Tag: Peter

God Protects the Gospel Message

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If you want to be encouraged in your witness, especially when times are difficult and you are facing opposition, the story in Acts 5 will uplift your spirit and re-energized you! Acts 5:12-16 tell us that the apostles were continuing to spread the good news that Jesus is the Christ! As evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit within them through faith in Jesus, they were able to heal many and drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus. Just as in Jesus’ day, this brought people seeking healing, peace, and wonder at the works they performed. The high priest and his associates did not like this. They were jealous of the attention the apostles were receiving and worried about their power with the people. Acts 5:17-18 “ But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.” They thought that putting them in jail would be a public humiliation and would ‘get rid’ of them for awhile until the figured out what to do.

Acts 5:19-20 was God’s response to their actions. “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.” When the council met in the morning, they sent messengers to the jail to have the prisoners brought out. To their great surprise the men were no longer in prison but in the temple speaking about Jesus. They had the apostles brought to them and said, verse 28, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

Peter and the other apostles replied, verse 29, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Now the leaders were furious and wanted them put to death. However, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, reasoned with the council in private. He wisely said if these men are of man, their efforts will pass away. We have seen this happen often enough before. If these men are of God, you will not be able to stop them. The council listened to him and the apostles were flogged and released.

Why does this story encourage me so much? I see the love and devotion, the fiery spirit of witnessing for Jesus in the apostles. They believed what they were doing was commissioned by God and ordered by Jesus. They knew that God would look out for them- in life and in death. I also see the hand of God protecting the ministry of these men as they speak out in Jesus’ name. God provided Gamaliel at the right place and the right time to reason with the council and the apostles were spared. God is always working behind the scene to move His Word and ministry forward. Isaiah 55:11 promises, “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;     it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,  and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” We can be assured that God protects his Word and the message of Jesus will not be thwarted. Besides all of the above, I love that the apostles were let out of prison by angels. They did not ask for rescue but God provided!

Be encouraged by this story in Acts and let it assure you that God protects His gospel and will see that the name of Jesus is proclaimed.

Linda

Be mindful of your Heart Attitudes

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The verses at the end of Chapter 4 of Acts set the stage for the events at the beginning of Chapter 5. Acts 4:32-33 describe the living mindset of the new believers and how they worked together to care for one another. They shared what they had willingly for the sake of the spread of the gospel and their love for one another in faith. “ All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. ” 

Acts 5 begins with the entrance of a believer named Ananias and a bit later his wife Sapphira. Here is what Ananias did: 1-2 “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.” The Apostle Peter confronted Ananias when he donated the monies from the sale of his property. “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” Ananias was convicted for his attempting to lie to God. “5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.” Peter did judge him, God did.

The story continues with the wife Sapphira. “7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.”

What lessons do we learn from this about ourselves and God?

  • Ananias and Sapphira tried to pass off their donation as one where they gave all of it to God’s work. As Peter reminded them, it was theirs to give either part or whole.
  • God does not want us to lie. Deuteronomy 5:20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Leviticus 19:11 “‘Do not steal. “‘Do not lie. “‘Do not deceive one another.”
  • Attempting to lie to God is a sin and will be judged. Galatians 6:6-8  “Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.“
  • Acting like your wholly committed and yet in your heart you are not, will bring judgement. Your contradictory actions will be revealed. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

This story has always shocked me but as I reflect upon it, I see that their sin was in pretending to be holy and righteous. They wanted to make themselves bigger and better than the actually were. They wanted the esteem of man more than God. Isaiah 66:2b “These are the ones I (God) look on with favor (esteem):
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,  and who tremble at my word.”

Be mindful in your walk with God of Hebrews 10:30-31 “For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” God is not to be toyed with as He is righteous, omnipotent and holy and will not tolerate sin. Keep short accounts with God, confess your sins and seek to walk humbly with Him. The power of Jesus’ forgiveness covers sin, bring it to Him for forgiveness.

Linda

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

The Snowball Effect of the Power of Jesus

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Acts 4 shows the continuing effect of Peter’s healing of the crippled man and Peter’s testimony giving Jesus the credit for this miracle from Acts 3. This healing had a reverberating effect in all levels of society. Acts 4 begins with the Sadducees being upset about Peter and John’s talk of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. They did not believe in resurrection. They seized them and put them in jail and then the next day conferred with the rulers, elders and teachers of the law. They brought Peter and John before them and questioned them, Acts 4:7 “And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Their simple question opened the door for Peter to expound on the miracle and in who’s name they performed it. Acts 4:8-12 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

They reaction to Peter and John is described in Acts 4:13-14 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.”

