“’Now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.’” Acts 3:17.
With the crowd gathered, Peter began to give testimony to the healing of the man born crippled. He spoke of how Jesus Christ, and faith in Him, healed this man. Peter now turns his attention to the crowd, challenging them in their own involvement in the death of Jesus. He does not simply blame them for Jesus’ death; he explains that they acted in ignorance. They did not know any better.
I cannot possibly remember how manner times I have ‘acted in ignorance’ regarding so many things in life. Many times I have done so, and still do so, with what I think are the best of intentions. I mean well, but I just did not know all the facts, or I did not understand the situation fully enough and things did not go very well at all, or they certainly did not end up the way that I envisioned. Fortunately, I have never had such a monumental ‘act of ignorance’ as the people of this crowd on that day 2,000 years ago, but knowing me, I could very easily have been part of that crowd. I do not see myself as any different than the people in that crowd that day. And I do not see you as any different either! Do you?
I believe that our acting in ignorance is one of the results of our “fallen-ness.” We may mean well, yet we more naturally go towards the easy way out or towards our own self-preservation. It takes work for us to not act in ignorance. Like paddling a canoe upstream against a strong current, doing what is the right thing to do, most of the time, if not all of the time, takes great effort, while taking the easy way out – ‘acting in ignorance’ – comes so naturally that we just glide along.
As we come into this New Year, consider these questions: How have I ‘acted in ignorance’ lately? What would it take for me to not ‘act in ignorance?’ With God’s help, how can I intentionally make efforts to overcome this?
Prayer: Thank You, God, that You did not ‘act in ignorance’ in sending Jesus into this world. Please give us wisdom and courage to not ‘act in ignorance’ in our everyday activities and lives. Help us to rely on You for Your strength, courage, and guidance in each day, as we seek to not ‘act in ignorance.’ Amen.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
December 20, 2007 - Philippians 2:5-8a
“In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself…” Philippians 2:5-8a.
In this Christmas season, I hope that we can each take some time to reflect on the utter goodness of God in sending Jesus. As I understand it, all religions of our world make their efforts to reach God; to try to figure out how to bridge the gap from our time and space existence to whatever dimension God chooses to live. Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph and Mary, a poor, young Jewish couple, is God’s clearest expression of God’s reaching into our world in an effort to re-establish and deepen relationships with His creation and His image-bearers (which would be us and all humans!).
It is so interesting to me that Jesus did not come as a conquering and/or wealthy king but as a suffering servant/leader/“king”. He washed His disciples’ feet to lead the way by His own example of servant leadership. Jesus’ way to lead was to serve. It has been so different from every other example of leadership given in our world. The more I desire to lead, the more I must empty myself. The question becomes, “Am I willing to humble myself, as He humbled Himself?”
As a human, like us, Jesus showed us the way to true and total fulfillment by serving others, not attempting to grasp His position (even though it was rightfully His, by the way!), humbling Himself, and laying His life down for the good of all humanity. And we are to have this same attitude within each one of us….
We celebrate His birth at this time of year, acknowledging God’s invasion of our world in order to give us opportunity to re-connect with Him and to serve in the world around us.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for sending us Your Son, Jesus. Thank you that He came as a humble servant and that He called us to follow His example. Give us strength, courage, and wisdom to follow. Amen.
In this Christmas season, I hope that we can each take some time to reflect on the utter goodness of God in sending Jesus. As I understand it, all religions of our world make their efforts to reach God; to try to figure out how to bridge the gap from our time and space existence to whatever dimension God chooses to live. Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph and Mary, a poor, young Jewish couple, is God’s clearest expression of God’s reaching into our world in an effort to re-establish and deepen relationships with His creation and His image-bearers (which would be us and all humans!).
