Tag: disciples

God Promised Us A Helper, Do you Know Him?

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John 14:25-26 holds precious promises made by Jesus while he was with His disciples. Since we are followers of Jesus too, they apply directly to us also!

 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you

Promise: Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to help, teach and remind us all things He had said.

We know that the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost and indwelt the believers. His Spirit gave them power and motivated them to fulfill Jesus’ great commission given in Matthew 28:19-20. “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.” Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem after his ascension and wait for the Holy Spirit to come. Acts 2:1-4 “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The disciples depended upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to witness and live for Jesus. He taught them and helped them recall all the words of Christ recorded in the gospels.

We too received the Holy Spirit when we accepted Jesus into our lives. As we depend upon Him, read God’s Word and pray, the Holy Spirit works within to teach us and help us to align our thoughts with God. He reminds us of what we have read or studied in God’s Word so that we can apply it to our lives. He convicts us of sin and leads us in a process called sanctification. As believers we are in the process of becoming more and more like Jesus!

What we can know from these verses: God sent the Holy Spirit to counsel, teach, and help us remember what we learn about God and apply it to our lives.

Lenten Reflections: Am I open to the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit? Do I try to quench the Spirit and do things my way? Where do I need the Holy Spirit’s help?

Leaning into the Spirit of God and accepting His leading shows maturity in the Christian life. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and trust Him to guide me in God’s ways.

Linda

Related verses: Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13, Titus 3:5, Luke 24:49, Acts 2:33, John 15:26, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10.

Problem Solving at its Best!

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How do you go about solving problems? Probably you look at the issues and decide what is the priority for action based on Biblical standards. The demands on the disciples to preach and teach the word increased as more and more came to follow Jesus. It did not seem from Acts 6 there were enough workers to go around to both meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people. Acts 6:1 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.” It was the responsibility of the disciples to see to the needs of the widows. James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Caring for the widow and orphans was a major priority. They also needed to follow Jesus’ command and spread the gospel. They had a great solution that was modeled by Jesus when he sent out the 12.

Acts 6:2-4 “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” They were not just going to choose anyone but those that would act and reflect well and on the ministry and were believers filled with the spirit. Acts 6:5-7  “And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.” Everyone was pleased with this division of authority. Verse 7 tells us the outcome, “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

What I particularly like about this is the disciples did not get entangled in quarrels but rose above and looked at the needs. We should follow this example and look to the heart of the problem setting aside egos, desires, struggles to be incharge, etc. As a result, much was accomplished for the kingdom. The disciples remembered why they were there and kept Jesus center to all their needs.

May we remember this the next time we need to problem solve!

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

Waiting with Purpose

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All part of living Fearlessly for Jesus is learning to use your wait time purposefully. See how the Apostles led the way….

How do you make use of your ‘waiting’ time? Jesus had given the disciples directions to return to Jerusalem and wait for the gift the Father had promised. After witnessing Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, these level headed men and women did exactly what Jesus asked. They retuned to Jerusalem to wait. They did not know how long it would take but they obediently followed Jesus’ directive to wait. Acts 1:12-14 “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. “

Led by Peter, the disciples decided to take up business and find a replacement for Judas. Judas had betrayed Jesus and was dead at his own hand. In Acts 1:18-19 Peter gives some of the gory details of his death and then laid criteria for choosing Judas’ replacement while they waited. Acts 1: 21-22, “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” Peter felt that the new apostle must be someone who had been with Jesus from his baptism by John to his resurrection. At this point in time, their own testimony to having actually seen the events which had taken place was of upmost importance for them to be taken seriously by those they witnessed to about Jesus, His power, His resurrection and message of redemption. So, they nominated 2 men, Justus and Mattias. They prayed and then cast lots. Mattias was chosen.

What can we learn from these events? We need to seek to be fruitful in our waiting. We don’t want to just waste time when we could be praying, studying, fellowshipping, etc. The disciples were organized and recognized the need for someone to replace Judas. How do you spend your waiting time? I am impressed and encouraged that even in this uncertain time the disciples were about kingdom work. They saw to it that their group was ready for whatever God had in store for them. Let us take a lesson from the disciples and when we have ‘wait’ time, turn to Him in prayer. Ask Jesus how best to use the time to accomplish the most for Him and to be ready.

Linda

Jesus Appeared….in the Upper Room

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Jesus appeared to the disciples and others to show them living proof that He was alive.  He did not appear just once but multiple times between His Resurrection and His Ascension when He returned to heaven.  Over the period of 40 days He met in various places to reassure them He was alive, had returned from the dead and that their faith in Him was real and true.   On Resurrection Sunday He met the women in the garden, and the two men walking on the Road to Emmaus.  In today’s passage, Jesus appeared to those disciples gathered in the Upper Room.

