Category: Acts

Tell Me Again

Old Testament: Leviticus 14 & 15

Poetry: Psalm 38

New Testament: Acts 11

I love that right after Luke wrote about Cornelius and Peter’s God-orchestrated visit (in yesterday’s reading of Acts 10) he spends the bulk of the next chapter telling all the events again. This time Peter is explaining his actions to the circumcised believers in Jerusalem who were criticizing him for going into the home of an uncircumcised man and and even eating with them. This story is obviously near and dear to the writer’s heart. In Luke’s gospel and his sequel book of Acts how many times did Luke write of the events of the birth of Jesus? Once. How many times did Luke recount the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Once. But Luke, the Gentile doctor, perhaps the only Gentile writer of the New Testament (depending on who wrote Hebrews), takes the opportunity to tell this story twice.

For this story – this true factual account complete with times and locations – opened up a new way for Jews and Gentiles. This story had the power to change ministry, to change lives, to save lives – a lot of lives. Now God’s overwhelming love, forgiveness, salvation through the blood of his Son – the Jewish Messiah – and the newly poured out gifts of the Spirit were not just for the circumcised Jews who believed but for anyone in the whole world who would listen and accept and do what is right. God in His mercy and grace can and will and has cleaned up what was thought could never be clean. This is BIG NEWS worthy of retelling.

Did you catch what Luke reports the Gentile named Cornelius was doing when God’s angel appeared to him with a message, that when followed, had the potential to change his life and the lives of his family and the lives of all Gentiles to come? If you aren’t sure, check out Acts 10:30. Did you catch what Luke reports the Jew named Peter was doing when he received the vision (3 times, because once wasn’t enough) that would completely change the brand new life of the early church and Christian movement? If you aren’t sure, it’s recorded in Acts 11:5. I don’t think it is mere coincidence that both of these devout men were praying AT THE TIME when God gave them directions that would change their world.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

What might have happened if Cornelius and Peter had been too busy to pray? I don’t doubt that God’s amazing plan would have proceeded, but perhaps through the actions of someone else. What would have happened if either of these men had not followed the directions given to them when they prayed? What if they had just come to God in prayer to quickly deliver their most recent “God Please Do” list and then get on with their day as they had planned? What if Peter had continued with his, “Surely not, Lord” protests because the directions he was receiving weren’t what he expected?

Might there be times we have missed out on God’s life-altering blessings and messages because we didn’t take the time to pray to draw near to God? Are there times when we steal Peter’s line and tell the Almighty, “Surely not, Lord”? Are there people and situations we doubt God can clean? Have you ever tried to stand in God’s way? Are there times we haven’t followed the Lord’s direction because it doesn’t line up with what we were expecting? Maybe we need to hear this story again?

-Marcia Railton

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this account in Acts 10 and 11 mean to you? What do you find amazing about it?
  2. Is your prayer time drawing near to God, not just turning in your most recent “God please do” list? When you pray are you ready to really receive direction from God?
  3. Have you tried telling God, “Surely not, Lord”? Have you tried to stand in His way? Do you more often stand in His way or follow His way?
  4. Is there anything you think God can not clean?
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A New Lesson for Peter

Old Testament: Leviticus 12 & 13

Poetry: Psalm 37 (last day)

New Testament: Acts 10

Yesterday, I said I was going to skip over the Paul stuff, but we’re actually going to look at parts of his story today. There’s a theme in Paul’s story that I think is often overlooked but continues through with today’s story in Acts. I want to end my week of writing for you with a note on accepting others.

Ever since I was little, and heard the story of Paul, I’ve been struck by the seemingly minor character Ananias. It is important to note, the Ananias in Paul’s story is different from the guy in Acts 5. Not much is known about him through scripture and he is not mentioned anywhere else besides in association with Paul. I’ve always felt like he got very little credit for the role he played. God performs a tremendous miracle through him in restoring Paul’s sight. Ananias must have been a man full of compassion and courage. God tells him to go seek a man who has been persecuting people with Ananias’ beliefs. Never forget, the people in the Bible have free-will. Ananias could have said no. And, if not for God asking him to go, I’d say Ananias had every right to refuse – after all, Saul wanted to kill him (Acts 9:1). Even so, Ananias had compassion on Saul. Sought him out, healed him, and loved him. Much like Jesus does with us.

Barnabas is a more well known member of the early church in Acts. If I’m being honest, my interest in this character does stem from the fact my grandmother, Gayle Ross, named a cat after him. He was my favorite cat, next to the orange tabby named Buster, whom Barnabas (the cat) coincidentally reminded my grandma of so much she got the cat’s name officially changed to Barnabuster several years later. Alas, my curiosity over his namesake led to a love for this character. Again, like Ananias, Barnabas had to be a pretty compassionate and courageous person. When Saul initially arrived in Jerusalem as a changed man, many church members were afraid of him. Once Barnabas befriended him, he took him along to meet the apostles. It was then people started to take Saul’s change of heart seriously. Barnabas took Paul under his wing, encouraged him, and supported him. Not only is this Christ-like but also something Jesus commands us to do in his teachings.

