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The last few days I've been thinking a lot about the importance and value of consistency. The benefits from many disciplines in life are only realized through consistency. Spiritual benefits and blessings from disciplines like prayer and Bible study are really maximized when we are consistent in these activities.

Samuel told King Saul that "obedience is better than sacrifice." I've met people who get excited about prayer and want to have an "all-night prayer meeting!" I'm certainly not opposed to all-night prayer meetings, but the ironic thing is, such people are often ones who don't pray on a daily basis. They have little consistency in their prayer lives, but when excited by a sermon or Bible study on prayer, they suddenly want to pray all night. Praying all night is a great thing. However, I believe there is something better than praying all night - and that is praying consistently each day.

To pray all night would be a great sacrifice. But "obedience is better than sacrifice." It is better to be obedient to God's plan for daily, consistent devotion, than to neglect consistency and want to sacrifice by praying all night! Again, there is nothing wrong with praying all night or spending great lengths of time in Bible study, devotion or worship. But daily, consistent devotion is better than sporadic seasons of great sacrifice.

I encourage you to get in a habit of daily giving time to the pillars of Acts 2:42. The greatest blessings of the 2:42 Plan are experienced when we are consistent.

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But this prophet neglected his important duty and busied himself with unimportant and non-essential details. His sad, but honest confession was "while thy servant was busy here and there - he (the prisoner) was gone." While the prophet was busy here and there, the prisoner escaped! This prophet was busy but not with the most important things.

I pray that we don't become so "busy here and there" that we neglect what is really important. Let us not be so busy with the cares of life that we fail to give adequate time to things that really matter.

Giving meaningful, daily time to the Acts 2:42 Plan is something of upmost importance. What could be more important than the activities that result in our spiritual growth and maturity? Don't get so busy that you fail to spend time daily in God's Word, fellowship with other believers, worship and prayer. May these 4 tenets of the 2:42 Plan occupy a place of priority in your daily life.]]> http://www.faithapostolicofcarmel.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080116-123111
I'm not usually one to put a lot of emphasis on "New Year's Resolutions", but I am a firm believer in re-aligning my priorities and re-defining my focus at the start of a new year.

The 2:42 Plan is God's timeless model for spiritual growth. I want to encourage you to stay committed and focused on the 2:42 plan throughout the New Year. I can only imagine where each of us would be spiritually at the end of 2008, if we were diligent each day in applying the 2:42 plan to our lives. Just think about how much we would grow spiritually if we gave meaningful time each day throughout 2008 to the 4 pillars of discipleship found in Acts 2:42.

Today is a great day to start good spiritual habits. Make a decision right now to spend meaningful time each day in the study of God's Word, in worship, in prayer and in strengthening your relationship with other believers.

If you will be diligent in giving meaningful time each day to these spiritual disciplines, by the end of 2008, you will be able to look back and see a year of incredible personal growth and progress.

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A few days after the conference, I preached one night at the headquarters church a message entitled, "El Plan Dos Cuarenta y Dos" which in English means "The 2:42 Plan".

I shared with our dear Cuban brothers and sisters the 2:42 plan, which is God's Book of Acts model for spiritual growth. Over 100 people had received the Holy Ghost at the conference. But as we know, the baptism of the Holy Ghost is part of the new birth - it is just the beginning of our walk with God.

In Acts 2, there were 3120 people who received the Holy Ghost in one day. How did all of those new believers grow in their brand new faith? Acts 2:42 gives us the answer. They continued steadfastly in the Word, Fellowship, Worship and Prayer.

I was so excited to teach God's timeless model for spiritual growth to a church full of newly spirit-baptized Cuban saints. These precious people grabbed hold of "The 2:42 Plan" with great joy and excitement. They made a commitment to me during the message to spend time each day in God's Word, Worship, Prayer and Fellowship. By committing themselves to this apostolic model for growth, they are positioning themselves for continual spiritual maturing as God's apostolic church in Cuba.

God's Word is so amazing. It transcends time, cultures and nationalities. It is just as real and powerful to Cubans as it is to Americans. The 2:42 Plan is the path that Christians of all ages have followed on the journey to spiritual maturity.

I pray that each of us will continue in our daily commitment to "El Plan Dos Cuarenta Y Dos"!