After encountering Jesus and breaking bread with Him, Jesus disappeared and the two on the Road to Emmaus quickly went to find the disciples. “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.” Luke 24:33-43 NIV

What was their immediate concern?  Is Jesus real or are we experiencing hallucinations?  What was Jesus immediate concern?  Jesus wanted them to have and be at peace.  He did not want them anxious or fearful but open and willing to welcome Him into their midst.   What is your reaction when confronted by Jesus?   Do you doubt who Jesus is and question His reaching out to you or do you welcome Him with peace? Jesus reassured the disciples that He was a real and alive just as He promised.  He proved it to them by calmly showing them His hands and feet- pierced at the cross, and eating food with them.  

How does Jesus make himself known to you?  Does He come to you in prayer, in the helping hands of others or through His Word?   Jesus can and does reveal himself to us if we are open and willing.  In Matthew 7:7 Jesus tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”   Be a seeker today and know the joy of His presence.  Be amazed as you encounter the living Lord Jesus, just as the disciples did in the upper room.  Each encounter with Jesus brings new revelation and understanding of who He is!   Be open to Him and He will reveal Himself to you and grace you with His peace.

Room thought to be the upper room where Jesus appeared.

Linda

Jesus shows Sovereignty over….

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John Chapter 2 opens with Jesus, his disciples and his mother Mary in attendance at a local wedding. Weddings typically lasted multiple days as relatives and friends celebrated with the new couple. For whatever reason, the bride’s family was running short of wine. This would have been a major source of embarrassment for the family. Here is the scene as Jesus’ mother, Mary, comes to him seeking a solution.

John 2:1-10 “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

Mary sought Jesus’ help in a difficult situation and knew he had an answer as she directed the servants to follow his orders. She knew that she could come to Jesus with her problems and that he would help in some way. She believed in him and his ability to change things for the better. Jesus simply gave orders to fill the jugs with water. The master of the banquet tasted the water and realized it was great wine. He questioned the bridegroom about saving such wonderful wine until so many of the guests had over indulged. Isn’t that just like Jesus to provide the very best and give it freely? The only ones who knew about it were the servants and the disciples. Mary had left the job to Jesus. Jesus protected the ‘timing’ of his revealing himself and still solved the problem.

Jesus showed his sovereignty over natural things by changing the water into fine wine. Here are the results according to verse 11 “ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” Jesus’ solutions always glorify him and produce faith. His new disciples needed to experience him in action to solidify their new budding faith.

What has Jesus done for you to confirm your faith? Has He spoken to you though His Holy Spirit, given you a vision, a dream, a miracle or a friend to verify and confirm your faith? Each one of us is unique and God will confirm for all of us that we belong to Him! Romans 8:16 puts it this way “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Be open and willing to listen for His confirmation. God is faithful and will confirm for each of us that we belong to Him.

Linda

Breakfast by the Sea, sounds wonderful!

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Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

One of my favorite post-resurrection appearances is in John 21.  This passage will bring a smile to your face and assurance of the Savior’s love,  as you picture the scene beside the Sea of Galilee. Several of the disciples had gathered at the Sea of Galilee and decided to go fishing. Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James and John and 2 other disciples were there according to John 21:1-2. As they approached the shore, Jesus called out to them.

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with. you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.  He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”  “No,” they answered.  He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  When they did they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.  Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”  As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for the had taken it off) and jumped into the water.  The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about 100 yards.  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.  Jesus said to “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.  John 21:3-14

I love this tender story of Jesus’ compassion for the tired discouraged fishermen who were his friends.  Here are a few Lessons and Truths we can glean from this passage.  What Jesus did for them that morning, He can do for us too:   1.  Jesus knows how things are going in my life, my disappointments and my joys.   2.  As believer,  Jesus considers me His friend.   3.  Jesus can guide and provide for my needs.  He can show me to where to cast my net.  4.  If I look,  Jesus will reveal himself to me;  He is always near.     5.  Jesus can and does make himself known to me.   I need to be aware and watchful.   6.  Jesus desires to fellowship with me.

John 20 10

Which of these lessons and truths speak to you today?   James 4:8 tell us,  “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”   Meet Him today wherever you are, He will be there waiting for you just like He was for the disciples that morning by the sea.

Linda

A Purposeful Encounter with the Risen Lord

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On Resurrection Sunday Jesus met the women in the garden, and the two men walking on the Road to Emmaus.  Today’s passage shows what happened after Jesus left the men he had met on the road.

After encountering Jesus and breaking bread with Him, Jesus disappeared and the two on the Road to Emmaus quickly went to find the disciples. “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.” Luke 24:33-43 NIV

What was their immediate concern?  Is Jesus real or are we experiencing a hallucination?  What was Jesus immediate concern?  Jesus wanted them to Know He was alive and for them to be at peace.  He did not want them anxious or fearful but open and willing to welcome Him into their midst.   What is your reaction when confronted by Jesus?   Do you doubt who Jesus is and question His reaching out to you or do you welcome Him and take the peace he always offers?

Jesus reassured the disciples that He was a real and alive just as He promised.  He proved it to them by calmly showing them His hands and feet- pierced at the cross, and by eating food with them.  

