Tag: Acts

Daily Word

Acts 7

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Read Acts 7 – We are still in the moment with Stephen.  His face is as bright as an angels and he speaks with wisdom and eloquence.  He gives a summary of biblical history from Abraham through the murder of Jesus in verses :1-53.  It made the religious leaders furious and they acted out in rage.  Rage is a dangerous beast, and their behavior is insane. 

Meanwhile, Stephen is having an encounter with the Lord Jesus:  “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” :56.  Their rage escalates and they drag Stephen out of the city and stone him, :58.  Stoning is a horrific way to die, yet Stephen seems to be in the Lord’s hands throughout it… his final words are, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” 

Beloved, God is with you in your trials and times of persecution.  Stephen is the spark that will ignite Christianity to the ends of the earth.  Jesus says, “Unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone.  But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives,” John 12:24  Death seems like an end, but truly, the best is yet to come.  And for those who remain, Stephen’s life continues to bring truth and life throughout time.  Ask yourself, what will your legacy be?

Daily Word

Acts 6

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Read Acts 6 – Discontent, discrimination and lies…. Does that sound familiar?  There is truly nothing new under the sun. 

The beautiful unity of Acts 4:32 has worn thin as the church began to grow.  There was discontent over the treatment of the widows between those who spoke Greek and those who spoke Hebrew.  The apostles recognized that it was time to delegate the responsibility and selected seven well respected men who were full of the Spirit and wisdom. 

Beloved, be wise about the little things that keep you from the most important things.  Be discerning over your time and willing to entrust responsibility to others. 

One of the chosen seven was Stephen: “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people,” 6:8.  Some outside men called him to debate, but could not hold a candle to the wisdom and Spirit with which Stephen spoke(:10).  Their hearts were so hard that they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen with accusations of blasphemy…. humanity at its finest… they could have opened their eyes and surrendered their hearts, but instead they chose to persecute.  Yet, the Lord was with Stephen and his countenance became as bright as an angel’s(:15). 

Beloved, even when it seems hopeless, stand firm in the truth.  God is with you and doing things far and above what you see.  Do not lose faith.

Daily Word

Acts 5

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Read Acts 5 – There will be no phony-baloney business before God. 

It was a time when the church was being established and believers were freely sharing all of their possessions so that no one lacked anything.  Ananias and Sapphira were caught up in the spirit of giving and sold some property, giving part of the money to the apostles, but claiming it was the full amount.  They exaggerated to seem more generous, to look good.  Why? Why would they do this?  Peter was quick to see the heart issue of this lie and called Ananias out on it.  He dropped dead in response.  Peter then confronts Sapphira and she supports the family lie, testing the Lord as her husband did, and meets the same fate.  Beloved, God judges the heart.  May the motives of your heart always be pure. 

Next, the apostles are arrested for performing miraculous signs and wonders among the people, causing many people to believe.  The Sadducees let their judgment be clouded with jealousy (:12-17).  But there is a clever Pharisee named Gamaliel, an expert in religious law and well respected.  He proposed the phony-baloney test (my paraphrase), saying the men would either fizzle out, as others had, or, if their movement was from God, they would not be able to stop them.  Gamaliel was shrewd, but not godly in motive, yet God used his counsel to free the apostles and fuel the message. 

Beloved, may your heart always be true.  Integrity matters.

Daily Word

Luke 4

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Read Acts 4 – The church is big, bold and beautiful.

The discussion is still taking place in the Temple with Peter, John and the religious leaders.  The leaders were perplexed because Peter and John were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures – they recognized them as men who walked with Jesus – yet because the lame man was standing right there they couldn’t come up with anything to refute them(:13-14). 

Beloved, do you feel ordinary?  Jesus is waiting with patience and mercy for your heart.  He will take your surrendered heart from ordinary to extraordinary as you lay your hurts, habits and idols at His feet.  You don’t need the things that drag you down anymore. 

