Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

“First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” Proverbs 16-18, MSG If you’re too conceited or self-important, something will happen to make you look foolish.

In the beginnings of our studying of Acts, we have been basking in the heavenly, holy actions of the courageous apostles and powerful prayers of all the followers of Jesus.  Just yesterday (Acts 4) we observed a church who truly acts “One-hearted-One minded” while being led by God’s Holy Spirit.  We long to be a part of it all!

But, as happens with we humans who are fallible and easily distracted—even by goodness and holiness—we sin.  The One heart-One mind church must deal with the sin as soon as they discover it.  God will not sanction sin.  Through Jesus, He forgives sin when people repent.  But when a man and a woman dressed in the guise of goodness comes into the group of new believers to blatantly and willfully sin in a haughty, deceitful act to impress others, God steps in.  His Holy Spirit warns Peter.

Acts 5, The Message

Ananias and Sapphira

5 ^1-2 But a man named Ananias—his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it.

^3-4 Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.”

^5-6 Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it. The younger men went right to work and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.

^7-8 Not more than three hours later, his wife, knowing nothing of what had happened, came in. Peter said, “Tell me, were you given this price for your field?”

“Yes,” she said, “that price.”

^9-10 Peter responded, “What’s going on here that you connived to conspire against the Spirit of the Master? The men who buried your husband are at the door, and you’re next.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than she also fell down, dead. When the young men returned they found her body. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

¹¹ By this time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these things had a healthy respect for God. They knew God was not to be trifled with.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18, NIV

Before leaving earth for heaven, Jesus told Peter: “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”  Is this one of those times?  Ananias and Sapphira, led by the opposing enemy of the church with deceit, are removed.  “The powers of hell” will not conquer what Jesus is building.  Whoa.  Don’t mess with God!

We must always be on the lookout for the sly ways the enemy appears in our church groups.  The enemy slips in to cause division with confusion using the only tools he knows of envy, pride, and the comparison between the good others do with our good even if it means lying about it!  No one is exempt from Satan’s distracting and deceiving ways to destroy what Jesus is building in the lives of His believers—children of God—brothers and sisters of Jesus!

God knows all hearts so He knows before we do what could occur. His Holy Spirit, who lives in all believers of Jesus, was sent to warn us, just like He did Peter.

Is Peter remembering this act of deceit as he writes his letter of warning to all believers later? 

“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, NLT

Another apostle, Paul, will come along later and write about how to avoid the enemy with how to clothe ourselves in ways that please God while “skirting around” our enemy’s ways!  These words of wisdom are a clear message of “Do this-not that.” 

Because of who you are in Christ now…

DO THIS:

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17, NLT

NOT THAT:

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.” Colossians 3:5-9, NLT

What breaks the heart of God and all who believe in Him is when a person does good only to get attention and gain importance through notoriety for themselves.  As a public school teacher and leader of a church, I was often asked each year around Christmas if I knew of a “deserving family” who could use what they (individually and as a company or church) had to offer.

I soon learned to be wise with my words to protect the recipient from being extorted.  My first question was, “Will there be cameras to document this kindness; OR will you give without anyone knowing you gave?”  The answer to this question would be a deciding factor along with gaining the family’s permission to receive quietly and anonymously.

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.”  1 Peter 5:2

“And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:5-6, NLT

Lord,

This powerful lesson jolts our senses at first, until we realize your love for us goes so deep that it pains you for us to fall for the devil’s schemes knowing that all he has to offer us is eternal death.  May we know you more for You are Truth who gives eternal Life!  Give us wisdom to walk many steps ahead of the enemy by the power of your Holy Spirit living in us.  Give us your discernment to readily see the difference between Truth and lies. I trust in you, dear Jesus!

In Jesus Name, Amen

People groups of differing opinions and cultures seem to suddenly ban together naturally when an enemy to all their groups threatens their way of life.  It is well known by most that a “common enemy” will bring opposing sides together for the purpose to remove the unwanted enemy.

In politics, a common front is an alliance between different groups, forces, or interests in pursuit of a common goal or in opposition to a common enemy.  Various literary works hypothesizes what can broadly be described as the common-enemy effect: the interaction with a common enemy (formed by Nature, an individual, or a group) increases cooperation.  There are multiple ways common enemies affect group behaviors.

The common enemy effect begins on the playground among children.  Groups automatically form at an early age. I have observed this phenomenon as a first-grade teacher.  Children will progress into the next developmental stage of realizing they are not the only people in the world around them. Then they begin to relate and seek companionship of others.  Their need to belong begins to take root and grow.

Children may not realize what they are doing but I have observed kids playing nicely with each other until a “leader” emerges and tells the group to play a different game.  The newly announced game is so aptly called; “Follow the Leader.”  Kids who are just in it to have fun, will follow the leader until they want to be leader.  When posed with a new leader, teams begin to form and “sides” are picked.  If you have a good leader, life is good.  But a bad leader can cause problems.

What usually happens next is very interesting to a people observer like me.  Another child might over from across the playground, from another grade level, to change the way the game is played.  This child, not in any group, is now deemed (without realizing it) the “common enemy” to the groups already formed among who they know in their grade level.  The common enemy is readily pushed away as they go back to their game.

Do we outgrow common enemy behaviors to form community? Mm.  If only we could trade our common enemy mentality with a common goal.  Who is the enemy?

Luke, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, while describing the acts of the apostles after Jesus ascended, presents us with a new way of thinking that lines up with what God wants most from his people—to be of ONE heart, ONE mind with ONE goal. This is only accomplished by our obedience to ONE source—God’s Holy Spirit.

Acts 4, the Message

One Heart, One Mind

^23-26 As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: “Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth’s leaders push for position,
Potentates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!

^27-28 “For in fact they did meet—Herod and Pontius Pilate with nations and peoples, even Israel itself! —met in this very city to plot against your holy Son Jesus, the One you made Messiah, to carry out the plans you long ago set in motion.

^29-30 “And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence.

^32-33 The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.

^34-35 And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.

^36-37 Joseph, called by the apostles “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Comfort”), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The common enemy to the Jewish established religion and the Roman officials was Jesus.  So, for those who continue to speak in Jesus Name, they are also deemed enemies of these two opposing groups. 

This common enemy of all that is wrong with the world was sent to set things right and bring unity! What a difference! Jesus’ work provided reconciliation (reconnection) with God while bringing unity among believers in God with a common goal orchestrated by God long ago: Life Eternal.

