Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 19:1-20
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

But then resistance began to form as some of them began spreading evil rumors through the congregation about the Christian way of life.

This sentence sums it up even for the church today. The Christian church rarely disagrees about God as Creator and Jesus as His Son. Most of our resistance is more about our "way of life." What rules and regulations we must obey to be considered a follower of Jesus. Whose doing it right... or wrong. It is the same game the Pharisees and Saduccees played. And the outcome is always the same... resistance. It is just our nature to resist others telling us what to do. We find no value in being judged, but being the judge is a totally different thing.

Learning to follow Jesus is not about rules or regulations, not about tradition or policy. Following Jesus is about loving God and loving others. Who could resist that?

Lord, keep me focused on my relationship with You.

Convict me when I resist others because their way of walking

with You is different than mine. Teach me to love You where I am,

and to love others where they are.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 18:18-28
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

He was well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm. Apollos was accurate in everything he taught about Jesus up to a point, but he only went as far as the baptism of John.

Apollos was teaching what he knew. So many times I hear Believers say, "I can't do that. I don't know enough about the Bible." My response is always the same, "The best way to learn is to teach." The truth is we will never know or understand all of it. God is too big for that. God is not in the business of calling experts. He's looking for those who will begin with what they know and continue to learn in the process. Sharing the Gospel is not what we know, it is about Who we know.

Have you been called to share the Gospel with someone... to teach... to lead? No more excuses... just take a step of faith. I'm confident Holy Spirit will provide all you need.

Father God, embolden me to share what I know about You with others.

I know I don't know it all, but in the act of obedience You will

continue to grow me in my knowledge of You and Your ways.

Lord, fire me up!

Amen.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 18:1-17
[Take time to read the passage before the devotional. Click the reference to read The Message online.]

What is it about the message of Jesus that causes such different reactions?

Many were contentious with Paul, arguing with him when he shared the truth. They saw this new Way as a threat to what they knew, to what gave them power and place in their community.

A great many listened and received. They believed and were baptized.

Then there was the governor. He had no time for religious disputes. It was all nonsense to him.

What is it about the Message?

It might not be so much about the Message or even the messenger, but more about those who are hearing it. Jesus said:

"... No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. ..."

John 6:44 ESV

The Father is the one who draws people to the Son. He prepares hearts, times, and places for belief to happen. No one can come to Jesus unless...

This is an important issue to me, because I have loved ones who do not believe. Those who can be contentious regarding the Good News, and others who are just too entrenched in the world, it's all nonsense to them.

This raises serious questions for me. Why doesn't Father God draw everyone to Jesus? Why isn't every heart prepared to receive Him the moment they hear the good news the first time? 

I don't know. But I do know He is good and just and always right.
I know He doesn't want anyone to perish.
I know He loves every one He has created.

"...For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son

and believes in him should have eternal life... " --- Jesus

John 6:19 ESV

The Father wills for everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him to have eternal life.

Maybe those I love who have not come to a saving faith, been born again, haven't actually taken the time to see the Son so they could believe? 

Whatever the cause, I trust Father God with what He's doing. And in the mean time, I pray for those I love who argue or ignore the Gospel Message, asking the Father to prepare the way, to draw them in...

"Ask and it will be given to you..." ---Jesus

Matthew 7:7 ESV

Father God, help me to wait as You prepare the way

to draw those I love to Jesus.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 17:16-34
[Read the Message version online, click the reference above.]

Paul's preaching about God to the Athenians, let's not skim over it too quickly. Let's sit here for a while on what he had to say. Read the following passage a time or two more:

"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of the sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. ..."

Is this the God you know? Does He feel near? or remote?
Do you know Him and trust Him as Master of all He's created?
Do you know He doesn't need a church building? that He's too big to be contained in one?
Do you experience the time and space to seek Him? or do you just feel darkness?

Just like the junkyard of idols in Athens keeping the people from seeking and finding God --- the One true God --- we clutter our lives with gods that keep us from seeking and finding Him, even though He is near.
Family.
Job.
Wealth.
Power.
Entertainment.
Escape.
Busyness.
Relevance.
News.
Politics.
Gossip.
Community.
Fear.
Security.
[Go ahead... add your particular god to the list...]