Ananias’ and Barnabas’ attitude of acceptance matches that of Peter’s in chapter 10. There are incredible connotations for Peter’s actions in visiting and eating with Cornelius. These will be further discussed in chapter 11. For now, it’s important to note there was a division between Gentiles and Jews and thus between Gentile believers and Jewish believers. Peter starts to break down this barrier with his actions in Acts 10. He even tells Cornelius “I’m a human being just like you!” (verse 26 NLT) Peter is displaying love and acceptance just as his predecessor once showed a stinky, rowdy, uneducated fisherman.

There are some Christians who have been complaining about the Super Bowl’s He Gets Us commercials. I understand some of their arguments. Perhaps the ads give off a Jesus that is accepting of sin or tolerant of sinful lifestyles. However, I think these critics might be missing the point. I think the purpose of these ads were to show the side of Jesus that is sadly overlooked in mainstream culture today. The Jesus that ate with Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus’ change of heart occurs AFTER his visit with Jesus, not before. Jesus doesn’t wait for Zacchaeus to be ready for him. He eats with this lying cheating tax collector despite his sordid reputation. In doing so, Zacchaeus is changed after experiencing the Savior’s mercy. Jesus was not accepting of Zacchaeus’ lifestyle, but he did accept Zacchaeus as a man and saw him as someone worth sharing a meal.

It is so easy to forget that while we are called to not be of this world, we are called to still live in it. This means loving the people who love the world. Who disagree with us. Now, trust me, loving is not the same as tolerating or condoning unrighteous behavior. Having said that, here’s something I have learned from my work with kids. It is so much easier to discipline once you have built a loving relationship. We need not accept sin, but we should be accepting of the sinner. It is through our example and how we treat people Jesus will be made known to the world. What sort of Jesus do you want to preach? A judgmental king or the bridge between a holy God and an unholy people.

Notes on Leviticus 12 and 13: As someone who firmly believes in the teachings in Galatians 3:28 I was perplexed to read about differences in the purification process for women after delivering a baby. Should a woman deliver a boy, she had to wait 33 days until she could be declared ceremonially clean from the bleeding of childbirth. If she delivered a girl, she would have to wait 66 days. I found an interesting and reasonable commentary on why there was a difference. Basically, the reason a woman had to wait twice as long was because she was not only waiting for herself to be purified, but the second waiting period was symbolic of her daughter’s purification period for her future menstrual cycle and childbirth bleeding. It’s not so much God is being unfair in demanding a longer waiting period. Rather, this was a way of honoring the importance of a woman’s role in Israelite culture to bring children into the world by having her mother account for a purification process on her behalf. Another thing I found interesting was the rules for skin diseases. Turns out, the same protocol the priests used is the same daycares use when it comes to Hand Foot and Mouth disease. If the sore is open, oozing and bleeding, it’s unclean and the child must be sent home. If the sore is closed up with a remaining scab, the child is good to remain at school.

-Emilee Ross

Reflection Questions

  1. Who has been accepting of you? What can you learn from them? From Ananias? Barnabas? Peter? Cornelius? Jesus?
  2. What sort of Jesus do you want to preach? A judgmental king or the bridge between a holy God and an unholy people.
  3. Did you read Psalm 37 every day this week? What can be learned, remembered and treasured from this Psalm?
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Step by Step

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Old Testament: Leviticus 8 & 9

Poetry: Psalm 37

*New Testament: Acts 8

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch provides us with an example of how to witness and share our faith with others. Let’s start from the beginning of Phillip’s journey in Acts 8:26.

Philip is told by God to travel in a certain direction. Next he is told to walk next to a certain carriage. His directions are coming step by step. Philip trusts God. He doesn’t demand to know the game plan, but allows the Holy Spirit to guide his way bit by bit. Sometimes, that is how God delivers his instructions to us.

Next, we see Philip addressing the Ethiopian man with a question. Philip sees the man is reading scripture and instead of butting in with his own agenda, Philip asks the man if he understands what he is reading. Starting with a question is a great way to initiate a conversation about faith. This allows the other person to set the tone of the conversation with how he or she chooses to answer. In this instance, I love the man’s response, “‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’” (Acts 8:31 NLT) He is straight up honest, aware of his own limitations, and you’ve got to admire that!

Philip joins the man in his carriage and instead of launching into his own explanation, he waits for the eunuch to ask his own followup question. Again, Philip is allowing the man to take control of the conversation. Philip is not following his own evangelical agenda, but meeting the man where he’s at with what he wants to know. Therefore, even though the eunuch is admitting to not having knowledge on the subject, Philip is giving him dignity by letting the man determine the direction of their discussion.

I love what Philip does next. Acts 8:35 says “Beginning with the same scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.” Beginning with the same scripture. That phrase is key. Philip didn’t ignore the eunuch’s questions and launch into his own prepared testimonial speech. He didn’t pull out the Roman Road, or a pamphlet in his back pocket on how to talk to people about Jesus. He related what the man was already reading to the Gospel.

