to grow and multiply? It takes money to send the word of God, the gospel, to people who are yet to be reached. Are you supporting evangelism and missions with your financial resources and other contributions? PRAYER: Father , I thank you that the word of the Lord and the mission of the church continue to grow and multiply despite all the attacks and persecutions by the enemy. Strengthen and empower us to be faithful in preaching the gospel and making disciples for Jesus Christ in every nation on the earth. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 199 : 1 Kings 10 - The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon DAILY word study : MULTIPLY The word multiply in Acts 12:24 comes from the Greek word plēthýnō, which means “to increase or abound greatly.” In Scripture, multiplication isn't just about numbers—it’s about spiritual influence and impact. The Word didn’t just spread—it kept abounding, even when persecution tried to silence it. This growth shows that God’s Word carries life and momentum no opposition can halt. Reflect on this: When you share God’s Word, you’re part of something that cannot be stopped. It’s not about how loud you are, but how faithful you remain.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 17 2025 | Acts 12:19-24  KEY VERSE: “They shouted, 'THIS IS THE VOICE OF A GOD, NOT OF A MAN.' Immediately, BECAUSE HEROD DID NOT GIVE PRAISE TO GOD, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STRUCK HIM DOWN, AND HE WAS EATEN BY WORMS AND DIED" Acts 12:22-23 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   If there is any one thing Jehovah has vowed not to share with another person, IT IS HIS GLORY AND HONOUR. He spoke prophetically to the nation of Israel, “I am the LORD; that is my name! I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY TO ANOTHER OR MY PRAISE TO IDOLS ” Isaiah 42:8 (NIV). Anybody, therefore, who attempts to take God’s glory or to share it with him is only inviting the swift wrath of the Lord for himself. King Nebuchadnezzar tried to do it and was punished (see Daniel 4:28-33). This is what happened to Herod also. The Bible says he died because “ HE GAVE NOT GOD THE GLORY ” (KJV). He attempted to rob the Lord of his glory.   The only person who is truly deserving of our worship and glory is Jesus Christ. To him alone must every glory be ascribed. When Satan tempted Jesus Christ to bow down and worship him (Satan), the Lord refused to yield to that temptation, saying, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘ WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY'  Matthew 4:10 (NIV). That does not mean we should not give “ RESPECT TO WHOM RESPECT IS DUE, AND HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE”  (Romans 13:7).   Whatever your status in society (Pastor, Bishop, President, king, queen, member of parliament, CEO, etc.), never accept the worship of people. Do not covet the Lord’s glory. He will not hesitate to punish you. Instead, give to the Lord all the glory due to his name and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (see Psalms 29:2). FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do a check of your heart: do you see any desire in your heart for glory that is the preserve of God? Do you have an unusual love for the praise of people? Work hard to kill that desire before it leads to your destruction. Do not feed the lust for the pride of life, and do not seek vain glory. PRAYER: Search me, O God, and know my heart today. Please get rid of the pride that will lead to my downfall. Please help me choose to walk in humility before you and others at all times, especially in moments of success, promotion, elevation, and prosperity. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 198 :  1 Kings 9 - God’s Promise and Solomon’s Achievements DAILY word study: VOICE The word voice in Acts 12:22 comes from the Greek “phōnē”, which means sound, tone, or utterance. It can refer to a spoken voice, a noise, or even a supernatural sound. In Acts 12, the people shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!” Their loud acclaim wasn’t just noise - it was false worship. Their phōnē carried idolatry, and Herod received it without protest. The Bible often speaks of God’s voice (phōnē theou) as majestic, powerful, and true (Psalm 29). When the wrong voice is exalted, it distorts truth and misleads hearts. Always test the voices you hear—and never accept a voice that replaces God’s. Let your own voice give Him praise. Reflect on this: What voices do you allow to shape your values and decisions? Let every word you receive or speak draw you closer to God, not away from Him.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 16 2025 | Acts 12:16-19  KEY VERSE: “In the morning, THERE WAS NO SMALL COMMOTION among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter” Acts 12:18 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   One great encouragement to Christians is that the God we serve is able to deliver us out of danger. The Bible says the Lord is able to save to the uttermost (completely) all those who come to Him by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:25). The amazing truth is that when the Lord intervenes to deliver His children, there is always great commotion in the camp of the enemy of His saints. For example, on the night of the Passover which forced Pharaoh to release the Israelites out of the bondage of over 400 years, the Bible says “ there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead ” (Exodus 12:30). On the day Jonathan in a solo effort with his armour bearer invaded the camp of the Philistines, the Bible recorded that when Saul and all his men assembled later went to the battle, they found the Philistines “ in total confusion, striking each other with their swords” (1 Samuel 14:20).   