Saturday, April 24, 2010
Acts 4:32-37
V32 reminds me of the phrase, “what’s yours is mine, what’s mine is yours”. The early believers had all things in common. No one said that what they owned was theirs. Imagine how far we would go if everyone in this world had the same mentality.
The next verse starts like this, “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.” It doesn’t state clearly in scripture, but I think that they had great power simply because of the verse before it, that everyone’s common became a great force for the apostles to witness for Jesus. There were people supplying their needs while they preached, thus supporting them in the ministry. Even then they were of one heart and one soul. Even though some of them were the preachers and others were the suppliers, none complained.
And that is what makes the movement in that time amazing. The next verse goes on to let us know that nobody lacked, because all who had gave to those who lacked so that each may not have to worry but be focused on carrying the gospel further.
Scripture tells us that “all things under heaven and on earth are God’s”. Therefore, we are only stewards of the treasures we possess. We know sincerely well that none of us are going to bring with us what we have after death. So “do not make mammon your master”. Do not let the riches of this world enslave you from doing good. For Jesus did say, “Give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Don’t get me wrong, saving is good, saving is wise. You don’t have to spend every cent to help others. If possible, I would even encourage you to invest your money to churn up more money. However, do not go to the extent that you keep every cent that you own because it is going to be hard to give it away when you encounter someone else in need, even a stranger. “For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Glorify God
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Acts 4:13-22
V21, “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people,” this is the good part, wait for it, “since they all glorified God for what had been done.”
The elders of the church could not find a way of punishing them simply because they glorified God in their acts. Let me say it again, “They glorified God.” When we go through life as a Christian, we tend to praise ourselves and our efforts when success comes our way. I tend to do that too. But whenever I look back and think about it, the best successes I had were when I prayed before or when I committed the task to God or when I cried out to Him. Think back and see that it is all true. None of my successes would be there if not for God. And sometimes I wonder why I shortchange God in His blessings. Why there are no testimonies in my life? It is because I don’t give enough credit to the one who prospered me.
God cares about every little detail of our lives. We need to acknowledge that in everything we do, God is with us and if we do not give unto the Lord the glory due to His name, He tends to draw back His hand from us simply because we have gotten proud of our own self efforts. Remember that God resists the proud. It is not us but the Lord who shows up.
From now on, I’m going to remember that in every accomplishment, when people praise me, I’m going to make a stand to say, “If it wasn’t for God/Jesus Christ showing up, I would never had done it the way I did it.”
Here comes the finale, v22 “For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.” No matter how old you are, you can still be a testimony. Do not let the devil blind you from that. Glorify God because in everything you do, He is the one who gives you power to prosper.
Acts 4:13-22
V21, “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people,” this is the good part, wait for it, “since they all glorified God for what had been done.”
The elders of the church could not find a way of punishing them simply because they glorified God in their acts. Let me say it again, “They glorified God.” When we go through life as a Christian, we tend to praise ourselves and our efforts when success comes our way. I tend to do that too. But whenever I look back and think about it, the best successes I had were when I prayed before or when I committed the task to God or when I cried out to Him. Think back and see that it is all true. None of my successes would be there if not for God. And sometimes I wonder why I shortchange God in His blessings. Why there are no testimonies in my life? It is because I don’t give enough credit to the one who prospered me.
God cares about every little detail of our lives. We need to acknowledge that in everything we do, God is with us and if we do not give unto the Lord the glory due to His name, He tends to draw back His hand from us simply because we have gotten proud of our own self efforts. Remember that God resists the proud. It is not us but the Lord who shows up.
From now on, I’m going to remember that in every accomplishment, when people praise me, I’m going to make a stand to say, “If it wasn’t for God/Jesus Christ showing up, I would never had done it the way I did it.”
Here comes the finale, v22 “For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.” No matter how old you are, you can still be a testimony. Do not let the devil blind you from that. Glorify God because in everything you do, He is the one who gives you power to prosper.
Hold onto the Lord
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Acts 4:23-31
There comes a point in time where we have to choose between going against man or going against God. Persecutions come and we have to be ready when it does. If you’re being persecuted right now, hold strong, because even the disciples of the first movement were persecuted. If you’re free from persecution now, pray for those facing persecution, and be ready for it when it comes.