This is not to say anything negative about evangelical tools. In fact, I led a Bible study in college using the Roman Road method, and I think it’s great. There is nothing inherently wrong with these tools, but that’s just what they are, tools. Tools to use with human judgment. Not every faith related conversation calls for your life story on how God changed you. Not to say we shouldn’t tell our stories, but we should find an appropriate way to fit it into the conversation while witnessing. We should never ignore someone asking direct questions about our faith.

One year in my high school art class I sat next to a girl who was openly a non-believer. Art class is one of those few classes in school where you can actually get away with talking as long as you are still focused on your work. When she learned I was a Christian she would come into class with prepared questions for me. I don’t know if she was actually genuinely interested, or if she was just trying to find a way to trip me up. It seemed more like the latter. She asked the hard big questions, like why does evil exist, why did God give us freewill. I never pressed her too much, but I answered her questions. If I didn’t know the answer, I would ask the adults in my life or look it up on my own then come back with an answer later. This went on for several weeks. I didn’t preach at her, but I answered her questions honestly and in doing so, shared the Gospel with her. I prayed for her in my own quiet time with God and asked for his direction during our conversations. I never had a come to Jesus moment with her, but I don’t think I was ever meant to, either. I kept hearing a voice in my head urging me to plant the seed. I don’t think she was ready to receive the Gospel at that point in her life. I believe I was meant to plant a seed that would be given the chance to grow years later. I did all this by meeting her where she was at, with her questions, instead of my own agenda.

Philip quite literally and figuratively meets the eunuch where he is at. Eventually, the eunuch becomes so moved by what he has heard from Philip he decides to be baptized. Church history relates this encounter to how the Gospel came to Africa. After the eunuch was baptized and Philip left him, the man brought his new found faith to his people. This all comes from Philip being willing to follow God and being open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Next time you find yourself in a position to share the Gospel, remember Phillip. Remember how Phillip treated the eunuch tactfully with dignity, meeting him right where he was at, just as Jesus does with us.

-Emilee Ross

Reflection Questions

  1. How well do you follow promptings from the Holy Spirit, especially as it applies to sharing your faith? Have you ever felt like you missed a God-given opportunity? How can remembering Philip help you?
  2. What questions do you think are common among the world regarding faith in God?
  3. Pray for guidance and wisdom in knowing how God wants to see you sharing your faith.
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Delight in the Lord

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Old Testament: Leviticus 6 & 7

Poetry: Psalm 37

New Testament: Acts 7

Almost the entirety of Act 7 is Stephen’s response to the charges brought against him from our previous reading. Stephen gives a beautiful sermon, outlining the history of the Israelite people. His sermon shows how time after time, the Israelites were unfaithful and persecuted the prophets. He asks the leaders of the high council when they will stop resisting the truth. Stephen forms a sound argument with the tools of a great orator utilizing ethos, logos and pathos. However, I want to just focus on one small line today.

Stephen retells the story of when Moses went to Mount Sinai and the Isrealites rebelled. He says the Israelites, “made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed and celebrated over this thing they had made.” (Acts 7:41 NLT). Celebrated this thing they had made. That caught my attention.

How often do we get carried away with our own success? How often do we put value in material things? How often do we forget Christ’s words to seek first the Kingdom of God? (Matt 6:33). We live in an age where knowledge, entertainment, and relationships are literally at our fingertips. Not to sound like a broken record, but it is so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives, the things we can make, things we can buy. God needs to be made a priority in our lives. He is someone we need to communicate with daily, thank and praise. Otherwise, we run the risk of celebrating over the things we have made and turning those things into idols.

These things may not be physical. They also may not always be bad or wrong. Sometimes the thing we are trying to make is a dream or notion of something. Maybe a job promotion, an engagement, a family. It’s when these desires become our only focus a problem occurs. The Greek term used in Stephen’s statement is the word euphrainó which literally means to “cheer, make merry.” Our happiness should not be placed solely in these things.

The Israelites made the golden calf when Moses went to talk to God at Mount Sinai. Moses was their leader and connection to God. Suddenly, to the Israelites, God felt distant. It is then they began to see what joy they could offer themselves and celebrate with their own idols. Sometimes, God may feel distant. At times we may face periods of loneliness, sadness, even anger. When this happens, we MUST heed the words in Psalms 37:4 “Take delight in the LORD.”

The rest of that verse in Psalms offers us a promise: “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” I am not saying God always answers prayers for those who put their true delight in following Him. He does not. I know many godly people who have given their lives in faithfulness to Him and still face difficulty and unanswered prayers. However, I do sincerely believe when we start to delight in the LORD, when we celebrate Him, something in our hearts begins to change. We still have dreams and goals, but our heart’s desire becomes wanting a true connection with God, a deep relationship with our creator, the one who gave us those very dreams we have.