“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

What glorious behaviors emerge from this unity of God’s Holy Spirit in all who believe in Jesus!  Oh church, we can learn from these pure and holy early experiences of the church Jesus is establishing through His “one heart-one minded” people!

The “wonderful harmony of united prayer”!  When Peter and John reported back, the group gave praise to God immediately.  Take notice that no one coveted the experience of Peter and John nor did they judge the merits of their courageous speaking. They praised God!

• They praised God for the safe return of Peter and John. 
• They thanked God for His Holy Spirit’s leading.
• They praised God for “fearless confidence” to preach in Jesus Name.
• They asked for protection with this fearless confidence as they continued the work in Jesus Name. (“Take care of the threats…as you stretch out your arms of healings and miracles in Jesus Name.)  They knew Who did the work—God!
• God answered while they were praying; filling them to the full with His Holy Spirit which affirmed their “fearless confidence” with His power! 
• Praying to the One and Only who redeemed them resulted in the blessing of God’s Holy Spirit uniting the community of faith as One—one heart, one mind! 
• They shared everything. 

Ah… filled, redeemed, grateful witnesses of Jesus with fearless confidence! 

The grace of God “was over all of them” like a blanket of protection from the real enemy—the fallen angel of God.  

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Satan is our common enemy—not each other.

Lord,

I am so grateful for the fearless confidence you instilled in Peter and John and the rest of the apostles and disciples who stood firm to proclaim your saving grace to all. We are free to worship with how to worship in spirit and Truth because the work you did in and through all who walked before us.  I am grateful.  You are my leader and I will follow you.  Thank you for the lesson today.  May we love like you love us—without conditions or judgement—only care and correction.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

The enemy of God hates believers falling to their knees before God, repenting of their sins in Jesus Name, asking for forgiveness.  The enemy hates believers who tell the story of Jesus as they point others to Jesus.  The enemy knew the war with God’s Son would be difficult, but our arrogant enemy thinks he is God!  So, he keeps fighting for who he thinks he can win back.  The War may have been won, but the battle with this enemy still rages.  He’s ticked.  He will continue to rise up and wreak havoc among those who call Jesus—Savior and Lord of their lives.

Jesus warned us about this “father of lies,” prince of darkness, and the skirmishes he would throw at us to distract and deceive us on our journey with God in Jesus Name.  The best way to combat our enemy is remembering what Jesus said through John’s witness to us;

“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

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. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” 1 John 4:2-6, NIV

This knowledge begs this question daily:  Is the enemy gaining territory in the battle for our hearts, minds, and souls?  The enemy lost the war with God when Jesus rose from the death to Life! Jesus Christ was the Victor over eternal death in hell.  But the enemy will fight until Jesus comes again in daily skirmishes for our souls.

We also choose daily who we will love, worship, adore, and serve.  Who is influencing us?  When others see us, who do they see reflecting from our faces?  Who influences our behaviors each day?  Are we led by God’s Holy Spirit of Truth that never changes—or are we led by a group of imperfect, legalistic people who have created, ever changing, man-made practices to suit their needs, forcing us to follow religiously in order to stay in the group?  Be careful who you choose to follow.

Peter and John have chosen to follow Jesus.  They are passionately obedient to God’s Holy Spirit.  Their demeanor is obvious.  In another translation this passage of Luke tells the reaction of the religious to Peter and John’s testimony in this way; “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” (verse 13) 

This hits deeply.  When I do life with others, do they recognize Jesus in me? Do they recognize that I have been with Jesus before being with anyone else or doing anything of significance in Jesus Name?  Do I reflect Jesus in my behaviors?  Do I lead with love without inquiring if the recipient is worthy of my love? Do I love others even if they do not love me back?  Do they recognize Jesus is not only my Savior but the Lord of my life?  Mm, let’s pause to pray.

A legalist lives to judge. We get to observe legalists in action in this passage. Their security comes from what they do; their lineage, their law, and with getting their way. When trouble comes, the legalist relies on the power of their own resources and works. They think they will save themselves. After all, don’t they belong to the right group? Don’t they possess the right law? And haven’t they passed through the right initiation?

But, here’s the point: Salvation is God’s business. God is the One who saves his children. There is only one name under heaven that has the power to save, and that name is not yours.

Acts 4, The Message

Nothing to Hide

^1-4 While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening. But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!

^5-7 The next day a meeting was called in Jerusalem. The rulers, religious leaders, religion scholars, Annas the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander—everybody who was anybody was there. They stood Peter and John in the middle of the room and grilled them: “Who put you in charge here? What business do you have doing this?”

^8-12 With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”

^13-14 They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed! —what could they say against that?

^15-17 They sent them out of the room so they could work out a plan. They talked it over: “What can we do with these men? By now it’s known all over town that a miracle has occurred, and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. But so that it doesn’t go any further, let’s silence them with threats so they won’t dare to use Jesus’ name ever again with anyone.”

^18-20 They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.”

^21-22 The religious leaders renewed their threats, but then released them. They couldn’t come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn’t have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Peter’s message produced two opposite results: (1) Some two thousand Jews believed the Word and were converted; and (2) the religious leaders of the nation rejected the message and tried to silence the apostles. We have here the beginning of the persecution by the enemy about which Jesus had already warned His followers (Matt. 10:17, 18; Luke 21:12–15; John 15:18—16:4).

We should note that the miracle was not proof of the resurrection of Christ or even of the truth of Peter’s message. Satan can perform pseudo miracles (2 Thess. 2:9, 10), and false prophets can do wonders. The miracle and the message, in the context of all that had been going on since Pentecost, was one more evidence that Jesus Christ was alive and at work in the church by His Holy Spirit. In both sermons, Peter used the Old Testament to support and explain his claims, and this is one evidence of a true prophet of God. (Isaiah 8:20).  God is at work!  He is always at work! The church Jesus is building is forming within all who believe—heart, mind, and soul!

The failure of the council was evident when Peter refused to be intimidated by their threats. All of us need to follow Peter’s example and make our decisions based on “Is it right?” and not “Is it popular?” or “Is it safe?” We must be sure, however, that we have the clear teaching of the Word of God on our side before we take a stand against the authority of the government. Peter knew what the Lord had commanded the believers to do— “be my witnesses” (1:8), and he was going to obey Him at any cost.

