Acts 14
The crowds in Acts are fascinating. One moment they are proclaiming that Paul and Barnabas are gods, the next moment the crowd has stoned Paul. The crowd changes so quickly.
We don't want to get caught up in the crowd. The crowd swings on the winds of the times. We want to have our lives based in relationship with God. A relationship that stays constant no matter the winds of our times.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
June 7
Acts 13
It is hard to imagine what it was like for Paul & Barnabas to travel to new regions preaching about Jesus. The opposition they encountered, they miracles they experienced. There must have been moments of great fear and moments of overwhelming joy. The people they encounter don't always respond as we would hope, but what Acts makes clear is that God is always with them.
It is hard to imagine what it was like for Paul & Barnabas to travel to new regions preaching about Jesus. The opposition they encountered, they miracles they experienced. There must have been moments of great fear and moments of overwhelming joy. The people they encounter don't always respond as we would hope, but what Acts makes clear is that God is always with them.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
June 5
Acts 12
An angel frees Peter from prison. King Herod is eaten by worms. It becomes clear in reading Acts that God works in all kinds of ways. The driving question for us is are we paying attention? For if God can work through worms, there is no doubt that God works in many ways that we do not expect. If we aren't watching for God, we will miss the ways God is working in our lives.
An angel frees Peter from prison. King Herod is eaten by worms. It becomes clear in reading Acts that God works in all kinds of ways. The driving question for us is are we paying attention? For if God can work through worms, there is no doubt that God works in many ways that we do not expect. If we aren't watching for God, we will miss the ways God is working in our lives.
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 4
Acts 11
The struggle of reaching out to Gentiles did not belong to Peter alone, in this chapter we can see the struggle touched the whole church. It is amazing to see how easily the church changed it's understanding. The people were obviously open to new ideas and teachings.
How open are you to new ideas? Are you so stuck in your ways that even a godly idea runs into a wall with you?
The struggle of reaching out to Gentiles did not belong to Peter alone, in this chapter we can see the struggle touched the whole church. It is amazing to see how easily the church changed it's understanding. The people were obviously open to new ideas and teachings.
How open are you to new ideas? Are you so stuck in your ways that even a godly idea runs into a wall with you?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 3
Acts 10
Peter was still holding onto the Jewish idea that Jews should not associate with Gentiles. The idea was so deeply embedded in his life that God had to send the same vision to him three times. The vision prepared him to go with the guests that arrived at his house.
Are there values deeply embedded in your life that God would want to change? Are there ideas that you want to hold onto no matter what God desires?
Peter was still holding onto the Jewish idea that Jews should not associate with Gentiles. The idea was so deeply embedded in his life that God had to send the same vision to him three times. The vision prepared him to go with the guests that arrived at his house.
Are there values deeply embedded in your life that God would want to change? Are there ideas that you want to hold onto no matter what God desires?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2
Acts 9
If you ever think you have done something so bad that God could never forgive you, remember Saul. At Stephen's stoning the passage said, "And Saul was there giving approval to his death". This chapter opens by saying "Saul still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." Saul's task was to persecute Christians. Saul was so well known and feared that Ananias told God that God was making a mistake with Saul. Yet, who does God call into relationship? Saul. Who does God put into leadership of the early church? Saul.
If God can forgive Saul and use Saul in service. God can forgive you and me.
If you ever think you have done something so bad that God could never forgive you, remember Saul. At Stephen's stoning the passage said, "And Saul was there giving approval to his death". This chapter opens by saying "Saul still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." Saul's task was to persecute Christians. Saul was so well known and feared that Ananias told God that God was making a mistake with Saul. Yet, who does God call into relationship? Saul. Who does God put into leadership of the early church? Saul.
If God can forgive Saul and use Saul in service. God can forgive you and me.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1
Acts 8
I believe that God can bring good out of anything. Not that God causes everything, but out of every event in life, God brings about good. This is evident in the persecution that takes place in the early church. The persecution forces many Christians to flee Jerusalem. Thus Christianity spreads beyond Jerusalem and Judea to "the ends of the earth". God brings good even out of persecution.
I believe that God can bring good out of anything. Not that God causes everything, but out of every event in life, God brings about good. This is evident in the persecution that takes place in the early church. The persecution forces many Christians to flee Jerusalem. Thus Christianity spreads beyond Jerusalem and Judea to "the ends of the earth". God brings good even out of persecution.
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