Devotion

I heard a phenomenal devotion tonight and I want to share some of it with you.

Read this scripture from Acts 2:42-47

“42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Can you imagine people accepting Christ and joining our churches on a daily basis? 

That’s our goal and that’s what we dream about, but this scripture gives us 4 keys that made this happen..

1. Devotion to the Apostles:  The apostles taught the life of Jesus, the people were devoted.

2. Fellowship: the people created relationships that created a magnetic force of love

3. Breaking of Bread: Devoting themselves to communion with Father God.

4. Prayer:

Acts 2:42 makes Acts 2:47 happen!!!

What do you think about this quote?

“We don’t have to, we are free to…”

“We don’t have to love, we are free to love.”

“We don’t have to forgive, we are free to forgive.”

“We don’e have to ______. we are free to ________”

Fill in the blanks with other words:  pray, minister, sow seeds, etc.

John 8:36 says “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Jesus sets us free!!!  Allow Him to set you free!!

I was blessed tonight and I hope this message blesses you.

Morning reading and application

I spent some time this morning in Acts 12.

Peter was jailed and had 4 squads of soldiers guarding him.

Here are the events from Acts 12:7-11 from the Message: 

“ 7-9Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: “Hurry!” The handcuffs fell off his wrists. The angel said, “Get dressed. Put on your shoes.” Peter did it. Then, “Grab your coat and let’s get out of here.” Peter followed him, but didn’t believe it was really an angel—he thought he was dreaming.

 10-11Past the first guard and then the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. It swung open before them on its own, and they were out on the street, free as the breeze. At the first intersection the angel left him, going his own way. That’s when Peter realized it was no dream. “I can’t believe it—this really happened! The Master sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s vicious little production and the spectacle the Jewish mob was looking forward to.”

Peter was FREE!

But that is not the most impressive thing from this mornings reading.

Later in this chapter, King Herod refused to acknowledge Father God.   He was struck down, “eaten by worms and died.”

There are many messages in this chapter.

Miracles are evident, God provides in hard times, people are touched by ministry, some refuse to acknowledge HIM..etc

The main point of this chapter is verse 24:

The Message:   ”Meanwhile, the ministry of God’s Word grew by leaps and bounds.”

NIV:  “But the word of God continued to increase and spread. “

The Word will continue to spread no matter where I am in His plan.  

He will use me, but does not need me! His word will continue to spread.

That is certainly something that I want to be apart of….

Father, thank you for your miracles, your provision and your calling.

Bless this day, bless the children of Upward and thank you for advancing your Word!!

Amen

“I tell you the truth”

As I finish the book “Soul Cravings” by McManus, the word “truth” is mentioned several times.

I searched www.biblegateway.com for the word truth and realized that the phrase, “I tell you the truth,” is found 78 times in the NIV.

Jesus is all about the truth.  In fact, in John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life…..”

Check out some of the lines from “Soul Cravings.”

“Jesus didn’t come advocating a better idea.”

“Jesus’ claim was nothing less than “I am the truth.”

“He moved from rational to relational. He was tell the disciples the truth is not an answer, it is a PERSON………..No matter how many true things you come to know, they will never leave you satisfied until you find your way to the ONE who is the very source of truth.”

“Jesus invites us to know him as the One who is the way, the truth and the life.”

 Our search for truth in this world is a natural and internal desire for Jesus.  He is the cool water that quenches our thirst.  He is the calm in the storm.   He is that still small voice in the quiet and that same still small voice in the chaos of our lives.

McManus finishes a section with this: “When we are drowning in the counterfeit, our souls become sick. When we are immersed in what is true, we begin to experience wholeness and health.  Even when you feel like you’re driving blind, full spead ahead in the middle of the night, you have to keep going; you have to continue searching for truth; you have to keep looking for meaning; you have to keep trying to make sense of life. When life doesn’t make sense, it becomes all about trust.  Sometimes you’re driving full spead down a very dark road.  All you can do is trust the driver and let him take you home.”

Jesus is with us as we enter the storms.  Trust the driver!

John 8:32   “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

That truth is Jesus. 

“Then you will know Jesus and Jesus will set you free!!”

My search in this life is ultimately about truth.  It’s a natural craving to find truth.  It’s tough to find because this world is full of deception.   Deception is easy to find and the truth seems to be a challenge.   It’s  only a challenge to me because I take my eyes off of the TRUTH.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the TRUTH and the life…”

I tell you the truth…….I make it harder than it should be!