“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13.
Peter and John had been arrested and brought before the full Sanhedrin, the Jewish, religious leaders of their day, for their trial. In the view of these leaders, a disturbance had erupted at the hands of Peter and John. Peter spoke with boldness and courage, testifying that it was by the name of Jesus, who these leaders had put to death but God had brought back to life, that this man had been healed. After hearing Peter speak, the leaders marveled at the courage of these two “unschooled, ordinary” men, noting that what marked them as different was that “these men had been with Jesus.” It was “being with Jesus” – walking daily with Him, as His disciples; walking in relationship to this Master – that made the difference.
I have heard it said many times that if you want to see where a person’s heart is, look at their check book. How a person spends their money can be a good indicator of what is “transforming” their life. Likewise, a schedule or calendar can be an indicator of where we place our true importance. In my life, even though my natural tendency is to get alone and avoid people, I try to get with people and build deeper relationships, because I know how the Master uses others in my life to make and mold me into His image. In this way, I am being marked as one who has “been with Jesus.”
Questions to consider: Who is it that has influenced your life? Have those around you noticed a difference in your life? What changes have happened in your life that mark you as different because of what Jesus has done in you? How is your life “marked” as different, as a result of “being with Jesus?”
Prayer: Lord, help me to not drift to what is easy in my life. Help me to be transformed to the place where those around me notice that what makes me different is that I have “been with Jesus” and have been with You. Amen.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
January 24, 2008 - Acts 4:7
“They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’” Acts 4:7.
The religious authorities – the Pharisees and the Sadducees – assembled, in a similar fashion as they had done for Jesus’ trial, to get answers from Peter and John for the healing that had just occurred and for the “disturbance” that resulted. This was an intimidating assembly for such “normal” people such as Peter and John. After all, they were just lowly fisherman from the obscure region of Galilee. They would for certain just crumble under the pressure of this gathering.
Remember, Peter and John had already stood in front of large crowds, proclaiming the power and love of God expressed most clearly in His Son, Jesus, so sheer numbers were not going to shake these men. But how would they do standing in front of such a powerful assembly? It would be similar to any one of us standing in front of the fully assembled Congress of the United States, with the members of the Supreme Court in attendance, as well! I must admit that I would be very nervous going before such an assembly! And to defend oneself in front of them! My knees would be very weak! How about you?
Peter and John were asked, “By what power or what name did you do this?” If it were me in front of such a group, I might have immediately realized that they were trying to trap me; catch me to incriminate me, and treat me as they had my Master. I would have been tempted to not be straight forward with my answer, attempting to disguise the truth. Not out right lying, per say; just not being so clear, and thus, saving my own skin! Peter and John did not take that route. They clearly and unequivocally proclaimed that this healing was accomplished and done in the name of Jesus, whom they had crucified but God had raised from the dead. They boldly stood with their Master. (By the way, it is my hope that I would do the same!)
Questions to consider: What intimidates you? How do you feel about “standing up for Jesus” when it counts? Have you ever experienced having to make a stand for the Master in front of a group? What are you tempted to do when confronted with those things that intimidate you?
Prayer: Father, give me vision to see those things that intimidate me and tempt me to shy away from standing firm for You. Please give me the courage to stand firm for You when it counts. Amen.
The religious authorities – the Pharisees and the Sadducees – assembled, in a similar fashion as they had done for Jesus’ trial, to get answers from Peter and John for the healing that had just occurred and for the “disturbance” that resulted. This was an intimidating assembly for such “normal” people such as Peter and John. After all, they were just lowly fisherman from the obscure region of Galilee. They would for certain just crumble under the pressure of this gathering.
Remember, Peter and John had already stood in front of large crowds, proclaiming the power and love of God expressed most clearly in His Son, Jesus, so sheer numbers were not going to shake these men. But how would they do standing in front of such a powerful assembly? It would be similar to any one of us standing in front of the fully assembled Congress of the United States, with the members of the Supreme Court in attendance, as well! I must admit that I would be very nervous going before such an assembly! And to defend oneself in front of them! My knees would be very weak! How about you?
Peter and John were asked, “By what power or what name did you do this?” If it were me in front of such a group, I might have immediately realized that they were trying to trap me; catch me to incriminate me, and treat me as they had my Master. I would have been tempted to not be straight forward with my answer, attempting to disguise the truth. Not out right lying, per say; just not being so clear, and thus, saving my own skin! Peter and John did not take that route. They clearly and unequivocally proclaimed that this healing was accomplished and done in the name of Jesus, whom they had crucified but God had raised from the dead. They boldly stood with their Master. (By the way, it is my hope that I would do the same!)
Questions to consider: What intimidates you? How do you feel about “standing up for Jesus” when it counts? Have you ever experienced having to make a stand for the Master in front of a group? What are you tempted to do when confronted with those things that intimidate you?
Prayer: Father, give me vision to see those things that intimidate me and tempt me to shy away from standing firm for You. Please give me the courage to stand firm for You when it counts. Amen.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
January 17, 2008 - Acts 4:3
“They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.” Acts 4:3.