With so much clutter, it's no wonder we have a hard time seeking and finding God, even though He is the One who is near and makes Himself evident through creation.

Take a moment to determine how you experience God.
If it's different than Paul's exposition, identify the junk in your life keeping you from knowing Him as He is.

He is near.
Take time to seek Him.
De-clutter your life.
He wants to be found.

Father God, help me identify the clutter in my life

that keeps me from knowing You as You truly are.

I want to be near to You.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 17:1-15
[Be sure and read the verses before the words below! Click the reference above to read online.]

At this point in our reading through Acts, we've seen many of Paul's trials as a Christian missionary. I'm reminded of Jesus's words to Ananias regarding Paul:

For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.

Acts 9:16 ESV

And as noted last week, Jesus taught His disciples: If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

And I wonder... Have I suffered for the sake of His name? been persecuted?

What about you? Are you stirring up the world around you by being His disciple? Have you been an annoying light in a world that prefers to stay in the dark?

Lord, forgive me for the opportunities I've missed to be a light in the dark.

Forgive me for thinking suffering is a sign that You don't love me.

Embolden me for Your use in the world.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 16:16-40
[Click the reference above to read the Message version online.]

Paul and Silas, led by the Spirit on their missionary route, ended up offending the locals, getting arrested, then beaten and imprisoned. Yet they were not discouraged.

Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer 

and singing a robust hymn to God. ...

Acts 16:25 Msg

Their midnight devotional resulted in a miraculous earthquake and the salvation of their jailer and his entire household.

When we follow the leading of the Spirit, even when it takes us to a very difficult place, we should rest assured we are exactly where He wants us to be. Respond with prayer and songs of praise, not doubt and complaining. God has a purpose for our good and His glory in everything. Everywhere He leads awaits an opportunity to build His Kingdom and plant His Word in a dark place.

Lord, bless me with the faith to follow Your Spirit wherever it leads.

Help me to recognize the difficulties that arise from obedience as opportunities.

Fill my heart with prayer and song's of praise instead of fear and grumbling.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 16:1-15
[No Bible handy? Click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.]

Paul had a plan, but the Holy Spirit blocked his way.
He made a new plan, but he wasn't allowed to go that way either.

Have you ever experienced a time when none of your plans seemed to work out? Did you ever consider God might have been blocking your way?

God had a specific place in mind for Paul's next missionary trip, which He finally revealed in a dream. But before the revelation, the Holy Spirit simply blocked Paul's path.

Next time your plans don't work out the way you want, go to God in prayer. Ask Him what He wants you to do next. Where He wants you to go. He might just be steering you clear of danger and into the place where He has the greatest blessing prepared for you. His plan for your life.

Holy Spirit, I ask You today to block my path,

if I'm not going where You want me to.

I want to follow Your way, not mine.

I want to live for Your glory, not mine.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 15:22-41
[Click the link above to read online.]

Everyone agreed: apostles, leaders, all the people.

Acts 15:22 Msg

When was the last time you were at church and everyone agreed? about anything?

Agreement among Believers is a supernatural experience.
It's one I long for.
It's one I believe is possible.

There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV

We all belong to the One. I truly believe if we all listen to Him, His Word, and His Spirit, we will be in agreement. He only has one way and I believe He wants His people to know it and follow it. Unity among Believers is the sign to the world that Jesus came, died, rose, and is who He says He is (John 17:20-21). Unity is the miraculous sign of His coming and being, because it is so rare in this world.

Here is one of those moments in the church where all agreed. But it didn't last long. By the end of today's passage a serious disagreement breaks out between brothers in Christ leading to division. For whatever reason, Paul and Barnabas were at odds when it came to John Mark being included back on the ministry team. They actually agreed to go their separate ways.