After the Lord delivered Peter from the hands of Herod and the expectation of the Jews, THERE WAS NO SMALL COMMOTION AMONG THE SOLDIERS.   Unfortunately, innocent lives were lost. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed (Acts 12:19).   That is what will happen when your God steps into your battle to fight for you. The Lord declared prophetically, “Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, BE STRONG, FEAR NOT! BEHOLD, YOUR GOD WILL COME WITH VENGEANCE; WITH THE RECOMPENSE OF GOD HE WILL COME AND SAVE YOU” ( Isaiah 35:4 AMP). There will be a great commotion in the camp of your enemy when your deliverance comes. YOU SHALL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: What should be the response of the church to wicked rulers (democratically elected, traditional, etc.) who abuse the basic human rights (including freedom of worship) of their citizens and subjects? How should we interpret the scripture which admonishes believers to be loyally subject to the governing authorities (see Romans 13:1)? PRAYER: Father, I thank you that you always intervene to save and deliver your children. Strengthen us to continue holding on to your almighty hands when we are persecuted, knowing that our deliverance is on the way. I pray for the families of innocent people (especially soldiers, prison officers and police officers) who have been killed in the line of duty.  May they know and experience your comfort. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 197 :  1 Kings 8 -The Temple Dedicated DAILY word study: COMMOTION The word commotion in Acts 12:18 comes from the Greek word tarachos, meaning "a disturbance, tumult, or state of confusion." It often describes a public uproar or an unsettling panic. In this context, it reflects the soldiers’ shock and turmoil when Peter was found missing from the prison. This word reminds us that God’s intervention does not go unnoticed. His deliverance is not silent—it disrupts the very plans of the enemy and causes confusion in places of opposition. Reflect on this: God delivers, the enemy is thrown into confusion—not quietly, but unmistakably.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 15 2025 | Acts 12:16-18 KEY VERSE: “ PETER MOTIONED WITH HIS HAND FOR THEM TO BE QUIET  and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and THEN HE LEFT FOR ANOTHER PLACE ” Acts 12:17 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   One of the truths we must keep in mind about our adversary, Satan, is that he never gives up. When he loses one battle, he will look for the opportunity to come back to fight another battle. Do you remember what Pharaoh did after he himself had released the Israelites to go? He changed his mind and went after them. That is how Satan also behaves. This awareness that our enemy is constantly seeking ways to attack us calls for us to be wise and discerning in all we do. In our key verse for today, Peter did two things which showed he was a wise person. First, he did not speak (he used “sign language”) and wanted the believers who were in the house praying for him also not to make any noise. He did this to avoid exposing himself and the church to their enemies and being arrested. Secondly, Peter immediately left for an undisclosed location, which would make it difficult for anybody looking for him to find him. THIS IS BEING WISE AND SMART!   We must always act in wisdom and discernment so that we do not expose ourselves to the enemy. According to Apostle Peter, our enemy, “ the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” . He therefore admonished us to be self-controlled and alert (see 1 Peter 5:8 NIV). This calls for walking in wisdom and discernment of the times and situations. Jesus Christ said, “Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; BE WARY AND WISE AS SERPENTS , and BE INNOCENT (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) AS DOVES” (Matthew 10:16 AMP). Apostle Paul also admonished, “ Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15 NIV).  Just as the enemy is coming out with new strategies to attack us, we too must also evolve and find new ways to counter Satanic and demonic advancements in order to be victorious and more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. THEREFORE, BE WISE AND EXERCISE DISCERNMENT IN ALL YOUR AFFAIRS. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: What would you do to frustrate the wicked plans of the devil against you? Do you consider fleeing persecution a good idea in light of the word of God, which promised persecution for believers in Jesus Christ (see 2 Timothy 3:12)? PRAYER: Father, I thank you that you know all the evil plans of Satan to destroy your church, and you reveal those plans to us so that we may be victorious. I pray that you teach us how to walk in wisdom and discernment, so that we will always be ahead of the enemy. