SCRIPTURE
Acts 11:1-3
The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."
OBSERVATION
Often, people are criticized for obeying God! Criticism isn't limited just to non-believers either. Here, Peter is being criticized by believers because he was obediant and shared the Word of God with the Gentiles.
APPLICATION
When God asks you to do something, you can bet that something or someone will try to get in the way and hinder the work of the Lord. It may be that someone does critisize you for doing something that God has asked you to do, or maybe something will try and get in the way before you are able to do "it". If God asks you to do something, remember, he's with you. There's nothing that the enemy can throw in the way that God hasn't already conquered. Stand firm and carry out the task that God has asked you to do.
PRAYER
Father, I pray that you would give me the strength and boldness that it takes to do whatever you ask of me. It's hard at times and things try and get in the way. Whatever the cost, help me to be obediant to your perfect will...
Amen.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Other Side
SCRIPTURE
He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean."
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to see your love for others. Help me to not to divide people between "us" and "them." Give me opportunities to build genuine relationships with those who are outside the bubble I live in. Help me to see them as unique people created in your image.
He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean."
Acts 10:28
OBSERVATION
The first chapter of Acts gives Jesus' command for his followers to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts tells the story of how the early church began to carry this mission out. In chapter 10, God gives Peter a vision to help promote this cause. The Jews drew up dividing lines between "us" and "them." "Our side" and "there side." God is telling Peter, and the early church, that in his Kingdom there are no dividing lines. Every side is His side.
APPLICATION
What dividing lines do I draw up? Who do I consider to be on the other side? What is my attitude towards those who look differently than I do? Those who believe differently than I do? Those who act differently than I do? I need to stop judging and begin loving.
OBSERVATION
The first chapter of Acts gives Jesus' command for his followers to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts tells the story of how the early church began to carry this mission out. In chapter 10, God gives Peter a vision to help promote this cause. The Jews drew up dividing lines between "us" and "them." "Our side" and "there side." God is telling Peter, and the early church, that in his Kingdom there are no dividing lines. Every side is His side.
APPLICATION
What dividing lines do I draw up? Who do I consider to be on the other side? What is my attitude towards those who look differently than I do? Those who believe differently than I do? Those who act differently than I do? I need to stop judging and begin loving.
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to see your love for others. Help me to not to divide people between "us" and "them." Give me opportunities to build genuine relationships with those who are outside the bubble I live in. Help me to see them as unique people created in your image.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Inner Promptings and Obedience
SCRIPTURE
“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’”
Acts 9:29
OBSERVATION
Philip was solid. When reading about Philip in Acts, two things jump out at me. First, Philip had a sensitivity to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Second, he obeyed. Philip's obedience lead to the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch. In the process, I can only imagine that Philip’s faith grew.
APPLICATION
One of the biggest setbacks we can experience in our spiritual journey is ignoring the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, this means we need to develop a sensitivity to how God interacts with us through the Holy Spirit. But, also, it means we need to obey. When God leads us, we need to follow that leading in faith. There have been times in my life when I didn’t follow, and my experience of God was limited because of my disobedience. Furthermore, who knows what God had in store for others through me. My choice to obey or disobey might not only impact my faith, but it might impact the faith others. So, is there anything God is calling me to do that I'm not doing?
PRAYER
Father, give me a renewed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in my life. Help me to sense your promptings. And, once I receive that leading, help me to have the boldness to obey. Help me to do what you tell me to do.
“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’”
Acts 9:29
OBSERVATION
Philip was solid. When reading about Philip in Acts, two things jump out at me. First, Philip had a sensitivity to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Second, he obeyed. Philip's obedience lead to the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch. In the process, I can only imagine that Philip’s faith grew.
APPLICATION
One of the biggest setbacks we can experience in our spiritual journey is ignoring the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, this means we need to develop a sensitivity to how God interacts with us through the Holy Spirit. But, also, it means we need to obey. When God leads us, we need to follow that leading in faith. There have been times in my life when I didn’t follow, and my experience of God was limited because of my disobedience. Furthermore, who knows what God had in store for others through me. My choice to obey or disobey might not only impact my faith, but it might impact the faith others. So, is there anything God is calling me to do that I'm not doing?
PRAYER
Father, give me a renewed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in my life. Help me to sense your promptings. And, once I receive that leading, help me to have the boldness to obey. Help me to do what you tell me to do.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
God in a Box
SCRIPTURE
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?” Acts 7:48-50
OBSERVATION
Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 is given in response to the accusation that he was speaking against the Temple and the place where the Jews worshiped (Acts 6:12-14). In his speech, Stephen referred to God’s work taking place both outside the Temple and outside Israel. Stephen points to Abraham, Joseph and Moses all having interaction with God in other places. He concludes his speech by saying that God does not live in houses made by men. The religious leaders of the time seemed to want to confine God to a box. In their mind, worship, prayer and experiencing God occurred in the Temple. However, through Stephen, God spoke powerful words that He is the King, and His rule, reign and presence cannot be contained.
