Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

Imagine going to party to honor someone you’ve only heard about from what others have said as being someone impressive and important.  You accept the invitation out of curiosity.  You then wonder what you should bring to the party as a hospitable gift of thanks.  You decide to bring your special “pigs in the blanket” hoping everyone will like your popular family recipe. You arrive and hand them what you have.  Some of the attenders are a bit surprised at your offering.  You can tell by the eye rolls, ever so slight, but you saw and felt it. 

Then the guest of honor arrives!  Everyone smiles and honors him with applause and praise.  He accepts all the food on the table and thanks everyone for their contribution.  But what happens next leaves you in a state of awe and wonder.  The guest of honor announces that he has brought a gift to every single person who came—a gift so exquisite that no amount of money could purchase such a gift!  Many are stunned.  They came expecting to give not to get a gift! 

Every person invited to the party, especially those in the back who served, was offered the greatest gift in the world.  The Guest of honor then spent precious moments of time with each one who received his gift.  No one expected that in coming to a gathering would they see this honored guest offer the gift of a lifetime—eternal life!   

Acts 11, The Message

God Has Broken Through

^1-3 The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it—heard that the non-Jewish “outsiders” were now “in.” When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet: “What do you think you’re doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?”

^4-6 So Peter, starting from the beginning, laid it out for them step-by-step: “Recently I was in the town of Joppa praying. I fell into a trance and saw a vision: Something like a huge blanket, lowered by ropes at its four corners, came down out of heaven and settled on the ground in front of me. Milling around on the blanket were farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds—you name it, it was there. Fascinated, I took it all in.

^7-10 “Then I heard a voice: ‘Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, Master. I’ve never so much as tasted food that wasn’t kosher.’ The voice spoke again: ‘If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.’ This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the sky.

^11-14 “Just then three men showed up at the house where I was staying, sent from Caesarea to get me. The Spirit told me to go with them, no questions asked. So I went with them, I and six friends, to the man who had sent for me. He told us how he had seen an angel right in his own house, real as his next-door neighbor, saying, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’ll tell you something that will save your life—in fact, you and everyone you care for.’

^15-17 “So I started in, talking. Before I’d spoken half a dozen sentences, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us the first time. I remembered Jesus’ words: ‘John baptized with water; you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So I ask you: If God gave the same exact gift to them as to us when we believed in the Master Jesus Christ, how could I object to God?”

¹⁸ Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down. And then, as it sank in, they started praising God. “It’s really happened! God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!”

^19-21 Those who had been scattered by the persecution triggered by Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they were still only speaking and dealing with their fellow Jews. Then some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch started talking to Greeks, giving them the Message of the Master Jesus. God was pleased with what they were doing and put his stamp of approval on it—quite a number of the Greeks believed and turned to the Master.

^22-24 When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit’s ways. The community grew large and strong in the Master.

^25-26 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. He found him and brought him back to Antioch. They were there a whole year, meeting with the church and teaching a lot of people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

^27-30 It was about this same time that some prophets came to Antioch from Jerusalem. One of them named Agabus stood up one day and, prompted by the Spirit, warned that a severe famine was about to devastate the country. (The famine eventually came during the rule of Claudius.) So the disciples decided that each of them would send whatever they could to their fellow Christians in Judea to help out. They sent Barnabas and Saul to deliver the collection to the leaders in Jerusalem.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

BE INFORMED!

There are no outsiders to God.  All are welcome and loved by God. All are “in” who believe in Jesus and accept his gift of redemption from sins.  All who receive this gift will not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16)

All nations, all races, all languages; ALL people created and so loved by God are welcome to receive the gift Jesus has provided.  God gave John a vision of this gathering of all—

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”          Revelation 7:9-10, NIV

Peter had nothing to fear from the uninformed critics. After all, he had only followed orders from the Lord, and the Spirit had clearly confirmed the salvation of the Gentiles. Peter reviewed the entire experience from beginning to end, and, when he was finished, the Jewish legalists dropped their charges and glorified God for the salvation of the Gentiles.

Christians, believers of Jesus, are to receive one another and not dispute over cultural differences or minor matters of personal conviction. Some of the Jewish Christians in the early church wanted the Gentiles to become Jews, and some of the Gentile believers wanted the Jews to stop being Jews and become Gentiles! This attitude can create serious division in the church even today, so it is important that we follow the example of verse 18; “God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!” 

How do we respond?

Pause and prayerfully examine our hearts:

Is there someone, anyone, with whom we would be uncomfortable or even refuse to worship alongside today?  If the answer is yes, I pray you would allow God to breakthrough all the barriers of uninformed thinking that would exclude anyone from being loved, appreciated, welcomed and acceptance into the Holy Presence of God, Savior, and Lord. 

Afterall, God accepted you and I—sinners saved by grace!

Lord,

May all we learn sink deep within our souls.  I pray unity through your Holy Spirit within all our churches to prevail over comparing, competing, judging, and all other unloving behaviors that drive people away from your saving grace.  Forgive us, Lord.  May we love like you love us.  Use us to encourage others as we share all you have so freely given to us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—Jesus, John 3:16

Background and Update—for understanding as we move forward in our Acts journey:

Acts is usually understood as the “actions” of the apostles. But some scholars have said that it would be better named “The Acts of the Holy Spirit,” because the central character who is manifested is the third person of the Trinity.  The Holy Spirit enables, empowers, and who leads God’s church into its earliest period of expansion.

Acts was written by Dr. Luke, a physician by trade, who wrote the gospel of Luke. He did not stop with his eyewitness accounts of Jesus.  It is as if Dr. Luke merely pauses from completing his gospel to dip pen to ink so he can continue to tell the world how the work Jesus began and then continues in the lives of those He trained and commissioned.  Luke carries on the narrative history of the early church to tell us how the church grew and expanded from the inside out and outside in.

We remember that before He left earth, Jesus gave His Great Commission to His disciples “to go and make disciples, teaching them, baptizing them in His Name” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus also told them to wait for His Spirit then begin in Jerusalem. 

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8, NLT

In what part of Palestine do we find Jerusalem? It is in Judea, in the southern part of the country. And Galilee is in the north. The northern part of the country is separated, or divided, from the south—which is Judea—by Samaria. Jesus basically commands the church to move out from the center in concentric circles, so that the ministry of the newborn church, begins in Jerusalem, then moves out to the circle of Judea, and then goes and incorporates Samaria, and from there, to all the world into the uttermost parts of the earth.  God always knows what He is doing!  Those of us who love a strategy love the way God thinks and works in our lives—trust Him!