It is so interesting to me that Jesus did not come as a conquering and/or wealthy king but as a suffering servant/leader/“king”. He washed His disciples’ feet to lead the way by His own example of servant leadership. Jesus’ way to lead was to serve. It has been so different from every other example of leadership given in our world. The more I desire to lead, the more I must empty myself. The question becomes, “Am I willing to humble myself, as He humbled Himself?”
As a human, like us, Jesus showed us the way to true and total fulfillment by serving others, not attempting to grasp His position (even though it was rightfully His, by the way!), humbling Himself, and laying His life down for the good of all humanity. And we are to have this same attitude within each one of us….
We celebrate His birth at this time of year, acknowledging God’s invasion of our world in order to give us opportunity to re-connect with Him and to serve in the world around us.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for sending us Your Son, Jesus. Thank you that He came as a humble servant and that He called us to follow His example. Give us strength, courage, and wisdom to follow. Amen.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
December 13, 2007 - Acts 3:16b
“’It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.’” Acts 3:16b.
A crowd had assembled to see what all of the excitement was about. Peter began speaking to this impromptu crowd in response to a healing that had just happened to a man born crippled, and he used the opportunity to speak about the goodness of God expressed in the complete healing of this person. The people seemed to look at Peter and John, as if to say that the two of them were the ones who healed the man. Peter clearly states that it was not by either John’s or his own power that this happened, but it was done in the name of Jesus and by faith in Jesus.
Have you ever been part of such a happening, either being part of the crowd to witness a healing or perhaps being involved for praying for someone to be healed and seeing them healed? I must admit that when I have seen “healings”, there is always a part of me that is a bit skeptical, and yet, I have been amazed to witness a number of healings. I have also been privileged to see, pray for, and experience healings first hand. And I must confess that I really thought that I was something special because, after all, God used me, as if there was some “goodness” within me that “allowed” God access into this prayed-for person’s life. Wow, was I deluded! (Don’t worry too much – I believe differently about myself now!)
Peter and John had their heads screwed on correctly concerning their involvement in the healing. They recognized that it all happened by God’s goodness in and through Jesus. If there was anything special, it was in this person, Jesus. It was God who directed Peter and John to stop outside of the Temple, look this crippled man in the eye, and commanding him to get up and walk by Jesus’ name. And they wanted to make sure that recognition was properly given to God for His intervention in the life of this person.
Question to consider: In our hearts, who do we give recognition to when God intervenes in our life or in the life of those we pray for? Let’s take some time to examine our hearts, and please, do not just make a quick comment that “of course, I give glory to God.” Take your time and allow God to massage your heart.
Prayer: God, I ask You this day to help me take my time to see if there are any areas in my life where I seek to give myself the credit for good and great things done in my life. Help me to recognize Your involvement in and through me and to give You the proper recognition of Your presence and activity. Amen.
A crowd had assembled to see what all of the excitement was about. Peter began speaking to this impromptu crowd in response to a healing that had just happened to a man born crippled, and he used the opportunity to speak about the goodness of God expressed in the complete healing of this person. The people seemed to look at Peter and John, as if to say that the two of them were the ones who healed the man. Peter clearly states that it was not by either John’s or his own power that this happened, but it was done in the name of Jesus and by faith in Jesus.
Have you ever been part of such a happening, either being part of the crowd to witness a healing or perhaps being involved for praying for someone to be healed and seeing them healed? I must admit that when I have seen “healings”, there is always a part of me that is a bit skeptical, and yet, I have been amazed to witness a number of healings. I have also been privileged to see, pray for, and experience healings first hand. And I must confess that I really thought that I was something special because, after all, God used me, as if there was some “goodness” within me that “allowed” God access into this prayed-for person’s life. Wow, was I deluded! (Don’t worry too much – I believe differently about myself now!)
Peter and John had their heads screwed on correctly concerning their involvement in the healing. They recognized that it all happened by God’s goodness in and through Jesus. If there was anything special, it was in this person, Jesus. It was God who directed Peter and John to stop outside of the Temple, look this crippled man in the eye, and commanding him to get up and walk by Jesus’ name. And they wanted to make sure that recognition was properly given to God for His intervention in the life of this person.
