Wednesday Thought -- April 30, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’” (Acts 4:8-12)

Somewhere Peter found his courage! It wasn’t so very many days earlier that he had denied even knowing Jesus. In the courtyard of the high priest’s house, while Jesus was on trial, Peter wouldn’t even tell the servant girl that he was a follower of Jesus. Now, he boldly proclaims it right in front of the “rulers, elders, and teachers of the law.” (Acts 4:5) These were the very same people who had plotted Jesus’ death and succeeded in bringing it to pass.

So, where did this newfound courage come from? There is a clue in the opening verse of this passage, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit.” It’s the power that Jesus had promised. Standing on the mountain, ready to ascend back to heaven, Jesus told His followers to wait in Jerusalem for “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit did come upon them on Pentecost, and Peter would never be the same after that!

Peter demonstrates a truth that we all live with: left to our own devices and our own power and courage, we will fail the Lord. But we aren’t left only with our own devices and power and courage. God provides His wisdom, His power, His courage through the Holy Spirit He gives to every believer.

There are times when I forget where the power comes from. There are times when I think I’m doing O.K. on my own. How foolish of me! It’s all from the Lord through His Spirit.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- April 29, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

It was a great miracle that God worked in the life of the crippled beggar through Peter and John. A crowd was attracted because they were so astonished at what God had done. They wanted to find out more about the amazing power that was displayed that day. And Peter and John were very willing to talk about what happened and what it meant. They pointed people to God and offered people the opportunity to tap into that same power that healed the crippled man.

But when Peter and John offered the power to people who were attracted, it wasn’t healing that was offered. It was something better than healing -- something that would last longer and mean more than mere healing would. Listen to what was offered the crowd if they would respond to the Lord.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’” (Acts 3:19-23)

To come to God required a change on the part of the crowd – they needed to repent and turn to God. The fact that they had participated in killing Jesus was a clear evidence that they were walking away from God, not toward Him. That had to change!

Repentance would bring forgiveness. Their sins would be wiped off the slate of their hearts. That’s more impressive than mere physical healing.

And even more -- times of refreshing would come upon them. Real rest, the kind that comes from a heart that is at peace with God. The kind of rest that knows that although life may be hard, God is with them and He can be trusted. That’s better than healing, too. It makes even the most difficult infirmity bearable.

And one more thing would come through the power of God -- an eternity that Jesus would usher in when He comes again.

Those same miracles are available for each one of us and every person that is around us.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- April 28, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

As Peter and John were going in to the temple to pray, they walked by a lame man begging at the gate. The lame man asked for money to help support himself, but Peter and John had no money to give him. Instead, Peter gave him an even better gift, “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” (Acts 3:6) And the lame man did walk -- immediately he began to walk and leap and give praise to God.

This man’s healing caused a stir among the people. They were amazed and filled with wonder. They stared at Peter and John, wondering who these men were and what kind of power they possessed. It was an opportunity for Peter and John. They could have drawn the attention to themselves. They could have accepted the praise of the crowd for what they had done. But Peter and John would not take for themselves what belonged only to God!

“When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.’” (Acts 3:12-13)

Peter and John quickly shifted the focus from themselves and their power to the One who deserved all the praise and attention. They used the attention of the crowd to proclaim the message of Jesus and to exalt Him.

What God gives us -- whether miraculous or not so miraculous -- is never intended for our own glory. It is never intended to draw the attention of the crowd toward us. It is always given so that we can point the attention to the One who truly deserves it.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- April 25, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47)

This is the account of the very first people who came to Christ after He returned to heaven. God gave power to the apostles and others who followed Jesus while He was on earth and they began to preach to the multitudes who were gathered in Jerusalem. In response to the preaching of the gospel, many were saved. These formed the first church of Jesus Christ. This first church gave themselves to four pursuits:

They pursued the knowledge of God and His will by giving themselves to the teaching of the apostles. We still have the teaching of the apostles, the Bible, preserved faithfully for us through the centuries.

They were committed to each other. That’s what fellowship means. They met with each other to draw strength and encouragement from each other. They shared with each other so that none of them was in need. They provided for each other.

They focused on the Lord. Acts says they devoted themselves to the “breaking of bread.” That refers to the Lord’s Supper, the simple memorial feast that helped them remember Jesus and what He had done for them. The simple memorial feast we still share.

They depended upon God. Prayer was a common feature of the relationships they had with each other. They knew they could not make it on their own. They knew they needed the Lord and they continually cried out to Him for help.