Our response is follow Jesus and the leading of His Holy Spirit.  There will be a cost to follow.  But the reward far outweighs the cost.  Jesus IS coming back!  In the meantime, His Spirit is with us always—blessed assurance.

Lord,

I’ve considered the cost.  I have decided to follow with no turning back.  How I follow must come from “being with you” each day for cleansing, renewing, refreshing, filling, and restoring.  Lead me, Lord.  I’m yours.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

How many times have you asked the question; “How is that possible?” I have asked this many times when surprised by life’s twists and turns.  Imagine someone you have known since childhood going away to school to learn to teach children then comes back and does what he was trained to do and does it well. That’s not so surprising.  Even I did that.

But then this same person you have known all your life suddenly makes a change in his life upon hearing God’s Holy Spirit say; “Now, I want you to preach my Word and help others find and follow Me.”  He answers the call of God. Studies to deliver what God has given him to say.  Then you listen with others as he stands to preach his first sermon.  You listen to hear and watch the reaction of others in the congregation.  Everyone who knew him before were in awe.  Is this the same man? How does he do that—speak in ways that help me know and understand God?  Where is he getting these words that give me a fresh perspective of God?  I forgot who was standing there as I heard God’s Words through him.

Blessed are we who learn it’s not about the man—it’s about God in the man.  It’s about God’s Holy Spirit doing His work through men and women all over the world to point the Way to God through Jesus, His Son so others will know, believe gain eternal life with Him.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26

Acts 3, The Message

 ^1-5 One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look here.” He looked up, expecting to get something from them.

^6-8 Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.

^8-10 The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple’s Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.

¹¹ The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon’s Porch to see it for themselves.

Turn to Face God

^12-16 When Peter saw he had a congregation, he addressed the people:

“Oh, Israelites, why does this take you by such complete surprise, and why stare at us as if our power or piety made him walk? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his Son Jesus. The very One that Pilate called innocent, you repudiated. You repudiated the Holy One, the Just One, and asked for a murderer in his place. You no sooner killed the Author of Life than God raised him from the dead—and we’re the witnesses. Faith in Jesus’ name put this man, whose condition you know so well, on his feet—yes, faith and nothing but faith put this man healed and whole right before your eyes.

^17-18 “And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders. But God, who through the preaching of all the prophets had said all along that his Messiah would be killed, knew exactly what you were doing and used it to fulfill his plans.

^19-23 “Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus. For the time being he must remain out of sight in heaven until everything is restored to order again just the way God, through the preaching of his holy prophets of old, said it would be. Moses, for instance, said, ‘Your God will raise up for you a prophet just like me from your family. Listen to every word he speaks to you. Every last living soul who refuses to listen to that prophet will be wiped out from the people.’

^24-26 “All the prophets from Samuel on down said the same thing, said most emphatically that these days would come. These prophets, along with the covenant God made with your ancestors, are your family tree. God’s covenant-word to Abraham provides the text: ‘By your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ But you are first in line: God, having raised up his Son, sent him to bless you as you turn, one by one, from your evil ways.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Peter, along with John, went to the Temple to pray and worship God.  Given a specific time of 3pm, it seems this is a new appointed habit to connect with God.  Peter, who before Jesus thought life only happened if Peter made it happen, is a changed man, a man driven by God’s Holy Spirit within him.  Peter now sees what he ignored before, he hears what he never listened to before, and now he stops to notice a beggar sitting on the steps leading to the Temple. 

The Beggar.  Imagine this crippled man from birth, watching longingly as others freely walk up the steps to the Temple, something that was impossible for him to enjoy. The man, paralyzed, would never get to pray in the Temple.  It was impossible for him to reverently meet with God in prayer, hear God speak to His heart, or to thank God in worship.  It was impossible because of his current condition. 

Peter and John.  But then God showed up and made the impossible—possible!  Peter, now filled with God’s Holy Spirit stops and tells the beggar to look up into Peter’s eyes.  Peter, along with John do not give the beggar what he needs to survive one more day; but Peter, in the Name of Jesus, prays for the paralyzed man needs most—Jesus and His healing that will last forever!  The can now walk into the Temple with Peter and John!  But he doesn’t walk, he jumps, dances, and runs to the Temple to meet God!  (Are tears of joy sneaking down your cheeks?  This stirs my heart every time I read it!)

How is this possible?  God is within Peter and John as they pray in Jesus Name.   God doesn’t stop there!  This healing enabled the once paralyzed man to jump for joy and dance with gratitude while praising God for his new life!  Onlookers HAD to notice as they watched a man dressed in rags envelope the riches of God’s healing in Jesus Name!  What happened?  How is this possible?  “They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple’s Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.”  And then what do humans who don’t know do?  Those who saw it run to Peter and John, who they thought of as “rock stars” of healing!  (This is a danger in all churches who hold up humans as the source of miracles!)

God used this miracle of the possible as another opportunity to tell His Story of Jesus, His Son!  That’s how God works!   When the crowd gathered to praise Peter and John, He immediately turned the praise to God. “Oh, Israelites, why does this take you by such complete surprise, and why stare at us as if our power or piety made him walk?” God is glorified, Jesus’ message of salvation is preached.  All in a good day’s work of God working through His servants, Peter and John.

“They went to the Temple to pray.”  Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that he will provide the help we need.  Prayer is asking God what He wants.  Prayer is where God’s power in us begins.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” –Jesus, (John 15:5)

Suppose you are totally paralyzed and could do nothing for yourself but talk. And suppose a strong and reliable Friend promised to live with you and do whatever you needed done. How could you glorify, thank, offer praise for this friend if a stranger came to see you?  Would you glorify his generosity and strength by trying to get out of bed and carry him? No! You would say, “Friend, please come lift me up, and would you put a pillow behind me so I can look at my guest? And would you please put my glasses on for me?”

And so your visitor would learn from your requests that you are helpless and that your friend is strong and kind. You glorify your friend by needing him, and by asking him for help, and counting on him.

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” So in a way, we really are paralyzed. Without Christ, we are capable of no Christ-exalting good. But John 15:5 also says that God intends for us to do much Christ-exalting good, namely bear fruit: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” So, as our strong and reliable friend — “I have called you friends” (John 15:15) — he promises to do for us, and through us, what we can’t do for ourselves. 