Luke is telling us what is happening in the primitive church in Jerusalem in the early chapters and now we begin to hear of its expansion into Judea, then to Samaria. Later we will follow the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul, (formerly Saul the persecutor), who will take the gospel to the Gentiles— (anyone not a Jew), “to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

In this passage, the Holy Spirit comes to broaden the scope of God’s strategic mission by opening the heart and stretching the mind of Peter, a Jew by birth, a passionate follower of Jesus by rebirth who is called to preach the Good News to the world God so loves—Jews and non-Jews. God is for everyone who believes in Jesus!

Acts 10, The Message

Peter’s Vision

^1-3 There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer. One day about three o’clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbor, came in and said, “Cornelius.”

^4-6 Cornelius stared hard, wondering if he was seeing things. Then he said, “What do you want, sir?”

The angel said, “Your prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. Here’s what you are to do. Send men to Joppa to get Simon, the one everyone calls Peter. He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is down by the sea.”

^7-8 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two servants and one particularly devout soldier from the guard. He went over with them in great detail everything that had just happened, and then sent them off to Joppa.

^9-13 The next day as the three travelers were approaching the town, Peter went out on the balcony to pray. It was about noon. Peter got hungry and started thinking about lunch. While lunch was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the skies open up. Something that looked like a huge blanket lowered by ropes at its four corners settled on the ground. Every kind of animal and reptile and bird you could think of was on it. Then a voice came: “Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.”

¹⁴ Peter said, “Oh, no, Lord. I’ve never so much as tasted food that was not kosher.”

¹⁵ The voice came a second time: “If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.”

¹⁶ This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the skies.

^17-20 As Peter, puzzled, sat there trying to figure out what it all meant, the men sent by Cornelius showed up at Simon’s front door. They called in, asking if there was a Simon, also called Peter, staying there. Peter, lost in thought, didn’t hear them, so the Spirit whispered to him, “Three men are knocking at the door looking for you. Get down there and go with them. Don’t ask any questions. I sent them to get you.”

²¹ Peter went down and said to the men, “I think I’m the man you’re looking for. What’s up?”

^22-23 They said, “Captain Cornelius, a God-fearing man well-known for his fair play—ask any Jew in this part of the country—was commanded by a holy angel to get you and bring you to his house so he could hear what you had to say.” Peter invited them in and made them feel at home.

God Plays No Favorites

^23-26 The next morning he got up and went with them. Some of his friends from Joppa went along. A day later they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had his relatives and close friends waiting with him. The minute Peter came through the door, Cornelius was up on his feet greeting him—and then down on his face worshiping him! Peter pulled him up and said, “None of that—I’m a man and only a man, no different from you.”

^27-29 Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, “You know, I’m sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don’t do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked. But now I’d like to know why you sent for me.”

^30-32 Cornelius said, “Four days ago at about this time, midafternoon, I was home praying. Suddenly there was a man right in front of me, flooding the room with light. He said, ‘Cornelius, your daily prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. I want you to send to Joppa to get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’s staying with Simon the Tanner down by the sea.’

³³ “So I did it—I sent for you. And you’ve been good enough to come. And now we’re all here in God’s presence, ready to listen to whatever the Master put in your heart to tell us.”

^34-36 Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.

^37-38 “You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.

^39-43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”

^44-46 No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.

^46-48 Then Peter said, “Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They’ve received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.” Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God plays no favorites—I’m glad, how about you?!

It is clearly God who prepares our hearts to receive the news of what Jesus did to take away our sins. 

The Holy Spirit of God moves in mighty ways to impress upon the minds of humanity that God is for all and in all who believe in Jesus.  There is nothing we have done that He will not forgive.  There is no one on earth who believes that He will not welcome into His Kingdom.

We are not separatists, we are includers if we know and love like God. 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” 1 John 4:13-15

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.” 1 John 4:16-17

“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”  1 John 4:20-21

Truth:  Everyone, anyone, and whoever believe are called children of God—and he does not play favorites.  Do we?  Pause to examine and evaluate our hearts.

Lord,

Thank you for the Plan that saved all who believe on Your Name and follow you with all that is in them.  Thank you for being the God of all you created. Thank you for not playing favorites as you demonstrate your love to us and work in us so that we love like you love us.  Thank you for cleansing our hearts of favoritism, transforming our minds, refreshing our souls, and restoring the joy of you in us and us in you daily.  You are not finished with us until we see you face to face!  Thank you for not giving up on me!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.

“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”—Peter, 1 Peter 2:21

To walk in the steps of Jesus, we must do what He did.  Jesus always went to be with God first before doing anything of significance. The gospels burst with true stories of how Jesus moved into the neighborhood of humanity and brought God’s Love and Light to the darkness that had overwhelmed His people for centuries. Through Jesus’ sacrificially work of dying for our sins then rising to life, defeating death; God demonstrated His glory and power and relentless love for us—so others may believe, be transformed, and love Him back. 

Peter was a life changed so dramatically and transformed powerfully by Jesus who he came to know and love.  Peter left home to give his all to the One who would teach and equip him while walking with Jesus for three years.  Through Peter, “in Jesus Name,” the work Jesus began in the lives of people, is not only continuing but as Jesus promised, even “greater things are happening” ! 

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” –Jesus, John 14:12-14

Peter walks in His steps, in His Name, for God’s glory!  His message:  Believe and follow Jesus!

Acts 9, The Message

Tabitha

^32-35 Peter went off on a mission to visit all the churches. In the course of his travels he arrived in Lydda and met with the believers there. He came across a man—his name was Aeneas—who had been in bed eight years paralyzed. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” And he did it—jumped right out of bed. Everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him walking around and woke up to the fact that God was alive and active among them.

^36-37 Down the road a way in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, “Gazelle” in our language. She was well-known for doing good and helping out. During the time Peter was in the area she became sick and died. Her friends prepared her body for burial and put her in a cool room.

^38-40 Some of the disciples had heard that Peter was visiting in nearby Lydda and sent two men to ask if he would be so kind as to come over. Peter got right up and went with them. They took him into the room where Tabitha’s body was laid out. Her old friends, most of them widows, were in the room mourning. They showed Peter pieces of clothing the Gazelle had made while she was with them. Peter put the widows all out of the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he spoke directly to the body: “Tabitha, get up.”

^40-41 She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her hand and helped her up. Then he called in the believers and widows, and presented her to them alive.

^42-43 When this became known all over Joppa, many put their trust in the Master. Peter stayed on a long time in Joppa as a guest of Simon the Tanner.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Churches are popping up everywhere as groups of believers gather in Jesus Name!   Peter, led by God’s Holy Spirit is going to visit and encourage these new believers.  Jesus, who promised God’s Holy Spirit to help the disciples has now taken up full residence in the life of Peter.  Peter is doing what Jesus did, walking in the steps of Jesus as His representative, asking for healing in Jesus Name, so that God will be glorified and others will know and follow Jesus. 

