Acts
May 21-23
Dr. Luke puts together a prescription on how the church is to act in the Book of Acts. :) I pray you can wade into Acts today and get excited about those who have gone before us and realize the Holy Spirit is still on the move today and God wants us to be part of the action.
Two powerful stories impart important insight for us. In chapter 8 we find a eunuch with an open, seeking heart sitting in his chariot. Cross his path with an obedient, spiritually discerning, new disciple named Phillip and you see angels in action! An angel tells Philip..."Go south on the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza....Go to that chariot and stay near it." It ends with the eunuch being baptized and the Spirit of the Lord taking Philip away right before the eunuch!
God still works this way today. The Spirit prompts us to place ourselves in position to be used. We just need to be prepared to ACT!
The other character couple I want to zoom in on would be the husband-wife team of Priscilla and Aquila. These two were willing available vessels ready to welcome others into their home and walk alongside them. One commentary described them as "a couple who was willing to open their home, open their hearts, and open their mouths and speak the truth." Learning to live like the Lord is a life long process and we need to help one another along the way.
A friend stopped in the other day with a couple nutrition books in hand. Having breast cancer 15 years ago brought her to totally changed her diet and what she feeds her entire family. Admitting she did not want to be pushy or offend me, her sincere passion for her belief in this lifestyle change was well received. I responded by telling her that as I friend, I should be offended if she didn't explain what she had experienced. Likewise, I told her that is how I feel about my faith. It has worked in my life and I want others to experience the exhilarating benefits.
This book has an amazing "jail break" in chapter 16! At one point the jailer asks the escapees..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas were ready to go into action and answered..."Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved-you and your household."
Lord, Your "acts" are just plain amazing. Creating, forgiving, restoring, redeeming..whoa...a class act! Forgive us when our actions are less than Christlike. May a day not go by when we do not A-acknowledge, C-confess, T-thank You, S-surrender to Your ways. May our actions be attractive and not atrocious. Always acknowleding the Almighty in Jesus' name, Amen
Dr. Luke puts together a prescription on how the church is to act in the Book of Acts. :) I pray you can wade into Acts today and get excited about those who have gone before us and realize the Holy Spirit is still on the move today and God wants us to be part of the action.
Two powerful stories impart important insight for us. In chapter 8 we find a eunuch with an open, seeking heart sitting in his chariot. Cross his path with an obedient, spiritually discerning, new disciple named Phillip and you see angels in action! An angel tells Philip..."Go south on the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza....Go to that chariot and stay near it." It ends with the eunuch being baptized and the Spirit of the Lord taking Philip away right before the eunuch!
God still works this way today. The Spirit prompts us to place ourselves in position to be used. We just need to be prepared to ACT!
The other character couple I want to zoom in on would be the husband-wife team of Priscilla and Aquila. These two were willing available vessels ready to welcome others into their home and walk alongside them. One commentary described them as "a couple who was willing to open their home, open their hearts, and open their mouths and speak the truth." Learning to live like the Lord is a life long process and we need to help one another along the way.
A friend stopped in the other day with a couple nutrition books in hand. Having breast cancer 15 years ago brought her to totally changed her diet and what she feeds her entire family. Admitting she did not want to be pushy or offend me, her sincere passion for her belief in this lifestyle change was well received. I responded by telling her that as I friend, I should be offended if she didn't explain what she had experienced. Likewise, I told her that is how I feel about my faith. It has worked in my life and I want others to experience the exhilarating benefits.
This book has an amazing "jail break" in chapter 16! At one point the jailer asks the escapees..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas were ready to go into action and answered..."Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved-you and your household."
Lord, Your "acts" are just plain amazing. Creating, forgiving, restoring, redeeming..whoa...a class act! Forgive us when our actions are less than Christlike. May a day not go by when we do not A-acknowledge, C-confess, T-thank You, S-surrender to Your ways. May our actions be attractive and not atrocious. Always acknowleding the Almighty in Jesus' name, Amen