How then do we glorify him? Jesus gives the answer in John 15:7: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” We pray! We ask God to do for us through Christ what we can’t do for ourselves — bear fruit.

What are these fruits?  The fruits we bear are the character traits of God growing and flourishing in believers of Jesus!  Some of these traits are listed by Paul in his Galatians letter; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-23

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

When we walk in step with God’s Holy Spirit, the impossible becomes possible, in Jesus Name for His Glory!

Lord,

Thank you for taking ordinary men and women and working through us to accomplish your will and plan so that no one perish but have eternal life!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

What is church to you?

Over the centuries since Jesus ascended, there is evidence that “church” is basically a gathering of believers of Jesus seamlessly formed by God Holy Spirit’s leading while living in the lives of His followers.  Jesus is the reason for the gathering.  Jesus is the Head of His Church.  Believers gather joyfully and expectantly to know God more as they worship God, study God’s Word, share communion to remember what God’s Son did for them, while enjoying sweet times of fellowship with each other over great meals.

God’s love dwells within their beings and inhabits the praises of His people.  It doesn’t seem to be about one person or religious group commanding, forcing, or even compelling these gatherings.  Everyone is welcome and no one is excluded.  God’s gatherings are a result of the pouring out of God’s Holy Spirit over people in ways they cannot ignore.  Believers of Jesus, led by God’s Holy Spirit are drawn together for one purpose—to be reconciled to God through Jesus who is Savior and Lord of their new lives in Him. 

Ask for God’s Spirit to lead us as we read, listen, and learn from the One who orchestrated the greatest church launch ever!

Acts 2, The Message

Peter Speaks Up

^14-21 That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:

“In the Last Days,” God says,
“I will pour out my Spirit
    on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
    also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
    your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
    I’ll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both,
    and they’ll prophesy.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above
    and signs on the earth below,
Blood and fire and billowing smoke,
    the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
Before the Day of the Lord arrives,
    the Day tremendous and marvelous;
And whoever calls out for help
    to me, God, will be saved.”

^22-28 “Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge—this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. David said it all:

I saw God before me for all time.
    Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side.
I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic;
    I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.
I know you’ll never dump me in Hades;
    I’ll never even smell the stench of death.
You’ve got my feet on the life-path,
    with your face shining sun-joy all around.

^29-36 “Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—‘no trip to Hades, no stench of death.’ This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say,

God said to my Master, “Sit at my right hand
Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet.”

“All Israel, then, know this: There’s no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross.”

³⁷ Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?”

^38-39 Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

⁴⁰ He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”

^41-42 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

* * *

^43-45 Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.

^46-47 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The “church launch strategy:” They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, sharing communion and common meals, and the prayers.

Jesus not only rose from death to life to give us hope and a future; He appeared to his followers to verify the glory of God in Him.  He showed them the scars and taught them what to do next in preparation for what God was going to next.  Jesus told them to wait.  Jesus’ command to His beloved was to wait for God’s Holy Spirit to come.

The Helper/Counselor did indeed come, on God’s timetable! God’s Holy Spirit filled their hearts, taking up residence within their beings.  Then, like Jesus did, the Holy Spirit worked through the lives of those who followed Jesus and “moved into the neighborhood of humanity” making God’s Presence known.  (John 1, MSG)

It is in this passage we read how God’s Spirit leads and enables Peter, the apostles and other disciples to carry on Jesus’ mission of telling the world to repent of sins and be saved for eternity because Jesus’s sacrifice made The Way for this to happen.  This is the message: Jesus became sin, who knew no sin, to pay for our sins.  The followers boldly “go and make disciples” just as Jesus commanded.  (Matthew 28:20) Great things are about to happen!

“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, NIV

Jesus, our Advocate in Heaven for all who believe.

God’s Holy Spirit—our Advocate on earth who lives within all who believe.

God launched the church by first sending the power of His Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus, to live within the hearts, minds, and souls of the devoted, committed, relentlessly focused followers who had “been with Jesus” and were witnesses to His appearances after Jesus rose from death to life.  What occurred from waiting for and leading of God’s Holy Spirit was a powerful, spontaneous work of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit through ordinary men—the greatest church launch ever! 

The Cornerstone was Jesus.  Stone by living stone became His growing church from the inside out and outside in.  Jesus built His church upon the solid Rock of Peter’s committed faith—just as Jesus said He would!  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. –Jesus to Peter, Matthew 16:18

The amazing beginnings of the church, foretold by the prophet Joel centuries before it happened and taught by Jesus while He was on earth to His followers, is now began in Simon who Jesus renamed Peter, the Rock—the rock upon whom Jesus would build His church.  Peter boldly stood to tell the Truth powerfully and simply.  God’s Holy Spirit gave him the words and prepared hearts to receive God’s message: “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

The Church met at The Temple each day but would soon begin gathering underground with secret meeting times because of persecution by those against Jesus and his followers.  Jesus’ enemies thought that by crucifying Him, all this “Messiah talk” would be put to rest.  But it was not.  Just the opposite happened.

“That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up.”  –Greatest Church Launch ever!

Lord,

There is so much to learn here and more to come.  Lead us as we learn from you in the coming days.  I love how you work in the our lives!

In Jesus Name, Amen!  I believe.

Come, Holy Spirit, I need you
Come, sweet Spirit, I pray
Come in your strength and your power
Come in your own gentle way

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. –Jesus, John 14:15-17

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”—Jesus, Luke 24:29

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.  Revelation 22:17 

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” –Jesus, John 3:8

Acts 2, The Message

A Sound Like a Strong Wind

^1-4 When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

^5-11 There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
    Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
    Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!

“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”

¹² Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”

¹³ Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus told them another advocate, the Holy Spirit of God, would come to live within His devoted followers.  In the forty days after rising from the death to life, Jesus prepared their hearts, minds, and souls for His Holy Spirit who would come and fill each soul with  wisdom and power from God to help them live daily for His glory.  This Helper and Counselor will guide them to all Truth, making Truth more easily recognizable as they combat the lies of the enemy of God. 

The ACTS of the apostles begin with the obedience to wait for the promise of the coming of God’s Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit came, just as promised, when they were gathered in one place.  They didn’t know how, when or from where His Spirit would  arrive.  But when He came, they were astonished by the power and holiness of His Presence.  They began to speak in the native languages about God to all the pilgrims who had come to the mighty metropolis of Jerusalem that day!