God is alive and active among the new believers.  Churches are forming all over the region beyond Jerusalem—even during persecution for believing!  God is doing exactly what Jesus said He would—and the gates of hell will not stop God’s church from spreading the Good News of redemption in Jesus.  Peter has been called, equipped and sent by Jesus as “the one whom He would build his church upon.”  So, we should not be surprised by the healings that take place in Jesus Name!  (Matthew 16:18)

Peter, who has learned from previous failures and missteps, now applies all that Jesus taught him to be and do life so that others will turn from darkness and put all their love, faith and trust in Jesus who has saved them from sin.  Peter always will be the first to tell all who will listen, “This is not me doing the healing, it is the Master.”  Like Jesus gave glory to God, Peter gives glory to God in Jesus Name.   All is done in Jesus Name so others will know and believe Jesus is Savior and Lord!

Peter, former impetuous fisherman, now boldly and unashamedly preaches Jesus—

“He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed.
    who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
    the Guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:24-25, NLT

Peter is a life who was transformed for God’s glory by Jesus so others will believe. 

Jesus does the same for you and I. Turn to the Shepherd who guides our steps.

How do we respond today?  Pause to be still.  Prayerfully and honestly consider answers to these life changing questions…

Am I a life transformed by Jesus? 

Is all my hope and trust in Jesus? 

Do I believe what He says to be really real for my life? 

Do I seek God first as I walk in Jesus steps, in His way, being before doing anything in His Name? 

Do I seek glory or live to glorify God? 

Do I seek what God wants or what I want Him to bless?

Am I walking in His steps for His glory in Jesus Name?

Lord,

We relate to Peter because we have messed up before your message in us transformed our lives.  I am a life that was changed by you for your glory.  I am still a work in progress—as we will read Peter and others were as well—so we ask you to daily cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls with your new mercies, and restore the joy of you in us and us in you.  We will seek to be before we do anything in your Name for your glory so others will know of your saving grace!

In Jesus Name, Amen.  I believe.

When we come from a bad place to a good place by committing our lives to Jesus who saved us and set us free from sin; it won’t always follow in the minds of people who knew us before that we have indeed changed. Trust does not come easy in the eyes of people who were hurt by your sins. Trust is shallow and hearts are leery when the rumors run rampant of the previous hurts experienced by us before Jesus. 

Sometimes we are the ones who do not trust and are leery of those who hurt us deeply, betrayed our confidence, and persecute our faith.  When a family member comes back to God, or comes to Jesus for forgiveness for the firsts time after wreaking havoc in our world; we are fearful and wonder, “have they really changed”?  “Can we trust them?”

As we read our passage today, we see that it is human to be leery of our trust in an individual who was the terror of our lives.  We are fearful of a person who was mean, arrogant, and did undue harm to those who love Jesus and love others.  Saul, changed by Jesus, filled by God’s Holy Spirit, now puts as much or more energy in preaching Jesus as he did previously persecuting all who believed in Jesus!  But many are wondering, mummering, judging and trusting based on Saul’s previous life alone.

Then along comes Barnabas…we all need a Barabas in our lives!

Acts 9, The Message

Plots Against Saul

^19-21 Saul spent a few days getting acquainted with the Damascus disciples, but then went right to work, wasting no time, preaching in the meeting places that this Jesus was the Son of God. They were caught off guard by this and, not at all sure they could trust him, they kept saying, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem among the believers? And didn’t he come here to do the same thing—arrest us and drag us off to jail in Jerusalem for sentencing by the high priests?”

²² But their suspicions didn’t slow Saul down for even a minute. His momentum was up now and he plowed straight into the opposition, disarming the Damascus Jews and trying to show them that this Jesus was the Messiah.

^23-25 After this had gone on quite a long time, some Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul got wind of it. They were watching the city gates around the clock so they could kill him. Then one night the disciples engineered his escape by lowering him over the wall in a basket.

^26-27 Back in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t trust him one bit. Then Barnabas took him under his wing. He introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him, told them how Saul had seen and spoken to the Master on the Damascus Road and how in Damascus itself he had laid his life on the line with his bold preaching in Jesus’ name.

^28-30 After that he was accepted as one of them, going in and out of Jerusalem with no questions asked, uninhibited as he preached in the Master’s name. But then he ran afoul of a group called Hellenists—he had been engaged in a running argument with them—who plotted his murder. When his friends learned of the plot, they got him out of town, took him to Caesarea, and then shipped him off to Tarsus.

³¹ Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.

WHAT DO WE NEED—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Saul had a need.  Consider Saul’s personality—it’s kind of akin to Peter’s—doing before thinking, grabbing hold of a truth and demanding that everyone know it and follow it and defend it.  Jesus does not need defending, however.  Saul does!

Saul has much to learn in his zealousness to preach Jesus who changed his life.  He needs a way for believers who previously ran from him in fear to know he has indeed been changed by their Savior and his and who is now his Lord. God gives him Barnabas, the Encourager, the Mentor who everyone admires and looks to for validation.

Who have been the Barnabas’s in your life? 

Who do you trust and who trusts you? 

Who introduced you to others who would help you, come alongside you to teach you ways that bring you closer to Jesus?

Are we willing to be a Barnabas to someone who needs encouraging as they grow in their love for God through Jesus and learn the ways of God? 

Are we willing to give our time and trust to someone who needs what God has given to us?

Saul risked his life to preach Jesus.  Barnabas testified this fact so others would trust the change Jesus made in Saul’s life.

Yes, all of us need a Barnabas.  Seek one and be one!

Lord,

Thank you for the many people you gave me in my life who loved, mentored, trusted, and helped me on the road to you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Read that again.  Jesus, Son of God, takes our hurt personally and rescues us.  We know He rescued us by taking the punishment for our sins that we deserve.  We know Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, spit on, mocked, and whipped with flesh tearing instruments of torture.  After the beatings and betrayals, He willingly laid down so that nails could be hammered through His body in ways that would hold Him on a cross until he died.  As Son of God, Jesus had legions (thousands) of angels He could have called to rescue Him as He rescued us.  But He did not.  His love, God’s love, held Him there until the debt was paid—this part of mission to save the world completed and finished.

However, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit are still at work.  God’s Holy Spirit is leading the apostles trained by Jesus along with all who follow Jesus to continue the work He began with authority from God given to them.  They preach Jesus, the risen from death to life Savior and Lord of all who believe—but not without opposition by the religious elite who had Jesus put to death.  The religious without a relationship with God thought they had fixed their problem with Jesus.  They have a devout, learned Jew who is driven, possessed, in his quest to rid the world of all the followers of Jesus.  His name is Saul.  He was a witness and cheerleader to the stoning of Stephen.  (Acts 7) These religious leaders murdered Stephen after declaring the glory of God in Jesus, His Son.  Saul watched over their coats of arrogant importance while the deed was done.