After conferring amongst themselves, they decided to tell Peter and John to not speak about Jesus anymore. Here is their reply, Acts 4:19-20  “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, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” The officials had no response to this and could not make any further threats as so many of the people were listening, believing and praising God.

What do we learn from this encounter with unbelievers? God used a miracle to lead many towards Himself. He gave Peter the words and power to speak the truth about Jesus and show the power of His name. Verse 4 tells us that about 5,000 men heard and believed. Only God can produce such growth and bring about such faith. God empowers his believers to share the truth of the gospel with others. It is not a matter of learning, eloquence or training, but faith in Jesus and the power of His name that made it possible. The leaders could see that these men had been with Jesus. Lastly, we see Peter and John being unable to keep quiet about Jesus. Their faith compelled them to speak the truth of Jesus. There is no way they could have kept silent.

When God provides for us in a miraculous way, do we speak to others courageously? Can others tell that you have been with Jesus? Praising God flows from the believer’s heart and bubbles out and up from our souls. When we love Jesus, we can not stop it anymore than Peter or John could. When was the last time you leaned into Jesus and depended upon the Holy Spirit to empower you to tell others about Him? Step out in faith and feel the joy.

Linda

Praise and Credit Go to JESUS!

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Acts 3 relates the event surrounding a crippled man who would beg each day at the temple gate called the ‘Beautiful’. Peter and John were on their way to say prayers at the temple when the encountered this man. He asked them for money. Acts 3:4-8 “ And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” The man did not get what he asked for but got something of far greater value- the ability to walk again. The man realized that the power for his healing came from God as he immediately praised God.

As he was interacting with people in the temple, sharing his amazing story, they turned their attentions to Peter and John. Acts 3:11-13 “While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 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? 13 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.  Peter and John were quick to point the people to the true source of the man’s miraculous healing = Jesus. Peter then began to explain who Jesus was and what had been done to him at the hand of the Jews. Acting in ignorance of who Jesus was they had killed him. But, hope is not lost as Jesus has been raised from the dead and is alive and present among them through the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John refused to take credit for the work and power of Jesus in this man’s life. They wanted to point people to the source of true power which was the resurrected Christ. How quick are you to point others to Christ? Do you want to wait and take some of the credit for His work yourself? The people didn not know where the power came from and wanted to deified Peter and John. However, Peter and John knew all the power they had to heal was directly from Jesus. What about the man who received the healing? He also needed to know it was not Peter and John, but Jesus in who’s name he had been healed. He was quick to praise and give glory to God but the Apostles did not want him to attempt to worship them for what they had done in Jesus’ name. A good lesson for us today is to be quick to praise God when he works among us and be quick to praise His name as the source of the power and healing. God deserves all the glory. Seek to Glorify Him!

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

Peter Speaks with Power

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Acts 2 starts with the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The miracle of the indwelling power of God within believing man was a world changing event. Those that were onlookers saw the flame, tongues of fire and hear their native languages spoken. Even in the midst of this, there were ones who did not believe. Peter took decisive action, empowered the Holy Spirit, he spoke to the vast crowd that had gathered. He was eloquent, persuasive and grounded in scripture as well as his personal experience with Jesus.

Acts 2:14-21 “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Peter proceeded to explain that what was happening had been foretold centuries before by the prophet Joel. He reminded them that God had promised redemption for everyone who asks in verse 21.

Peter continued talk to them about what Jesus had done in their midst and what had happened to him. He incudes the words of David had said about the coming Messiah. Acts 2:22-35 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me,
    for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
    my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
    or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,  until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ David knew that the Messiah would not see corruption but did not know how that would actually come to pass. Peter explains David’s words as pointing to Jesus death and resurrection and where He is now after his ascension.

Peter concludes his powerful sermon with therefore as all he has said before is true. He gives a call to repentance. Acts 2:36-40 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

Peter’s words were believed as Luke added verse 41 “ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” That has got to be one of the biggest crusades ever with 3,000 people coming to know the Lord Jesus! The early Christians must have been mightily encouraged by the response of unbelievers and fired up to continue witnessing for Jesus. When someone comes to know the Lord, it releases an energy to you and them that is unlike anything on earth. When you speak about the Lord, He empowers you and energizes you. This happens as he quickens His spirit within you. Think back on experiences you have had involving new believers. You can’t even contain the joy. I imagine that is just a fraction of what we will experience repeatedly in His presence.