Several times in my life I have felt defeated, lost, and alone. I have had to grieve lost dreams, goals, relationships. I’ve had to mourn a life I imagined for myself. The lyrics to Phil Stacey’s song “You’re Not Shaken” describes this feeling of helplessness perfectly: “When every little thing that I have dreamed would be/ Just slips away like water through my hand.” That’s what brokenness can feel like at times. Like reaching out your hand and trying to cling to something that isn’t there. In these moments it’s imperative we take our delight in the LORD. Slowly, He will fix our gaze on something better than what we had lost. Even when that thing we lost was good.

Here’s a link to a playlist of some of my favorite songs when dealing with loss and grief: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QAs1OUWTnwSbRClTaV51T

-Emilee Ross

Reflection Questions

  1. What in your life have you made (or are trying hard to make), but in the process you have celebrated it so much, and raised its priority above seeking God’s Kingdom, that it has gained idol status?
  2. When have you felt God was distant?
  3. What does it look like for you to “Take delight in the Lord”? Is this a priority to you? How could you do it more often or more deeply?
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Giving Responsibility

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Old Testament: Leviticus 4 & 5

Poetry: Psalm 37

New Testament: Acts 6

Today, we’re going to take a break from Psalms 37 and focus on our passage in Acts. Though a short chapter, two very important events take place in chapter 6. To set the stage, here’s a quick mini review of Acts so far.

Acts 1 – Jesus leaves the apostles and Matthias is chosen to replace Judas of Iscariot.
Acts 2- Holy Spirit comes, pentecost.
Acts 3 – Peter heals a beggar and preaches in the temple.

Acts 4 – Leading priests and elders get mad. Peter, John, and believers began to worry about oppression but pray for courage and continue preaching. Believers begin to unite in one heart and mind, caring for each other by acting as generous givers.

Acts 5 – Ananias and Sapphira lie about being generous givers and are struck dead. The apostles heal many people. More officials get mad at apostles and arrest them. An angel of the Lord sets them free and they continue preaching.

In Acts 6 we see the church has grown and the apostles feel overwhelmed with responsibility. So, like all great leaders, the apostles delegate. Seven men are chosen to be in charge of caring for widows, food distribution, and other administrative duties. This enables the apostles, those who had lived with Jesus and witnessed his resurrection, to continue their preaching and teaching.

I love this story because it shows how all people are useful within the church. Not everyone is meant to be a preacher. Not everyone has a surplus of money to donate to the church. Not one role is more important than the other. This is where we start to see the church operating as a body.

As a little girl I was always in awe of my Aunt Christy. I got to really see her at work when she took over directing Minnesota State Youth Camp. My first camp job was making sure my cousin, her toddler son, “stayed out of the lake” as his parents put it. During that time of babysitting my cousin, I saw a lot of the behind the scenes work Christy did. I was impressed. There is a lot more that goes into running a camp than one might think. I told her how she was so good at her job and she laughed in humility. Then she told me something I’ve never forgotten. She said the secret to being a good leader is finding the things other people are good at and putting them in charge of those things. In Acts 6 that is exactly what happens for the early church.

Sometimes I think we are too harsh on ourselves. We compare ourselves to others and guilt ourselves for not serving like them. The thing is we all have different roles to play. We need not feel bad about our role. It takes all sorts of people to run a church efficiently. We are given this example in Acts 6.

The second important event in Acts 6 is Stephen’s arrest. His arrest leads to his death in Acts 7. This is significant as it is the first recorded execution of someone preaching the Gospel in Jesus’ name. Present at Stephen’s execution is the first time we see the man Saul who would later become Paul the Apostle. Before he is stoned to death, Stephen delivers a beautiful sermon. One line in particular stood out to me but we will look at that tomorrow. For now, I encourage you to find ways to serve within your church community, using your unique God-given gifts.

-Emilee Ross

Reflection Questions

  1. What God-given gifts have you been given?
  2. How can you use those to serve within your church community?
  3. Is there a job you have been doing for the church that might be good to share with someone else?
  4. What benefits are there to giving responsibilities to others?
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Generous Givers

Illustrate Psalm 37:21 and introduce the devotion
Psalm 37:21 NLT

Old Testament: Leviticus 2 & 3

Poetry: Psalm 37

New Testament: Acts 5

Yesterday I touched on how one remedy for financial insecurity is to look to the future promises of prosperity for those who put their faith in the LORD. Our understanding of this future is to be the Kingdom of God. Psalms 37 also talks about how God helps his people in the here and now. We saw this briefly at the end of Acts 4. Today, we are going to discuss generous givers.

The church can be a very generous place. The example of pooling resources and caring for each other is set for us by the early church. It is discussed also in Psalm 37: “The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers” (verse 21 NLT). Having grown up in the church, I have heard many many stories of how God uses generous givers to care for and look after His people. I have been the recipient of such generosity several times in my life. Just last week, my sister-in-law surprised me by sending me money for my expensive prescription. We were at a birthday party and I was telling her of all the craziness it had been trying to track down this medication at a price I could attempt to afford. As we left the party, I looked at my phone and saw a notification. She had sent me the exact price for the prescription. I insisted she did not have to do that. She said “I know, but I felt like I should.” She felt God nudging her, and listened to the call. I have also tried, with my limited resources, to be generous to others. For example, before inflation got crazy and my dog got fat–needing a pricey special diet, I used to save $10 of every paycheck to give to my younger sister in college.

