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I think as Christians sometimes we forget what our main purpose and goal is. We beat ourselves up over this a lot, as we should sometimes, yet we are reminded right at the beginning that the Apostles…..The very ones who had seen Jesus in action and had a clear cut, even they found themselves looking to the sky …..In the beginning…… That was until they were reminded that they had work to do. The same work that we as followers have today.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11
It was then that they set to work. No they didn’t go out right that second trying to save people. Instead they knew that they had work to do. First off the needed to pray because they needed seek direction in not only replacing Judas but also they needed to know what it is that God wanted them to do in general. Earlier this week I did a periscope on the importance of praying about relationships in our own lives. No worries though you can watch the youtube edition below 😉
(If you can not view the video then feel free to click here )
In Chapter 2, I was slapped in the face with the question of how do people actually view me. The Holy Spirit has been given to the Apostles and the believers. As the Spirit consumes them people are taking notice. Some stand in awe and others assume that they are actually drunk! If I am honest with myself I have to admit that I don’t always look different from those around me with my actions. I get frustrated just like everyone else. I become consumed with my own problems and I don’t extend myself to others in those moments. Yes, I am not always the mirror of Jesus that I long to be. But, in Chapter 2 we were reminded how amazing it can be to allow the Holy Spirit to take over.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. Acts 2:42-43
I don’t know about you but I long for my life to mirror Jesus. I long for my actions in this life to cause a movement in those around me. Here is the periscope video that goes along with my thoughts for that day.
(If you can’t view the video then click here)
Just as I thought I could not be stepped on anymore we moved forward to Chapter 3. Here we seen that Peter healed the Lame Beggar. Instead of taking credit for doing this Peter direct the attention once again to God. I was reminded that in everything that I do I need to do just that. It doesn’t matter I am feeding my family, cleaning my home, teaching my children or working in our local Children’s Church Ministry it all needs to be directed toward God. When thanks is given I need to remember to direct all the praise to God.
While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. Acts 3:11-16
I was reminded that we all have a testimony. We have all been broken and God has stepped in to make us whole. It is in this mindset we need to share with others the love and same healing that only through Jesus we can receive. Here is the periscope video from this reading.
(If you can’t view the video then click here)
As we dug into Acts Chapter 4 I was taken back at the boldness of Peter and John. No longer was Peter hiding who he served. Instead he proudly told the Priests that he would continue to speak of Jesus because He was the one who mattered most. I have been blessed in my lifetime. I have never been demanded to not talk about my faith. It doesn’t mean that I don’t receive backlash but I am in no fear that I will be killed for my beliefs. Peter and John didn’t have that same comfort and still they stood firm.
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4: 18-20
God once again kicked me in high gear. However it was in a much different way then I expected. He laid it on my heart to not only minister here but to also open up my home to other women in my area. This was a huge step for this woman but it was also such a blessing in itself. So there was no periscope for Acts 4 reading however I do have a picture of our food layout that was taken right before 5 wonderful women joined me in my home to share their thoughts on Acts thus far.
Not only was this a great experience for me but it was also a chance for our children to see me put into action what we had been reading all week long. They had a great time helping me prepare and look forward to the fact that this wan’t just a one time thing. Instead it has been set in stone that Thursdays in our home are the day that we host our neighborhoods women’s Bible Study.
Finally I was left with the reminder that God wants all of me not just pieces that I am willing to release to Him. I was also reminded that even though I have lost family members due to my beliefs and I have lost friendships as well that I need to praise God for that persecution because it means that I was able to go through that because I was sharing and mirroring His teachings in my life. Just like the apostles I need to stop and praise God for those hard moments.
and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. Acts 5: 40-42
Every heartbreak that comes from being a believer in Christ is one that should be celebrated. It means that we are doing just as we are suppose to do. We are being the hands and feet of God. Here is the periscope video from this reading.
(If you can’t view the video then click here)
My personal goal from this weeks reading is to be bolder for Christ, to make sure that I am giving Him all of me and not just what I want to release and I also want to make sure that when others see me they know who it is that I serve.
Now it’s your turn to share. What has your devotions left you with this week?
Until Next Time Just Keep Soaring 4 Him,
i really appreciated reading your thoughts and listening on periscope as we read Acts. I especially enjoyed your thoughts on giving God the glory in all that we do and sharing our best self with him. As the old john Lennon song goes, life is what happens to you while you’re making plans. Therefore it is in these regular moments of life as we grocery shop or run menial errands, that we give him the glory.