Old Testament: Numbers 3 & 4
Poetry: Job 5
New Testament: Acts 19
What stands in the way of you living completely committed to God? Time management problems, a secret (or not-so secret) sin, a preoccupation with _______, a friend taking you in the wrong direction? Many in the early church in Acts were living out a completely committed relationship with God and His Son, Jesus. And the results are exciting to watch as we read through the book. Their faith was living and active and daily – and tested regularly.
I wonder if today too many people who carry the label ‘Christian’ use their faith as a once-a-week booster shot, if they can make it to church that week. But then are quite content to spend the week surrounded by (and sometimes covered in) the germs and sicknesses of worldly living and priorities.
When you read Acts 19 search for all the sold-out characteristics and examples; and while you’re at it – spot the imitations as well (those exist today, too). I particularly like the passage in verses 18-20 where the believers were confessing their practices and bringing their (expensive) magic books to be burned. They had heard about Jesus and they believed and they were excited and ready to change! It’s not that they had heard about Jesus and kind of believed and were sort of interested and wanted to add in some Jesus/church/faith to their already full lives. See the huge difference? They were radically changing their lives because they wanted to follow Jesus well.
Do you have anything in your life to add to the bonfire? Anything that is keeping you from being totally committed to God and His Coming Kingdom? Anything that doesn’t mix well with Jesus’ message that you need to give up?
The believers burned 50,000 drachmas worth of obstacles to living sold-out lives (a drachma was a silver coin worth about one day’s wages) – that’s a lot of obstacles they eliminated! The very next thing Luke wrote was: “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power” (Acts 19:20). Sacrifice and true change brought growth. Are you ready to grow?
-Marcia Railton
(Original devotion posted for SeekGrowLove on April 19, 2018)
Reflection Questions
- In your reading of Acts what do you find impressive about the early church?
- What in your life is keeping you from living totally committed to God and His Coming Kingdom? What do you have to confess? What do you have to add to the bonfire?
- What changes can you make in your life that would help the word of the Lord to spread and grow in power?
- What does your church already do that is similar to the actions of the early church? How can you help your church look more like the early church?
Seek Grow Love 