I see this kind of disagreement, disunity, and wonder... Who's not listening to the Spirit? Who's the one being hard-headed here? To me, scripturally speaking, Believers should be in agreement on all counts if they are in agreement with God. However, the state of the church is not perfect. We are all broken. Our hearing skewed. Our hearts hardened with varying degrees of unbelief and immaturity.

A teaching on this particular passage gave me a different perspective. I can't remember where I read it or heard it, so I can't cite it, but God used the divide between Paul and Barnabas for good. Just like the persecution of the Church led to spreading of the good news, so the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas led to covering twice as much territory when it came to church-planting.

It's true, God works all things for good in the lives of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, even when we don't or can't find unity in the Holy Spirit. Still, Paul writing to the Ephesians said...

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,

binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:3 NLT

Unity. A sign pointing to the truth of Jesus.

A possibility only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father God, grow me to hear and receive what the Spirit has to say.

Prepare my heart to come into agreement with Him and let go of my

own prejudices, reasoning, and understandings.

I long for Your Church to experience the unity of peace

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Beyond the Gospel: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 15:1-21
[Click the reference above to read The Message version online.]

The controversy we see in these verses is over religion.

Religion is a set of rules to help us get to God. But in Jesus, God tore down the curtain, abolished the rules, and opened a way to Himself through His Son's sacrifice.

Nothing else is needed. It is finished. Done. For those who truly, whole-heartedly, trust in Christ for salvation through His work on the cross there is nothing more to do but love Him and worship Him. But even if we are faithless, He is faithful.

...if we are faithless, he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself.

2 Timothy 2:13 NIV84

Many of the divisions in the Church today revolve around religion --- rules and tradition.

It's sad really. It's one of the means the enemy uses to disarm the Church. And many of us don't even see it.

There is one thing that is needed to be a member of the one Church. Faith in Jesus. A willingness to accept His grace and the truth that there's not one thing He needs us to do to earn our way in...

Maybe we need to consider the question:

Don't we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus

amazingly and out of sheer grace and generosity moved to save us...?

Acts 15:11 Msg

What do you believe when it comes to salvation? Do you let religion get in the way of uniting His Church?

Father God bless me with the faith and understanding to accept

and receive Your grace through Christ Jesus. I long for Your Church

to be all You intend it to be. Don't let me be in the way of Your work.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit --- just as you were called to one hope

when you were called --- one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:3-5 NIV84

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 14:19-28

[No Bible? Click the link above to read online at BibleGateway.com.]

Paul and Barnabas made a return trip to all the newly established churches, in order to bring encouragement. They told them...

Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God

has to go through plenty of hard times.

Acts 14:22 Msg

Hmm... Do you find these words encouraging as a Believer? They strike me as a little hard!

But Jesus basically said the same thing to Ananias regarding Paul: ...I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. 

And He told the disciples: If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

Where is the encouragement in this? The encouragement is in knowing the truth.

To enter the Kingdom of God is to enter into a war... a world war. There is a spiritual battle raging around us and when we receive Jesus as Lord we become enemies with the world.

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?

Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself

an enemy of God.

James 4:4-5 ESV

The reverse is also true: friendship with God is enmity with the world.

There are many well-meaning Christians... or confused Christians... who encourage others to sign up for the Kingdom of God because of all the blessings. And yes... there are many blessings. But not as understood from a worldly perspective.

As a Believer, if you expect easy money, trouble-free relationships, and a perpetual clean bill of health, you are in for a rude awakening!

Jesus said: 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.

The blessings we can expect are:

peace that passes understanding in spite of a difficult situation...

His presence with us in the midst of a storm...

stability no matter how hard the storm rages...

His power to take what the enemy intends for harm and intend it for good...

Signing up for God's Kingdom ensures plenty of hard times, but you know what? Either way you'll have hard times! This world is broken and stuff happens.

I find encouragement in Paul and Barnabas' words because it is truth. Plenty of hard times will come to those signed up for God's Kingdom, yet in Christ it's all purpose-full and it's all for our good and His glory.

Don't be blind-sided by difficulties. Be prepared to face them with Him.