The religious authorities took notice that there were riot-like conditions right outside the Temple, so they stepped in to deal with the problem. They did so, realizing that, if they did not, the Roman authorities might step in and deal with the situation, using much harsher methods. Besides, these men (Peter and John) were stirring up the crowd with their talk about this Jesus, who had been crucified and was now, supposedly, raised from the dead. It was a very nervous and stressful situation for these leaders, so they dealt with the situation in the best manner they could, given the circumstances. Or, at least, so they thought.
Peter and John had just been involved in the healing of a man who had been crippled from birth, and were now speaking to the assembled crowd about the One in whose name this man had been healed. To them, it was not a “mob” that had gathered to create a disturbance, but an opportunity to tell the story of their Master, Jesus. Yet, the religious authorities were worried, and I must admit that if I was in their situation, I would have joined them. From the security of their situation, these two men threatened the balance and stability of their positions, be that as it may under the strong-armed rule of the Romans.
Peter and John were responding out of their devotion to their Master, while the authorities were trying to protect their positions. There is a strong sense of self-preservation or protection within each of us, unless we are “sold out” to something or someone. Peter and John went to jail for being “sold out.”
Questions to consider: How “sold out” are you? How far are you willing to go for your “sold out” position? To jail, if necessary? To death? How much does self-preservation and self-protection influence you, regardless how tenuous that may be? What is your response or challenge to these thoughts/questions?
Prayer: God, help me to see when I am seeking to preserve and/or protect myself. Give me courage to be a “sold out” follower of Your Son. Amen.
The religious authorities took notice that there were riot-like conditions right outside the Temple, so they stepped in to deal with the problem. They did so, realizing that, if they did not, the Roman authorities might step in and deal with the situation, using much harsher methods. Besides, these men (Peter and John) were stirring up the crowd with their talk about this Jesus, who had been crucified and was now, supposedly, raised from the dead. It was a very nervous and stressful situation for these leaders, so they dealt with the situation in the best manner they could, given the circumstances. Or, at least, so they thought.
Peter and John had just been involved in the healing of a man who had been crippled from birth, and were now speaking to the assembled crowd about the One in whose name this man had been healed. To them, it was not a “mob” that had gathered to create a disturbance, but an opportunity to tell the story of their Master, Jesus. Yet, the religious authorities were worried, and I must admit that if I was in their situation, I would have joined them. From the security of their situation, these two men threatened the balance and stability of their positions, be that as it may under the strong-armed rule of the Romans.
Peter and John were responding out of their devotion to their Master, while the authorities were trying to protect their positions. There is a strong sense of self-preservation or protection within each of us, unless we are “sold out” to something or someone. Peter and John went to jail for being “sold out.”
Questions to consider: How “sold out” are you? How far are you willing to go for your “sold out” position? To jail, if necessary? To death? How much does self-preservation and self-protection influence you, regardless how tenuous that may be? What is your response or challenge to these thoughts/questions?
Prayer: God, help me to see when I am seeking to preserve and/or protect myself. Give me courage to be a “sold out” follower of Your Son. Amen.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
January 10, 2008 - Acts 3:25b-26
“’He said to Abraham, “Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed. When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”’” Acts 3:25b-26.
Peter gives his audience a brief history lesson of God’s intentions for and through the Jewish nation. He explains that God told Abraham, the father of their faith, that He intended on blessing all the peoples and nations of the world through him, and that Jesus was the ultimate answer of that blessing. The opportunity was first given to the Jews to receive this Gift from God, but He was never intended to be for their own exclusive “salvation.” Even in the conversation with Abraham, it clearly appears that it was God’s intention to include all who turned from their “wicked ways” to believing in and following Jesus, His only Son.
The early church leaders, who were all Jewish, struggled with this. It took Paul, an ex-Pharisee and Jewish leader, to challenge Peter and the other disciples and church leaders to accept the non-Jewish, Greek followers of Jesus. And church history, down through the centuries, has been filled with similar exclusive-type actions. The Inquisition is perhaps the harshest, most extreme example of this attitude of exclusivity. Even today, the attitude is still alive and well in our world. Its appearance seems more like a country club, with its particular, and some times peculiar, rules for membership, than a life-giving, hope-fulfilling, growing organism.
On a personal level, I find that I fight within myself to be more accepting and inclusive of other people around me. I see this attitude within that judges others and designates some as being part of the “in” crowd – the “accepted” – and most others as being “out” and unacceptable. And I do not like this attitude and work to have it changed. It helps for me to remember that God is a God who desires that all people have the opportunity to respond to Him and to possibly turn to Him. He desires that all would be in His family, regardless of background, position or place in this life.
Questions to consider: What is your view of God? Is He exclusive or inclusive in nature? How does this affect your view of life and how you accept those around you?
Prayer: God, thank You that You are accepting of anyone who desires to find you and that You give life to anyone who seeks to walk in it. Help me to break free of my “country club” mentality and to be more accepting, as You were accepting of me. Amen.