God’s timing is always best!  Crowds had gathered for the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.  People heard the blowing of the wind of change; curious, they came running to check out what was going on.  It was then they hear Jesus’ followers able to speak their language so they could understand fully what God wanted them to know.  Yes, this is how God works!    

The Holy Spirit in Peter then leads this former fisherman to boldly stand and speak Truth to the crowd in ways they can relate and understand.  This is monumental in the building of the church Jesus called Peter to be and do.  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” –Jesus, Matthew 16:18, NIV

Pause to ponder.  Let this Holy Spirit act of God sink in.  It’s not as much about the strong wind, the Feast of Pentecost, being able to speak the languages of those gathered from other regions, or the even the gathering and obedient waiting.  The timing of this miraculous act was all about God who loved us and sent His Son to save the world!  ALL nations!   

God knew who would be gathered there that day.  God used all the details and circumstances of ordinary life to proclaim His glory in extraordinary ways so that others could be told the Truth of His saving grace! 

It’s all about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit working in tandem as the Three-in-One to redeem the lost so that new life with a new, lovingly intimate relationship with God can begin to grow and bear the fruits of His character in our lives!  It’s always all about God!

All scripture points to God and His Son, Jesus.  Pentecost means “fiftieth” because this feast was held fifty days after the festival of First Harvest (First fruits) (Lev. 23:15–22).

“The calendar of Jewish festivals in Leviticus 23 is an outline of the work of Jesus Christ. Passover pictures His death as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7), and the festival of First Harvest pictures His resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20–23). Fifty days after First Harvest is the festival of Pentecost, which pictures the formation of the church. At Pentecost, the Jews celebrated the giving of the law, but Christians celebrate this day because of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church.”

–Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Study Bible

The same Holy Spirit power is available to us today to make us more effective witnesses for Christ. As in all acts of God within us, it is not used to glorify us but God!  The more we understand His working at this particular time in the history of the church, the better we will be able to relate to Him and experience His power. The ministry of the Spirit is to glorify Christ in the life and witness of the believer (John 16:14), and that is what is important.

God’s Word speaks to us of the many ways His Holy Spirit helps us:

As we worship God, His Holy Spirit responds to us with care and correction.

God’s Holy Spirit assures and affirms our faith in God and our relationship with is growing with God.

God’s Holy Spirit takes up residence in our being the moment we say, “Yes, I believe Jesus died for my redemption of sin”.

God’s Holy Spirit leads us away from the distraction and deceit of the enemy while steering us from our selfishness to God’s holiness.  His Spirit is Truth and leads us to Truth.

God’s Holy Spirit helps and counsels us to lean into the wisdom God He so generously gives any time we ask.

God’s Holy Spirit unifies believers.  His Spirit leads us from judging people with help to look for Jesus in others.  Love for each other increases as His Holy Spirit grows our knowledge of God’s love in us!

God’s Holy Spirit transforms and empowers us!  We cannot just say, I’ll be good from now on, with the transforming power of God in us.  With God, all things are possible.  Without God, nothing is possible.  Every one of us is a potential means through which God wants to manifest the Spirit by displaying His power, kindness, and truth to others. As we eagerly desire spiritual gifts of all varieties (1 Corinthians 14:1), we are to ask God’s Spirit to come and do what we could never do on our own.

How different our churches might look if every member asked the Spirit to come and empower him or her to serve others for the glory of Christ!

God’s Holy Spirit teaches us as He reveals God’s Presence with us!

There is no one like our God, His Son, or His Holy Spirit!

Lord,

Thank you for reminding us of the power we have within us to overcome the darkness as well as the power to help others know and believe.  Yes, surely you are with us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Twelve is measure we use in every day life.  We purchase in twelves.  “Give me a dozen eggs, a dozen rolls, two dozen of this and that, please.”  We measure time based on twelve—twelve hours by day and twelve hours by night.  There are twelve months in the calendar year.  As defined; “twelve is one more than eleven.”  Twelve is an even number; easily divisible by two, three, four and six.  “Give me a half dozen, please.”  Do the math!

Twelve is also a biblical number.  On a spiritual level, the number 12 symbolizes God’s power and authority and the completeness and perfection of His creation. It also signifies God’s government on Earth, which is manifested in the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles who were appointed to establish the Church. God created twelve.  Jesus multiplies in twelves—by sending people out two by two. 

Why twelve?  Twelve tribes of God’s Chosen of Israel, Twelve Disciples, and then lastly, we see in the Book of Revelation that there are 12 gates with 12 different jewels on the gates. With all these number twelves showing up, is there any meaning behind it?  Christianity.com writes:

“As shown with the 12 tribes of Israel, each of these tribes had important parts to play in history. Judah was the tribe Jesus descended from, and Paul descended from the tribe of Benjamin.  n the same way, the 12 disciples of Christ could be another imagery of the 12 tribes of Israel. While we cannot be dogmatic to say each disciple came from a different tribe of Israel because the likelihood of this is low, we can say that the number 12 was reflective of bringing God’s kingdom into the picture.

Each of the 12 disciples left their homes, livelihoods, and families to follow Jesus. They were dedicated to following Jesus to learn all they could from Him. It is also important to remember the 12 gates as recorded in the Book of Revelation, which could also connect back to the 12 disciples.  While we do not need to be quick to say 12 is the perfect number or a special number, we can see it does symbolize God’s coming kingdom.” 

MORE FUN FACTS:  Remember reading about the woman who had a bleeding problem for 12 years?  Jesue healed her on the way to bringing a 12-year-old back to life from an illness that caused death!  God, through Jesus used symbolic stories to tell of His coming Kingdom, could this be yet another way to foretell of what lies ahead?

And, we can’t overlook what Luke said about Jesus as a child.  Normally the gospel writers wouldn’t include direct ages, yet in this instance, Luke records that Jesus was 12 when He went to the temple (Luke 2:41-52). Mm.

During Jesus’ adult earthly ministry, He performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Out of a loaf of bread and a few fish, Jesus fed five thousand people. This miracle alone attested to Jesus’ divinity and power with twelve baskets leftover, one for each disciple!

God multiplies the Good News through the Twelve Disciples.  When Judas decided to go his own way and leave the Twelve to betray Jesus, they needed one more to be Twelve again. Peter, now being led by the Holy Spirit, has a plan and asks God to decide.  We see the growth of Peter begin to emerge as the Rock upon whom Jesus will build His church! 