My grandparents, Scott and Gayle Ross, are the two most generous people I know. Psalms 37:26 reminds me of them: “The godly give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.” My grandparents are generous with more than just money, but their time, wisdom, love, home, and coffee. One Saturday morning I was dropping my dog off to stay with them as I had a long day of dance classes to teach. I remember frantically calling them to ask if they could prepare a to-go cup of coffee as I hadn’t time to make or get any before class. I rushed into their house, dropped off my dog, grabbed the coffee and hugged them both saying if there was one thing I can count on my grandparents for, it’s free coffee and free babysitting. Many times have my grandparents also been on the receiving end of generous givers. It is an endless beautiful cycle of generosity God has set for his people.

The generosity in Psalms 37 contrasts dramatically with the story of Ananias and Sapphira we read in Acts 5. It is important to note what Ananias and Sapphira’s sin was. This story is not meant to scare people into giving money to the church. Peter states, “The property was yours to sell or not to sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away.” (verse 4 NLT). Ananais and Sapphira’s sin was that they lied about how much money they were giving. The pair tried to elevate themselves and produce their own reward by gaining status in the church for being generous givers while still retaining some wealth. This is the opposite of what is described in Psalms 37:37, “Look at those who are honest and good for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.” It was not a lack of giving that caused God’s wrath on Ananias and Sapphira, but a lack of honesty.

Not everyone all the time can afford to be generous givers monetarily, but there are always ways we can be generous with each other. This could be donating our time and talents to the church, which we will look at more tomorrow. For now, I encourage you to reflect on the generous givers in your life, thank God for them, and ask God if there are ways in which you can be generous to others.

Special Note on Leviticus 2: In the instructions for grain offering it is listed that the bread be made without yeast. While this could be symbolic of the first passover, when the Israelites had to leave Egypt quickly and did not have time to put yeast in their bread, there is also a practical reason to leave out yeast. A bread that does not have yeast will last longer. Leviticus 2:10 explains how the remaining grain offering will be given to the priests as their food. Making this bread without yeast preserves it longer for the priests to consume. That is also why in Leviticus 2:13 God instructs his people to never leave salt from a grain offering, as salt is a preservative. The priests did not have regular jobs or land to farm. Their source of food came from the portion of the people’s offerings God allowed. In God’s infinite wisdom he instructs these offerings only be made in a way that ensures quality. How cool is that!

-Emilee Ross

Reflection Questions

  1. Who are some of the most generous people in your life? How have you seen them give? How can you thank them for their generosity?
  2. When did you generously give? How did it feel?
  3. What do you have to give right now? Who would you like to give to?
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God’s Gift

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Old Testament: Exodus 37 & 38

Poetry: Psalm 35

New Testament: Acts 2

In yesterday’s reading of Exodus 35 God filled the tabernacle craftsmen (Bezalel, Oholiab and others) with his Spirit providing them with the skill, ability and knowledge to do the work the Lord desired them to do for Him. In today’s reading of Acts 2 God pours out His Holy Spirit on Jesus’ followers and they, too, are enabled to do the work the Lord desired them to do for Him. This time the Spirit was not delivering the ability to create beautiful gold cherubim and lampstands or embroidered curtains. God had a different job in mind for these workers.

In the Old Testament we see the Spirit given, or described as “in” various leaders so they are able to carry out the work that God wants them to do. Joshua is chosen to succeed Moses due to “the spirit” in him (Numbers 27:18). Gideon receives the Spirit of the Lord, and he blows a trumpet to assemble an army to go up against the Midianites (Judges 6:34). Ezekiel records that the Spirit came into him as he heard God call him to be a prophet to carry God’s words to the rebellious and obstinate nation of Israel (Ezekiel 2:1-4). And there are other instances found in the Old Testament. Sometimes the spirit was given to provide gifts of leadership and skills (including but definitely not limited to craftsmanship). Sometimes the spirit was given to embolden and provide power and strength to overcome the enemy. Sometimes the spirit was given to the one chosen to carry God’s precious words and warnings of His judgment to God’s people, whether they listen or not. The Spirit was a special gift to those leaders willing to do what He says and do His work.

Fast forward to the beginning of Acts and we find Jesus’ followers who had witnessed Jesus’ death and the empty tomb now get the privilege of 40 days with the risen Christ as he tells them all about the kingdom of God. He also tells them his Father has a gift for them – but they can’t have it quite yet – they have to wait for it in Jerusalem (Acts 1:4). Can you imagine their excitement! They are ready to see this kingdom start. They are ready for their gift. They might even be thinking the hard part was now behind them. They had followed Jesus for 3 years. They had watched him die. But now Jesus is alive and by their side and the kingdom is around the corner. Little kink in their plan, Jesus tells them only the Father knows when it will begin; but he encourages them with these words: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). THEN, Jesus leaves, again! He isn’t dead, he is very much alive this time, raised in the clouds to heaven and the men in white assure them that this same Jesus will return the same way. What should the disciples do next? Probably obey. Go to Jerusalem and wait for that gift Jesus mentioned.

