Thursday, October 20, 2011
Answers
Acts 12
15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
Peter has been placed in prison by Herod. Herod has recently discovered that by persecuting the disciples of Jesus, the Jews rally around him. James the brother of John has been put to death by Herod and now Peter will go on trial.
The Church is earnestly praying for Peter. The night before his trial God answers the prayers of the church by sending an angel to free Peter from prison. Freed,Peter goes to the home where the faithful are gathered and knocks on the door to be let in. Let's examine the response to Peter and the prayers they have been praying.
1. Peter knocks on the door, the servant girl recognizes his voice and goes and tells the others. There reaction? She must be out of her mind. The prayers they have been praying were answered and they did not want to believe it.
2. She insists it's Peter. Their next rationale? It must be his angel. Confronted with her urgency they now explain Peter away as an angel.
The disciples are sitting on answered prayer and continue to act as if their prayer wasn't answered.
Is this how we respond when prayers are not answered the exact way we had in mind? Does this thinking cause us to miss answers to prayers because the prayers are not answered in the time and manner we expect?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Understanding Meaning
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The book of Acts records these words as the last ones spoken by Jesus before he ascended into heaven. Although the apostles and disciples didn't grasp the enormity of his words at the time, the lens of history allows us to see they began a mission that continues on to this day.
Their mission began at Pentecost when the power of the Holy Spirit came down on them just as Jesus said it would. At times they may have needed prodding,or doubted the effectiveness of their efforts, but they continued on.
Acts 2:12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
Jerusalem was was filled with people from many different nations during Pentecost. Nations speaking different languages all gathered in one place. All of these people begin to hear the disciples speak to them in their own languages. Of course they are bewildered and confused wondering what it all meant.
It meant that the words of Jesus came to be. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will receive power. Prior to the Holy Spirit coming, the disciple did not have the power to complete the assigned mission. Going to ends of the earth required the ability to communicate and share the gospel message. The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in the tongues of the nations, paving the way fro the gospel to march forward.
"What does this mean?" It means, in that moment it became possible for all people, every tongue and tribe to become followers of Jesus.
The book of Acts records these words as the last ones spoken by Jesus before he ascended into heaven. Although the apostles and disciples didn't grasp the enormity of his words at the time, the lens of history allows us to see they began a mission that continues on to this day.
Their mission began at Pentecost when the power of the Holy Spirit came down on them just as Jesus said it would. At times they may have needed prodding,or doubted the effectiveness of their efforts, but they continued on.
Acts 2:12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
Jerusalem was was filled with people from many different nations during Pentecost. Nations speaking different languages all gathered in one place. All of these people begin to hear the disciples speak to them in their own languages. Of course they are bewildered and confused wondering what it all meant.
It meant that the words of Jesus came to be. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will receive power. Prior to the Holy Spirit coming, the disciple did not have the power to complete the assigned mission. Going to ends of the earth required the ability to communicate and share the gospel message. The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in the tongues of the nations, paving the way fro the gospel to march forward.
"What does this mean?" It means, in that moment it became possible for all people, every tongue and tribe to become followers of Jesus.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Increase our Faith
Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the Lord, "increase our faith!"
The ones closest to Jesus, the ones he invested in the most, realized their need for a growing faith. The teachings of Jesus require increasing amounts of faith. Not because his teachings are outlandish and fictional but because his teaching are counter-intuitive to a me first world.
Me first thinkers never need to apologize or forgive. Me first always places the individuals needs in front of the needs and at the expense of all others. The problem with me first? Only one can be first; and yet so many strive to be first.
The disciples, as they learned and grew in understanding, came to the realization that Jesus and his teachings were radical. Forgiveness was a simple teaching flying in the face of me first living.
The more we know of Jesus and his teachings, the more faith we need. Faith not in ourselves but faith founded in him and his teachings.
The apostles said to the Lord, "increase our faith!"
The ones closest to Jesus, the ones he invested in the most, realized their need for a growing faith. The teachings of Jesus require increasing amounts of faith. Not because his teachings are outlandish and fictional but because his teaching are counter-intuitive to a me first world.