Lord, with You I can face every difficulty. Amen.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

And let steadfastness have its full effect,

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 ESV

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 14:1-18
[To read The Message version of this passage, click the reference above.]

The Message of truth receives a lot of different reactions.

If Paul and Barnabas had to determine their success based on the reaction of people and how the Message was received they would have been confused by their mixed reviews: some received the Message whole-heartedly; some wanted to beat them up, and then there were those who deemed them gods.

Paul and Barnabas delivered the Message of truth freely, openly, and confidently. And God affirmed their work with miracles and wonders.

When we answer God's call to deliver the Message of truth or serve, we cannot be overly concerned with people's reactions. We must only listen and watch for God's corroboration to affirm our obedience.

People are not good judges of truth. God is the only Judge who knows the hearts of people. He knows why they respond to truth and why they don't. He alone knows if we have done what He's called us to do in the way He's called us to do it and with a right motive.

Don't put too much stock in what people say about your service to God.
Don't let those who criticize, start whisper campaigns or worse, discourage you.
Don't let those who want to put you on a pedestal lift you up and inflate your ego.

Look for the wonders. Look for the miracles. Praise God for the work He's doing through you. He's the only One who will give you an honest review.

Lord, I see Paul and Barnabas serving You alone.

They were not swayed by people's reaction to the Message.

As I serve You, protect me from the temptation to please people.

Protect me from fear of man. I choose to serve You freely, openly and confidently.

Bless me with affirmations through Your Spirit when I please You

with my service.

Beyond the Gospel: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 13:31-52
[The link above will take you to the passage, if you don't have a Bible with you.]

'You'll never let your Holy One see death's rot and decay.'

Acts 13:35 Msg

Jesus, the Holy One, did not experience death's rot and decay. His Believers, His followers, receive the same promise.

"... My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish..." ---Jesus

John 10:28 ESV

Those who follow Jesus, keep His commandments and follow the Holy Spirit, will not experience rot and decay, only eternal life. When our way of life is His way of life, we will not see death.

However, there is more than one death, more than one kind of rot and decay. Sin starts all sorts of things decaying in our lives even before we die our physical death. When we follow our own spirits, our own hearts, our own desires apart from God, we can begin the process of death.

Death of relationships.

Death of opportunities.

Death of hopes and dreams.

Death of joy and peace.

Sin. Following the world or your own heart. Brings rot and decay right into the middle of your life. And you will find yourself in a big stinking mess.

Nothing comes from sin but death.

Temptation is attractive. It promises lots of happiness. But remember, temptation's call comes from the mouth of a liar who only wants to steal your life.

Jesus promises life abundant. Here and now. He tells us straight up.

"... The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ..."

John 10:10 ESV

God the Father does not let His holy ones see death and decay. His holy ones are the ones who follow His Son.

You don't have to experience the stench of death in your life.

Trust the only One who is the true source of Life abundant.

Jesus.

Father God, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one.

Bless me with the discernment and faith to choose Your Way. Teach me

to follow Jesus. Show me what it means to take up my cross and follow Him.

I do not want to see rot and decay in my life.

Beyond the Gospel: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 13:13-30
[If your Bible's not near, click the reference above to read online.]

"From out of David's descendants God produced a Savior for Israel,

Jesus, exactly as he promised --- but only after John had thoroughly

alerted the people to his arrival by preparing them for a total life-change. ..."

Acts 13:23-24 Msg

Long before, God planned the rescue of His people. He had a plan in place to bring about a total life-change. He waited for just the right time, making sure all the preparations were made, so those who were prepared would receive Him.

Have you experienced a total life-change since meeting Jesus? That's what He desires for you and for all people. He wants us to experience total life-change, not just a little, but total, complete.

If you haven't seen change in your life or in the life of a loved one your waiting on, don't be discouraged, just remember He's preparing the way. Waiting for the perfect time to arrive.

Father God, thank You for preparing the way for our Savior

to enter the world and bring the opportunity for change.

Thank You for the change You've made in my life.