The Good News of the love of God demonstrated by Jesus who died and rose again so that we may live eternally is now spreading like wild fire on a dry and thirsty land!  Due to persecution, “missionaries” are leaving Jerusalem to the outlying towns to preach Jesus.  Saul is now a feared leader of a task force of torturous extremes as he hunts down all who believe in Jesus and follow in Teaching—The Way.

Jesus goes to the source of evil to rescue His people from this enemy.  He still does that for us today.

Acts 9, The Message

The Blinding of Saul

^1-2 All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.

^3-4 He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?”

^5-6 He said, “Who are you, Master?”

“I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.”

^7-9 His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn’t see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone-blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.

¹⁰ There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: “Ananias.”

“Yes, Master?” he answered.

^11-12 “Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He’s there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again.”

^13-14 Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.”

^15-16 But the Master said, “Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I’m about to show him what he’s in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job.”

^17-19 So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Notice what Jesus did not say;

“Saul, why are you doing this to people?”

“Saul, you should know better,” remember the commandment, “you shall not kill”? 

“Saul, what is wrong with you?”

Instead, Jesus makes it personal: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?” 

When we sin, we not only hurt others, we are sinning against God.  God’s Number One command:  Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul is followed with His Number Two command:  Love each other like I love you.  Jesus said ALL other commanded laws begin with and are based on these two commands. It’s personal. 

Jesus knows.  Jesus loves.  Jesus helps those who follow Him.  What happens to us, happens to Jesus, too.  Whatever we do for others, we do for Jesus.  Good or bad.

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’  Matthew 25:40-45, Jesus’ story of a King

When David was caught in adultery and then tried to cover it up with murder, his trusted spiritual advisor, led by God, called David out to deal with his sins.  The first words from David’s repentant heart, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (See 2 Samuel 12)

Forgiveness is very personal, too. Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins AS we forgive others.”  Jesus solidified this truth with a follow up statement at the end: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” –Jesus, Matthew 6:14-15, NIV

Consider the courage with obedience of Ananias!  He knew the reputation of Saul.  He feared Saul!  When the Lord of our lives says go, forgive, lay hands so Saul, so he can be healed, we understand Ananias’ first honest response: “Are you serious, Lord?”

The Master responds to his fear with assurance:“Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews.”  Wait, what now?  YOUR personal representative? Ananias does not know what God has planned for Saul who will be transformed from the inside out to Paul, the Apostle who will risk his life daily to preach Jesus to the non-Jews and begin churches all over the known world.

So, Ananias went.  There is a lot packed into these three words.  Pause and thank God for Ananias’ obedience.  Thank Jesus for stepping in to reverse what Saul was thinking and doing.

PERSONAL REFLECTION:

When I say or do mean things to others do I realize I’m saying or doing them to Jesus?

When I hide or mislead truth, am I really sinning against God?

When God says go; but I refuse to go to the hard places and forgive those who hurt me and others, am I hurting the One I call the Lord of my life?

Do any of my excuses hold up in the throne room of God?

When we say Jesus is our “personal Savior”, it seems an understatement of His love, care, protection and provision! 

Oh Lord,

Life with you is so very personal and rewarding, challenging and convicting, comforting and encouraging—all at the same time.  I’m learning that this is part of our growing relationship that is intimate, loving, and full of your mercy and grace.  Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Over the years, growing believers would complain to me that God does not talk with them like with other people.  They would lament that God is silent, unresponsive to their prayers of asking for this or that to happen in their lives.  They want to do great things but don’t know where to begin. I learned to avoid judging, probing their lives, or making this a teachable moment. God’s Holy Spirit would lead me most times to pray first with them; then ask “What passages are you currently reading in God’s Word?”  “What do you understand and what do you wonder about from your reading?”  “What is God saying as you pray in communication with Him?”

Here are some of the responses I’ve heard:

“Well, I haven’t had time to read the Bible, I’m pretty busy with work and going to school.”  (I heard this from a seminary student!)

“When I read, I immediately get frustrated with two or three verses and besides; I already know what it will say or tell me to stop doing.”  (From church leaders!)

“Reading the Bible only tells me what happened long ago, not what is happening in my life now—so it seems a waste of time to study and pray when I could be doing better things that are more helpful.”

Yikes!  Dear Friends, we are missing the point if we believe that God’s Word is only a tool of history instead of “the lamp that lights our path” to God as He guides us to what He wants to say to us individually.

God’s Word is History in a sense—It is HIS STORY of redemption through His Son, Jesus who was present from beginning of creation to the “omega” of the end of time.  God’s Story is also a love letter to everyone who comes humbly before Him in Jesus Name to seek wisdom, clarity, purpose, comfort, direction, love, mercy, grace, encouragement, healing from brokenness, strategy for living, restoration from the attacks of the enemy and so much more! 

For me, reading God’s Word is like sitting across the table from the Three-in-One: God the Father, Jesus our Savior and Lord, and God’s Holy Spirit in a power-filled, spirit led, exciting and expectant conversation with the One who created all, is in all, and over all—the One ever present in my life.  God knows how everything in our lives is put together for our good and His glory!  “And He walks with me and he talks with me…”

This conversation with God begins with humbled prayer, presenting ourselves as an offering to God, seeking His will, “His perfect and pleasing will,” to live and grow each day in the unforced rhythms of His grace! Without communication with the Director, we become out of step to the beat of His symphony written to create beautiful harmonies of love with God and others.

Because of Jesus, there is no middleman or priest behind a curtain, it is just you and I, individually walking boldly to the throne of God, bowing before Him, asking for what He wants next. Then we listen as He calls us by name.  This is the missing piece for some.  We must discipline ourselves to take time to stop speaking, asking, demanding, complaining, and lamenting to hear what God has to say.  It is time well spent to “be still and know that He is God” while being silent to hear fully what He has to say.

Just ask Philip—God spoke to his heart clearly and concisely.  “At noon, walk over to that road.”  The rest is history—God’s story of redemption for a traveler just passing through helped by Philip—the servant who listened and obeyed. 

Acts 8, The Message

The Ethiopian Eunuch

^26-28 Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: “At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.

^29-30 The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

^31-33 He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this:

As a sheep led to slaughter,
    and quiet as a lamb being sheared,
He was silent, saying nothing.
    He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial.
But who now can count his kin
    since he’s been taken from the earth?

^34-35 The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.

^36-39 As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, “Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn’t mind. He had what he’d come forand went on down the road as happy as he could be.

⁴⁰ Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Philip listened and obeyed.  We cannot stress this enough.  We aren’t the best listeners—to anyone!  We listen only while thinking how we will respond without really understanding what the speaker is saying.  We love being “in charge and in control” of every conversation.  We “one up” each other to feel important and worthy.  We listen just enough to be dangerous.  I don’t like that about us and neither does God!

