Ac15

Can you imagine a church in which the absence of "foreskin" was the measure of favor with God?  We live in a different day, but we have similar ridiculous issues.  What external measurements do we place on others when it comes to "judging" whether or not they are "true believers"?

Likely, the two most debated arguments in the first century church were: 1. Can Gentiles be saved?, and 2. Is circumcision required for salvation?  To us this seems absurd, but remember it was the apostles themselves who were having these arguments.  It was strongly debated and contested.  Jesus even had to give multiple miraculous visions to Peter to get him to have an open heart to the Gentiles!  And even then he wanted his experience to be limited to his encounter with Cornelius' household.

We would be foolish to think that we don't have similar ridiculous judgements and barriers?  What might they be?  My dad says that when we get to heaven we will be surprised by two things.  1. All the people who ARE there that we didn't think would be.  2. All the people who are NOT there we thought would be.  Hmm.  Maybe he's right.

Peter boiled it down to this.  Both Jews and Gentiles are saved by "the grace of the Lord Jesus".  Without His grace no one would be saved.  I am grateful for His grace today.

Ac14

What is the worst thing that has happened to you because you spoke up for Jesus? What are we afraid of? Do we fear God or is it other's opinions that we are most worried about?  When Paul entered Lystra, he was testifying about Jesus.  He also healed a lame man who had never walked.  As a result of the healing, the people of the town thought he was a god and decided to make sacrifices to him.

Paul said, "Men! Why are you doing this? We are men also, with the same nature as you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea and everything in them."

It was all he could do to keep them from worshiping him.

Later some unbelieving Jews came from Antioch and persuaded the crowd to stop trying to worship him, but rather to kill him by stoning!  Is this crazy or what?  They were willing to worship him as a god, but rather than repent and worship the One True God, they decided to kill him and keep worshiping their idols!  Craziness.

Or is it?  If we are not worshiping the One True God then we too are worshiping "worthless idols".  What would our lives say that we worship?  Who gets the testimony of our lips and lives.  Is it truly Jesus?

Ac13

Pray for God to give you one ounce of the boldness that Paul had! Speak up for truth regardless of what others will think. Paul knew what he believed. He also knew many would reject Jesus. He never stopped boldly speaking what he knew to be true. He said, "through Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses." That is good news!

All around us today are broken and lost people. Their only hope is Jesus. Our job is to proclaim to them the truth of the gospel with our words and with our lives. As we live and speak boldly God will draw people to Himself. Many, or maybe even most will reject the gospel, but those who receive Jesus as a result of our witness will be forever grateful.

Let's pray for boldness today.

Ac11

Two words that never go together, "No Lord". Yet we speak them way too often.  When Jesus challenged Peter about his life-long religious activities, he simply told him "no".  Jesus was pushing into Peter's prejudice in a way that he was unable to understand.  He had personal blind-spots when it came to loving ALL people.

What is God calling you to do for Him that you still refuse?  In what circumstances are you using that oxymoronic statement, "no Lord"?  Peter needed a lesson in love.  What lesson is Jesus trying to teach you?  Are you unable to trust Jesus?  Why not say "yes" to Him?

I know for me it always has something to do with my personal comfort or desires.  I want to do the minimum rather than do everything that God would want me to do.  When I make that choice, I am being a fool.  I choose to say "yes Lord" today.  Will you join me?

troy 

Ac5

If people were to drop dead when the church gathers because of deceitfulness in their hearts related to giving, I wonder how many people would die this weekend?  I think the number would be shocking! 

Ananias and Sapphira wanted to participate in giving to the church.  They actually sold a field and were planning on giving a generous amount of money.  The problem is that they lied about the reality of the gift!  They didn't want anyone to know they were unwilling to give it all.  In fact, they were willing to risk their lives to keep some back for themselves.  They had the freedom to give the amount that they gave.  They did not have the freedom to give under false pretense!  God struck them dead in that very moment.

Fast forward to today.  I don't know of any christian who does not know that they should be giving generously to the church.  I can't remember the subject even being debated lately.  The problem is that these same christians often are not giving.  At best they are "tipping" God and using what He has given them almost exclusively for themselves.  It saddens me to  know how rich we are as a culture and how little we actually give to the church and ministries.

Don't be like Ananias and Sapphira.  Be honest about your giving.  Don't seek to pretend to be someone your not when it comes to money.  It seems to be a big deal to God.

Give generously.  Give to God your best and your first.  You won't regret that.

Ac4

There is no other name whereby one can be saved other than Jesus!  He is the only way.  To quote Silas Robinson, "That is a fact Jack! Hey."

Imagine the community actually having to call believers together and threaten them to not speak about Jesus any more!  What would we do?  Oh yeah, we don't speak about Jesus without the threats!  We are afraid someone might be offended by our narrow beliefs.

This was not the case with the first Christians.  They were bold among threats!  They said, "we will not stop testifying to what we have seen and heard."  They were committed to telling everyone about Jesus.  Even in the midst of public threats.  In fact, when they assembled together they prayed for corporate boldness.

Maybe this would be a good prayer for believers today.  I think it would.  Let's pray today that we will be bold to talk about Jesus in the midst of a "non-threatening culture".  Who knows, someone might actually get saved.  You might even have a great story to tell about how God used you to share His truth with others.

That would be awesome. 

Ac3

Have you strayed from God? Turn back to Him and He will bring times of refreshing from His presence.  Although Peter was quite bold in speaking to the Jews after healing the lame man, his appeal to them was not harsh but inviting.  Even though they had literally crucified the Lord of the universe, the opportunity for them to find help and healing was still available through Jesus.

I am saddened by the number of "believers" who find themselves far from God.  How long has it been since you had a sweet time of fellowship with Jesus?  Does He feel near to you or is there distance?  If He seems distant, listen to Peter's challenge, "repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord".

We need Jesus.  We need His power, presence and leadership in our lives.  We cannot afford to turn from Him.  Spend enough time today to make a solid connection with Him.  It will be time well spent.