In the Power
Read Acts 8 – 9
Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
HUGE challenges are in the Church today. Our culture seems intent on turning away from God. Throughout the world Christians are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. But threats against Christ’s Church are not new. From its beginning there have been persecutions. Governments and cultures have opposed Jesus.
How then, has the Church grown in the midst of this adversity? Of course, it is the power of God through his Spirit that has grown the church. As the Spirit has changed lives, he has powerfully established a community of believers to be in activity with the Father and Son.
The Spirit convicts the human heart to follow God. This picture of the church is a picture of people truly following Jesus as they join to worship God, serve in Jesus’ name, and find strength in the Spirit.
What would happen if each one of you who is reading this today prays that the Holy Spirit will powerfully transform Jesus’ church? What would happen if we all prayed for the Spirit’s power to enable the church to stand fast to overcome the challenges the Church faces today?
Pray for the Spirit’s power to strengthen your faith and hope in God. Pray for the Spirit’s power to strengthen the Church to joyfully be the Good News to the world.
Pause and Consider: how you will pray for the church today.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
October 7, 2011 A Spirit Filled Family
A Spirit Filled Family
Read Acts 6 - 7
Acts 6:1-2 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”
YES, there were “issues” in the early church. And why not? People weren’t perfect then as they’re not perfect now. The lessons to learn here is how the church dealt with the issue.
People were being neglected because the Apostles were busy teaching, preaching and praying, doing the work they were gifted and called to do. But they heard a need in the church. And they came up with a solution.
In that solution, they did two things: First they stayed with their primary work. It’s not that waiting on tables was demeaning or below them. It was simply not the work the Spirit of God had given them to do.
The second lesson is this: they recognized others in the church with gifts to fill the need. By inviting other gifted, “filled with the Spirit” men into the ministry, these men were empowered to serve in the Spirit’s power. The community was strengthened. A church community is the best community when people are actively engaged to use their spiritual gifts.
You can use this lesson in your family. A family is the best family when people are actively engaged to listen to each other, resolve problems constructively and care for each other physically and spiritually.
Pray for the church and pray for your family to be a Spirit-filled community.
Pause and Consider: how your family can be a better community in Christ.
Read Acts 6 - 7
Acts 6:1-2 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”
YES, there were “issues” in the early church. And why not? People weren’t perfect then as they’re not perfect now. The lessons to learn here is how the church dealt with the issue.
People were being neglected because the Apostles were busy teaching, preaching and praying, doing the work they were gifted and called to do. But they heard a need in the church. And they came up with a solution.
In that solution, they did two things: First they stayed with their primary work. It’s not that waiting on tables was demeaning or below them. It was simply not the work the Spirit of God had given them to do.
The second lesson is this: they recognized others in the church with gifts to fill the need. By inviting other gifted, “filled with the Spirit” men into the ministry, these men were empowered to serve in the Spirit’s power. The community was strengthened. A church community is the best community when people are actively engaged to use their spiritual gifts.
You can use this lesson in your family. A family is the best family when people are actively engaged to listen to each other, resolve problems constructively and care for each other physically and spiritually.
Pray for the church and pray for your family to be a Spirit-filled community.
Pause and Consider: how your family can be a better community in Christ.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
October 6, 2011 What A Church Should Be
What a Church Should Be
Read Acts 4 - 5
Acts 4:33-35 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
DO YOU want to know what a church should be? Look here and see. The first citizens of Christ’s Kingdom had a true understanding of what he required of them. They looked to living life glorifying God instead of bringing glory to oneself. They shared their goods, their land, their money, and they gave to those who had none. There was a complete submission to God. Indeed, it must have been an amazing thing to be in such a community as this.
Can the church be this way today? Of course it can if the community of believers plugs into the power of the Holy Spirit in the same way this first church plugged in. The connection begins when we pray to seek God’s truth. Then we take steps to live it out in the joy and the blessing of the Spirit.
Let’s be a “testifying church” giving to anyone as he had need.
Pause and Consider: the true meaning of community as defined here.
Read Acts 4 - 5
Acts 4:33-35 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
DO YOU want to know what a church should be? Look here and see. The first citizens of Christ’s Kingdom had a true understanding of what he required of them. They looked to living life glorifying God instead of bringing glory to oneself. They shared their goods, their land, their money, and they gave to those who had none. There was a complete submission to God. Indeed, it must have been an amazing thing to be in such a community as this.
Can the church be this way today? Of course it can if the community of believers plugs into the power of the Holy Spirit in the same way this first church plugged in. The connection begins when we pray to seek God’s truth. Then we take steps to live it out in the joy and the blessing of the Spirit.
