They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NIV
This verse doesn't tell us if Luke is describing personal prayer or group prayer. Everything else in the verse, though, is talking about activities the Christians did together.
Many young Christians are afraid to pray out loud in a group. They are afraid they won't know the right words or they will sound stupid.
If you have a hard time praying in a group, try just saying one sentence. Thank God for something. Ask God to grant a request made by another person in the group. Praying is just talking to God. And like everything else in our lives, we become more comfortable doing it the more we practice.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Spending Time Together
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NIV
Who do you hang with? While our relationships aren't supposed to be just with other Christians, spending time with our brothers and sisters in Christ strengthens our faith.
I remember feeling very left out at church when I was a child. It seemed like the other kids my age naturally gravitated toward each other; but, not towards me. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that their parents (and as an extension - they) had relationships outside the church building. I didn't realize until later that many of them were related or that their parents had been friends before the church even started. In spite of the fact that I had gone to that church for years, I felt like an outsider because I was an outsider.
The thousands of people who met together daily in Acts couldn't have had close relationships with everyone; but, they all needed to have close relationships with someone. Do you belong to a small group or a host home at your church? You can't get close to other people unless you spend time with them. This was important to the early Christians and it is important for us as we grow together in Christ.
Who do you hang with? While our relationships aren't supposed to be just with other Christians, spending time with our brothers and sisters in Christ strengthens our faith.
I remember feeling very left out at church when I was a child. It seemed like the other kids my age naturally gravitated toward each other; but, not towards me. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that their parents (and as an extension - they) had relationships outside the church building. I didn't realize until later that many of them were related or that their parents had been friends before the church even started. In spite of the fact that I had gone to that church for years, I felt like an outsider because I was an outsider.
The thousands of people who met together daily in Acts couldn't have had close relationships with everyone; but, they all needed to have close relationships with someone. Do you belong to a small group or a host home at your church? You can't get close to other people unless you spend time with them. This was important to the early Christians and it is important for us as we grow together in Christ.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Learning the Word
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NIV
The Bible is huge. And more than a little imposing. Thinking about diving into the Word of God and actually learning what is in there can seem to be an impossible task.
The early Christians listened to the Apostles. They learned what they needed to know when they came together, which they did as often as they could.
The Bible is full of wisdom and guidance. It comes straight from God. Exposing yourself, either by reading or by listening to others who are teaching, will eventually result in learning. Then the Bible won't seem so imposing. It will just bring you comfort and guidance when you need it.
The Bible is huge. And more than a little imposing. Thinking about diving into the Word of God and actually learning what is in there can seem to be an impossible task.
The early Christians listened to the Apostles. They learned what they needed to know when they came together, which they did as often as they could.
The Bible is full of wisdom and guidance. It comes straight from God. Exposing yourself, either by reading or by listening to others who are teaching, will eventually result in learning. Then the Bible won't seem so imposing. It will just bring you comfort and guidance when you need it.
Monday, June 25, 2012
The Habits of the Christian Life
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13 NIV)
As each of us grow in our Christian walk, we realize that life - and Christian choices -- can be complicated. In Romans 12, Paul gives some clear instructions on how to live in the Christian community. It may not always be easy to be joyful, patient or faithful; but, we are given that ability by the Holy Spirit.
Why did Paul tell the Roman Christians that Love must be sincere? Because flattery never is. Learning to love others above ourselves takes practice. Love is more than nice feelings. It is more than pleasant words. Love is a behavior that puts the welfare of the other person first. Love doesn't always speak softly. There are times when we have to love enough to be stern. We serve Jesus when we treat others well.
The behaviors Paul instructs us to have in Romans 12 are the result of practice and building good habits. Which ones are easy for you? Which ones are hard? What a privilege it is to learn to live the Christian life.
As each of us grow in our Christian walk, we realize that life - and Christian choices -- can be complicated. In Romans 12, Paul gives some clear instructions on how to live in the Christian community. It may not always be easy to be joyful, patient or faithful; but, we are given that ability by the Holy Spirit.
Why did Paul tell the Roman Christians that Love must be sincere? Because flattery never is. Learning to love others above ourselves takes practice. Love is more than nice feelings. It is more than pleasant words. Love is a behavior that puts the welfare of the other person first. Love doesn't always speak softly. There are times when we have to love enough to be stern. We serve Jesus when we treat others well.
The behaviors Paul instructs us to have in Romans 12 are the result of practice and building good habits. Which ones are easy for you? Which ones are hard? What a privilege it is to learn to live the Christian life.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Common Sense or Christ?
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:25-30 NIV
Decisions we make in the cause of Christ often seem to defy common sense - at least as the world sees it. Paul and Silas were in prison in stocks when an unforeseen earthquake set them free. They had been praying and singing praises to God. Had it been me, I would have been praying for my release and would have praised God for answering my prayer with the earthquake.
Paul and Silas must have been praying for something else because they didn't leave. That would have resulted in the death of the jailer. They stayed and reassured the jailer, who was more important to them than their own freedom, that all the prisoners were there. The result was the jailer and his entire household accepted Jesus.