Philip was readied and prepared to listen.  He knew what God was saying through His Word.  He seemed excited to run alongside the carriage when he heard the Ethiopian official reading God’s Word.  He obeyed God’s direction to “climb into the chariot”!  He did ask permission.  What happened from His readiness to listen and obedient heart was another soul saved in the Name of Jesus and then baptized that day!

Matthew 28-20—The larger commandment of Jesus to his disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” is accomplished in the details our everyday lives by:

• Daily offering ourselves to Him (Romans 12)
• Submitting first to God with adoration and worship to the One who loves us most (2 Chronicles 7:14)
• Communicating with God, acknowledging that He delights in all the details of our lives (Psalm 37:23-24)
• Listening more, talking less in prayer (yes this is a discipline to learn and grow!) (Psalm 46:10)
• Asking what He wants as He gives us “this day” all He knows we will need. (Matthew 6: 9-13)
• Being still to listen after the asking for His will be done with open minds—He will tell you exactly what He wants.  Let go of everything else.
• Listening as God speaks through His Word, His People, Circumstances, and even through those who don’t know Him yet.  God speaks through His creation constantly!  We must listen with our hearts, minds, and souls to be aware!
• Inviting His Holy Spirit to lead us before we read His word is a gamechanger in the pursuit of God, His purpose for us and His direction to us (1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19)
• Drawing near to the One who promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” fills us with confidence, power, joy, and peace that only God-Jesus-Holy Spirt can provide.  (Matthew 28:20; James 4:8)

We probably won’t experience exactly what Philip did.  God had a specific, urgent plan for an Ethiopian seeker to find Him.  God knew He could count on Philip.  This was not an event to be copied, but rather an example of how God works in the lives of His listening, obedient servants. 

Three-Pronged Prayer—Open hearts, Alert Minds, Many Opportunities

Paul writes to the church asking them to pray with and for him—while he is in jail for preaching Jesus!  Notice his request is not about physical needs—it’s about the spiritual needs of those all around him in his current situation!  Paul writes:

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:2-6, NLT

God answers prayers like this!  He has answered many times for me! 

To God be the glory for great things HE has done!  Be still, let go, know God.

Lord,

Teach me your will.  Lead me on level ground.  Show me your ways. I am your servant.  And I’m listening.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

When tragedy strikes, our initial feeling is mourning of the loss followed by fear of what will happen next?  We are humans who need help to be comforted, encouraged, and reminded that God did not leave us—quite the opposite. 

God looks over what is bad, affecting us and the world around us.  God’s work continues to weave miracles of good by His power in ways that declare His glory!  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God is and always will be “at work” in the lives of those who love Him back.  Nothing goes unnoticed by God.  (And we will be surprised later by who wrote this truth!)

God is still at work among his beloved believers.  His Son, Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, inviting Himself into places most priests would not dare to go.  He healed the sick, gave sight the blind, made the lame walk again but His word and touch.  Jesus, who knew no sin, was treated like a criminal by the religious who were arrogantly against Him.  He was put to death on a cross but three days later, as predicted and promised, Jesus rose from death in victory over the prince of darkness and eternal death to eternal Life!  Jesus is the One and Only who gives Life to all who believe while declaring the glory of God among His followers. 

This act of God and His Son angered the enemy who thought he had won the war with God by working his way into the minds of the religious.  The enemy had it easy because the religious had turned from God, had no relationship with God, and did not love God back.  They certainly did not recognize His Son when He came to save them!

But God is still at work with miraculous acts of grace coupled with the power of His Holy Spirit that has come to live in Jesus’ apostles and followers.  The stoning of Stephen, who stood boldly for Jesus, telling Jesus’ story of redemption, lit the fires of persecution of the early church by all those opposed.  A tragedy, yes!  Did God throw up his hands and quit?  Absolutely not!  The stoning of their beloved Stephen only served to strengthen their resolve to pray for their enemies asking God to forgive them and save their souls. 

What God did next was to provide ways to expand the ministry and grew the persecuted church!  Jesus knew all along; He knows how His father works! 

Watch and learn!  There is no one like our God! 

Acts 8, The Message

Simon the Wizard

^1-2 That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day!

^3-8 And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!

^9-11 Previous to Philip’s arrival, a certain Simon had practiced magic in the city, posing as a famous man and dazzling all the Samaritans with his wizardry. He had them all, from little children to old men, eating out of his hand. They all thought he had supernatural powers, and called him “the Great Wizard.” He had been around a long time and everyone was more or less in awe of him.

^12-13 But when Philip came to town announcing the news of God’s kingdom and proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ, they forgot Simon and were baptized, becoming believers right and left! Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. From that moment he was like Philip’s shadow, so fascinated with all the God-signs and miracles that he wouldn’t leave Philip’s side.

^14-17 When the apostles in Jerusalem received the report that Samaria had accepted God’s Message, they sent Peter and John down to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Up to this point they had only been baptized in the name of the Master Jesus; the Holy Spirit hadn’t yet fallen on them. Then the apostles laid their hands on them and they did receive the Holy Spirit.

^18-19 When Simon saw that the apostles by merely laying on hands conferred the Spirit, he pulled out his money, excited, and said, “Sell me your secret! Show me how you did that! How much do you want? Name your price!”

^20-23 Peter said, “To hell with your money! And you along with it. Why, that’s unthinkable—trying to buy God’s gift! You’ll never be part of what God is doing by striking bargains and offering bribes. Change your ways—and now! Ask the Master to forgive you for trying to use God to make money. I can see this is an old habit with you; you reek with money-lust.”

²⁴ “Oh!” said Simon, “pray for me! Pray to the Master that nothing like that will ever happen to me!”

²⁵ And with that, the apostles were on their way, continuing to witness and spread the Message of God’s salvation, preaching in every Samaritan town they passed through on their return to Jerusalem.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working…

(Way Maker by Mandisa)

AFTER STEPHEN’S STONING—

Saul, the young man who watched over the coats of the leaders as they stoned Stephen to death, now had the blood of vengeance and rebellion cursing through his veins against Jesus and all who call on His Name. Saul has risen in leadership among the religious Jews, the “chief among sinners” (as he will call himself later).  With righteous indignation, Saul forms a “task force” to persecute all who believe and follow Jesus.  His goal is to rid the world of all Jesus’ believers. 

The believers scatter—causing them to become missionaries—going to places to tell the Good News that Jesus is now the risen Savior!  The Message of Jesus is received with excitement and joy! Philip proclaims the message to the people of Samaria—where Jews are not normally welcomed.  But then we remember Jesus began this work in Samaria earlier through a woman while stopping at Jacob’s well!  (See John 4:5-30) 

We also remember Jesus words when he appeared to them after his resurrection with a commanded plan: “You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Yes, God is still at work doing what He does best in all who believe and follow in the Name of Jesus!