]]> http://www.faithapostolicofcarmel.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry070926-113221 So they don't really live their faith on a day to day basis ." She said, " That's exactly right ."

Our conversation prompted me think about Christians who don't live their faith on a daily basis. Many people "profess" Christianity but they don't "live" Christianity. They come to church on Christmas, Easter or a few special occasions. They even claim to be "born again" yet their life is not much different than the life of an unbeliever. They are, at best, on the periphery of the Kingdom of God.

I'm not interested in just a "profession" of faith. I want to "live" the Christian life. Each and every day I want to emulate Jesus Christ and live as He lived. I want my life to be totally and radically transformed by the power of His Spirit. I earnestly desire to walk each day in an intimate relationship with Him. I want to daily be a conduit of His power, love and grace. My prayer is that His healing, deliverance and restoration flow out of my life to others like rivers of living water. Watered-down, secular, politically correct, impotent Christians will never change our world. Only Spirit-filled, fire-baptized, passionate believers who are walking in the power of the Holy Ghost and daily communion with Jesus will bring revival to our ailing society.

Acts 2:42 gives us the model for "living" our faith. Spending meaningful time each day in the Word, fellowship with other believers, worship and prayer is difference between one who simply "professes" Christianity and one who truly "lives" their faith.

Make a commitment right now. Make a decision today to live the "2:42 Model". Set aside time each day to engage in the 4 pillars of discipleship that are found in Acts 2:42.]]> http://www.faithapostolicofcarmel.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry070913-205035
A great influx of people into a local church necessitates structures and systems to nurture and disciple new converts. On the day of Pentecost, there were over 3000 people baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost in one day! How were all of these new babes in Christ nurtured and strengthened in their new-found faith? Acts 2:42 gives us the answer - They continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. Their diligence and commitment to these 4 cornerstones of discipleship was the catalyst to their spiritual growth and maturity.

We are experiencing a great revival right now at Faith Apostolic. As more and more people are being added to our local church it becomes more and more important to be steadfast in our commitment to the 2:42 Plan. Let us not stray from our daily devotion to the Word, fellowship, worship and prayer. Without the Acts 2:42 structure and system for spiritual growth and discipleship, the rains of revival wash quickly away and little is retained.

Whether we are a seasoned veteran of the faith or one who was just born again last week, let us all "live" the 2:42 plan. Each day let us spend meaningful time in the Word of God. Each day let us do things that strengthen our relationships with others in the body of Christ. Each day let us spend meaningful time in worship and communion with God - always remembering His body that was broken and His blood that was shed for us. May a day not pass without meaning time in prayer. Our commitment to living the 2:42 plan will assure continual spiritual growth in our personal lives and as a church.


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Acts 2:42 tells us that the believers in the book of Acts grew in their newfound faith by continuing steadfastly in Doctrine , Fellowship , Breaking of Bread and Prayer . At Faith Apostolic Church we call this the “ 2:42 Model ”. We believe this cornerstone passage of scripture reveals the timeless model for spiritual growth that every Christ should embrace.

Spiritual growth is a priority. For it is only through a commitment to spiritual growth that we experience the fullness of God’s purpose in our lives. Whether we are a brand new Christian or a seasoned veteran of the faith, let us strive for continual growth in God. Acts 2:42 shows us how. It reveals the blueprint that every growth-minded Christian should apply to everyday life.

We believe God has directed our local church to model Acts 2:42 in every facet of life and ministry. We encourage every Christian to be diligent and steadfast in giving meaning time each day to the 4 pillars of discipleship found in the 2:42 model. Those pillars are:
Doctrine . We encourage spending meaningful time each day reading and studying the Word of God. We encourage faithful attendance to church services where the Word of God is taught.
Fellowship . We encourage active involvement in small groups that foster the building of relationships with other believers. We encourage believers to do something each day that nurtures and strengthens fellowship with the Body of Christ.
Breaking of Bread . We encourage regular participation in observing the Lord’s Supper and a daily lifestyle of “communion” with God through daily worship and praise
Prayer . We encourage spending meaningful time each day in prayer.