Let’s be a “testifying church” giving to anyone as he had need.
Pause and Consider: the true meaning of community as defined here.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
October 5, 2011 You Are Too
You Are, Too
Read Acts 1 – 3
Acts 1:3-4 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
I THINK that too often we as Christians fail to comprehend the power of this verse. Yes, we have evidence and the account of Jesus’ resurrection in the Gospels, and they tell us in various vignettes what Jesus did and said upon his return from the tomb.
“He gave many convincing proofs” tells us our Lord was actively involved with his disciples, and he was not some unformed ghost figure.
Luke (author of Acts) is clear that there was ample evidence that Jesus was alive again, and it is significant that we understand the volume of evidence presented to the disciples and people of that time. Oh, to have some detail of these “convincing proofs”, so we would know more of our Lord!
But he has given us enough. His wisdom, his grace, his hatred of evil and his command to “love one another” are some examples.
You can trust your Lord Jesus is alive! And you are, too, in him.
Pause and Consider: ways you have seen Jesus’ life make a difference in your life.
Read Acts 1 – 3
Acts 1:3-4 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
I THINK that too often we as Christians fail to comprehend the power of this verse. Yes, we have evidence and the account of Jesus’ resurrection in the Gospels, and they tell us in various vignettes what Jesus did and said upon his return from the tomb.
“He gave many convincing proofs” tells us our Lord was actively involved with his disciples, and he was not some unformed ghost figure.
Luke (author of Acts) is clear that there was ample evidence that Jesus was alive again, and it is significant that we understand the volume of evidence presented to the disciples and people of that time. Oh, to have some detail of these “convincing proofs”, so we would know more of our Lord!
But he has given us enough. His wisdom, his grace, his hatred of evil and his command to “love one another” are some examples.
You can trust your Lord Jesus is alive! And you are, too, in him.
Pause and Consider: ways you have seen Jesus’ life make a difference in your life.
Monday, October 3, 2011
October 4, 2011 Jesus Already did
Jesus Already Did
Read John 19 - 21
John 19:17 He went out, carrying his cross
IS IT not enough that his back is a mass of blood and broken skin, blood dripping off his forehead from a painful crown of thorns, that his wrists and arms are numb from the ropes that tied him to the pole as the soldiers lashed him? Is he not broken and weakened enough? Now he has to carry his own cross?
Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah, bears his cross to the place where he will be crucified. He bears his cross to demonstrate the truth of his own words, Mark 8:34 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Yes, these words are figurative, symbolic of perseverance through trial and difficulties that come against us from the world as we follow Christ. But our Lord sets for us a real example. He shows us in the reality of his walk to the cross, that bearing a cross is a burden at best, and it is impossible without help.
Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus when he can bear the wooden beam no longer. In a like manner, we must face our cross and bear it forward. And as we do, our Lord will step in to say, “Here, I know this is too heavy for you alone. Let me help you.”
When we face a difficulty in our lives, a cross to bear, we know we can trust our resurrected Lord for his help. He has bore his cross for you and for me. He knows how hard it is to bear it alone.
Living a life trusting Jesus is turning to Jesus and calling to him for help. He will come alongside you to strengthen you. And when your journey is complete, Jesus will lift that cross from you forever.
You don’t have to go to Golgotha. Jesus already did.
Pause and Consider: Jesus’ great love for you.
Read John 19 - 21
John 19:17 He went out, carrying his cross
IS IT not enough that his back is a mass of blood and broken skin, blood dripping off his forehead from a painful crown of thorns, that his wrists and arms are numb from the ropes that tied him to the pole as the soldiers lashed him? Is he not broken and weakened enough? Now he has to carry his own cross?
Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah, bears his cross to the place where he will be crucified. He bears his cross to demonstrate the truth of his own words, Mark 8:34 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Yes, these words are figurative, symbolic of perseverance through trial and difficulties that come against us from the world as we follow Christ. But our Lord sets for us a real example. He shows us in the reality of his walk to the cross, that bearing a cross is a burden at best, and it is impossible without help.
Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus when he can bear the wooden beam no longer. In a like manner, we must face our cross and bear it forward. And as we do, our Lord will step in to say, “Here, I know this is too heavy for you alone. Let me help you.”
When we face a difficulty in our lives, a cross to bear, we know we can trust our resurrected Lord for his help. He has bore his cross for you and for me. He knows how hard it is to bear it alone.
Living a life trusting Jesus is turning to Jesus and calling to him for help. He will come alongside you to strengthen you. And when your journey is complete, Jesus will lift that cross from you forever.
You don’t have to go to Golgotha. Jesus already did.