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 196 :  1 Kings 7 - The Temple Furnishings DAILY word study: BROUGHT OUT The Greek word used in Acts 12:17 for “brought out” is exēgagen  (ἐξήγαγεν), derived from exagō  — a compound of ek  (out of) and agō  (to lead). It means “to lead out,” “to bring out from captivity,” or “to guide someone out.” This word carries the weight of divine rescue. It’s not just a casual exit. It implies that someone with authority and power took deliberate action to remove another from danger. In the Old Testament, this same word (in the Septuagint) is used to describe how God brought Israel out  of Egypt, not randomly, but with purpose and protection. Peter wasn’t simply escaping. The Lord  led  him out. It was a divine act of intervention. The use of exēgagen  reminds us that God's deliverance is intentional. He doesn’t just remove us from harm—He leads us to safety. Reflect on this: When God brings you out, it's not a matter of luck or coincidence. It’s a planned act of grace. Trust His leading, even when it feels quiet or hidden.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 14 2025 | Acts 12:16-18  KEY VERSE: “BUT PETER KEPT ON KNOCKING, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished” Acts 12:16 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Peter had been delivered from the wicked expectation of Herod and the Jews. He went straight to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where the church had gathered and were earnestly praying for him. When he knocked on the door, Rhoda, full of joy, left Peter at the door to go and herald the good news. Peter kept knocking on the door because he was determined to enter that house and show himself to the saints. The delay could not stop him.   The posture of Peter is what we should have when we pray to the Lord for something which we need “very badly”. The place of prayer should be both our FIRST STOP AND LAST STOP . This attitude is revealed in two parables which Jesus Christ spoke. In THE PARABLE OF THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT  (found in Luke 11:5-8), a man who received a late-night guest and had no food to offer, went to a neighbour’s house, waking him up and asking for bread. The parable emphasises that our persistence in prayer will eventually lead to God answering our requests.  THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST JUDGE  (found in Luke 18:1-8) also teaches about the importance of persistent prayer. The introduction to this parable reads: “ Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that THEY SHOULD ALWAYS PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP” (Luke 18:1 NIV).   We must never give up on our prayers when the answer is delayed. Remember the words Jesus Christ spoke: “ Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; AND TO HIM WHO KNOCKS, THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV). FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: How determined and persistent are you when you go to the Lord in prayer for something? Are you easily discouraged by a delay in the answer? Learn from the example of Prophet Daniel, who prayed for 21 days (see Daniel 10:1-14). The delay, sometimes, may not be from the Lord. We must persist in asking, seeking and knocking until we receive what we are praying for. PRAYER: Father, I thank you that when I ask you for anything according to your will, you hear me and I receive what I ask of you. Give me the persistent faith which never gives up when there is a delay, but keeps on knocking until I receive the answer to my prayer. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 195 :  1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple DAILY word study: KNOCKING The Greek word translated “knocking” in Acts 12:16 is krouō (κρούω), which means “to strike” or “to knock repeatedly.” It paints the picture of someone who doesn’t give up after one try, but continues with steady intent. The word appears elsewhere in the New Testament to convey deliberate action, often with a hopeful expectation of being received. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” There, it is Christ patiently waiting to be welcomed. This suggests that knocking can be an act of human faith or a divine initiative. In both uses, the action involves waiting for a response. It’s personal. It’s expectant. Reflect on this: To knock is to say, “I believe someone is there.” To keep knocking is to live like you expect the door to open.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 13 2025 | Acts 12:12-15  KEY VERSE: You're out of your mind, ” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “ It must be his angel .” Acts 12:15 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   The response of the church to Rhoda’s exclamation, filled with joy and excitement, “ Peter is at the door! ” is a very interesting one. This was a church which was praying earnestly for their leader, who was in prison awaiting a possible execution by Herod. But when the Lord answered their prayers and intervened to release their leader, they found that one to be impossible, too difficult to believe. They believed the person knocking at the door was Peter’s angel. The Jews believed in the concept of guardian angels, and it appears that some among them may have thought that one’s guardian angel bore some resemblance to the human being it was assigned to.   