How does Jesus make himself known to you?  Does He come to you in prayer, in the helping hands of others or through His Word?   Jesus can and does reveal himself to us if we are open and willing.  In Matthew 7:7 Jesus tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”   Be a seeker today and know the joy of His presence.  Be amazed as you encounter the living Lord Jesus, just as the disciples did in the upper room.  Each encounter with Jesus brings new revelation and understanding of who He is!   Be open to Him and He will reveal Himself to you and grace you with His peace.

Linda

upper-room
The disciples encountered Jesus in the upper room, where will you meet Him today?

Waiting…Hard for them and us!

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Jesus had been appearing to them for the last 40 days since his resurrection. He had been teaching and confirming who He was and their mission to continue to tell others about Him after He returned to heaven. They had many questions and voiced a few in Acts 1:6-8. Here was Jesus’ answer, “Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” They wanted details- the how, when and where of His return but He simply reminded them of the power and their greater purpose. Jesus wanted patient obedience and focus from them.

How good are you at waiting? I’m not prone to waiting patiently, but when I know something is coming I can endure with a bit more patience. The disciples were commanded by Jesus to wait for the coming Holy Spirit that the Father would send. They were not to leave Jerusalem and go home either. The fact Jesus told them to wait there would have given them hope that it would be only a ‘short’ time before this promised power would arrive. Acts 1:1-5 “In my former book (the gospel of Luke), Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Is that a lesson you need to learn too? We know Jesus is to return and what our job is until he does. Why do we fret over the when and where? Just like the disciples, we need to wait for the right time for speaking out about Him, remain steadfast in faith, constant in prayer and filled with His hope. God’s timing is perfect and He alone knows when Jesus will return. Until then, just like the disciples- we wait. But, God has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to tell others about Him. The disciples were waiting for that power- only a few days more until the Holy Spirit arrives on Pentecost. They didn’t know it was only 10 days away so they returned to Jerusalem after the ascension and waited together . Acts 1:14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” This is a perfect example of how we can encourage and support one another as we wait.

If Jesus returned today, would He find you doing what He asked? Are you telling others about Him? Are you praying for others and remaining steadfast in your faith? Are you encouraging and praying with fellow believers? It was a challenge for the disciples and it is a challenge for us. They had just seen and heard Jesus and knew Him to be real and trustworthy. We have the empowerment from the Holy Spirit within us to be faithful and honor His requests, and we too know Him to be trustworthy!

May you seek to do His will while you wait for His return.

Linda

Peace and Purpose came from Jesus, do you have them?

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Peace
john 20 19

Jesus was actively reassuring his followers on Resurrection Sunday.   He appeared to the two men on the Road to Emmaus,  to the women in the garden and Mary, to Peter and to a gathering of disciples in a closed room.   John records this closed door appearance in John 20:19-22.  I like the Amplified translation as it makes what happened clearer. 19 So when it was evening on that same day, the first day of the week, though the disciples were [meeting] behind barred doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” 20 After He said this, He showed them His hands and His side.”  The fact that Jesus appeared to them without opening the door tells us He was a spirit.   Yet, he showed them His hands and side that had been pierced at the cross which tells us He was physically real.  Only Jesus could be both in His resurrection body.  He begins with the common Hebrew greeting- ‘Peace to you’.  This shows Jesus’ love and sensitivity as perhaps they might have expected a harsh word from Jesus for abandoning Him after His arrest.  They received peace and warmth from their Savior not rebuke or criticism.  When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with great joy. 21 Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you [as My representatives].” 22 And when He said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Their response to Jesus was pure joy!  He sent greetings of peace as they were living in fear being behind locked doors. I’m sure they thought that what happened to Jesus at the hands of the religious leaders could happen to them as his disciples. What they needed was peace and Jesus knew that. They also needed a mission or purpose. For 3 years they had followed him, spoke with him, listened and saw the miraculous power of God. What purpose did they have without him? Jesus knew what they needed was direction and purpose so He gave them orders to go out and tell others.   He was sending them with power from His Holy Spirit to go and be His representatives, telling others of His death, resurrection, salvation, love and forgiveness of sins.  Jesus breathed on them power that would sustain them until the coming of the Holy Spirit 50 days later at Pentecost.

romans 10 17
tell others

What is your response to the risen Savior?  I’m sure the disciples had various reactions like joy that He was alive, curiosity about His wounds, questions about their purpose in life now that He is no longer teaching them day to day?  Jesus answered their questions, shared in their joy and gave them purpose.  It is the same purpose Jesus has for us- tell others the good news of the gospel.  He desires that everyone hear how He saves us from the penalty of sin which is death and makes us clean and forgiven in the sight of God.  Paul reminds us in Romans 10:17   “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  Jesus sent them, and us too, into the world where we live to tell others the good news of Christ.  We have a commission from Christ to speak out and speak up for Him.

Who will you joyfully tell today?

Linda