“There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” Acts 4:34-35.
The early Christian community took care of each other. They appeared to have a genuine giving heart for each other. Those who had, shared with those who were in need. Some sold their homes and their land, and gave the proceeds to the community for distribution. There was a generous spirit among them. And I would imagine that this generosity carried over into the giving of time and talents, along with their treasures. Is it any wonder that they thrived?
As I sit in reflection of my own heart toward giving, I realize that I still come up short in this department. All that I need to do is look at my tax return for the year to see how much that I donated. And yet, I justify myself by saying that I give more than just my “treasures.” I give of my time and talents, as well, for the good of others. I know of others who have, what we call, the gift of giving, for they contribute so much of their income, and do it cheerfully. They get a real charge; a real joy, out of giving!
It is my observation that giving – whether it is our time, our talents, or our treasures – must come from a heart that seeks to serve our loving God. As I seek Him, I am more able to understand His desires in how to give of myself to those around me. If I hold on to my stuff tightly and are less prone to be willing to give it away, I become “owned” by it. If I am more willing to part with my stuff, as these early believers did, realizing that I am only a steward, caring for all that I have, I realize Who is, truly, the real Owner. And I am gratefully humbled by His care for me in directing me as to what to do with these things entrusted to me.
Questions to consider: What is my attitude and heart towards giving? Whose stuff is it anyway? Do I trust God’s love and care for me enough to give joyfully and sacrificially? What would God have me give?
Prayer: God, please give me a giving heart, as these early believers had, and help me to know how to give. And give me the courage to follow through with the giving that I believe that You would have me give. Amen.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
February 21, 2008 - Acts 4:33
“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33.
Because of their decision to pray for boldness and to not shrink back, the early believers spoke out about Jesus, even though they risked potential arrest and suffering. And yet, great power was given them, as they testified to God’s raising of Jesus from the dead. This verse concludes by saying that “much grace was upon them all.” The previous verse refers to the giving, generous nature of this community. They shared their possessions and sold their property, and shared it all in common with those in need. Is it any wonder that they desired to give away the “great power” of Jesus that they had so freely received? No wonder they experienced “much grace!”
As I sit here and write, I am struck by how ordinary these people were, and yet, how extraordinary their circumstances had become because of the “great power” and “much grace” that had been given them. Were they really much different than you or me? Fishermen, tax collectors, home-makers – they came from various, yet normal backgrounds within their culture. Doesn’t that sound like us? And yet, they were dramatically different. What seems to be extraordinary is that they were reliant on the One who exhibited great power – the One who raised Jesus from the dead. And He was the one who gave them all the grace that they needed.
Questions to consider: Are you really that much different than these early believers? Do you need “great power” and “much grace” in your life? Where is its source, and how can you receive it?
Prayer: Father, please help me to be aware of the “great power” and “much grace” in my life, and help me to be willing to do whatever it takes to receive it from Your hand and, then, to give it away to others. Amen.
Because of their decision to pray for boldness and to not shrink back, the early believers spoke out about Jesus, even though they risked potential arrest and suffering. And yet, great power was given them, as they testified to God’s raising of Jesus from the dead. This verse concludes by saying that “much grace was upon them all.” The previous verse refers to the giving, generous nature of this community. They shared their possessions and sold their property, and shared it all in common with those in need. Is it any wonder that they desired to give away the “great power” of Jesus that they had so freely received? No wonder they experienced “much grace!”
As I sit here and write, I am struck by how ordinary these people were, and yet, how extraordinary their circumstances had become because of the “great power” and “much grace” that had been given them. Were they really much different than you or me? Fishermen, tax collectors, home-makers – they came from various, yet normal backgrounds within their culture. Doesn’t that sound like us? And yet, they were dramatically different. What seems to be extraordinary is that they were reliant on the One who exhibited great power – the One who raised Jesus from the dead. And He was the one who gave them all the grace that they needed.
Questions to consider: Are you really that much different than these early believers? Do you need “great power” and “much grace” in your life? Where is its source, and how can you receive it?
Prayer: Father, please help me to be aware of the “great power” and “much grace” in my life, and help me to be willing to do whatever it takes to receive it from Your hand and, then, to give it away to others. Amen.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
February 14, 2008 - Acts 4:29
“’Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.’” Acts 4:29.
In response to the religious authorities’ threats and punishments, the early followers of Jesus asked God to “enable (them) to speak (God’s) word with great boldness.” Peter and John had been arrested, held in prison over night, and tried before the authorities for honoring the name of Jesus, in whom they were dedicated followers. Now, as these believers gathered together, they must have discussed the options before them. Do they “obey” their authorities and stay silent in public concerning Jesus, or do they speak out? Knowing that they could be arrested and treated cruelly must have made their discussion interesting. Their decision was to pray to the Lord for boldness to speak out.