And then there were Twelve…(To those of us “ducks in a row” people who seek perfection and order, we breathe in a sigh of completeness and peace.)

Acts 1, The Message

Replacing Judas

^15-17 During this time, Peter stood up in the company—there were about 120 of them in the room at the time—and said, “Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry.

^18-20 “As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow. It’s exactly what we find written in the Psalms:

‘Let his farm become haunted
So no one can ever live there.’

And also what was written later:  ‘Let someone else take over his post.’

^21-22 “Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection.”

^23-26 They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way.” They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

WARNING: 

We must not dwell on the number twelve as something to believe in such as numerology.  In no way is the number 12 in the Bible used in connection with numerology. Numerology is an anti-biblical practice that believers need to stay away from. There is nothing true about numerology, nor is it going to help you in any way. The number 12, as shown in the Bible, was decided by God’s own divine decision. You may be interested in knowing the deeper meaning behind the number 12 in the Bible but don’t become obsessed with it. Worship God alone!  God holds all power in heaven and on earth!

THE GREATER LESSON:  The first of many ACTS of the apostles.

Peter, now led by God’s Holy Spirit, takes action to replace Judas who “went his own way” to betray Jesus and then hung himself.  There are eleven—one less than Twelve.

Observe how Peter is becoming more and more like Jesus!  Peter was a “born leader,” no doubt, but his leadership skills had to be daily molded, shaped, honed and polished to reflect the image of the One who saved him!  Peter, now in obedience to God, shaped by the beautiful hands of Jesus is now more helpful, not hurtful, to building God’s Kingdom—His church.

Are we becoming more and more like Christ? 

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

Peter’s first act of leadership, in Jesus Name, was to stand and remind the group of previous scripture that foretold their current predicament of loss.  He then brought the group into agreement with how to choose a replacement with a plan!  Most churches still use this method today! 

The method:

• Pray for God’s leading.
• Consider and nominate an experienced person who knows Jesus and is a witness to God’s glory in their lives and in the lives of others.
• Cast a vote.
• Pray for God’s choosing.  

Notice that prayer bookends the action—so like Jesus!

Lord,

Thank you for leading us to learn and grow in knowledge of You! Thank you for loving us with patience and guidance as we live for you.  Thank you for forgiving us when we “go our own way.”  Thank you for molding and shaping us as we give all ourselves to you.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds to match yours, refresh our souls with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy and peace of you in us and us in you who believe.  We want to be more like You, dear Jesus.

In Jesus Name, Amen

When we are presented with a new project that we have never done before, our first thought is how in the world will we complete what has been given to us.  But, we are built to plan, to take steps of action, to do what is before us.  We will soon realize we need help, so experienced men and women are recruited along with mentors who have done what we are now doing.  Together, wise people map out a plan to do the work. 

I have learned that most plans are too overwhelming and seem unreachable without dividing the goal into smaller steps of action.  Someone once said, “How do you eat an elephant? —One bite at a time!”  Within all of us is the gene to plan.  We can ignore it but soon we will return to knowing that planning gives direction.  Actions steps to achieve our plan give us peace in accomplishing what seems beyond what we think we can do.

God had a Plan from the beginning of time and space to deliver mankind from sin that led to death. God outlined His Plan to prophets who would tell mankind that this plan was unfolding and would soon be accomplished.  God knew us.  God created us. 

God’s Plan had an end goal: to save us and reconcile us to Him who loved us most.  God plan of action culminated with sending His One and Only Son as the once and for all sacrifice for the sins that separated us from God.  Jesus, who was without sin, took our sins upon Himself, and was crucified in our place.  This was the only and best Way to remove our sins completely and reconnect us to God.  “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   Jesus is Life who gave us Life!

After Jesus accomplished God’s Plan to save us by defeating death, conquering the enemy of God, providing the Way back to God by the repenting of our sins in His Name, Jesus came back to full life, scars and all!  He appeared to His followers to solidify their faith and hope in their risen Lord.  Does this not remind you of the prophet’s words, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Hope is fulfilled, our future secured in the actions of Jesus! 

Jesus then spent 40 more days to refresh His followers’ memories of all He had taught them in the previous three years as they traveled from town to town.  Jesus’ final instructions to them before going back to our Father in heaven was to wait!  Wait?  Yes, wait.  Power, resurrection power, is coming to help them!  As He promised, God is sending His Holy Spirit to fill their being with power to achieve God’s will in accomplishing the “acts” of building the Kingdom of God—one person, one town, one city, one country at a time. 

“Begin where you are, here in Jerusalem, Jesus tells them, then go to Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”  “Go and teach, baptizing them in my Name, all that I have taught you.” (Matthew 28:20)

We now begin to read and learn how the church began and grew exponentially through the “actions” of Jesus’ apostles and followers—even the women were in on the action!  The power of God’s Holy Spirit will lead them to be and do what is beyond human abilities or understanding—so that others may believe and be saved!

“…as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—”              1 Corinthians 2:9

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Let’s begin…

Acts 1, The Message

To the Ends of the World

^1-5 Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.”

⁶ When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?”

^7-8 He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

^9-11 These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.”

Returning to Jerusalem

^12-13 So they left the mountain called Olives and returned to Jerusalem. It was a little over half a mile. They went to the upper room they had been using as a meeting place:

Peter,

John,

James,

Andrew,

Philip,

Thomas,

Bartholomew,

Matthew,

James, son of Alphaeus,

Simon the Zealot,

Judas, son of James.

¹⁴ They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God is the creator of planning.  Planning that is Holy Spirit-led cannot fail.  So many times, we plan then ask God to “bless our plans.”  That is so backward to accomplishing His will! 

The first step is to ask God what He wants accomplished with how He wants it to be done.  We need God’s wisdom which He loves to give in full measure for what He is leading us to be and then do!  “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  James 1:5

Jesus got alone by Himself often to ask God, what’s next, what do I say, what do I do. Then He did exactly what God told Him to do and said the words God gave Him to say at just the time in the right way.  God will do the same for us!  And who are we to think we are better than Jesus and don’t need to ask God, “What’s next, Father?”  Yikes, think about it! 

Not only do we receive wisdom with a plan of action we receive Power of His Holy Spirit, the measure of power from God that raised Jesus from death to life, to accomplish His will and perfect plan! 