They do what Jesus told them to do and in Acts 2 they are waiting in Jerusalem. Perhaps receiving the gift requires obedience first. Approximately ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost, the gift was delivered – and what a delivery it was. Much more dramatic than a singing telegram or balloon delivery, the gift was accompanied with the sound of a violent blowing wind. I have never heard a tornado myself, but it is often described as the sound of a freight train getting closer and coming at you. Imagine hearing these violent winds coming into the room you are in. And what you hear is only surpassed by what you see: a ball of fire suspended in the air which then separates as a tongue of fire comes to rest on each one of you! God was definitely getting their attention with this gift delivery! I think He wanted them to always remember this moment and never doubt that He had indeed delivered what Jesus had promised his Father would deliver.

In fact, Jesus was not the first one to promise the delivery of this gift. Many years earlier the prophet Joel had foretold of a time when God would, “Pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy…even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they will prophesy.” (Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:17-21). This was now a pouring out of God’s Spirit! It was not just for a few select leaders who had a job to do. Now everyone seems to have a job to do! The sons and daughters, young and old, even on my servants, both men and women, Joel says God says. So pour that Spirit on – they are going to need it! They are going to prophesy and speak for God. Prophecy is sometimes thought of as just foretelling the future but it actually includes hearing and speaking for God whatever message He sends.

And this time He sent His message in many foreign languages, all at once, to the disciples who had previously not known or understood or spoke these foreign languages, but now their words were heard and understood by the Jews gathered from many foreign lands and tongues. “All of them (the Jesus followers gathered in Jerusalem who had just heard the wind and saw the tongues of fire land on each of them) were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4). Turns out God not only wanted to get the disciples’ attention – but also the attention of all the Jews from many foreign lands and tongues who were in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost celebration. The people each hear their own language from these Galileans and they are amazed and perplexed – and listening!

So Peter stands up and speaks for God – with an amazing sermon in Acts 2 you don’t want to miss! This is the same Peter who approximately 53 days earlier denied Jesus three times. He wouldn’t even admit to the servant girl that he had been with Jesus. This is the same Peter who wept at his weakness. Now he is preaching to the multitude to tell the Jews of every nation about Jesus whom God has made both Lord and Christ. The Spirit makes a difference -a big difference. Peter explains from Joel, to the man Jesus. He explains to the Jews how they put Jesus to death and God raised him to life, freeing him from death. He explains how David is in the grave, but Jesus is not. When the people hear, understand and are convicted they ask what they must do. Peter replies, “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” (Acts 2:38). Obey these steps – and the gift is ready for you.

God’s gift of His Spirit is no longer just for the Bezalels, Joshuas, Gideons, and Peters. It is no longer just for the disciples who physically walked with Jesus. Now, if you repent and are baptized, this gift is for you! Are your ready to obey and do the work God has for you? You, too, can receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to do the work that God has for you to do. The gift is not always delivered with the sound of violent winds and tongues of fire. What the gift enables you to do still depends on what job the Lord has for you to do. Without it, you are weak. With it, comes power, words, skills, and energy you are not capable of on your own. Are you ready to receive God’s gift?

-Marcia Railton

Reflection Questions

  1. What are your thoughts on God’s Spirit? What does Scripture teach about God’s Spirit?
  2. What work do you think God has for you to do? Are you already using His Spirit to do this work?
  3. What does one have to do to receive God’s gift of His Spirit?
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Eye-Witnesses and Proof of Life

Theme Week – Celebrating Jesus: Acts 1

Old Testament: Malachi 1 & 2

Poetry: Psalm 149

            Have you ever been a witness and had to testify in court?  I have.  I once witnessed a crime while I was on vacation at the beach.  I was called to come back and testify at the trial.  I didn’t mind, it was a free trip back to the beach.

            There are different kinds of witnesses.  If you ever watch television shows that feature courtrooms like Law and Order or CSI you know that different people are called to witness different things.  You can have a character witness who tells about the defendant as a person.  You can have forensic witnesses to talk about evidence.  Maybe the most important is the eye-witness, who talks about what they saw with their own eyes.  If you get two or three eye-witnesses who testify the same thing, there’s a good chance the defendant will be found guilty.

            In today’s reading from Acts, we get a small glimpse of what Jesus was up to during the first 40 days after he was raised from the dead.  He went around showing his disciples that he was still alive.  Luke, who wrote Acts, says that Jesus gave “many convincing proofs” that he was alive. 

Most of my adult children live a good distance from me, in another state, and one lives in another country.  If I haven’t heard from one of them for a while I will text them and ask for “proof of life” which means- “send me a text, call or Facetime with me so I know you’re doing okay.”  Fun fact: Dads are happier when they can see proof that their kids are okay (even if their kids are in their 20’s and 30’s and have kids of their own.).  A phone call, text, or Facetime is pretty low level proof of life, but I doubt that anyone is kidnapping my kids and doing a deepfake proof of life.  If I can see their face or hear their voice, I’m good. 

