Tag: Believers

Are You Willing and Able?

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After Peter and John left those who had put them in jail and told them not to talk about Jesus, scripture says in Acts 4:23 they went to their people (other believers) and told them what had happened. Peter and John said the religious leaders had told them to stop telling others about Jesus. They had said, NO! We have to speak of the things we have seen and heard. After further threats they had let them go.

When their friends heard what had happened, Acts 4:24 describes their response,“they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,” They continued praising God for how Jesus had been conspired against by the leaders both religious and governmental. All of it had been done in ways God had decided beforehand to allow. Verse 28, “to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” They acknowledged that God was totally in control then and He was in control in their situation too. Their prayers continued as they asked God for future provision and power to continue witnessing. Acts 4:29-30 “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” They did not want to just do an average job but to witness boldly with conviction and power.

I love God’s immediate response. Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

These believers did not ask to be spared from persecution but to have the ability to witness boldly. They wanted to show God’s power and might and proclaim the name of Jesus so that as many as possible would come to know Him. God answered their prayer with the ability, and courage to witness boldly for Him.

We can take a lesson from the prayer of these early believers. Ask yourself- do you pray with conviction? Do you ask for the ability to witness boldly? It takes courage and great conviction to pray as they did. Will you take this as a challenge in your own prayer life? Jesus has the power if we are able and willing.

Linda

3,000 New Believers, What now??

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What can we learn from the early days of the church? Peter’s speech at Pentecost is recorded in Acts 2. It was noted in verse 41 that 3,000 were baptized into their number that very day. What did they do to grow their faith both together and by themselves? How did they handle life after coming to know the Lord? Acts 2:42-43 gives us a glimpse into those early days filled with new believers. The Apostles had a preeminent place as they were the teachers. They had been with Jesus and taught filled with His Holy Spirit. They continued to perform miracles and the believers saw their faith in action. “ And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” When it refers to breaking bread here, scholar suggest this refers to their practice of having communion which was demonstrated by Jesus in Luke 22:19-20.

Next we see that they were unified in spirit and action. They took care of one another seeing to each others needs. 2:44-45 “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” They let the joy of being with other believers spill over into their homes. 2:46-47 “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” The result of sharing their lives and faith with one another and those they met was an increase in their numbers- people coming to know Jesus! The joy of Jesus was with them 24/7 and it produced results that glorified God.

What lessons can we take from these early believers?

  • Make sure that part of your day and week is spent with other believers learning more about Jesus.
  • Make it a habit to be in worship weekly, pray daily and study God’s Word.
  • Develop a heart for others and be open about giving to the needs of others.
  • Have others into your home with a generous heart.
  • Make it a habit to praise God often!

Are these easy? No! But looking to the early Christians and the Apostles as examples, we see the effects of their ministries. Without them, we would not be here as believers. Faith is to be lived and passed on! It is our commission from Jesus. Matthew 28:18-20 “ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Be bold for Christ. e3He promised to be with us all the way!

Linda

Living the Life God Intends

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I am so looking forward to our Lenten Journey through the Psalms. There will be much to reflect upon as we dive into these precious poems or songs, as many were sung in the temple for worship. We too can worship God as we read them. Let’s begin at the beginning with Psalm 1. It is truly as favorite of mine as it clearly shows the contrast between the believer and the unbeliever.

It is a bit unconventional but the Message translation hits the mark and the words jar us into understanding God’s intended message.

How well God must like you—
    you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
    you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
    you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.

God shows us how fortunate we are to know and follow Him. We are refreshed by scripture continually, bear fruit for the Lord and are always blooming. Jesus shows this contrast in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Life with Christ is meant to be full and abundant. He allows us to bloom right where we are. I love the picture from Isaiah of us as a well-watered garden. Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,  like a spring whose waters never fail.“

The contrasting life, the one of the unbeliever is also pictured here.  They have no anchor, no defense and their road leads no where. Jesus told us in John 15:5 that unless we are connected to Him we can do nothing of eternal value. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  Many unbelievers have very productive lives accomplishing much good. However, their accomplishments apart of Jesus have no eternal value and will ‘burn up’. You cannot earn your way to heaven with good works. Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.“ 

With a life based on faith in Jesus, we can know His abundance. We can read and understand scripture. His Word will enrich and guide our lives. Our works done in His name have eternal value and bring honor and glory to God. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can live with an abundance of love, hope and peace. Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Which do you need today? Grace, Peace, a Reminder of Sainthood or Faithfulness?

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Yesterday we began this letter by examining who was writing, Paul, and by what authority, God’s will. Verse 2 continues the opening as Paul identifies who is receiving this letter.

To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Colossians 1:2

Paul first identifies them as saints. This term is used in scripture repeatedly to name those who believe in Jesus the Son, God the Father and the Holy Spirit. “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27 Psalm 145:10 “All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,  and all your saints shall bless you! Proverbs 2:7-8 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice  and watching over the way of his saints.” This seems an old fashioned term but when you ponder it, there is glory embedded with the term. We, as saints, reflect His glory to the world; His light in the darkness.

Paul also calls the believers in Colossae faithful. How would someone describe your faith in Christ? Are you faithful to the truths you find in the Bible? Do you read your Bible daily, pray regularly, and worship Him with a repentant and grateful heart? This time of Lent is one when we can take stock of where we are in our walk with Christ. We can question our devotion to Him, our faithfulness, our reliance upon Him and draw strength from His Word and encouragement through His Holy Spirit. It is a special time for reflection to help us grow deeper in love and dependence upon Almighty God.

Lastly, I want to mention the blessings Paul wished to bestow upon the readers. This blessing was not just for those in ancient Colossae but for us too. Grace is God’s unmerited favor and Peace a state of mind and being brought to us from Jesus regardless of our circumstances. What amazing truths these two words convey! Grace– I can trust His grace at all times. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” There is sustaining power in God’s grace! Peace- John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The peace Jesus gives will bring focus and hope not fear.

Such powerful words- saints, faithful, grace and peace. Let the truth of these soak into your soul today. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I, as a saint, can know and experience God’s grace and peace in my life because of His faithfulness to me.

Linda

The Process of Transformation -a blessed journey!

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Oh! what a promise we have in our Stream of Water reading from the Word this week. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 holds many truths and encouragements aimed at the believer and assurance of the promise of the mind of Christ.

Paul wanted to encourage the believers in Corinth that godly wisdom comes through knowing Christ and that His Holy Spirit would indwell and teach us the important things we need to know. He was not talking about worldly wisdom but those things that are the deep things of God.

What does this mean for you and me? We can read and study the Bible with confidence knowing the Holy Spirit will teach and reveal to us things we need to know to live godly lives before God. 10 “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” When we were unbelievers, Paul explains the words of God seemed foolish or not understandable. 14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Now that we are believers the Holy Spirit reveals to us things of God, 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” We can think about God, understand Him more clearly and make decisions based on godly wisdom and behaviors. Will we know everything about God? No, that is not possible as we have finite minds and cannot totally grasp the infinite. But we can be assured that through the power of the Holy Spirit within us we can live, love, work, study, and thrive growing in the knowledge of who God is and that He is real. We can align our hearts and minds with Christ and walk in His power each day. We can learn to emulate Christ and think biblically as we delve into His Word. What a privilege! Thank you Jesus for giving us a mind that can be focused and that can understand and learn about you. We are truly blessed.

Linda

Entire 1 Corinthian passage: 2:6-16

Wisdom from the Spirit

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.