Peter gives his audience a brief history lesson of God’s intentions for and through the Jewish nation. He explains that God told Abraham, the father of their faith, that He intended on blessing all the peoples and nations of the world through him, and that Jesus was the ultimate answer of that blessing. The opportunity was first given to the Jews to receive this Gift from God, but He was never intended to be for their own exclusive “salvation.” Even in the conversation with Abraham, it clearly appears that it was God’s intention to include all who turned from their “wicked ways” to believing in and following Jesus, His only Son.
The early church leaders, who were all Jewish, struggled with this. It took Paul, an ex-Pharisee and Jewish leader, to challenge Peter and the other disciples and church leaders to accept the non-Jewish, Greek followers of Jesus. And church history, down through the centuries, has been filled with similar exclusive-type actions. The Inquisition is perhaps the harshest, most extreme example of this attitude of exclusivity. Even today, the attitude is still alive and well in our world. Its appearance seems more like a country club, with its particular, and some times peculiar, rules for membership, than a life-giving, hope-fulfilling, growing organism.
On a personal level, I find that I fight within myself to be more accepting and inclusive of other people around me. I see this attitude within that judges others and designates some as being part of the “in” crowd – the “accepted” – and most others as being “out” and unacceptable. And I do not like this attitude and work to have it changed. It helps for me to remember that God is a God who desires that all people have the opportunity to respond to Him and to possibly turn to Him. He desires that all would be in His family, regardless of background, position or place in this life.
Questions to consider: What is your view of God? Is He exclusive or inclusive in nature? How does this affect your view of life and how you accept those around you?
Prayer: God, thank You that You are accepting of anyone who desires to find you and that You give life to anyone who seeks to walk in it. Help me to break free of my “country club” mentality and to be more accepting, as You were accepting of me. Amen.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
January 3, 2008 - Acts 3:19
“’Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.’” Acts 3:19.
Peter is encouraging his listeners to take the positive step of turning from their sinful way of life to being refreshed by a life of following Jesus. These listeners had gathered together when there was a stir outside the main entrance to the Temple, and they wanted to see what was going on. God had just healed a man who had been crippled since birth, and Peter used the opportunity of the healing to speak about the goodness of God in the person of Jesus, the Nazarene.
It is encouraging to me to see repentance portrayed in such a positive light. Many times when I hear messages involving repentance, there seems to be a negativity expressed with an emphasis on what we have to give up or “sacrifice.” This one verse from Peter’s message states that our sins ‘may be wiped out’ and that we will have ‘times of refreshing’, which both sound so positive to me. It is not about giving up anything. Instead, it is about getting rid of my sin that holds me back and bogs me down, and be refreshed by God in His times of refreshing. Wow, does that ever sound good!
It seems to me that the people in this audience must have wondered on some level about this ‘turn to God’ comment, since each of them was most likely on their way to prayer at the Temple. Hadn’t they already turned to God, since they were on their way to prayer? Yet, if they are anything like us, it doesn’t matter how often they come for prayer, there is always a need to have our sin wiped clean, allowing us to enter into a new or renewed time of refreshing.
Questions to consider: How is repentance a positive thing in our lives? Is there anything that you need to repent of? Do you need to experience a time of refreshing in the Lord?
Prayer: God, help me to continue to see my need for repenting. Please give me eyes to see those things in my life and in my world that need changing, and give me the courage and wisdom to know how to make those changes. Amen.
Peter is encouraging his listeners to take the positive step of turning from their sinful way of life to being refreshed by a life of following Jesus. These listeners had gathered together when there was a stir outside the main entrance to the Temple, and they wanted to see what was going on. God had just healed a man who had been crippled since birth, and Peter used the opportunity of the healing to speak about the goodness of God in the person of Jesus, the Nazarene.
It is encouraging to me to see repentance portrayed in such a positive light. Many times when I hear messages involving repentance, there seems to be a negativity expressed with an emphasis on what we have to give up or “sacrifice.” This one verse from Peter’s message states that our sins ‘may be wiped out’ and that we will have ‘times of refreshing’, which both sound so positive to me. It is not about giving up anything. Instead, it is about getting rid of my sin that holds me back and bogs me down, and be refreshed by God in His times of refreshing. Wow, does that ever sound good!
It seems to me that the people in this audience must have wondered on some level about this ‘turn to God’ comment, since each of them was most likely on their way to prayer at the Temple. Hadn’t they already turned to God, since they were on their way to prayer? Yet, if they are anything like us, it doesn’t matter how often they come for prayer, there is always a need to have our sin wiped clean, allowing us to enter into a new or renewed time of refreshing.
Questions to consider: How is repentance a positive thing in our lives? Is there anything that you need to repent of? Do you need to experience a time of refreshing in the Lord?
Prayer: God, help me to continue to see my need for repenting. Please give me eyes to see those things in my life and in my world that need changing, and give me the courage and wisdom to know how to make those changes. Amen.
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