APPLICATION
What box do I try to place God in? Do I confine Him to my religious tradition and spiritual practices? Do I limit my interaction with Him to my concepts of what is normal or comfortable? I need to recognize that God the sovereign ruler of the universe and His rule, reign and presence cannot be neatly packaged for my convenience.
PRAYER
Almighty God, you are King! The earth is yours, as is everything in it. Help me not to limit my experience of you to my tradition or my understanding of spirituality. Help me to experience you in new, unexpected ways.
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?” Acts 7:48-50
OBSERVATION
Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 is given in response to the accusation that he was speaking against the Temple and the place where the Jews worshiped (Acts 6:12-14). In his speech, Stephen referred to God’s work taking place both outside the Temple and outside Israel. Stephen points to Abraham, Joseph and Moses all having interaction with God in other places. He concludes his speech by saying that God does not live in houses made by men. The religious leaders of the time seemed to want to confine God to a box. In their mind, worship, prayer and experiencing God occurred in the Temple. However, through Stephen, God spoke powerful words that He is the King, and His rule, reign and presence cannot be contained.
APPLICATION
What box do I try to place God in? Do I confine Him to my religious tradition and spiritual practices? Do I limit my interaction with Him to my concepts of what is normal or comfortable? I need to recognize that God the sovereign ruler of the universe and His rule, reign and presence cannot be neatly packaged for my convenience.
PRAYER
Almighty God, you are King! The earth is yours, as is everything in it. Help me not to limit my experience of you to my tradition or my understanding of spirituality. Help me to experience you in new, unexpected ways.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Spirit and Wisdom
SCRIPTURE
Acts 6:3
Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
OBSERVATION
At this point in Acts, the church is expanding rapidly and begins to experience growing pains. In this case, it is the distribution of food to the widows. The solution is to choose seven men to oversee the leadership of this ministry. These men are to fulfill three requirements. First, they must be full of the Spirit. What is interesting here is that there is an implication that not all believers are full of the Holy Spirit, and the apostles are making a distinction between the presence of the Holy Spirit in all believers and the fullness of the Holy Spirit in individuals. Second, these men should be full of wisdom and have the ability to make good decisions. Third, the attributes of both fullness of the Spirit and wisdom should be known. Some translations use the phrase, men of good reputation. That seems to imply that these men are living lives that are active and open the in community, visible to those around them.
APPLICATION
So, how am I doing in these three areas. How passionately am I pursuing the fullness of the Holy Spirit? How am I tuning my soul to be sensitive to the moving of the Spirit?
Am I developing wisdom? Am I soaking myself in God’s word and God’s wisdom? Psalm 37:30 says “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart.”
Am I living my life in such a way that the presence and fullness of the Holy Spirit is seen in me by others? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in my life? Do others see wisdom in me? Do I live my life in such a way to be a “man of good reputation?”
PRAYER
Father God, stir the fullness of the Holy Spirit within me. Give me a passion and hunger to pursue your word in such a way that it implants itself in my heart. Help me to live a life that is giving and compassionate. And may all these characteristics in me bring glory, not to me, but to you.
Acts 6:3
Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
OBSERVATION
At this point in Acts, the church is expanding rapidly and begins to experience growing pains. In this case, it is the distribution of food to the widows. The solution is to choose seven men to oversee the leadership of this ministry. These men are to fulfill three requirements. First, they must be full of the Spirit. What is interesting here is that there is an implication that not all believers are full of the Holy Spirit, and the apostles are making a distinction between the presence of the Holy Spirit in all believers and the fullness of the Holy Spirit in individuals. Second, these men should be full of wisdom and have the ability to make good decisions. Third, the attributes of both fullness of the Spirit and wisdom should be known. Some translations use the phrase, men of good reputation. That seems to imply that these men are living lives that are active and open the in community, visible to those around them.
APPLICATION
So, how am I doing in these three areas. How passionately am I pursuing the fullness of the Holy Spirit? How am I tuning my soul to be sensitive to the moving of the Spirit?
Am I developing wisdom? Am I soaking myself in God’s word and God’s wisdom? Psalm 37:30 says “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart.”
Am I living my life in such a way that the presence and fullness of the Holy Spirit is seen in me by others? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in my life? Do others see wisdom in me? Do I live my life in such a way to be a “man of good reputation?”
