Novmber 14: Acts 12

The following devotional thoughts are from Lynda Keefer, Prayer and Care Pastor at SWC.

Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter:
Peter’s miraculous release from prison is a reminder to me that God wants us to turn to Him and rely on Him instead of on our own strength or resources. At the beginning of the chapter, Peter is in chains, ready to stand trial for His faith, and what His friends are doing on his behalf is “praying earnestly” for Him. They are going to the One who has the power to change the situation in ways they can’t even imagine. And how surprised they are with the way God answers! Peter thinks it’s a dream and the other believers do too (vs. 9, 15). But God has a way of working that is often better than we even imagine and He wants us to come to Him and seek Him always.

Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me:
Today, I will examine how often I face problems and tackle issues without ever praying about them. I will ask Him to help me seek Him in all things and trust Him instead of my own abilities. When my friends or people that I meet are facing seemingly hopeless circumstances, I will remember that one of the most awesome things I can do for them is pray earnestly on their behalf. And I will look for the ways that He answers, even if it’s unexpected, and be thankful.

November 13: Acts 11

Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter: This chapter opens with Jewish Christians taking issue with Peter for eating in the home of a Gentile named Cornelius (vv.1-3). Devout Jews don’t eat with Gentiles, and yet Peter did. It was important for Peter to build a friendship with Cornelius to share the good news, even if it meant Peter had to put his religious traditions aside. Peter recognized that, while many traditions are good they should not prevent us from loving God and loving people. I have been in the church long enough to see how sometimes Christians are better at drawing traditional lines in the sand than we are at building bridges to people. The challenge for Peter and those first Christians is the same as the challenge facing us: How do we maintain both our personal holiness and our loving embrace of people?

Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me: I’m at a place in my Christian development in which I really don’t care what “religious” folks think of me if I reach out to those who may be on the religious community’s hit list. While I don’t want to offend anyone, I would rather offend religious traditionalists than clueless seekers. I will continue to challenge myself and the SWC to grow deeper in our holiness, not a holiness that draws us into a huddle away from people but a holiness that actually moves us out toward all people in love.

November 12: Acts 10

Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter: This is one of my favorite chapters in Acts because it highlights the power of God to transform people and orchestrate circumstances. Peter was taught all of his life not to associate with non-Jews, which meant not letting them in your home or going to their home if you were a Jew. Yet, in this chapter Peter invites non-Jews, called Gentiles, into his home and actually goes into the home of a Gentile to share the good news about Christ. A relationship with God will inevitably cause us to love people we have had a tendency not to love and to go places we would never dare to go before.

Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me: Because of my love for Christ, my love for all people is not an option. In other words, my allegiance to Christ mandates my love for all people, Democrats and Republicans, black, white and brown people, sinner or saint. Today, I will, like Peter, refuse to withhold love from anyone and I will listen for the Spirit’s leading to go wherever he leads me to go.

November 11: Acts 9

Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter: The Christians were justifiably cautious of this Paul who was once Saul, the persecutor of Christians. They were “afraid of him, not believing he was a disciple” (v. 26). It is impossible to really love and include people if we are afraid of them, which is why John writes “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John). There was, however, one Christ follower who went out of his way to reach out to Paul and embrace him. “Barnabas took hold of [Paul]” (v. 27) when no one else would. I wonder where Paul would be without a brother like Barnabas who would not follow the majority in rejecting Paul. Barnabas wasn’t driven by fear of what Paul might do to him if his conversion to Christ was fake. He wasn’t fearful of what people might think of him if he reached out to Paul. His love for God and his loving grace toward Paul took him beyond his fears.

Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me: Today I will look for opportunities to embrace people who may need encouragement, people whom I may fear or may not fully “get.” I want the Spirit of God to lead me, like he did Phillip in the last chapter, to people who need an encouraging friend in Christ to “take hold of them” in friendship like Barnabas did for Paul.

November 10: Acts 8

Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter: In verses 18-21, Simon the magician tries to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter. Simon sees that the Apostles give new believers the Spirit by laying their hands on them in prayer. Simon wants this power as well; he wants to be able to give people the Holy Spirit by laying his hands on them. He made lots of money with his magic and it’s clear he wants to sell the Holy Spirit to those who want it. He wanted a good thing (the power of God) for the wrong reasons (to get rich). He wanted the power of God’s Spirit not to build God’s kingdom but to build his own by filling his pockets with cash. Peter rebukes Simon with “your heart is not right before God” (v. 21).

Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me: I can’t help but think of the many preachers out there today who try to market the power of God to people. These guys travel all over the world promising people the power of God if the price is right. While I have never sold the good news for money, there are times when I’m tempted to use the power of God for the wrong reasons, selfish reasons. Today, while I’m serving God, I will invite the Spirit to confront me with the question “Len, why are you doing what you’re doing? Are you using the power I give you to build your kingdom or Mine?”

November 9: Acts 7

Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter: In 7:54-8:1 we are introduced to a guy named Saul who happens to be cheering on those who are stoning Stephen to death because of the latter’s faithful witness for Christ. Stephen’s willingness to live and even die by being Christ’s witness seems to have had a huge impact upon Saul. For this persecutor of Christians named Saul would eventually convert to Christ and be renamed Paul-the Apostle Paul! Stephen could not have foreseen the impact of his faithful witness for Christ upon Saul.

Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me: There are people watching my life, wondering if Jesus and my relationship with Him are really real. Saul certainly saw the genuineness and passion of Stephen’s relationship with Christ. Would Saul see that in me? Today I am going to live in such a way that my witness for Christ is so real and passionate that it has impact for Christ. I want to, like Stephen, follow Christ in a way that has impact upon those who observe my following.

November 8: Acts 6

I asked Brad Hockman, our Men's Ministry Director, to share today's 28 Day Bible Living Devotional. Here are his reflections...

Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter:
Although we read that Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews in verse 1 threatening to destroy the church's unity, this story is not about hostility and contradiction in the early church. Rather, it is an excellent example of how to solve disagreements and tensions. Unfortunately, these petty disagreements sometimes cause major divisions in churches.

This reorganization of labor enables the apostles' to honor their commitment to their calling: to “give our attention prayer and ministry of the Word” as indicated in verse 4. It also reveals their commitment to unity and spiritual growth. God has given us all the free gifts of faith, salvation and forgiveness. He has also given us unique spiritual gifts, which are to be used to serve the unity of Christ and the growth of His kingdom.

Having weathered the storm, verse 7 states “the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
Today, we need this same conviction. Understanding and living according to the Word of God, spreading the message of salvation and praying constantly are essential for growth. "Be fruitful and multiply."

Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me:
Verse 4 really grabbed my attention. “We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (NKJV). This pretty much covers all previous postings for Act 1-5. I will share the gospel and love locally and to the ends of the earth. I will put God first. I will pray that God continues to make the necessary changes in my life. I will fearlessly witness for Christ! I will pray that God improves me and uses me. I will be totally committed to helping those in need wholeheartedly! I will pray, witness, serve and give continuously. I am also praying that all of us will be open to using our spiritual gifts!