Those four characteristics of the church continue to be the things that God would have His people pursue. They represent God’s dream for His people, the church.  As we pursue what God desires for us, people will be drawn to the Lord and to His church.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- April 24, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

Just before He ascended back to heaven Jesus told His followers to go back to Jerusalem and wait there. They did. They waited for ten days. That’s not a long time to have to wait, but it must have seemed like a long time to those who were waiting. When the ten days were up – on the Day of Pentecost – their waiting ended miraculously. What God sent them at the end of their waiting was worth the wait!

That’s a pretty good principle to remember – when God tells us to wait for something, what we are waiting for will be worth the wait.

The wait brought a marvelous gift to the followers of Jesus. God, by His Spirit, came upon them with a miraculous manifestation of His presence. That must have been great confirmation for the followers of Jesus who had already been through so much that was difficult, and would face so much more that was difficult in the years that lay ahead.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4)

The sound of a violent wind blowing.

The appearance of what looked like tongues of fire.

The ability to speak in languages they did not know.

But the miracle of Pentecost wasn’t just for the followers of Jesus. The miracle of that day made an eternal impression on many others in the city of Jerusalem, too.

The apostles were empowered to preach and the response was remarkable. “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37) “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41)

That day a wildfire started that would change the world – the church of Jesus Christ! It was preceded by a wait till God’s time was right. And it started with miracles that would change those who were already followers and draw many to become followers. The work of God in the church is still having that kind of impact today – 2,000 years later.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- April 23, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

There is a prophetic word about Judas that was written by David in Psalm 109 and quoted in Acts 1. David wrote, “May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.” (Psalm 109:8) Peter quoted the last phrase from that verse as a clear word from God that someone must be chosen to take Judas’s place as an apostle after his betrayal and death.

“‘Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.’ So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:21-25)

As I read that passage what struck me is the strange way through which God worked to accomplish His will in the selection of a new apostle. There were three components to the process of selection:

1.    Peter set the qualifications of those who could be selected.

2.    The whole group of Christians prayed.

3.    They cast lots to determine which of the two qualified candidates would be the one appointed to the task.

Setting qualifications seems logical and right. We do that today for almost every position for which we select someone. There are certain basic qualities that must be present based on the task to which a person is being appointed.

Praying also seems right. We should rely on God’s guidance whenever we engage in a process that is to lead to the selection of someone for an assignment, especially an assignment in the church.

It’s the third part of the process that seems strange – they cast lots. It was a seemingly random choice that would determine which of the two would become an apostle. And through that random selection, God moved to put the man He wanted into the role. That reminds me again of how many ways there are that God can accomplish His will. It reminds me that God is not bound by logic and reason – the use of our minds is certainly not the only way that God can and does work.

God works through some strange methods to accomplish His will. And the most exciting truth is to remember that God works! You can count on that.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- April 22, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:9-11)

My three favorite words in all the promises about the Second Coming are in the passage above  -- in what the angels told the disciples. My favorite words are: “this same Jesus.” The angels are telling us Who is coming and what He’ll be like! The One who is coming at the end of the age is the same Jesus that we read about in the Gospels. Now that’s good news.

This same Jesus -- the One John told us created everything. He’ll be bringing His creative power with Him when He comes again.

This same Jesus -- the One who invited all the weary and burdened to come to Him and He’d give them rest.

This same Jesus -- the One who had compassion on the simple need of the bridal couple who ran out of wine at their wedding.

This same Jesus -- the One who loved people enough to heal their sicknesses -- and who had the power to do it.

This same Jesus -- whose very word could raise Lazarus from the dead.

This same Jesus -- who would give whatever it takes to save those He loved -- even if it included a cross.

This same Jesus -- wise enough to confound all of His enemies.

This same Jesus -- who could calm the storm and still the raging sea.

Think of all the things that Jesus did that are recorded in the Gospels – it is the same Jesus who did all those things who will be coming back. He’ll still be able to do all those things -- and more -- when He comes again.

Think of all the characteristics that Jesus displayed when He walked the earth -- all the love, the humility, the kindness, the patience. It’s the same Jesus who will be coming back. He’ll still have those same characteristics when He comes again.

When He was here the first time, He drew little children to Him by the kindness He displayed. He drew the needy to Him by the compassion and power He had. He drew the weary and burdened. He drew the sinners. And when He comes again He’ll still have those same characteristics that drew so many to Him then.

I’m looking forward to seeing Him. This same Jesus whose life story has already drawn me to Him!

His, by Grace,

Steve