May the joy of this passage stir you to witness for Jesus. Just the mention of His name will bring you joy!

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 is Gone… No, a Pathway to Faith

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We have looked at Sunday’s Road to Emmaus appearance and an early the Upper Room appearance where Jesus came to the disciples, but today let’s go back to Resurrection Sunday morning and visit the scene again with fresh eyes. When you look into the tomb, do you see hopelessness and despair or hope and freedom?

My picture of the empty tomb in Israel.

The post resurrection appearances began at the empty tomb.  This fact occurs in each of the 4 gospels and 3 of the gospels include the appearance of a heavenly being (an angel) interacting with the grieving followers of Jesus.   Since Jesus had been hastily buried due to the need to have him buried before sundown, as it was the beginning of the Sabbath and no one could be buried on the Sabbath, His body was not properly prepared with spices.  It was wrapped but not fully treated.  The women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb with spices intending to anoint Jesus’ body.  The gospel accounts say it was very early in the morning as they walked and talked on the way to the garden tomb.   They were concerned about how they were going to get the stone in front of the tomb removed so they could enter to anoint Jesus’ body.  When they arrived this was the scene:

And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”  Mark 16:4-8

My picture inside the empty tomb at a site believed to be in the garden tomb area.

The angel, who appeared to be a young man, told them not to be afraid as he had good news about Jesus.  He encouraged them to look and see that Jesus was not there.  He also told them to go and tell the others Jesus had risen and they would see Him again.  The women rushed off to tell the disciples.  John describes their reactions in John 20:3-8. “So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;”

Can you even imagine their joy, surprise, awe, fear or confusion over experiencing the empty tomb, the angel, the clothes that had been wrapped around Jesus’ body empty and the face cloth neatly folded?  The disciples saw and believed.  How about you?  Do you look and see the things God does in your life? How do you explain unusual happenings in your life? Is it the providential care of God? Do these things register with you that God loves and cares about you?  God has a plan for your life just as He did for these disciples. He wanted them to encounter the living God. He wanted them to see and believe! Jesus wants that for us too. Jesus wants us to live with Hope in Him and know He is alive! He wants to dispel our doubts and fears so we may walk each day trusting Him. Open your eyes and see God today. He is alive! He has Risen indeed!

May you encounter the Living Jesus and His transforming power today.

Linda

Who can you tell about Jesus?

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John records what John the Baptist said about Jesus to two of his disciples in John 1:36  “When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” Andrew was one of these the disciples and after following and spending time with Jesus he went to tell his brother Peter.

John 1:40-42 “ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

I love this scene as it tells us so much about Jesus and His impact upon people. After meeting and spending time with Jesus, Andrew believed Jesus to be the Messiah. He could not wait to go and tell his brother Peter. Not only did he tell him, but he brought him physically to see Jesus. We also see Jesus meeting and telling Peter something about his future. He not only would believe in Him but would be a ‘rock’ in the church. As we know from the gospel accounts Peter was eager, impetuous and failed to claim Jesus as Lord on the night of the trials. However, we see a transformation after Jesus’ ascension and Peter’s work recorded in the book of Acts into the rock that Jesus proclaimed him to be in the early church.

As New Testament Christians, we need to ask ourselves, when was the last time we introduced someone to Jesus? Did you invite them to a service to hear more about Him? Did you invite them to join a Bible Study or volunteer to meet them and study the scriptures together? Our excitement over our Savior should be as compelling as Andrew’s was. If yours isn’t, pray about it and ask the Holy Spirit for an infusion of joy and purpose to tell others about our wonderful Savior.

What about your transformation? What do you see God doing within your character? As a believer you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus He is doing a work within you. Are you fighting Him or are you submitting and letting him mold and shape your character to be more and more like Jesus? We know that Peter’s transformation happened over time as he learned more about Jesus, his love and his ways of treating others, his hope for the future and what it meant to be a part of His forever family. It takes time. Take stock of your own growth and look at Galatians 5:22-24 where Paul describes the fruits of the Spirit. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Are you seeing more of these traits within your character? If not, make it a matter of prayer with a repentant heart. God will transform us if we are willing. Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:1-2 to take this seriously and commit ourselves being willingly transformed. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Go back and read the scripture above again. How are you like Andrew? How can you be more like Andrew in the days to come?

Linda