I must admit that, if I am speaking to someone about my faith in Jesus and they react to me in a threatening fashion, my reaction would probably be to back up, to back off, or to back down. Or, quite the opposite, an angry reaction might well up inside of me, and I might lash out, which would probably mean that a fight would ensue. If I was threatened with potential time in jail because of the message of Jesus, as these early followers were, I would certainly take some time to think through my options and my response. It would not be my first response to pray for “great boldness,” as these early followers of Jesus prayed. It is my hope that, if in a similar situation, I would process this with the people that know me and with whom I know, and that we would come to a similar conclusion as these early believers.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been told or threatened to not share the message of Jesus? If so, what did you do and what was your experience? If not, how do you think that you would respond?
Prayer: Father, like these early followers of Jesus, please give us boldness, if and when we are threatened, to tell the story of Your Son, Jesus, and of Your rescue mission for all of creation. Amen.
In response to the religious authorities’ threats and punishments, the early followers of Jesus asked God to “enable (them) to speak (God’s) word with great boldness.” Peter and John had been arrested, held in prison over night, and tried before the authorities for honoring the name of Jesus, in whom they were dedicated followers. Now, as these believers gathered together, they must have discussed the options before them. Do they “obey” their authorities and stay silent in public concerning Jesus, or do they speak out? Knowing that they could be arrested and treated cruelly must have made their discussion interesting. Their decision was to pray to the Lord for boldness to speak out.
I must admit that, if I am speaking to someone about my faith in Jesus and they react to me in a threatening fashion, my reaction would probably be to back up, to back off, or to back down. Or, quite the opposite, an angry reaction might well up inside of me, and I might lash out, which would probably mean that a fight would ensue. If I was threatened with potential time in jail because of the message of Jesus, as these early followers were, I would certainly take some time to think through my options and my response. It would not be my first response to pray for “great boldness,” as these early followers of Jesus prayed. It is my hope that, if in a similar situation, I would process this with the people that know me and with whom I know, and that we would come to a similar conclusion as these early believers.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been told or threatened to not share the message of Jesus? If so, what did you do and what was your experience? If not, how do you think that you would respond?
Prayer: Father, like these early followers of Jesus, please give us boldness, if and when we are threatened, to tell the story of Your Son, Jesus, and of Your rescue mission for all of creation. Amen.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
February 7, 2008 - Acts 4:19-20
“But Peter and John replied, ’Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” Acts 4:19-20.
Have you ever felt so strongly about something that you could not help but talk about it? When my children and, more recently, my grandchildren were born, I was so excited that I could not help myself. I spoke to people about their birth. I spoke to total strangers about it. I just could not help myself! I felt so strongly about being a father (and a grandfather) that I could not help speaking about what I had seen and heard!
On quite another level, I picture Peter and John having very similar feelings. The experiences that they had witnessed in and through their very lives were so life-changing and powerful that they could not help speaking about it. Even before a group of the highest religious authorities of their day, they could not help themselves! They knew what they had “seen and heard,” and they were not going to stop speaking about this Jesus, who had totally transformed their lives and the lives of those around them. These religious authorities, for whatever reason, did not want them to speak in the name of Jesus; in fact they ordered Peter and John not to speak in this name. And that is what provoked the response from Peter.
It is my hope that, under similar circumstances, I would have a similar conviction. Yet, even in my everyday, normal world, what kind of stand do I take? Has my life been so deeply and profoundly affected so as to cause such a similar, focused response and conviction?
Questions to consider: How deep is your conviction about what God in Christ has done in and through you? Like Peter and John, is there enough evidence on Christ’s involvement in and through you to “convict” you, as these religious authorities had done to Peter and John? What step(s) do you need to take, if any, to deepen your conviction to follow Jesus?
Prayer: Father, I believe; help my unbelief. Please help me to know Your presence in those times when I when confronted by unbelief or disbelief, and help me to be aware of how I need to deepen my conviction and faith in You. Amen.
Have you ever felt so strongly about something that you could not help but talk about it? When my children and, more recently, my grandchildren were born, I was so excited that I could not help myself. I spoke to people about their birth. I spoke to total strangers about it. I just could not help myself! I felt so strongly about being a father (and a grandfather) that I could not help speaking about what I had seen and heard!
On quite another level, I picture Peter and John having very similar feelings. The experiences that they had witnessed in and through their very lives were so life-changing and powerful that they could not help speaking about it. Even before a group of the highest religious authorities of their day, they could not help themselves! They knew what they had “seen and heard,” and they were not going to stop speaking about this Jesus, who had totally transformed their lives and the lives of those around them. These religious authorities, for whatever reason, did not want them to speak in the name of Jesus; in fact they ordered Peter and John not to speak in this name. And that is what provoked the response from Peter.
It is my hope that, under similar circumstances, I would have a similar conviction. Yet, even in my everyday, normal world, what kind of stand do I take? Has my life been so deeply and profoundly affected so as to cause such a similar, focused response and conviction?
Questions to consider: How deep is your conviction about what God in Christ has done in and through you? Like Peter and John, is there enough evidence on Christ’s involvement in and through you to “convict” you, as these religious authorities had done to Peter and John? What step(s) do you need to take, if any, to deepen your conviction to follow Jesus?
Prayer: Father, I believe; help my unbelief. Please help me to know Your presence in those times when I when confronted by unbelief or disbelief, and help me to be aware of how I need to deepen my conviction and faith in You. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