PRAYER
Father God, stir the fullness of the Holy Spirit within me. Give me a passion and hunger to pursue your word in such a way that it implants itself in my heart. Help me to live a life that is giving and compassionate. And may all these characteristics in me bring glory, not to me, but to you.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Comfort
SCRIPTURE
Acts 5:17-21
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
OBSERVATION
The apostles had been arrested and put in prison for preaching and healing in Jesus' name. During the night, they were supernaturally released from prison. However, they were not told to go and hide. They were not told to flee the city. They were told to go into a public place and tell others about this new life found in Jesus Christ. They were told to go into the temple courts, a place where they would definitely be found by those who had thrown them into prison. And they obeyed! They did not allow fear to control their decision, but rather, were led by faith. They fulling embraced the concept, "If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)."
APPLICATION
The apostles in Acts had the potential of loosing their freedom and their very lives. But, in faith, they continued to tell others about the reality of God's grace. In comparison, I have to ask myself, what do I have to loose when telling others about "the full message of this new life?" Probably, the biggest thing I stand to loose when telling others about Jesus is comfort. It can be uncomfortable talking to others about Jesus, and if I'm honest, this desire to stay within my comfortable world will too frequently override my faith and obedience. So, the question remains, am I willing to sacrifice my comfort to share the new life found in Jesus Christ?
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to find more opportunities to step out in obedience and faith and tell others about you and the life you talk about in the Gospels. Help me to be willing to initiate spiritual conversations, even if I feel uncomfortable and nervous. Help my conversations about you to always be seasoned with gentleness and respect.
Acts 5:17-21
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
OBSERVATION
The apostles had been arrested and put in prison for preaching and healing in Jesus' name. During the night, they were supernaturally released from prison. However, they were not told to go and hide. They were not told to flee the city. They were told to go into a public place and tell others about this new life found in Jesus Christ. They were told to go into the temple courts, a place where they would definitely be found by those who had thrown them into prison. And they obeyed! They did not allow fear to control their decision, but rather, were led by faith. They fulling embraced the concept, "If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)."
APPLICATION
The apostles in Acts had the potential of loosing their freedom and their very lives. But, in faith, they continued to tell others about the reality of God's grace. In comparison, I have to ask myself, what do I have to loose when telling others about "the full message of this new life?" Probably, the biggest thing I stand to loose when telling others about Jesus is comfort. It can be uncomfortable talking to others about Jesus, and if I'm honest, this desire to stay within my comfortable world will too frequently override my faith and obedience. So, the question remains, am I willing to sacrifice my comfort to share the new life found in Jesus Christ?
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to find more opportunities to step out in obedience and faith and tell others about you and the life you talk about in the Gospels. Help me to be willing to initiate spiritual conversations, even if I feel uncomfortable and nervous. Help my conversations about you to always be seasoned with gentleness and respect.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Heart Trumps Actions Every Time
Today's Devotions
Genesis 44,45,46
Luke 18
SCRIPTURE
Luke 18:14
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
OBSERVATION
Jesus addresses a group of people that are proud in their own righteousness. They are good at keeping the Law. They fast, they pray, they keep the commandments, they even keep the oral tradition. And they believe that this righteousness is worthy of honor. As he addresses them, He does not attack their adherence to the law, rather He points out that a heart of humility can cancel out all the righteousness gained through keeping the Law.
APPLICATION
It is so easy to become caught up with the things you do for God. Jesus is not indicating that these things are not important or are unnoticed by God, but that what is important as far as God's forgiveness and justification is a heart of humility. We can think that doing the right things will make God happy and result in us getting into heaven. But it is not the right things that get us in to heaven it is the right heart.
PRAYER
God, help me watch my heart. It is so quickly deceived and becomes obsessed with doing instead of being. Forgive me for being fixated on the behavior and seeing that as the most important. Help me instead to guard my heart and stay humble at all times.
Genesis 44,45,46
Luke 18
SCRIPTURE
Luke 18:14
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
OBSERVATION
Jesus addresses a group of people that are proud in their own righteousness. They are good at keeping the Law. They fast, they pray, they keep the commandments, they even keep the oral tradition. And they believe that this righteousness is worthy of honor. As he addresses them, He does not attack their adherence to the law, rather He points out that a heart of humility can cancel out all the righteousness gained through keeping the Law.
APPLICATION
It is so easy to become caught up with the things you do for God. Jesus is not indicating that these things are not important or are unnoticed by God, but that what is important as far as God's forgiveness and justification is a heart of humility. We can think that doing the right things will make God happy and result in us getting into heaven. But it is not the right things that get us in to heaven it is the right heart.
PRAYER
God, help me watch my heart. It is so quickly deceived and becomes obsessed with doing instead of being. Forgive me for being fixated on the behavior and seeing that as the most important. Help me instead to guard my heart and stay humble at all times.
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