Did the church not have faith in God to whom they prayed? THEIR PRAYER WAS EARNEST (see Acts 12:5), BUT THEIR FAITH WAS NOT OVERWHELMING. Probably they had little faith, but LITTLE FAITH CAN ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS IF IT IS PLACED IN THE GREAT GOD . Jesus Christ said, “ I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there' and it will move. NOTHING WI LL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU” (Matthew 17:20).   Remember the words of Jesus Christ: “ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).   HAVE FAITH IN GOD TO DO IMPOSSIBLE THINGS WHEN YOU PRAY. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do you really believe the Lord can do the things you ask him to do for you? One barrier to answered prayer is doubt. Apostle James wrote, “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does” (James 1:6-8). Before you start praying, throw every doubt out to the Lord. PRAYER: Father, I thank you that you are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within us. Look beyond my unbelief and little faith and answer my prayers in accordance with your own will, plan and purpose. And give me faith to believe that all things are possible to those who believe. I ask for this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!   THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 194 : 1 Kings 4-5 - Solomon’s Officials and Temple Preparation  DAILY word study: ANGEL The Greek word translated “angel” in Acts 12:15 is angelos (ἄγγελος), which means “a messenger sent by God.” When Rhoda said Peter was at the door, the believers couldn’t believe it. They said, “It must be his angel,” reflecting an old Jewish belief that people had guardian angels who resembled them or acted on their behalf. Their reaction shows how we sometimes choose explanations that seem spiritual but are really driven by doubt. Instead of recognising the answer to their prayer, they dismissed it as something else. Reflect on this: Do you expect God to answer clearly, or do you explain away the very thing you’ve been praying for?

Rev. Tse Amable | July 12 2025 | Acts 12:12-14  KEY VERSE: When she recognised Peter's voice, SHE WAS SO OVERJOYED SHE RAN BACK WITHOUT OPENING IT and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” Acts 12:14 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   One of the results of answered prayers is JOY – the kind of joy and excitement that makes a person behave as if he or she is not “ mentally correct ”. We observe this in the behaviour of Rhoda, the servant girl who went to answer when Peter arrived and knocked at the door. Instead of opening the door to let Peter in, her joy was so much that SHE RAN BACK TO ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL OF PETER WITHOUT OPENING THE DOOR FOR HIM .   What the joy of answered prayer can do! May you receive that “crazy” joy when there is a breakthrough for you or your loved one.   The Lord Jesus Christ knew that answered prayer brings joy. In one of his teachings on prayer, he said “ Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye SHALL receive, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL ” (John 16:24). What causes our joy to be complete is when we ask anything in the name of Jesus Christ and we receive it. The converse is also true: OUR JOY IS NOT COMPLETE WHEN WE FAIL TO ASK AND, AS A RESULT, WE DO NOT RECEIVE. Therefore, ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.   Another truth in our text is that it was also the sound of Peter’s voice which gave Rhoda such an unspeakable joy. Jesus Christ wants to talk to you in a very personal way. He said, “ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).  As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are one of his sheep. He is your Shepherd. You must hear his voice so that you can follow him. Do not listen to the voice of Satan, a demon or even the voice of your own inner spirit. Hearing the voice of Jesus Christ will give you joy. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Have you ever experienced the joy of an answered prayer which resulted in a miraculous provision, healing, or deliverance from a Satanic attack? If you're lacking joy in your life, examine your relationship with the Lord. The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes joy, and in God’s presence, there is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11). PRAYER: Father, I thank you for the joy I have in you. Teach me to hear your voice so that I can follow you. I remind you of my prayers that have not been answered yet. Let me receive what I asked of you, so that my joy in you may be full and complete. I ask for this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 193 :  1 Kings 3 - Solomon’s Wisdom  DAILY word study: OVERJOYED The Greek word translated “overjoyed” in Acts 12:14 is chara (χαρά), which means deep gladness or delight. It is often used in the New Testament to describe the joy that comes from God’s presence, salvation, or divine intervention. Rhoda’s chara was spontaneous and overflowing—it wasn’t planned or managed. It reflected how truly overwhelming answered prayer can be. Let this word remind you: true joy is often uncontainable when God is at work. Reflect on this: When was the last time you were so full of joy that you forgot what you were supposed to do next? What does that say about your trust in God’s ability to surprise you with answered prayers?