Thank You for the change You are preparing to bring about

in those I love. Help me wait patiently. Help me see Your hand at work.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 12:20-13:12
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

That was the last straw. God had had enough of Herod’s arrogance and sent an angel to strike him down. Herod had given God no credit for anything.

I was listening to a talk show recently where a man called in to voice his belief that there was no Creator. I wasn't offended by the man's view. I've heard it before. What did amaze me was his attitude toward those who choose to believe in a created world. I'm one of those believers. I changed the station feeling a bit peeved at the one who claimed I was uneducated and naïve to believe such a thing. I had had enough of the program.

I don't really feel a need to defend my stance. I believe God created and that's that. I choose to give Him all the credit. This verse reminds me the battle belongs to God. It is not my job to convince arrogance. Instead I choose prayer.

I prayed for the man on the radio. I asked God to reveal His truth to him, to give him more time to come to a real understanding of creation. Is there someone in your life who needs truth revealed? Go to God and ask.

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

 My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God. ---James 5:16-20 Msg

Through prayer we are a power to be reckoned with.

Lord, pour grace in my heart for those who are lost, even when they

act rude and arrogant. Put words of prayer in my mouth,

that they might be saved from wandering.

Forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 12:1-19
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

The miracle that happened seemed like a dream to Peter. It does to me too. Still, something caught

my attention in these verses. Take a look at the last sentence.

Fed up with Judea and Jews, he went for a vacation to Caesarea.

I must admit I'm smiling. Herod plotting and killing, all to increase his ratings. For Herod this was not about religion, it was about politics. He wanted to be popular among the Jews and his plan was working. Well, it worked for a moment anyway.

Peter's in jail facing execution, sleeping like a baby. God enters the scene and walks with Peter to freedom. Guards are baffled, beheaded, and Herod is fed up. Throwing up his hands in frustration, he takes a vacation.

I love it! Nothing, not one thing, can thwart God's plan for His people. This is something to smile about, laugh out loud even. For God is sovereign and He reigns over all things!

I praise You, Lord, for the freedom of living in Your sovereignty.

Freedom from worry, freedom from shame, freedom from fear.

Even in the face of very real danger, I am free to trust in You,

Lord of lords and King of kings!

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's verses: Acts 11:19-30
(Click on the link to read today's Scripture.)

It was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

I've considered myself a Christian for as long as I can remember. I wonder what it was like for the disciples to be called this for the first time. It wasn't some name they came up with on their own. It was the name given to them by others... by those who observed their group.

Webster's definition of Christian is one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Do those who observe us on a daily basis find reason to call us Christian? Do they notice something different in us? It is so much more than professing a belief. Those are just words. It's the living it out that draws others to Him. It's loving when the world teaches hate, and becoming last when the world pushes us to be first. When we lay our selves down for the sake of another, others will notice.

How are you living out your profession in Christ these days? 

Lord Jesus, teach me to live in a way where others

see You in me. May others readily ask me, 

"Are you a Christian?" because of the way I live.

"... I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity

that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them

as much as you love me. ..." --- Jesus praying to His Father for His disciples

John 17:23 NLT

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Reading: Acts 11:1-18
(Click on the link above to read today's Scripture.)

 “It’s really happened! God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!”

God always intended for the whole wide world to have life. We are the ones that constantly draw lines of separation in the sand. Skin color, politics, religion, and economic status separate countries, communities, churches, and even families. Loving those who are different is the hard work of following Christ. Reaching across those lines in the sand can be one of the toughest things we do.

Peter did it. He heard God call him to the Gentiles. It couldn't have been easy. His entire life he had been taught to obey the customs and law of his religion. A religion that taught him being in the same room with someone different would defile him... make him unclean. Peter could have chosen his own way. He could have refused to go to them, but he didn't.

What line is God calling you to cross lately?

May you have the courage and strength to cross it in the name of Jesus!

Lord, bless me with the faith to walk

where You lead me to serve.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Verses: Acts 10:34-48
(Don't have your Bible close by? Just click on the link above.)

It's Sunday and I've waited later than usual to write this week's devotional. The first few verses hold the message I heard just a few hours ago in worship.

Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from — if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open.