Question to consider: In our hearts, who do we give recognition to when God intervenes in our life or in the life of those we pray for? Let’s take some time to examine our hearts, and please, do not just make a quick comment that “of course, I give glory to God.” Take your time and allow God to massage your heart.
Prayer: God, I ask You this day to help me take my time to see if there are any areas in my life where I seek to give myself the credit for good and great things done in my life. Help me to recognize Your involvement in and through me and to give You the proper recognition of Your presence and activity. Amen.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
December 6, 2007 - Acts 3:12
“When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘People 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?’” Acts 3:12.
Peter and John are standing just outside the Temple along side of the man who God had just healed. An amazed crowd was gathering to see the results of this miracle, and Peter communicated clearly to the crowd that it was not them, but God, who had healed this man. Apparently, Peter and John were not surprised at God’s healing activity, but the crowd, on the other hand, acted in such a manner that Peter asked why they were so surprised.
I must admit that, if I was in that crowd on that day, I would have been surprised too. How about you? As I go through the normal routine on my normal day, I must admit that I would be startled if God moved in this kind of way. I do not see this type of thing happen in my “normal Christian life” and I would at least be surprised, if not shocked! And I have experienced God’s movement at different times in my life. What if a person had never experienced God’s divine intervention in their life? Can you imagine the shock at witnessing that happen? No wonder the crowd was ‘surprised.’
Have you ever seen God intersect with the normal activity of your life? Have you experienced a dramatic healing or a sovereign movement of God in your time and space life? If you have had that experience in your life, remember and reflect on what that was like in your life. What were some of the marks of that moment in your life? For me, after I got over the overwhelming shock, I sensed peace, joy, and an overwhelming sense of being cared for and loved. I, also, felt a strong sense of not deserving His touch; a sense of unworthiness.
Questions to consider: If you were in that crowd on that day, how would you have responded? If God was to move in the time and space of your life, how would you respond? Are you, in any way, expecting God or needing God to move in your life?
Prayer: Thank You, God, that You are a God who loves to intervene and be involved in our world. Please give us eyes to see and a heart to sense Your activity in our life. Help me to not be so surprised when You intersect with our lives. Amen.
Peter and John are standing just outside the Temple along side of the man who God had just healed. An amazed crowd was gathering to see the results of this miracle, and Peter communicated clearly to the crowd that it was not them, but God, who had healed this man. Apparently, Peter and John were not surprised at God’s healing activity, but the crowd, on the other hand, acted in such a manner that Peter asked why they were so surprised.
I must admit that, if I was in that crowd on that day, I would have been surprised too. How about you? As I go through the normal routine on my normal day, I must admit that I would be startled if God moved in this kind of way. I do not see this type of thing happen in my “normal Christian life” and I would at least be surprised, if not shocked! And I have experienced God’s movement at different times in my life. What if a person had never experienced God’s divine intervention in their life? Can you imagine the shock at witnessing that happen? No wonder the crowd was ‘surprised.’
Have you ever seen God intersect with the normal activity of your life? Have you experienced a dramatic healing or a sovereign movement of God in your time and space life? If you have had that experience in your life, remember and reflect on what that was like in your life. What were some of the marks of that moment in your life? For me, after I got over the overwhelming shock, I sensed peace, joy, and an overwhelming sense of being cared for and loved. I, also, felt a strong sense of not deserving His touch; a sense of unworthiness.
Questions to consider: If you were in that crowd on that day, how would you have responded? If God was to move in the time and space of your life, how would you respond? Are you, in any way, expecting God or needing God to move in your life?
Prayer: Thank You, God, that You are a God who loves to intervene and be involved in our world. Please give us eyes to see and a heart to sense Your activity in our life. Help me to not be so surprised when You intersect with our lives. Amen.
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