Rev. Tse Amable | July 11 2025 | Acts 12:12-14 KEY VERSE: “When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying ” Acts 12:12 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Upon Peter’s dramatic and miraculous release from prison through an angelic intervention, the first place he went to was a house where the church had gathered to pray earnestly for him. We know from the scriptures that Peter was a married man and had his own home. (see Matthew 8:14). He could have therefore gone to his house first to show himself to his family. But Peter chose to go first to the house of PRAYER to testify to his brethren that the Lord had heard and answered their prayers for him. Earlier when they were released after the agitation that arose over the healing of the crippled beggar reported in Acts 3:1-10, the Bible says  “ And being let go, THEY WENT TO THEIR OWN COMPAN Y, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them” (Acts 4:23). The fellowship of the brethren should be your first place in times of trouble.   The house of God must be A HOUSE OF PRAYER , a place where troubled people can go to pray, either as individuals or in a group. That is what the scriptures say. Speaking prophetically, the Lord declared “ my house will be called A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS ” (Isaiah 56:7 ). Jesus Christ confirmed this position on the day he entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there (Matthew 21:12). He supported this action by quoting the words recorded in the book of Prophet Isaiah.   The house of God (chapel, sanctuary, temple, etc.) must be a place where many believers (from every nation, tribe, social status, etc.) can gather to cry out to the Lord in prayer with the expectation that the Lord will hear and answer them. It was in the open temple at Shiloh that Hannah went and cried to the Lord, which resulted in the birth of Samuel. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Is your chapel, sanctuary or temple truly a house of prayer ? Does the environment enable earnest prayer to be made to God? Let us learn from the example of Mary, the mother of John Mark, to open up our houses to be used as houses of prayer. PRAYER: Father, I thank you that we can gather in your name everywhere to pray, and you will hear and answer us. My prayer is that every chapel, temple, sanctuary, etc., which has been built and dedicated to your worship shall truly be a house of prayer to all believers. I ask for this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 192 :  1 Kings 2 - David’s Final Instructions and Death DAILY word study : GATHERED   The word “gathered” comes from the Greek sunēthroismenoi, derived from sunathroizō, which means “to come together, assemble, or be collected together for a purpose.” The early believers didn’t just pray—they gathered. This word reflects intentional unity. It wasn’t a casual crowd. It was a spiritual assembly with one heart and one burden: Peter’s release. The same word root appears in places where the early church united in purpose (Acts 4:31). Their gathering created a spiritual climate for divine intervention. Reflect on this: A praying church isn’t just individual prayers rising separately. It is believers coming together with shared faith and burden. When we gather with one mind and one voice, we create room for God to move.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 10 2025 | Acts 12:6-11  KEY VERSE: “And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. ” Acts 12:11 (NKJV)   MESSAGE:   Every follower of Christ has enemies. The Bible says, “Your ENEMY THE DEVIL prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan does not work alone. He works through legions of demons and human beings who have yielded themselves to the devil to be used to execute his Satanic agenda against the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church. The story in Acts 12 reveals Satan working through Herod and the Jews who were opposed to Jesus Christ. Their expectation was to kill Peter, but the Lord disappointed them.   But the good news is the Lord is more powerful than Satan and all his hosts. Because he is the omnipotent God, the Lord can frustrate Satan and cause every wicked plan the devil has against the children of God to fail to materialise. This is what he did for Peter on this occasion. He delivered him out of the hands of Herod and from all the expectations of the Jews – the evil plan to kill him with the sword.   Child of God, your Father shall save you and cause every wicked expectation of your enemies to fail. He said “ no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you ” (Isaiah 54:17). Again he said, “ the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world ” (1 John 4:4). Your God shall surely come to deliver you and put your enemies to shame. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do you know of any plans by wicked people to harm you, kill you, or cause you to lose what you have? Fear not! The Bible says, “ The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their hearts, and their bows will be broken” (Psalms 37:14-15 ). VICTORY BELONGS TO JESUS CHRIST, AND YOU ARE ON THE WINNING SIDE. THEREFORE, DO NOT BE AFRAID.   PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you fight all my enemies for me and give me the victory. I leave all my battles in your hands, knowing that through you, I am more than a conqueror. Let every wicked expectation of my enemies for me fail. I ask for this in your precious name. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 191 :  1 Kings 1 - David Declares Solomon King DAILY word study: EXPECTATION The word “expectation” in Acts 12:11 comes from the Greek word prosdochē (προσδοκία), which means “a waiting for” or “anticipation.” It combines pros (toward) and dechomai (to receive), suggesting an eager anticipation of something happening. In this passage, the expectation wasn’t one of hope—it was a calculated desire for Peter’s death. The Jews had already seen James executed and anticipated a repeat with Peter. Their expectation was fueled by hatred and political gain. But God disrupted that. He didn’t just deliver Peter—He shattered the enemy’s anticipation. Reflect on this: Not all expectations are holy. Some people wait eagerly to see you fall. However, God is not bound by human expectations. His power can interrupt every evil plan and deliver you into freedom—on His terms, not theirs.

Rev. Tse Amable | July 9 2025 | Acts 12:6-10  KEY VERSE: “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.” Acts 12:9 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   One amazing truth about the Lord God is that he is a " GOD OF GREAT SURPRISES ". By this, we see God's incredible actions and interventions in the world and in people's lives. Our key verse for today bears testimony to that truth. Although Apostle Peter believed and expected God’s deliverance just as He did earlier, the way the Lord did it on this second occasion was a “ great surprise ” to him. The Bible says he followed the angel who brought him out of the prison without the slightest idea of what was happening and thought he was seeing a vision.  He could not believe his own eyes but thought it to be a mere vision or a delusion of his own fantasy.   The psalmist sang in Psalms 126 of a time when God set His people free from their captivity, and they were restored to Jerusalem ( Zion ). The opening lines in the psalm read, “ When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, WE WERE LIKE MEN WHO DREAMED . Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy ” (Psalms 126:1-2). The people were aware of the promises of restoration, but when the actual moment of restoration arrived, it was an overwhelming experience. They were like those ‘WHO DREAMED.’ It all happened too quickly and seemed like a mirage.   That will be your own testimony when the Lord visits you to deliver you from the hardships you are currently going through. It will be like watching a movie, seeing a vision, or having a dream. Your God can do that for you because he is a “ GOD OF GREAT SURPRISES”. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do you believe that nothing is too difficult for the Lord to do? If you have ever experienced a divine intervention that seemed like a dream or a vision, share this testimony with your Christian friends. It will boost their faith in the Lord and bring them to the point where they can expect such unpredictable and incredible interventions.   PRAYER: Lord, I thank you that you are able to do what is impossible for human beings. I pray for anybody who is in a very precarious and hopeless situation (e.g. health, financial, employment, etc.). May you intervene to solve that issue in a way that it will look like a vision or a dream. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 190 :  2 Samuel 24 — David’s Census and the Plague DAILY word study: VISION The word “vision” in Acts 12:9 comes from the Greek word horama (ὅραμα), which refers to “that which is seen” or “a supernatural sight.” It often indicates something seen by divine revelation or in a trance-like experience. Peter thought his escape was a horama—a spiritual encounter beyond physical reality. This illustrates the surreal nature of God’s intervention. It was so miraculous that Peter couldn’t immediately tell if it was real or a spiritual experience. The term "horama" is used in other New Testament accounts to describe moments when God reveals something beyond human expectation, such as Paul’s vision of the man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9). Reflect on this: God can move so suddenly that it feels unreal, like a dream breaking every limit.