Pause and Consider: Jesus’ great love for you.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
October 3, 2011 Jesus' Cup for You
Jesus’ Cup for You
Read John 17 - 18
John 18:11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?”
OH, I don’t like this lesson. Jesus’ words tell me that my sin put the cup of death on him. My sin is responsible for the Son of God to suffer and die. Ugh.
Yes, that is a hard thing to understand. When I sin, it affects my Creator—even to the point he would die for me.
When we live in the light of Jesus’ resurrection, we become aware of how precious we are to our heavenly Father. Understanding the Father had to deal with our sin by killing his Son should cause us to mourn and weep. Each sin must be covered by Jesus’ blood! Can we truly comprehend such sacrifice and offering?
When we do come to some level of understanding Jesus’ sacrifice, we should also feel a great gratitude, a grand gladness as we take to heart our Lord’s life-giving sacrifice.
For you see, our sin actually makes us enemies to God. But he has loved his enemies. He has loved you and me so much that he died for us. He has loved us so much he canceled our sin, and he set us free.
Jesus, in the midst of his sorrow, welcomed the cross because of his great love for you.
Truly trusting the Father’s great love, we come to understand that we are precious in his sight. We are here because of him. We are given salvation because of his love. Jesus took the cup and changed us from the enemies of God to the children of God forevermore.
Pause and Consider: how great it is to be a friend of the Lord Almighty.
Read John 17 - 18
John 18:11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?”
OH, I don’t like this lesson. Jesus’ words tell me that my sin put the cup of death on him. My sin is responsible for the Son of God to suffer and die. Ugh.
Yes, that is a hard thing to understand. When I sin, it affects my Creator—even to the point he would die for me.
When we live in the light of Jesus’ resurrection, we become aware of how precious we are to our heavenly Father. Understanding the Father had to deal with our sin by killing his Son should cause us to mourn and weep. Each sin must be covered by Jesus’ blood! Can we truly comprehend such sacrifice and offering?
When we do come to some level of understanding Jesus’ sacrifice, we should also feel a great gratitude, a grand gladness as we take to heart our Lord’s life-giving sacrifice.
For you see, our sin actually makes us enemies to God. But he has loved his enemies. He has loved you and me so much that he died for us. He has loved us so much he canceled our sin, and he set us free.
Jesus, in the midst of his sorrow, welcomed the cross because of his great love for you.
Truly trusting the Father’s great love, we come to understand that we are precious in his sight. We are here because of him. We are given salvation because of his love. Jesus took the cup and changed us from the enemies of God to the children of God forevermore.
Pause and Consider: how great it is to be a friend of the Lord Almighty.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
October 2, 2011 Jeus' Life Big Difference
Jesus’ Life, Big Difference
Read John 14 - 16
John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.
WHY do we ask questions? (There’s another one.) It’s to get answers for things we don’t know, to clarify an issue, to gain knowledge and to know what to do.
The disciples asked Jesus many questions as he taught them. Sometimes they did not understand until they saw the complete picture of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. When they looked at the “whole” Christ, they understood.
When the Holy Spirit came upon them in power at Pentecost, the questions stopped and the teaching began. They took on the full knowledge of Christ crucified, dead, buried, raised and ascended to heaven. Then they lived it. With that knowledge their lives changed, and the world changed.
Living in total trust of the Savior is seeking answers from him to our questions, and it is about paying attention to his answers. When his truth is told to you, absorb it and live the truth for your risen Lord.
When you live in the full knowledge of your risen Lord, you, too, will make a difference in the world and an eternal difference in someone’s life (lives).
Pause and Consider: how affirming it is to know you can make a difference in the world with the power of Jesus’ life.
Read John 14 - 16
John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.
WHY do we ask questions? (There’s another one.) It’s to get answers for things we don’t know, to clarify an issue, to gain knowledge and to know what to do.
The disciples asked Jesus many questions as he taught them. Sometimes they did not understand until they saw the complete picture of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. When they looked at the “whole” Christ, they understood.
When the Holy Spirit came upon them in power at Pentecost, the questions stopped and the teaching began. They took on the full knowledge of Christ crucified, dead, buried, raised and ascended to heaven. Then they lived it. With that knowledge their lives changed, and the world changed.
Living in total trust of the Savior is seeking answers from him to our questions, and it is about paying attention to his answers. When his truth is told to you, absorb it and live the truth for your risen Lord.
When you live in the full knowledge of your risen Lord, you, too, will make a difference in the world and an eternal difference in someone’s life (lives).
Pause and Consider: how affirming it is to know you can make a difference in the world with the power of Jesus’ life.
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