The elders of the church were respected and feared. Even then, the disciples of Jesus Christ did what was right in the sight of God. They had to choose between fearing man or fearing God. When we get the perspective that we are only temporarily here on earth, then it is only wise if we choose to fear God even if it means going against men. Whether it be elders of the church, family, friends, relatives, we need to make a stand that God will come first. Everything else will fade away but the Lord will still remain.
Hold onto the right thing and the rest will be easy.
Acts 4:23-31
There comes a point in time where we have to choose between going against man or going against God. Persecutions come and we have to be ready when it does. If you’re being persecuted right now, hold strong, because even the disciples of the first movement were persecuted. If you’re free from persecution now, pray for those facing persecution, and be ready for it when it comes.
The elders of the church were respected and feared. Even then, the disciples of Jesus Christ did what was right in the sight of God. They had to choose between fearing man or fearing God. When we get the perspective that we are only temporarily here on earth, then it is only wise if we choose to fear God even if it means going against men. Whether it be elders of the church, family, friends, relatives, we need to make a stand that God will come first. Everything else will fade away but the Lord will still remain.
Hold onto the right thing and the rest will be easy.
What we have seen and heard
Friday, April 16, 2010
Acts 4:13-22
There comes a point in our lives when God becomes personal to us. A miracle is unexplainable but it is undeniable. Even the Pharisees knew that, but their hearts were still closed. They were serving power instead of serving God who gave them the authority in the first place.
Sometimes we keep asking, “How do we share the gospel when we are afraid we would offend somebody else?” Do it the easy way. Simply share your personal experiences. Everybody wants to hear about your story first. Then direct it to the Word of God and how you believed it. Then tell about Jesus’ story. It says in verse 19-20, But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Your testimonies are enough to tell that God has been amazing in your life and to persuade others to want your life. Your testimonies prove that God is real, not your explanation. When something is undeniable, and it cannot be explained, it is God at work. Because God knows far more than us, he would tell us what we should know and what we should just leave it to Him. Don’t try to figure out everything because God is too big to figure out.
Acts 4:13-22
There comes a point in our lives when God becomes personal to us. A miracle is unexplainable but it is undeniable. Even the Pharisees knew that, but their hearts were still closed. They were serving power instead of serving God who gave them the authority in the first place.
Sometimes we keep asking, “How do we share the gospel when we are afraid we would offend somebody else?” Do it the easy way. Simply share your personal experiences. Everybody wants to hear about your story first. Then direct it to the Word of God and how you believed it. Then tell about Jesus’ story. It says in verse 19-20, But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Your testimonies are enough to tell that God has been amazing in your life and to persuade others to want your life. Your testimonies prove that God is real, not your explanation. When something is undeniable, and it cannot be explained, it is God at work. Because God knows far more than us, he would tell us what we should know and what we should just leave it to Him. Don’t try to figure out everything because God is too big to figure out.
Asking for the heart of God
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Acts 4:23-31
What is persecution that we should back away? I love the attitude that the early believers in Acts had. They see the threats (it’s not like that act as if there weren’t any threats) and acknowledge that God is above them. What I noticed was that they did not ask God that He would take away the persecution. Nor did they ask God to take away the elders and priests and put up righteous leaders. All I noticed was them asking God for boldness to speak and the ability to heal by the name of Jesus Christ.
And God gave it to them, the boldness to speak. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is important but the prayers pleasing to God are more important. I believe when we couple prayer with the bible, we are able to know what to pray for and how to pray. Because the Holy Spirit is the one that gives us utterance, allow Him to speak through our hearts and emotions that we may know God’s heart. So instead of looking to prayer meaningful prayers, seek instead to know God more and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:23-31
What is persecution that we should back away? I love the attitude that the early believers in Acts had. They see the threats (it’s not like that act as if there weren’t any threats) and acknowledge that God is above them. What I noticed was that they did not ask God that He would take away the persecution. Nor did they ask God to take away the elders and priests and put up righteous leaders. All I noticed was them asking God for boldness to speak and the ability to heal by the name of Jesus Christ.
And God gave it to them, the boldness to speak. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is important but the prayers pleasing to God are more important. I believe when we couple prayer with the bible, we are able to know what to pray for and how to pray. Because the Holy Spirit is the one that gives us utterance, allow Him to speak through our hearts and emotions that we may know God’s heart. So instead of looking to prayer meaningful prayers, seek instead to know God more and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
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