Philip, joined by Peter, and John help Simon, the “great wizard” who used to turn tricks of magic change his mind and his life so he can help others turn to Jesus!  Yes, God is still at work!

Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
You are
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are…

New believers in Samaria receive the gift of the Holy Spirit from God as introduced by Peter and John.  They have new birth, transformed lives, all because of the Good News message of Jesus’ resurrection.  They possess a new power from God all because of Jesus!  Yes, God is still at work! 

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” –Jesus, Matthew 16:18

Lord,

When we don’t know what is going on, may we quickly realize that you do know and care and that you are still at work in our lives…

In Jesus Name, by His power, for His glory!

You are here, moving in our midst
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, working in this place
I worship You, I worship You

Part Two

When we talk about Jesus to people who do not yet believe and who cling to a self-motivated, self-led life; it will not be easy but necessary.  Jesus came to earth to seek and to save the lost without God. He commissioned his disciples to “go and make disciples, baptizing, and teaching them to make disciples of others; the exponential way to spread the news that God loved and sent Jesus to redeemed us from all our sins.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  That means all of us have been lost until we found Jesus who removed all our sins and set us free.  Why keep this great news to ourselves?

In part two, Stephen is given an open door to tell God’s Story of Redemption through Jesus, His Son when asked, “What do you have to say for yourself?”  Stephen, a man of faith, fully led by God’s Holy Spirit walks boldly through this door of opportunity. 

Acts 6, The Message

Stephen, Full of the Holy Spirit

7 Then the Chief Priest said, “What do you have to say for yourself?”

^2-3 Stephen replied, “Friends, fathers, and brothers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was still in Mesopotamia, before the move to Haran, and told him, ‘Leave your country and family and go to the land I’ll show you.’

^4-7 “So he left the country of the Chaldees and moved to Haran. After the death of his father, he immigrated to this country where you now live, but God gave him nothing, not so much as a foothold. He did promise to give the country to him and his son later on, even though Abraham had no son at the time. God let him know that his offspring would move to an alien country where they would be enslaved and brutalized for four hundred years. ‘But,’ God said, ‘I will step in and take care of those slaveholders and bring my people out so they can worship me in this place.’

⁸ “Then he made a covenant with him and signed it in Abraham’s flesh by circumcision. When Abraham had his son Isaac, within eight days he reproduced the sign of circumcision in him. Isaac became father of Jacob, and Jacob father of twelve ‘fathers,’ each faithfully passing on the covenant sign.

^9-10 “But then those ‘fathers,’ burning up with jealousy, sent Joseph off to Egypt as a slave. God was right there with him, though—he not only rescued him from all his troubles but brought him to the attention of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He was so impressed with Joseph that he put him in charge of the whole country, including his own personal affairs.

^11-15 “Later a famine descended on that entire region, stretching from Egypt to Canaan, bringing terrific hardship. Our hungry fathers looked high and low for food, but the cupboard was bare. Jacob heard there was food in Egypt and sent our fathers to scout it out. Having confirmed the report, they went back to Egypt a second time to get food. On that visit, Joseph revealed his true identity to his brothers and introduced the Jacob family to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and everyone else in the family, seventy-five in all. That’s how the Jacob family got to Egypt.

^15-16 “Jacob died, and our fathers after him. They were taken to Shechem and buried in the tomb for which Abraham paid a good price to the sons of Hamor.

^17-19 “When the four hundred years were nearly up, the time God promised Abraham for deliverance, the population of our people in Egypt had become very large. And there was now a king over Egypt who had never heard of Joseph. He exploited our race mercilessly. He went so far as forcing us to abandon our newborn infants, exposing them to the elements to die a cruel death.

^20-22 “In just such a time Moses was born, a most beautiful baby. He was hidden at home for three months. When he could be hidden no longer, he was put outside—and immediately rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, who mothered him as her own son. Moses was educated in the best schools in Egypt. He was equally impressive as a thinker and an athlete.

^23-26 “When he was forty years old, he wondered how everything was going with his Hebrew kin and went out to look things over. He saw an Egyptian abusing one of them and stepped in, avenging his underdog brother by knocking the Egyptian flat. He thought his brothers would be glad that he was on their side, and even see him as an instrument of God to deliver them. But they didn’t see it that way. The next day two of them were fighting and he tried to break it up, told them to shake hands and get along with each other: ‘Friends, you are brothers, why are you beating up on each other?’

^27-29 “The one who had started the fight said, ‘Who put you in charge of us? Are you going to kill me like you killed that Egyptian yesterday?’ When Moses heard that, realizing that the word was out, he ran for his life and lived in exile over in Midian. During the years of exile, two sons were born to him.

^30-32 “Forty years later, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to him in the guise of flames of a burning bush. Moses, not believing his eyes, went up to take a closer look. He heard God’s voice: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Frightened nearly out of his skin, Moses shut his eyes and turned away.

^33-34 “God said, ‘Kneel and pray. You are in a holy place, on holy ground. I’ve seen the agony of my people in Egypt. I’ve heard their groans. I’ve come to help them. So get yourself ready; I’m sending you back to Egypt.’

^35-39 “This is the same Moses whom they earlier rejected, saying, ‘Who put you in charge of us?’ This is the Moses that God, using the angel flaming in the burning bush, sent back as ruler and redeemer. He led them out of their slavery. He did wonderful things, setting up God-signs all through Egypt, down at the Red Sea, and out in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to his congregation, ‘God will raise up a prophet just like me from your descendants.’ This is the Moses who stood between the angel speaking at Sinai and your fathers assembled in the wilderness and took the life-giving words given to him and handed them over to us, words our fathers would have nothing to do with.

^39-41 “They craved the old Egyptian ways, whining to Aaron, ‘Make us gods we can see and follow. This Moses who got us out here miles from nowhere—who knows what’s happened to him!’ That was the time when they made a calf-idol, brought sacrifices to it, and congratulated each other on the wonderful religious program they had put together.

^42-43 “God wasn’t at all pleased; but he let them do it their way, worship every new god that came down the pike—and live with the consequences, consequences described by the prophet Amos:

Did you bring me offerings of animals and grains
    those forty wilderness years, O Israel?
Hardly. You were too busy building shrines
    to war gods, to sex goddesses,
Worshiping them with all your might.
    That’s why I put you in exile in Babylon.

^44-47 “And all this time our ancestors had a tent shrine for true worship, made to the exact specifications God provided Moses. They had it with them as they followed Joshua, when God cleared the land of pagans, and still had it right down to the time of David. David asked God for a permanent place for worship. But Solomon built it.

