THAT WAS THEN. THIS IS NOW. BUT WHAT HAPPENED THEN CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. When we read the book of Acts, we see a church marked by boldness, prayer, sacrifice, biblical conviction, community, mission, and an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ. https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/23/that-was-then-this-is-now-but-it-can-happen-again/ The early church wasn't perfect. Scripture openly records its struggles, disagreements, and failures. But there was something unmistakable about those believers: 🔥 Christ had the preeminence.
🔥 They feared God more than people.
🔥 They prayed believing God could move.
🔥 They were willing to sacrifice for the gospel.
🔥 They lived with eternity in view.
🔥 They confronted sin while extending grace.
🔥 They cared deeply about reaching people with Jesus. The question isn't whether we can somehow recreate the first century. The question is whether we are willing to recover those same spiritual priorities in the twenty-first century. Before pointing at everything wrong with the church today, we should ask: Lord, what needs to change in me? Am I more concerned with God's approval or people's approval? Am I willing to stand for truth when it costs me something? Is Jesus truly first in my life? Do I pray expecting God to work? Am I more passionate about the gospel than my preferences? Do I live like eternity is real? We don't simply need better programs, bigger churches, or newer strategies. We need Christ-centered churches filled with surrendered people who believe the gospel is true, Jesus is alive, eternity is real, and the mission is worth our lives. Maybe our prayer needs to become very simple: Lord, do it again. Read the full blog and consider what it would look like for the church—and for each of us individually—to recover the passion, courage, holiness, prayer, and mission we see in the book of Acts. #ChurchRevival #BookOfActs #JesusChrist #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Faith #Prayer #Repentance #GreatCommission #Gospel #FollowJesus #ChristianChurch #SpiritualRenewal

St. Bartholomew St. Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is the same person of Nathaniel mentioned in the Gospel of John. When Philip told Nathaniel about Jesus, "We saw the Messiah as told in scriptures, who is the Jesus of Nazareth", Nathaniel then told "Can anything good come from Nazareth". Then Philip introduced Nathaniel to Jesus and Jesus told about him "Israelite……..incapable of deceit". Bartholomew is mentioned as one of the disciples of Jesus in gospel of Mathew (10: 1 \- 4), in the gospel of Mark (3: 13\-19) and in the gospel of Luke (6: 12\-16). He is mentioned as Nathanael in the gospel of John (1: 45\-51). Eusebius of Caesarea and St. Jerome says that Bartholomew went on missionary work to India also. Then along with Apostle Jude, Bartholomew went to Armenia in the first century. By his missionary work, Bartholomew converted Polymius, the king of Armenia to Christianity. But the king's brother Astyages ordered the execution of Bartholomew. He was martyred in Armenia (Albanopolis) by crucifixion, head downward. St. Bartholomew and St. Jude are considered as the patrons of the Armenian Apostolic Church. #followjesus #Catholic #trust #hope #world peace #kingofpeace

🤲 True greatness is found in serving others with humility. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to serve with love. #Mark935 #ServantsHeart #ServeWithHumility #FollowJesus #FaithInAction #ChristLikeLeadership #WalkInLove #ChristianLiving #FaithInChrist #Lordsbook

✨ Choose the narrow path, it leads to life. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to stay faithful on the journey. #Matthew71314 #NarrowGate #FollowJesus #ChooseLife #WalkByFaith #FaithAndObedience #ChristianLiving #FaithInChrist #StayFaithful #Lordsbook

💡No darkness can ever overcome His light. #JesusIsTheLight #LightOfTheWorld #HopeInChrist #FollowJesus #FaithAndHope #LordsbookApp

🛤️ True faith isn't just saying “Lord”, it's living in obedience to His Word. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to put faith into practice. #Luke646 #ObeyGod #FaithInAction #FollowJesus #GodsWord #ChristianObedience #LiveYourFaith #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

🐑 Listen for Jesus' voice, know His heart, and follow where He leads. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to stay close to the Shepherd. #John1027 #HearHisVoice #FollowJesus #GoodShepherd #ListenToGod #WalkWithChrist #TrustJesus #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

Obey God Even When It’s Difficult (John 14:15) It is easy to say that we love God. But Jesus connected love with something very practical: Obedience. He said: “If you love me, keep my commands.” That can be challenging because obedience isn't always convenient. Sometimes God asks us to forgive when we would rather hold a grudge. To tell the truth when lying would be easier. To walk away from temptation when everyone else is participating. To wait when we desperately want to move forward. To love people who don't treat us well. To give when keeping everything for ourselves feels safer. To choose God's way when our own way seems more attractive. Following Jesus isn't simply about agreeing with Him. It is about allowing His Word to change the way we live. There will be moments when you know what the right thing is, but doing it will cost you something. That's where genuine faith becomes visible. Anyone can say, “I trust God,” when everything is going well. But obedience says: “I trust God even when I don't understand.” Think about Abraham. God called him to leave his homeland and go where He would show him. Abraham didn't have the entire journey mapped out. He simply responded in faith. Think about Noah. God gave him an instruction that probably seemed strange to everyone around him. But Noah obeyed. Think about Mary. She accepted God's calling even though it would completely change her life. And above all, look at Jesus. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the suffering of the cross and prayed to the Father. He chose the Father's will. His obedience led Him to the cross, where He gave His life for our salvation. That is the heart of the Gospel. Jesus didn't simply tell us to obey God. He demonstrated complete obedience Himself. Because of His sacrifice, we can receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God. So when God asks you to do something difficult, remember that obedience isn't about earning His love. We obey because He has already loved us. Grace doesn't give us permission to ignore God. Grace transforms our hearts so that we want to follow Him. Maybe God has already shown you something you need to change. Maybe you know you need to apologize. Maybe you need to end a relationship that is pulling you away from Christ. Maybe you need to stop a habit that is damaging your walk with God. Maybe you need to forgive. Maybe you need to start serving. Maybe you need to surrender your future to Him. Whatever it is, don't keep asking God for a different instruction simply because the first one is uncomfortable. Pray for courage. Ask for wisdom. Then obey. You don't need to see the entire outcome before taking the next faithful step. Sometimes obedience begins with one simple “Yes, Lord.” And remember: Delayed obedience is still disobedience when we knowingly refuse to do what God has called us to do. Don't allow fear, pride, comfort, or people's opinions to keep you from following Christ. The world may not always understand your choices. That's okay. Your goal isn't to impress the world. Your goal is to honour God. Love God with your words, but demonstrate that love through your obedience. Today, ask yourself: “Is there something God has been asking me to do that I have been avoiding?” If there is, don't run from it. Bring it to God. Take the next step. Trust Him. Obey Him. And leave the results in His hands. One obedient step can change the direction of your life. #ObeyGod #John1415 #FaithAndObedience #FollowJesus #TrustGod #ChristianYouth #FaithInAction #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

✨ Stay rooted in God's Word, and let His truth set you free. 📲 Share this with someone who needs a reminder that true freedom is found in Jesus. #John83132 #TruthSetsFree #GodsWord #FreedomInChrist #AbideInChrist #FollowJesus #BiblicalTruth #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

✨ Live in a way that gives others a clear example of Christ. 📲 Share this with someone who inspires you to become more like Christ. #1Corinthians111 #ImitateChrist #FollowJesus #BeAnExample #ChristLikeLiving #FaithInAction #LiveForChrist #ChristianLiving #WalkByFaith #Lordsbook