I have some friends who recently sold their house. It had been on the market for a few years and they needed to get out from under two mortgage payments. When their realtor called with an offer which was much lower than their asking price, they decided to pray for God's will. They decided to accept the offer.
Just hours after they accepted the lower offer, a bid came in on their house for the full amount. Legally, they were bound by the first offer. The realtor told them, however, that there was a loophole that could get them out of the contract. Again they prayed -- and decided to honor their Christian convictions.
For the world, this would have been a no brainer. Get out of the contract and go for the better offer. But my friends had been praying that God would put their house into the hands of a family that would be blessed by it.
Do you make decisions that are foolish in the eyes of the world but honor Christ? Are you willing to suffer loss so that some might be brought to the kingdom? What do you base your decisions on -- Common Sense or Christ?
Decisions we make in the cause of Christ often seem to defy common sense - at least as the world sees it. Paul and Silas were in prison in stocks when an unforeseen earthquake set them free. They had been praying and singing praises to God. Had it been me, I would have been praying for my release and would have praised God for answering my prayer with the earthquake.
Paul and Silas must have been praying for something else because they didn't leave. That would have resulted in the death of the jailer. They stayed and reassured the jailer, who was more important to them than their own freedom, that all the prisoners were there. The result was the jailer and his entire household accepted Jesus.
I have some friends who recently sold their house. It had been on the market for a few years and they needed to get out from under two mortgage payments. When their realtor called with an offer which was much lower than their asking price, they decided to pray for God's will. They decided to accept the offer.
Just hours after they accepted the lower offer, a bid came in on their house for the full amount. Legally, they were bound by the first offer. The realtor told them, however, that there was a loophole that could get them out of the contract. Again they prayed -- and decided to honor their Christian convictions.
For the world, this would have been a no brainer. Get out of the contract and go for the better offer. But my friends had been praying that God would put their house into the hands of a family that would be blessed by it.
Do you make decisions that are foolish in the eyes of the world but honor Christ? Are you willing to suffer loss so that some might be brought to the kingdom? What do you base your decisions on -- Common Sense or Christ?
Friday, June 22, 2012
You are Clothed with Christ
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26,27 NIV
You wouldn't wear a bathing suit to a wedding or a winter coat in the middle of summer. If you were headed to the White House to meet the President, you would not wear your frayed cut off jeans. On the other hand, you wouldn't go hiking in a tuxedo.
What we wear makes a statement, not only about who we are; but also about the setting we find ourselves in. People don't look twice at someone wearing a bathing suit at the beach in the middle of summer. That same bathing suit, worn to an inaugural dinner might raise a few eyebrows, prompt a few questions and wind up on the evening news.
What did Paul mean when he said that those "who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ?" He means that Christ is now appropriate wherever we go. Jesus identifies us. You wouldn't go anywhere (except perhaps the shower) without your clothes. Don't go anywhere without Jesus. You are on the Lord's side. You wear his colors. You wear his life.
You wouldn't wear a bathing suit to a wedding or a winter coat in the middle of summer. If you were headed to the White House to meet the President, you would not wear your frayed cut off jeans. On the other hand, you wouldn't go hiking in a tuxedo.
What we wear makes a statement, not only about who we are; but also about the setting we find ourselves in. People don't look twice at someone wearing a bathing suit at the beach in the middle of summer. That same bathing suit, worn to an inaugural dinner might raise a few eyebrows, prompt a few questions and wind up on the evening news.
What did Paul mean when he said that those "who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ?" He means that Christ is now appropriate wherever we go. Jesus identifies us. You wouldn't go anywhere (except perhaps the shower) without your clothes. Don't go anywhere without Jesus. You are on the Lord's side. You wear his colors. You wear his life.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
A Changed Life
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3: 21-22, NIV
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. Matthew 3: 13-15 NIV
Jesus sought to do God's will in everything. Jesus wasn't baptized because everybody else was doing it. He did it to fulfill all righteousness. He did it to please God.
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Did Jesus need to repent? Jesus ministry was one of humility. He served others. Claiming to be above the need for repentance would have been contrary to the tone of his ministry. If Jesus considered baptism important enough to submit to it, then it is even more important for us to include in our Christian lives.
Jesus' life changed at his baptism. It marked the beginning of his ministry to mankind. How did your life change when you were baptized? What ministry did it begin for you?
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. Matthew 3: 13-15 NIV
Jesus sought to do God's will in everything. Jesus wasn't baptized because everybody else was doing it. He did it to fulfill all righteousness. He did it to please God.
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Did Jesus need to repent? Jesus ministry was one of humility. He served others. Claiming to be above the need for repentance would have been contrary to the tone of his ministry. If Jesus considered baptism important enough to submit to it, then it is even more important for us to include in our Christian lives.
Jesus' life changed at his baptism. It marked the beginning of his ministry to mankind. How did your life change when you were baptized? What ministry did it begin for you?
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