"God shows no favoritism," the preacher said this morning, as he read from the book of James.

My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, “Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the street person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” haven’t you segregated God’s children and proved that you are judges who can’t be trusted?

 Listen, dear friends. Isn’t it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world’s down-and-out as the kingdom’s first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God. --- James 2: 1-7

Two times in the span of a few hours gets me to thinking. Have I been playing favorites lately? Am I drawn to those who look and act like me? Have I turned from those who are down and out?

Our preacher challenged us this morning to treat everyone the same this week... to show no favoritism. Join me as I take up the challenge.

Father God, Your door is open to everyone who wants You

and is ready to do Your will. Help me to see everyone as one to be honored.

Teach me to treat everyone with the same respect, grace, and love.

Thank You, for opening Your door to me.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 10:9-33
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other.

Peter wasn't sure about this at first. It was against the law he had been taught all his life to associate with someone other than a Jew. But God spoke and Peter obeyed. For the first time in his life, he sat with people of another race in close proximity. Not only were they in the same room but they shared food, fellowship, and prayer.

Some of us may have the same issue as Peter. It is not just about race. It can be religion or status, economic circumstances, political parties, even individual issues. Any area where we find ourselves judging others is a place of separation. Let's face it. We are more comfortable with those who are like us. The like-minded so to speak.

God didn't leave Peter with those who were like him. He called him to go and reach out to the Gentiles. That's me, a Gentile. That's you! His obedience opened the door for us to receive the good news of Christ.

Is God calling you to share his Word and love with someone who is different than you? What will you do?

Lord, help me to see all people as You do.

Each made in Your image. Each one for Whom You died.

Each potential brothers or sisters in Jesus.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 9:36-10:8
(Click on the link to read today's Scripture.)

He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer.

Let's look at Cornelius' example. He was a thoroughly good man. Merriam-Webster's defines thorough as "carried through to completion, complete in all aspects, having full mastery." Basically, he was a man whose spiritual life brought him to a place of completion. This Scripture tells us his secrets to getting to that place of completion:

... living worshipfully before God...
... helping people in need...
... a habit of prayer...

These things in and of themselves did not make Cornelius righteous or thoroughly good. Rather, God who met him in the worship, the helping, and the prayer is the one who brought him to completion.

Do you want to be complete... thoroughly good? Practice the secrets today.

Father God, teach me to live worshipfully before You.

Lead me to the people You want me to help and do not

let me miss an opportunity. Teach me to develop 

a habit of prayer. Complete me, Lord.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you

will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 9:20-35
(Click on the link to read today's Scripture.)

Everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him walking around and woke up to the fact that God was alive and active among them.

Are you awake to the fact that God is alive? How about active? Sometimes we forget. The craziness of life gets in the way. We go this way and that way and forget there's a God who is alive and active in our lives. Some might say God doesn't participate in our daily lives. I say He does. I say He wants to be more and more active.

Maybe the question is not "Is He active?" but "Do we want His activity?"

Lord, wake me up! I long to know and see Your activity in my daily life,

in the daily life of my loved ones, and in the church and community.

Open my eyes and heart to Your activity. Bless me with the faith

to be a part of all You are doing.

Beyond the Gospels: Acts

Today's Scripture: Acts 9:1-19
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

"Saul spent a few days getting acquainted with the Damascus disciples, but then went right to work, wasting no time..."

Saul's conversion wasn't just a heart thing. Not only did he dive right into baptism, he went right to work. Saul's willingness to go right to work and waste no time reveals his sense of urgency. He had a lot of work to do, lots of people to reach, and not much time.

It should be the same for us... urgency. We have a lot of work to do... so many to love and offer grace to. There's not much time. Let's not waste it.

Father God, I see in Saul... Paul... the only thing that really matters.

Your Kingdom. Finding my place in it. Doing the work You created me,

saved me, to do. Fill me with the boldness and urgency of Paul.

Open my eyes to the truth: the things of this world will all pass away,

but Your Kingdom is eternal, the only thing truly worth

investing time, resources, and energy into to.