Me first thinkers never need to apologize or forgive. Me first always places the individuals needs in front of the needs and at the expense of all others. The problem with me first? Only one can be first; and yet so many strive to be first.
The disciples, as they learned and grew in understanding, came to the realization that Jesus and his teachings were radical. Forgiveness was a simple teaching flying in the face of me first living.
The more we know of Jesus and his teachings, the more faith we need. Faith not in ourselves but faith founded in him and his teachings.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Was Is Will Be
Rev 11:17
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign."
We worship god the almighty, who was and will always be. Before time and after forever he will be.
He is and has and will reign and rule over all for all time. There is no beginning and no end of Him and His greatness, love and power.
May the day come soon when we begin to understand.
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign."
We worship god the almighty, who was and will always be. Before time and after forever he will be.
He is and has and will reign and rule over all for all time. There is no beginning and no end of Him and His greatness, love and power.
May the day come soon when we begin to understand.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Exalted
Ps 70:4
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say "Let God Be exalted."
Art imitates life. Like the the movies life is filled with storms, sadness, and death. Most often we cannot begin to comprehend the reasons behind each trial and tragedy. Our lack of comprehending does nothing to change the the inevitable.
In those times of testing there is a light, a light that calls and beckons to all. A light that turns night to day. A light that thaws the chill of winter. A light that loves; a light that is to be exalted always and forever.
The light that shines in blessings and abundance is the same light shining in fear and loneliness. This light never leaves us all alone. May God be exalted!
Exalt Him when our words fail us, exalt Him when the strength to do so has left. Above all exalt Him for who he is. May we rejoice and be glad in God.
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say "Let God Be exalted."
Art imitates life. Like the the movies life is filled with storms, sadness, and death. Most often we cannot begin to comprehend the reasons behind each trial and tragedy. Our lack of comprehending does nothing to change the the inevitable.
In those times of testing there is a light, a light that calls and beckons to all. A light that turns night to day. A light that thaws the chill of winter. A light that loves; a light that is to be exalted always and forever.
The light that shines in blessings and abundance is the same light shining in fear and loneliness. This light never leaves us all alone. May God be exalted!
Exalt Him when our words fail us, exalt Him when the strength to do so has left. Above all exalt Him for who he is. May we rejoice and be glad in God.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Praise Worthy
Rev 4:10-11
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits upon the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Falling in worship, awe, and praise, the elders who surround the throne exalt God. They lay their crowns before the throne, they submit themselves to the author of life. They humble themselves, they remove their crowns, pride, achievements, possessions, and accomplishments.
They recognize the will of Jesus-creator of all things, seen and unseen. May I also submit and humble myself to the same king in the same way.
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits upon the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Falling in worship, awe, and praise, the elders who surround the throne exalt God. They lay their crowns before the throne, they submit themselves to the author of life. They humble themselves, they remove their crowns, pride, achievements, possessions, and accomplishments.
They recognize the will of Jesus-creator of all things, seen and unseen. May I also submit and humble myself to the same king in the same way.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Is this me?
Rev 3:1 talks about the church in Sardis. The Holy Spirit says (my para-phrase) "I know you and what you do. You have this reputation of being productive but your not."
The letter is addressing the church as a whole, but we as individuals are the church, we are the body and we make up the church. We can say all the right things and do all the right things and develop the reputation of being a productive Christ follower. But are saying and doing the right things enough?
1. Weekend worship
2. Daily personal study
3. Small group membership
4. Serving others
These are some of the things that are the "right" things. Sometimes if we are not careful it can also be merely going through the motions.
It's never about me. It's about loving God and others, and teaching them to do the same.
The letter is addressing the church as a whole, but we as individuals are the church, we are the body and we make up the church. We can say all the right things and do all the right things and develop the reputation of being a productive Christ follower. But are saying and doing the right things enough?
1. Weekend worship
2. Daily personal study
3. Small group membership
4. Serving others
These are some of the things that are the "right" things. Sometimes if we are not careful it can also be merely going through the motions.
It's never about me. It's about loving God and others, and teaching them to do the same.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)