^48-50 “Yet that doesn’t mean that Most High God lives in a building made by carpenters and masons. The prophet Isaiah put it well when he wrote,

“Heaven is my throne room;
    I rest my feet on earth.
So what kind of house
    will you build me?” says God.
“Where I can get away and relax?
    It’s already built, and I built it.”

^51-53 “And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!”

^54-56 At that point they went wild, a rioting mob of catcalls and whistles and invective.

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!”

^57-58 Yelling and hissing, the mob drowned him out. Now in full stampede, they dragged him out of town and pelted him with rocks. The ringleaders took off their coats and asked a young man named Saul to watch them.

^59-60 As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my life.” Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, “Master, don’t blame them for this sin”—his last words. Then he died.

Saul was right there, congratulating the killers.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Currently, we are heard by those we befriend for who they are now with a heart’s desire for them to know more.  When we speak and live the Truth about Jesus with His love in us minus judgement, most will listen.  Some will consider what we are saying but need more time to think about it.  Others will readily accept Jesus because their hearts have been “primed” by God’s Holy Spirit.  Telling others begins with preparing our hearts in prayer to the One we are talking about!  Pray devotedly for opportunity, open hearts, right words, with a right spirit and the right time. (Colossians 4:2-6)

The religious leaders misunderstood their own spiritual roots. The Jews greatly revered Abraham and prided themselves in being his “children,” but they were confusing physical descent with spiritual experience and were depending on their national heritage rather than their personal faith. John the Baptist had warned them about this sin and so had Jesus (John 8:33–59). The Jews were blind to the simple faith of Abraham and the patriarchs.

Stephen was led to walk into a “lion’s den” of bullies, demon led and soul fed by the evil one, who opposed Jesus and His followers—loudly, craftily, always looking for ways to discredit their chosen way of life.  They attempted “talk him down” with senseless arguing and false accusations and “evidence” of breaking The Law. But Stephen—full of faith, Holy Spirit led—stood firm as he retold the history of the Jews—leading to and including Jesus—the promised Messiah who came to save them.  That’s when the riot began.

Stephen’s bold witness led to a riot of the religious who did not and would not believe that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, Son of God.  The religious picked up stones and pelted him until he looked up to the heavens, smiled and then passed from this life to the arms of Jesus.  His last words was a prayer to God asking Him to forgive them—just like Jesus did from the cross. “Forgive them for they know not what they are doing” are words that flow from a heart that loves divinely.

Stephen’s stoning pleased a young impressionable man named Saul, who stood and watched that day and congratulated the killers!  Saul became one of most zealously devoted opposers of The Way of Jesus and was greatly feared by the believers. 

However, what happened later in Saul’s life on the road to Damascus where he planned to persecute and kill more believers was nothing short of miraculous!  We may never know how far reaching our witness of Jesus will go no matter what words are said or what actions are taken.  But the greatest asset and attitude is the love of Jesus in us.  Jesus saves.   We tell others how to be saved by Jesus.

When we are led to boldly take a stand, we might become the face standing in front of those who want nothing to do with Jesus.  We might become an easy target of attack.  It is easy to take shots at us with stones of mockery, taunting, and slander.  But, during all the chatter, we must remember God is there with us, Jesus advocates for us, and God’s Holy Spirit gives us the right words at the right time in the right Spirit.  And may all we say and do be delivered with God’s Holy Spirit with His love in us.

We don’t have to know all of God’s Word, we only tell what we know.  “I was blind, but now I see”—in other words, we tell what Jesus did for us, removing our sins from us with how he renewed our minds to see God at work in us and all around us as he transforms our behaviors.  To “go and make disciples” as Jesus commanded is complete surrender—giving our all—to Jesus, the One who gave His all for us!  The cost is small in comparison. 

Currently, most of us will not be persecuted on the spot like Stephen, but I wonder how long our world will allow us to stand for what we believe with the ability to tell the Truth?  It probably depends on our humble hearts who seek what God wants most—that no one perish.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Lord,

Lead us with courage and boldness but most of all with Your love in us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Part One

Jesus reminded his disciples more than once, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 How many of us think of this verse first when we learn someone has betrayed us or worst yet, slandered our reputation with lies to gain affirmation for the betrayal? This is probably the greatest pain—betrayal by those you work alongside as you do the work God called you to be and do. Many times our first thought is payback or rebuttal.

Why does it seem to be worse when the ministry is increasing in numbers and great God-wonders are happening in the lives of those once lost without Jesus but now found?  Admit it, we ask this question or at least think it when blind-sided by evil’s schemes working in the lives of others to bring us down and stop what is good, helpful to others, and pleasing to God. 

In the middle of it all, we must remember, this is not of God but is to be expected by the enemy of God.  Gossip, slander, betrayal, grown out of envy, pride, prejudice, and arrogance are fostered by selfish motives and are not led by God’s Holy Spirit.  All these characteristics are opposite of God. 

Stephen’s story hits our hearts deeply.  What happened to Stephen happens regularly in God’s church.  Betrayal and slander have happened to me more than once. Stones of hate, jealousy, and envy are thrown hard at people as they are doing what pleases God but maybe not in the way others think it should be done.  So, at the peak, when people were growing in their love for God with the character of God, watch for the enemy to rise up.  It occurs when one is infected with Satan’s lies coupled with self-motivated desires to stop what is good with roadblocks to God’s glory at work within His children. “Satan prowls around like a roaring lion,” says Peter who has lived it, “seeking who he may devour.”  Peter, the Rock, once denied Jesus but repented of it.  He knows.

Yes, this level of hurt goes deep and is hard to overcome—impossible without the knowledge, belief and help from Jesus who understands and overcame his trials and betrayal from his enemy.  It is Jesus in us who give us the power to overcome today!  It is Jesus who forgives us when we forgive the ones who hurt us!  Stephen exemplifies this Truth.

And to think it all began with a decision to serve people more efficiently.  This passage is only part one of Stephen’s story.  Stephen’s devotion and service to the God He loved and to Jesus who saved him was evident to all who truly believed.  His life was extremely honorable, his devotion pure and holy. 

Luke writes Stephen’s story, leaving no details left unsaid to show us a man who was “full of faith and the Holy Spirit”.

Acts 6, The Message

The Word of God Prospered

6 ^1-4 During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds,hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—“Hellenists”—toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines. So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, “It wouldn’t be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we’ll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”

^5-6 The congregation thought this was a great idea. They went ahead and chose—

Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,

Philip,

Procorus,

Nicanor,

Timon,

Parmenas,

Nicolas, a convert from Antioch.

Then they presented them to the apostles. Praying, the apostles laid on hands and commissioned them for their task.

⁷ The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically. Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith.

* * *

^8-10 Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them. But then some men from the meeting place whose membership was made up of freed slaves, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and some others from Cilicia and Asia, went up against him trying to argue him down. But they were no match for his wisdom and spirit when he spoke.

