Category: Acts

Read Acts 4:23-31

If you’d like to review the passage directly before this one that describes what it was Peter and John were reporting to the others, you can click HERE for that reading.

I’m glad they wrestled with the situation. It helps us know and recognize when we need to step back and analyze a situation. A lot of times, the situations we find ourselves in move us in a direction away from God. We may not be intentionally drifting, but we are. Sometimes we realize it only after we are far from the shore. If we’re lucky, we have a paddle in the boat. Continue reading “Acts 4:23-31 – Doing the Right Thing”

Read Acts 4:1-22

Have you ever felt backed into a corner because of your faith? Have you ever felt threatened? There are plenty of believers today and throughout history who have suffered persecution for believing and trusting in Jesus. Most of us live in a place where we have freedom of religion, but even so, Christians seem to take a hit more times than not.

If we could all take heed of how Peter and John handled themselves here. Perhaps I should clarify and say, if we allow the Holy Spirit to take control, this world would look a lot different. Just because we’re Christians, doesn’t mean we are safe from the evil one’s grip. In fact, we are even more prone to be used for evil. That’s why we have to be all the more vigilant and stay connected to Jesus. We need to examine our behaviors and make sure we are aligned properly, acting in a way pleasing to God.

Let’s take a look at what we see happening in today’s story. I have to admit I teared up a bit at the boldness of Peter. I only hope the Holy Spirit speaks through me so eloquently.

I’m sure the priests and leaders were frustrated at the turn of events. Here they thought they had done away with the “trouble-maker,” Jesus. Now there are two common folks throwing the name of Jesus around, doing miraculous things, and getting the people all riled up again. Riled up in a good way, that is.

The message is clear and in a nutshell Peter says, “For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” There it is. The gospel proclaimed. Jesus is the only way! If the religious leaders believed this, even just a little, it would rock their world.

The people believed. The church was growing. There was a lot of praising God taking place. Simply awesome!

The word “propaganda” made me smirk. They still had no clue did they? I loved what Peter said when ordered to never speak the name of Jesus again. “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?” That’s a question we can all ask. Whose law do we really want to obey? Whose authority do we trust? We may live in a place where rules and laws contradict our beliefs. We have to make the decision that is right for us, realizing we may end up in jail like Peter and John did in our reading.

How bold are you in your faith? Think on that today.

Let’s pray. Father God I come to you on my knees in humble adoration. You have used ordinary people to further your kingdom. I am so honored and delighted to have the opportunity to be one of them. With you inside me, I am extraordinary. I thank you for your power, provision and peace. I do hope that if a time comes for me to stand up for you in a confrontational situation I remain steadfast, bold and true to you no matter what. I stand against the devil and all his schemes to control me. I know that he is shaking in his boots because of my love and dedication to you. Let’s do this, together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read Acts 3:1-26

Never let an opportunity to share about Jesus go by. Sometimes we get so caught up in our busyness that we fail to see these God moments right before us. Peter and John had a great opportunity to witness in today’s reading. Instead of giving the man what he was asking for, they gave him a gift he didn’t even dare ask for. Healing.

Peter used his gift, the gift of healing, to glorify God in this moment. The man was amazed and praised God for his healing. The whole crowd of people in the area would have witnessed this and seen a marvelous miracle. A man they had known to be a crippled beggar was now leaping with the joy of the Lord. Because of Jesus. Continue reading “Act 3:1-26 – Seize the Moment”

Read Acts 2:42-47

I wish every church could look like this community of believers. I have thought over the years we should just go back to the basics, to the beginning. There is so much we can learn from these believers. Let’s take a deeper look.

First of all, they were devoted to learning, to spending time together, and to prayer. Even if they had heard the story a million times, they were still in awe over what they had witnessed and heard. They didn’t let their lives get in the way.  Continue reading “Acts 2:42-47 – What a Community”

Read Acts 2:14-41

Peter takes advantage of this huge audience. Actually, you might say the Holy Spirit took over. Peter spoke with authority. People listened. We hear that 3,000 people were baptized and added to the church that day. The words and truths Peter shared would have shaken the people’s understanding of faith.

Have you ever heard something that just rocked your world? Perhaps, you’ve been in church and felt like the pastor was speaking only to you. I had an experience like that this last week. I had been working through some issues bothering me after running away from a problem. The sermon was about running away from a situation or being so caught up in a problem that you couldn’t see the answer was right in front of you. Maybe like those followers who didn’t recognize Jesus at first when he came back from the dead. Continue reading “Acts 2:14-41 – The Church is Born”