The council tells Peter and John to stop talking about Jesus.  Beloved, once a person knows Jesus, it is impossible not to talk about Him!  And that is what Peter and John tell them(:20).  They were released and returned to the believers where they were met with joy and songs of praise to God. 

In verses :32-37 we see a commune-like unity in this first church.  They were of one mind, and heart, and they shared everything.  This is the infancy of Christianity, although it didn’t even have a name then, and it is beautiful.  Beloved, won’t you thank God today for what He put together by these courageous believers so that you can know Him?🙌🙏🙌💝🙌🙏🙌

Daily Word

Acts 3

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Read Acts 3 – The power of a surrendered life is on display in Peter and John.  It is not their power, wisdom, eloquence or authority that heals the lame man, but their full surrender to Christ’s care and control… and, Beloved!  May that be your prayer too:

“Jesus, use me to reveal yourself to those around me.  May my life be a testimony to your goodness, power and love. Amen” 

The lame man wanted money.  He limited his desire to what he thought he deserved.  He didn’t dream big enough to want to be healed. 

Beloved, do you limit your dreams?  God’s Word says, “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. 

Peter and John relied on Jesus’s power to heal the lame man, that Jesus would be glorified – for the lame man – and for many who witnessed the miracle.  The lame man responded with glee, praising God, and went into the temple with Peter and John.  The people were astounded, and Peter saw the opportunity to speak about Jesus!  Beloved, be sensitive to opportunities to share about Jesus.  People are perishing.  Your life is a testimony to the goodness and glory of God.  Dream big!

Daily Word

Acts 2

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Read Acts 2 – Be ready to be amazed! 

Beloved, my desire is that you read the bible.  Read Acts 2 now and let the Holy Spirit you read about teach you and open your eyes. Then if you have time, come back to this post. 

The Holy Spirit arrives as Jesus said he would.  The believers experience an incredible, supernatural event, as they are filled with the Holy Spirit.  It caused such a stir that the devout Jews who were living in Jerusalem came running to investigate.  They each heard and understood in their own language what was being said by the believers (:6).  Some said they were drunk, and Peter has an incredible answer for them. 

Beloved, remember Peter from the books of Luke and John… he was impulsive, and a bit rough around the edges?  Peter was a simple fisherman, but now we are hearing from a brand new Peter!  He is articulate and knowledgeable and puts Scripture together to show prophecy fulfilled.  Beloved, the Holy Spirit can accomplish great things in you too. 

Peter preached for a long time (:40) and about 3000 new believers were baptized and added to the church that day(:41).  It was a brand new life for them and they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and fellowship, sharing meals and prayer. 

This is the early church, and it is beautiful.  Beloved, what is your church like?  Do you give yourself to others, getting to know them and sharing life with them?  Let the Holy Spirit lead you today.🔥🔥🔥

Daily Word

Acts 1

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Read Acts 1 – I am surprised to be in Acts.   I had every intention of returning to the Old Testament but it was impressed upon my heart that we continue to grow in understanding of how the early church was launched. I don’t know who this is for.   I write to share the joy and wisdom of reading God’s Word, and I LOVE all of it!  Yet,  somewhere out there is the person who needs Acts right now,  and maybe I’ll find out who in heaven one day.  

That’s a great thing (one of many) about being a Christian,  one never knows what the Lord will lead you to/ through next.   I have freewill; I could do whatever I want,  but walking with Jesus and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s lead is a much more rewarding way of life.  But enough about me,  onto our chapter. 

This is also written by Luke.   You will find it as the 5th book of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and ACTS – This covers where we’ve been and what happens next.   Remember,  right before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. 

They considered choosing a new apostle to replace Judas Iscariot their first duty.  They chose Matthias by prayer and by lot.  It’s funny, verse :24-26 records them as giving the Lord a choice between Justus and Matthias.  Beginnings can be awkward, and the Lord neither chastised or praised this manner of selection.   Later it seems as if the Lord chooses someone entirely different, but we’ll get to that. 

Beloved, are you able to discern the Lord’s lead in your life? 🕊🙏🕊❤🕊🙏🕊