For the disciples in the first century, they had proof of life right in front of them.  Jesus was there, in his newly resurrected body, still bearing the scars from his crucifixion.  They were eyewitnesses of the risen Jesus.  But it wasn’t enough for them to just see for themselves that Jesus was risen, he told them that they had an important mission.  They were to be his witnesses.  They were to take the story of his life, teaching and resurrection to the whole world.  And they did.  That is why, 2000 years later there are people all over the world who follow Jesus Christ.

The disciples also witnessed Jesus ascend up from the earth through the clouds to heaven where he now sits at the right hand of God.  As they were eyewitnesses to Jesus ascending, they also witnessed the angels who assured them that Jesus would return in the same way that he left, visibly, in the clouds.  For 2000 years the church has kept alive this testimony from the eyewitnesses: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, God raised Jesus from the dead and many people saw him in his risen body, Jesus ascended to heaven and we heard the promise that he would one day return in the same way.  Each generation of Jesus’ followers have kept this message alive and spread it.  Now you have received it, it’s up to you and your generation to continue keeping this eye witness testimony alive, until Jesus returns.

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. If you were called up as a character witness for Jesus how would you describe him? What do you know about Jesus as a person? 
  2. If you were called up as a forensic witness testifying to the evidence of Jesus what would you say? What convincing proofs do you have that Jesus is alive?
  3. If you were called up as an eye-witness for what Jesus has done for you what would you say? How is your life different because of Jesus?
  4. Who needs to know what you know about Jesus, about the evidence surrounding his life, death, resurrection, ascension and coming return, and about how you have experienced Jesus and what he has done for you? How will you share? 
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Saying Goodbye

Theme Week: Paul in Review: Acts 20

Old Testament: Job 40-42

Poetry: Psalm 48

            Goodbyes are hard.  This week I gathered with a lot of people that I love.  First at General Conference in Oregon, IL.  I was gathered for 3 days with people that I love.  Some are my biological family- My Mother, sisters, brother-in-law, uncle, cousins, sons and daughters, and sons and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. My wife was also there, while not biologically related she is my family and the one I love most in this world.  Then there were friends, fellow members of the Church, pastors, and other. Colleagues, people I’ve met through years of ministry.  Some I’ve known for over 40 years and they are part of my extended Church family that I love as brothers and sisters.  At the end of our conference, it was time to say goodbye.  I hope to see all of them again, but realistically, some of them I may never see again in this age and that makes me sad.

            Right after the conference we had another gathering, a family gathering to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday.  We had family come from across the US and across the world including my daughter from Germany and niece from New Zealand.  I saw cousins I had not seen in over 40 years and met their grandchildren.  We had a wonderful celebration.  But then we had to say goodbye as we all left to return to our various homes.  It will be months and years and possibly for some we will never see each other again in this age, and that makes me sad.

            What if you knew you would never see a group of people that you love again?  What would you be thinking about and wanting to say as you said goodbye to them?

            In Acts 20 the Apostle Paul is saying goodbye to a group of leaders from a Church he helped build in Ephesus.  He had spent three years of his life teaching, baptizing, training, encouraging, and correcting these people.  He loved them as brothers and sisters.  God had revealed to Paul that he would never see these people again in this age, and that made him sad.  As he said goodbye to them he gives us some insight into what things were important to him and how he had lived when he was with them and encouraged them to continue in the faith.

            Paul reminded them, and us, how he served the Lord.  Paul had been religious all of his life.  He was an observant Jew who faithfully abided by all ceremonial and purification rituals of the Jewish faith.  He was a descendant of Abraham through Jacob and a meticulous observer of the Torah, which is the Old Testament Covenant Practices.  Yet all those things didn’t get him to where he truly wanted and needed to be.  Something was missing.  That something, as it turned out, was a relationship with God as His father that was given as a gift of grace through entering into a covenant with God by faith in Jesus Christ.  Out of that new relationship with God through grace by faith in Jesus Christ came Paul’s understanding of himself and his mission.  Everything he did was in service to the Lord.

            Paul served with humility.  He knew that his call and commissioning did not originate with him and was not based on his merit but on God’s grace.  While he was not shy about claiming and using his authority as one sent by God (an apostle) Paul used that authority humbly.

            Paul did not serve God at a distance.  He was down in the front lines of battle where the true spiritual warfare was taking place.  Paul was often harmed both emotionally and physically.  He reminds his hearers that he served them with tears and trials.

            Paul discipled them by teaching a total way of life in Jesus Christ.  His teaching was not detached and theoretical, but practical.  Paul says that he taught anything profitable (vs. 20 ESV). Paul taught the whole counsel of God (vs.27). He didn’t just talk about a few narrow subjects that were most important to him.  For Paul following Jesus Christ impacts every area of your life.  There is no sacred vs. secular, religious vs. non-religious.  Jesus Christ is just as much a part of your schooling, your job, your friendships,  your marriage, your family, and your sex life as he is part of what you do at 11:00 on Sunday Mornings.

