Saturday, July 23, 2011

Acts 2:45

and sold their possessions and
goods, and divided them among all, as
anyone had need.
NKJV
They cared more for each other than mammon, their wealth and possessions.

I want to have that heart for my fellow brothers and sisters. To see that they have a need and to fulfill it without an outer or inner hesitation or outcry at what I might then lack, though I still have enough.

Even not having 'enough', knowing and having faith that the Lord will provide for my needs as well; content with that which He does provide, great or small, and knowing like this early church that Christ the Lord is all I need.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.

Amen.

Acts 2:44

Now all who believed were to-
gether, and had all things in common, NKJV
How rare it is for our modern church to have such fellowship. Like a bunch of high schoolers we flock together in 'cliques' and pretend that simply crossing those boundaries to speak with one another for a few minutes on Sunday shows our togetherness and that we are truly one body in Christ.

What action on our parts!

The early church was a true community of believers who dined together and prayed together, all of them, and not simply in their little groups. They showed the love of Christ to the world and to each other.

I want to not fall into a superficial and dishonest fellowship, or to limit myself to those like me or close to me or those easiest to be with.

I want to be a reacher and one to be reached.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Acts 2:43

Then fear came upon every soul,
and many wonders and signs were done
through the apostles.
NKJV
'Through'.

Not "by the apostles", but "through the apostles".

The apostles had no power except as a conduit through which the Holy Spirit CHOSE to act. It was not they who did 'many signs and wonders', but the Spirit of God who found it fitting to use them in glorifying Christ Jesus and bring more to faith to receive His grace and further edify Christ the Lord.

We tend to forget that it is not only the signs and wonders which are done "through" us and not "by" us. It is by God that the seas part. By Him that tongues are spoken and interpreted, and by whom warnings and directions come in the form of prophesy.

It is by him that an orphanage is built which brings children physical and spiritual shelter from which the rest of their lives can be based.

Him who initiates chance meetings which develop into friendships that melt hardened hearts to the love of Christ.

And Him who uses the simplest of daily actions and choices to touch a soul, often without our ever knowing.

I want to always remember that there is nothing I can do for God. He can do anything He pleases, and it is my greatest honor that I might EVER be used for His work. That I GET to be of service in our Christian mission of revealing God's grace.

I want to remember that regardless of skills and abilities and capabilities and potentials, of strengths and weaknesses and qualities, it is God who does all works, and by his choice alone that I might be a conduit for the outpouring of His Holy Spirit.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Acts 2:42

And they continued steadfastly in
the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in
the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
NKJV
On the Day of Pentecost approximately three thousand were saved or 'added to the apostles' (Vs 41).

Verse 42 follows and tells us that having come to Christ they continued with the apostles' teachings; but not just continued, they continued steadfastly. With purpose and an unbroken constant-ness, an unwavering pace where they followed the apostles' instruction and teaching and fellowship.

But it was not only in the apostles' that they continued steadfastly.
They broke bread and took part in communion in remembrance.
They prayed.

They came to Christ and continued in Christ. They did not 'fall away'.

These new Christians, some of the 'first' Christians, were a community of believers on fire for the Lord and the Christ who saved them, and they were open to the Holy Spirit and did not 'quench' it as they were moved powerfully.

This early church was strong and faithful.
They were bound together in their faith.
They were steadfast.
'Unwavering'.

It makes me wonder. How often can I say that I am truly steadfast with the Lord and Christ? Do I really let the Holy Spirit move me as fully as the Lord desires? And have I ever?

I want to wholly and honestly devote myself and be filled with His word. To dive in and not treat my reading and study as 'homework', 'something to research' that needs to be drudged through, or just another curiosity.

I want to allow God to guide my understanding and leave a deep impression on me.

My time here at the Missionary Training School is already helping. It is 'giving me a reason' to take a closer look than I have before at just how much is said in each line and passage of the Bible, and the pastors here are providing us the tools and guidance to not only recognize how much is said, but also to understand, not simply as 'I understand', but as is INTENDED by the scriptures!

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.