Asking for God’s wisdom requires laying done our will for God’s will.  “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2, MSG

“They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers.”

Wow.  All in agreement. 

Together in prayer to God. 

All in on the “actions” of God’s Holy Spirit in and through them.

Lord,

Thank you for extending your salvation work through these followers who were all in, in Your Name, for Your glory so that others may believe and be saved.  I am one of them.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

One of our basic human needs is to love and to be loved. The other basic needs according to the social sciences are shelter, food, and clothing.  Science alludes to love  as the need to belong.  The Lord teaches us that Love is the greatest of all His commandments.  Love God.  Love Others.  These are the two greatest commandments, according to Jesus.  Is it because love is the greatest need within all His created?

As we have been making our way through the gospel of John, it is evident that love permeates his being.  He writes “so that we may believe” but his words of believing continually lead us to the love God has for us.  “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) John consistently reminds us that we love because God first loved us. 

Every time John puts ink to the page, love is written and explained as a treasure to be grasped and held close as if our lives depended on it.  God’s love for us is unending, unfailing, and forever! 

Jesus is now teaching Peter to extend the love he has for his Teacher to loving and accepting all who believe and will believe in Him.  Peter, who very recently denied Jesus three times out of fear, is now asked three times, “Do you love Me?”  Imagine Jesus looking deeply and resolutely into the eyes of Simon now called Peter, the Rock—the one Jesus said He would rely on to build his church of believers.  It will be Peter, filled with God’s Holy Spirit, who will later stand confidently and powerfully preach the Good News, the Truth of who Jesus was, is, and is to come—along with how to repent of sins and be reconciled back to God.  Wow!

But it all begins with Love.  Jesus teaches Peter that this will be done only by loving others like He loves us.  God’s love in us is the motivation for living a life of loving others.  If we really love Jesus, we will tell others who also have need of this love. 

John 21, The Message

Do You Love Me?

¹⁵ After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”

Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”

^17-19 Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, “Follow me.”

^20-21 Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?”

^22-23 Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?”

²⁴ This is the same disciple who was eyewitness to all these things and wrote them down. And we all know that his eyewitness account is reliable and accurate.

²⁵ There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can’t imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW MUST WE RESPOND?

Sometimes as pastors and teachers of God’s Word, God’s Holy Spirit will pause us in preparing to speak for Him and ask us “Do you love me?”  I know it has happened to me many times!  To stay focused and centered on God, we must evaluate about our motivations in ministry and answer truthfully.  Do I love God with all that is in Me?  Do I love Jesus for saving me from my sins?  Do I love others the way the Lord obviously loves me?  As our love for God is expressed in our being; His Holy Spirit then guides us to carry His love to others, in the Name of Jesus, for His glory—not for our own self-seeking or satisfying desires to feel important.  Real Love decides and demonstrates who we are in our growing love for God.

Real Love originates with God. Jesus is the One who saves us because of God’s Love.  When we fully embrace His love, we love Him back.  The next step which follows is to love others, too! Only then are we ready to feed His sheep, delivering Truth with Love.

John is standing over Peter’s shoulder during this time of teaching.  Peter’s turns his eyes off Jesus to John.  Peter is prone to such distractions—as we are!!  (Remember the walking on water attempt?)  Peter asks Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?”  Jesus teaches Peter that each relationship is personal when He responds, “…what’s that to you? You—follow me.”

As a leader, pastor, volunteer in ministry, are you sighing an “ouch” right now?  This touches our hearts because sometimes we too turn our heads to look over at what others do while evaluating who they are as they do the work of the Lord.  We are easily distracted and even wonder if they are as good as us, do as much as us, while asking why they were not picked to be led by Jesus in the way He is leading us, while judging the work they are doing! And worst of all—we are prone to compare ourselves and the work we are doing to what God has given to others!  “What’s that to you? You—follow me.” –Jesus

God calls, equips, then sends us out in the world as our love for Him and for others develops and begins to bloom.  But in this world, Jesus has warned his followers before, you will have troubles and suffering, but remember greater is He (Jesus) who is in you than he (satan) who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)  There will be people who will reject God’s love and Jesus’ redemption.  Will this rejection stop us from loving them?

God used an unbelieving teenager to teach me this lesson as a volunteer youth worker in my past.  After delivering a message of salvation to the group, this young man came to me and ask, “If I’m not willing to buy into this Jesus stuff, will you still love me?” (His need to be loved was evident.) This took me by surprise at first, but I could tell this was a test of my love for him.  I paused then looked him in the eyes and said, “Yes, of course I will.  I love you with the love of God in me and that love never ends or gives up.”  Months later, he gave His life to Jesus.  The lesson it taught me was to love like Jesus who loved us and “died for us while we were yet sinners.”  No one is exempt from the love of God.

Do you love Me? is asked by Jesus daily to believers who proclaim the Good News to the lost.  We just need to listen—and follow.

When we say yes with a committed heart to Jesus, led by the unconditional Love of God we are told, “Feed my sheep”.  The feeding is in the following of Jesus.  We do what He says when He says to do it—all because we love Him and realize the love He has for us.  This loving back relationship then spreads exponentially to loving all people God has created, especially to whom He sends us to be with who need to be loved and who to love.

Following and feeding is expressed in so many ways, here are a few:

• Jesus might send us across the street or around the world.  Love leads.  We follow.
• We might be sent to go after the one who ran away from family to lead them back home.  Love compels to go and find the lost.
• We might be sent to teach little ones or big ones in a classroom or small group of Jesus’ love and sacrifice.  Love leads us to speak the truth in love.
• We will quickly learn how much we don’t know as we study God’s Word.  But we also learn that to be honest helps others who don’t know to be less intimidated and more receptive to God’s love in us.  Love humbles us.
• Jesus promises the power of God’s Holy Spirit who will give us the right words at the right time to tell others in need of the real, relentless love of Jesus. 

Peter becomes our example of how love changes and transforms us after answering honestly what Jesus asks, “Do you love Me?” Jesus is centering Peter’s thoughts on the Love of God required in the feeding and following.  Jesus’ love is at the center of all we think, say and do—or it should be.

We will be amazed as we read what Simon, the former fisherman transformed into Peter, the Rock, preaches confidently and boldly to the Jews who shouted to kill Jesus!  (See Acts 2) Wait, What?!  Yes, thousands repented and were saved as a result of following and feeding of Peter.  But we get ahead of ourselves…

Pause to answer Jesus when He asks, “Do you love Me?”  As we honestly answer, He will lead us to who He has in mind for us to “feed” the Truth in Love as we follow Him.  Count on it.  Count on Jesus.  Allow His love in us to lead us.