            Paul carried out his service for Christ in both public and personal spaces.  Whether he was in a large, organized group or in someone’s private home with one or two persons, Paul was about his mission.  In those spaces Paul emphasized the importance of repentance (turning away from sin and turning toward Jesus Christ as Lord), Paul emphasized faith as a way to access Jesus Christ.

            Paul placed his whole person into his service.  He was passionate in offering admonishment (correction) with tears. (Vs. 31).  Training others in following Jesus Christ includes a lot of encouragement and positive reinforcement, but it also includes the hard work of correcting both incorrect beliefs and behaviors.  Paul elsewhere talks about “speaking the truth in love.”  There is a loving way to speak even hard and corrective truth, but it is hard work and Paul did not shy away from hard work.  Paul reminded them of the many ways that he worked hard among them.

            Paul concludes his parting words by showing the value of working hard to help the weak.  The Christian’s job is not to shame the weak or guilt the weak, it’s not to judge the weak or berate the weak, but to help the weak.  This requires a great deal of altruistic love and willingness to patiently and sacrificially give.  Paul concludes with a reminder of Jesus’ own words on the value of giving over receiving. (Vs. 35).

            At the end of this passionate reminder of his life and teaching among them, they are all in tears as Paul gets down on his knees with them and prays.

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. If you were preparing to say goodbye to your brothers and sisters in Christ, what would you want to make sure they heard from you?
  2. What are you most impressed with what Paul shares with the Ephesians?
  3. What do you think Paul might say to your church if he was saying goodbye to you instead of the Ephesians?
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Peter and Cornelius

THEME WEEK- Peter: Acts 10

Old Testament: Nehemiah Intro – found below

Poetry: Psalm 18

This devotion comes from Acts chapter ten. The Centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort was a devout Christian man named Cornelius. Being known for the faith of all his house and his charitable actions toward the Jews, Cornelius is definitely the kind of guy you want around when change needs to be made. Now Cornelius has a vision, and in this vision he is instructed to seek out Simon Peter, afterwards he listens whole heartedly and dispatches a group to go find Peter and bring him to meet Cornelius. While the group is going to find Peter, Peter goes to a housetop to pray. On the housetop he becomes hungry and he is shown a vision. In this vision, a large sheet descends from the sky and in it are a multitude of unclean animals; birds, reptiles and all kinds of four footed animals. A voice instructs Peter to get up, kill and eat. But Peter is hesitant. He doesn’t want to, for he follows the tradition of the time and won’t eat anything considered unclean by tradition. The voice tells Peter “What GOD cleansed, no longer consider unholy” three times and the sheet is taken back up into the sky.

 At this time, while Peter is thinking over what he witnessed, the men sent by Cornelius arrive at the house of Peter. The Spirit tells Peter to receive the men without misgivings and after they greet one another Peter invites them in to stay.

So finally the stage is set. These men have come to take Peter to meet a Gentile, as Peter is starting to rethink what GOD considers holy and unholy. Breaking down traditions.

The group takes Peter and some others from Joppa to Caesarea to meet Cornelius and as he enters the house Cornelius bows to worship Peter. “Stand up” Peter says “for I too am just a man.” There with Cornelius were multiple other gentiles. Peter says “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”

Cornelius gives the account of the vision he received and how he was instructed to reach out to Peter, and to hear the preaching of Peter. 

So Peter begins to preach. Starting with the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and his anointing. Then to the death and resurrection of Jesus, ending with the fact that Jesus appeared to those who ate and drank with him before his crucifixion. And while Peter was still preaching to those gathered the Holy Spirit descended upon all those that were in the room, Jew and Gentile alike. 

The believers that came with Peter were amazed that the gentiles also could understand the speaking of tongues. 

Acts 10:47-48 reads “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.”

So that’s the story of Acts chapter ten, but what do we learn? Our preconceived notions of what “GOD wants” may not always be true, just because our traditions teach us something doesn’t mean it’s right. Even though everyone is doing something doesn’t make it right.

But this passage is beautiful in its own way. Just because we may not belong to the house of Israel, doesn’t mean GOD’s love isn’t for us. While it seems like a surface level idea, this passage plainly shows our adoption into the family of GOD.

-John Evans

Reflection Questions

  1. Peter described to Cornelius who Jesus was. How would you describe Jesus?
  2. Are there any areas in which perhaps your ideas of what “God wants” is actually different than what God truly wants? Explain.
  3. What does it mean to you to be a part of the family of God?

Nehemiah Introduction

The book of Nehemiah was written by Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes.  This is the exciting sequel to the book of Ezra.  Ezra oversaw the rebuilding of the temple.  Nehemiah oversaw the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in an amazing 52 days.

The two important themes of the book are:
1. The amazing way God protected and provided as the returned exiles rebuild the wall around Jerusalem with amazing speed
2. The importance of being loyal to God.

I particularly appreciate chapters 8 and 9 where Ezra read the law of Moses to all the people; the people listened attentively and worshiped God.

May we be able to say, like Nehemiah in 13:31, “… Remember me with favor, O my God.”

-Steve Mattison

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