Our desire is that the “ 2:42 Model ” be more than a motto to say. We want it to be a model to live. Living the “ 2:42 Model ” means applying this timeless blueprint for spiritual growth to our life each day. As the new believers did I Acts 2, we will continue “ steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers .”
]]> http://www.faithapostolicofcarmel.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry070813-221631 educated way beyond my level of obedience .” In my home and office there are stacks of books that I'm in the process of reading. I have piles of magazines that I intend to get to someday! I am always looking for a new book or resource to help me reach my fullest potential in the Father's Business.

I've realized my problem does not concern learning - it concerns application. I have not nearly reached my potential. But it's not because I've failed to expose my mind and spirit to good resources and materials. It's because I've failed to apply what I've learned to my life. I'm not advocating that we throw out our books and give up our commitment to personal growth and learning. I'm just making a fresh commitment to do what God has already told me to do. Rather than running out to buy the latest leadership or church growth book, I'm going to try just doing the things that God has already instructed me to do. The ironic thing is that I already know what I need to do. I really don't need another book on leadership. I really don't need another seminar. Another church growth conference is futile at this point. I already know what Matthew Ball needs to do to reach his fullest potential. I don't need more answers - I need more discipline to implement that answers I've already been given.

Let's take this a step farther - Most Christians are educated way beyond their level of obedience. Most of us know the Bible frontward and backwards. Most of us don't need another discipleship class or training seminar. We just need to DO what we've already been taught. We just need to apply the Word of God to our lives. We need to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.

Let's stop reading about prayer and start praying. Let's lay down the book about soul-winning and go spend some time with our neighbor. Let's stop talking about Christian service and start serving. I believe if each of us would just live what we've already been taught, we would experience a personal spiritual revolution.

]]> http://www.faithapostolicofcarmel.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry070808-203359 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness .” The entirety of the Bible is " God-Breathed ". It has been given to man to equip us to do the work of God's Kingdom and to make us complete and fully mature.

While I understand that all of it is important and none is to be overlooked or neglected, I have a special fondness for the Book of Acts. I love to study Acts. I never tire of reading and re-reading its stories. Often I get lost in its pages and captivated by its characters.

Acts is a unique book of the Bible. It is the only historical account of the birth and growth of the New Testament church. It clearly chronicles the “ carrying-out ” of the teachings of Jesus by His disciples. The gospels record the life and ministry of our Lord. The disciples spent several years at His feet, hearing, first hand, His teachings, instructions and vision for the church. Acts records how the disciples carried out those instructions of Jesus. Acts shows us the teachings of Jesus lived out in everyday life. If you read the words of Jesus and wonder what He meant, all you have to do is look in Acts to find the answers. Who better to know and understand the intent of Jesus than the very disciples who walked daily with Him? Acts records how the disciples put into practice all that Jesus taught them.

Not only is Acts a historical account of what did happen. It is also a blueprint for what is supposed to happen. It is not just history. It provides the pattern. It shows us how we should carry out the instructions of Jesus. It conspicuously reveals apostolic doctrine, structures, methods and paradigms. Acts is the timeless model for all believers.

Perhaps that’s why I have such a fondness for the Book of Acts. I believe what happened in Acts is still supposed to happen today! – And Praise God it is happening for those who believe that Acts is not only history, but a model for the present day church! What God did in Acts, He is still doing today. How sad that some believe what happened in the early church isn’t for us today. Some teach that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues was only for day of Pentecost. Others say that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer available. Still others claim the supernatural, miraculous power and demonstration of God’s Spirit no longer flow through the church. To such people, the Book of Acts is simply history.

The book of Acts comes alive when you see it as a blueprint and model for the present day. You open its pages with great anticipation when you believe what you are reading will happen in your own life. The Book of Acts does not end with the word, “ Amen ”. Most every other New Testament book ends with the word, “ Amen .” Acts doesn’t end with, “ Amen ”, because the history of the church is still being written. We are truly living in the Book of Acts .

The doctrine of the Apostles is still message of the hour! Repentance, water baptism in Jesus’ Name and the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues is still the experience of spiritual birth. God is still saving, healing, delivering and restoring. Miracles, signs and wonders are still happening by the power of the Name of Jesus. Believers are still laying their hands on the sick, speaking with new tongues and casting out devils. The gifts of the Spirit are still operating in the church. The power of prayer and fasting is still moving mountains and casting them into the sea! The fire of the Holy Spirit is still burning brightly and with great intensity. Acts is not just history - it is the timeless pattern for a 21st century, revival church.
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