¹¹ So in secret they bribed men to lie: “We heard him cursing Moses and God.”

^12-14 That stirred up the people, the religious leaders, and religion scholars. They grabbed Stephen and took him before the High Council. They put forward their bribed witnesses to testify: “This man talks nonstop against this Holy Place and God’s Law. We even heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth would tear this place down and throw out all the customs Moses gave us.”

¹⁵ As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn’t take their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

ACTS—the story of Jesus at work in the lives of the apostles and disciples through the acts of His Holy Spirit.  It is also the true story of the beginnings of a growing gathering of believers with differing backgrounds and cultures to become of One Heart-One Spirit as they learn to live in harmony with each other.  Satan is still working hard to put an end to God’s glorious acts occurring in people who believe and love Him. 

Jesus is the Cornerstone of the growing church.  We must remember, Jesus is also the Overcomer of evil who victorious won the war with the enemy to save us!  To be an overcomer with Jesus is to be “full of faith and His Holy Spirit” who gives power and strength to us through every adversity.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –Jesus, John 16:33 

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” –Jesus, 1 John 4:4

ACTS of the apostles also portray the acts of betrayal.  We cannot avoid the betrayal of others but we can avoid being the betrayer!

Here’s how:  Know God, Know Jesus, Know His message of Truth—know the enemy!

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.  1 Peter 5:8-9

Lord,

When we read what Stephen suffered, our own hurt rises from our soul.  But then we also remember how you brought us through it all and put our feet back on solid ground.  Stephen’s gaze never left you.  Stephen’s story parallels Jesus’ betrayal and verdict and his response was holy and pure.  May we be more like Jesus knowing that sharing in your sufferings is part of honoring and glorifying you with our acts of faith in response.  Thank you for saving my soul and making me wholly devoted to you—no matter what.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Life comes from God.  Eternal Life is the gift of God made possible by Jesus, His Son. 

“God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven.And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail.” –Peter, the Rock, Acts 5

This is God’s story …

Acts 5, The Message

They All Met Regularly

^12-16 Through the work of the apostles, many God-signs were set up among the people, many wonderful things done. They all met regularly and in remarkable harmony on the Temple porch named after Solomon. But even though people admired them a lot, outsiders were wary about joining them. On the other hand, those who put their trust in the Master were added right and left, men and women both. They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on stretchers and bedrolls, hoping they would be touched by Peter’s shadow when he walked by. They came from the villages surrounding Jerusalem, throngs of them, bringing the sick and bedeviled. And they all were healed.

To Obey God Rather than Men

^17-20 Provoked mightily by all this, the Chief Priest and those on his side, mainly the sect of Sadducees, went into action, arrested the apostles and put them in the town jail. But during the night an angel of God opened the jailhouse door and led them out. He said, “Go to the Temple and take your stand. Tell the people everything there is to say about this Life.”

Promptly obedient, they entered the Temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

^21-23 Meanwhile, the Chief Priest and his cronies convened the High Council, Israel’s senate, and sent to the jail to have the prisoners brought in. When the police got there, they couldn’t find them anywhere in the jail. They went back and reported, “We found the jail locked tight as a drum and the guards posted at the doors, but when we went inside we didn’t find a soul.”

²⁴ The chief of the Temple police and the high priests were puzzled. “What’s going on here anyway?”

^25-26 Just then someone showed up and said, “Did you know that the men you put in jail are back in the Temple teaching the people?” The chief and his police went and got them, but they handled them gently, fearful that the people would riot and turn on them.

^27-28 Bringing them back, they stood them before the High Council. The Chief Priest said, “Didn’t we give you strict orders not to teach in Jesus’ name? And here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying your best to blame us for the death of this man.”

^29-32 Peter and the apostles answered, “It’s necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail.”

^33-37 When they heard that, they were furious and wanted to kill them on the spot. But one of the council members stood up, a Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of God’s Law who was honored by everyone. He ordered the men taken out of the room for a short time, then said, “Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these men. Not long ago Theudas made something of a splash, claiming to be somebody, and got about four hundred men to join him. He was killed, his followers dispersed, and nothing came of it. A little later, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and acquired a following. He also fizzled out and the people following him were scattered to the four winds.

^38-39 “So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it—and you better not be found fighting against God!”

^40-42 That convinced them. They called the apostles back in. After giving them a thorough whipping, they warned them not to speak in Jesus’ name and sent them off. The apostles went out of the High Council overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the Name. Every day they were in the Temple and homes, teaching and preaching Christ Jesus, not letting up for a minute.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Acts of the Apostles reveal what happens when God is in it, leading and directing all the details of our lives given to His authority. We learn that nothing on earth will stop what He wants done in and through us for His glory and so that others will know His story of redemption. 

Even those who do not believe in Jesus know enough not to get in God’s way. 

Even the demons know who Jesus is and always will be—Son of God!  They will flee when God’s people pray!

How we respond to God depends on the measure of our faith and trust in the One who saved from our sins that leads to eternal life and delivered us from our own self-seeking ways that only lead to death. 

Do I really believe what God says to be really real—or not?

Am I living haphazardly, doing life my own way, jumping on any band wagon of belief until it eventually “fizzles out,” as Gamaliel says, and comes to nothing?

What is God’s call to me?

These are important questions to consider prayerfully while seeking God first, asking what He wants with an obedient heart, mind, and soul.

We learn much from the early believers, growing from the inside out and outside in.

• Believers met regularly.  Strength and confidence build as our need to belong is met by God who loves us. Blessings come to those who seek God in Jesus Name, thanking Him for all He has done for them.
• Followers of Jesus lived in “remarkable” harmony.  Peace is a promised gift from Jesus to all who believe and trust Him no matter what is going on around them.
• They shared possessions knowing and believing that all provision comes from God.  “No one was in need.”
• Others “admired” the believers and were drawn to the Jesus in them as God’s Holy Spirit did wonderful things through them.
• They consistently told God’s Story of redemption while giving God the Glory.
• They were submissive to God’s Holy Spirit leading.
• They were “promptly obedient.”  From parting the waters of the sea, or opening the jailhouse doors—the obedient walk forward on His command to “Go and Tell” others about Life, real everlasting Life in Jesus!

When God is in it—nothing can stop us from accomplishing it.  What is it?  Helping people find and follow Jesus by pointing the way to be redeemed while being reconnected to God who loved us before we loved Him. (1 John 4:19) (John 3:16-17)

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 This is God’s story fulfilled in all who believe in Jesus and are promptly obedient to God’s Holy Spirit who comes to live within us. 

Oh Lord,

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Oh what blessed assurance—This is my story: Jesus is mine and yours!

In Jesus Name, For God’s Glory, Amen.  I believe.