Lord,

There are so many lessons still to be felt and learned as we evaluate the depth of love we have for others as well as for you.  I pray for my love, your love in me, to go deeper still.  I do love you with all that is in me.  Increase your love in me.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

Can’t go back to the beginning
Can’t control what tomorrow will bring
But I know here in the middle
Is the place where You promise to be

I’m not enough unless You come
Will You meet me here again
‘Cause all I want is all You are
Will You meet me here again

(Here Again, by Elevation Worship)

There have been times in my life, (and I’m sure in yours), when we stand between what was, is, and what will be.  I find myself there now—again.  This isn’t necessarily a bad place to be but it can be challenging—especially to those of us who are not gifted at waiting.  We feel we must be doing something to replace the momentary feelings of not being enough or doing enough. 

We might jump into projects on our own while we are stuck in the middle.  Going back to the beginning and doing what we did before seems good and comes naturally to us but it doesn’t satisfy the longing of wanting to know what lies ahead.  In these times, we can walk away from our Lord—or run to Him when we realize He was there all the time, preparing the way and us, for our next steps on this brief journey on earth. 

When we run to Him, “He serves breakfast on the beach” to us knowing exactly what we need most—Him.

As I walk now through the valley
Let Your love rise above every fear
Like the sun shaping the shadow
In my weakness Your glory appears

I’m not enough unless You come
Will You meet me here again
‘Cause all I want is all You are
Will You meet me here again
I’m not enough unless You come
Will You meet me here again
‘Cause all I want is all You are
Will You meet me here again

John 21, The Message

Fishing

^1-3 After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee). This is how he did it: Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.”

^3-4 The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.

⁵ Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?”

They answered, “No.”

⁶ He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.”

They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in.

^7-9 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!”

When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren’t far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.

^10-11 Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip.

¹² Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.

^13-14 Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus disciples are truly stuck in the middle before crucifixion and resurrection to what Jesus has next for them to be and do.  It is not surprising that impetuous, shoot from the hip, Peter is antsy and anxious in the wait.  Most of us relate to Peter, right?!  We can truly see the followers of Jesus hunkered down in a room when suddenly, Peter jumps up and announces, “I’m going fishing”!  Peter is a fisherman by trade.  It’s what he knows best. 

We do the same when we feel stuck and tired in the wait.  We do what we have done before because doing it gives us comfort and confidence in doing it—until it doesn’t.  Some of the disciples mentioned were also fishermen, but some were not by trade.  But all have the same anxiousness in the wait.  They also feel stuck in the middle, waiting, and feel they must do something—so they follow Peter to the sea.

What happened is all too familiar as we recall the time Jesus first called his disciples who were fishermen to follow Him.  At this time, again, the professionals fished all night as this is the best time to catch fish in the sea, but they caught nothing.  But at least, they were doing something to expend their energies.  But a lesson in not going back will soon be taught by the Master.

They are coming closer to shore when they notice Someone building a fire on the beach.  This Someone asks if they caught anything.  Can you imagine with me, Jesus smiling as He asks while already knowing the answer? Jesus also knows what He will do next to reveal, yet again, the glory of who He is to them and for them.

How personal the Master is to his beloved followers!   “Throw your nets on the right side—and see what happens.”  At this point, Jesus must be chuckling to himself as they do what He says and immediately work hard to bring in 153 big fish! Perhaps this miracle will provide funds for the ministry that lies ahead?  Maybe, but just his act alone shows the personal, intimate loving relationship between God and man because of Jesus, our Savior and now the Lord of their lives.  They did what He said.

As soon as the fish are hauled in, they realize who provided this miracle—again!  John says to Peter, “It’s the Master!”  In the excitement of knowing who did this and now recognizing Jesus, Peter wastes no time in swimming and then running to Him.  Now Jesus must be lovingly laughing out loud watching them!  Peter returns after a huge bear hug, we imagine, to go back to the boat to help bring in the haul. 

Not for a minute
Was I forsaken
The Lord is in this place
The Lord is in this place
Come Holy Spirit
Dry bones awaken
The Lord is in this place
The Lord is in this place

Not only does Jesus provide fish for the future, he hosts breakfast on the beach for his beloved who have been stuck in the middle!  This awesome appearance of our Lord reminds me of what Jesus said about his “yoke” that is lighter than ours and fits more perfectly to accomplish His will in and through us. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus met them where they were with exactly who they needed most.  He does that for us today when we realize our need is Jesus, God’s Son, who loved us so much He died and rose again for us.

How can we respond while stuck in the middle?

If fishing is not in our nature, there are others things we can be and do in the wait:

• First:  Be still and know that the Lord is God.
• Know that God is always at work on our behalf—even when we don’t see it.
• Be in continual communication with the One who knows us best and knows what lies ahead.
• Let go of anxious thoughts—you can’t trust those thoughts and feelings. 
• Instead, trust God and ask Him for wisdom, insight and understanding which is part of God’s prep work in us for the next steps we will take!
• What to do something while waiting?  Do what will benefits others! 
• Set aside even more time to pray for the lost, others spiritually stuck, and to be led far away from evil’s temptations hovering over us telling us to give up.  Why, because these “middle” times can make us weak. Paul learned from God; “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Lay aside self and seek to serve “breakfasts” of encouragement to others.  Pray with someone as soon as they ask.  Babysit for a mom stressed and needs a break.  Look in someone eyes and tell them you see Jesus in them when they serve others.  Pray for church leaders who are daily on the “front lines” helping others find and follow Jesus.  Take a meal when needed most.  Share what we have with others in need without them knowing. 

The list is endless when we ask God what He wants us to be then do. 

“Cast your net” on the right side of God’s will!  “And See what happens!”

I have discovered that most of God’s best work in and through me is accomplished even as I feel stuck in the middle! God calls, prepares, equips, then sends.

Lord,

Thank you for teaching us how to be when we feel stuck between what is and what’s next.  Thank you for serving us a “breakfast” of encouragement this morning—it’s so like you to be personal with us!  Help us to know your will as we give ourselves to you once again as an offering to you.  Lead us, Lord.

In Jesus Name, Amen