Acts 6 - 9.9.24
Scripture
Acts 6:3-7
3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Observation
This chapter covers the appointment of deacons and Stephen being falsely accused of blasphemy. (Matthew Henry’s commentary on Christianity.com)
The disciples needed help with ministry. In order for them to focus on prayer and teaching of the Word, they appointed 7 other men to take on some responsibilities that they didn’t have time for. In choosing these men, they didn’t look for the strongest, most talented, or most educated men. They chose
based on 2 things: Being full of the Spirit and wisdom.
The Word of God spread as a result of those men being full of the Spirit and wisdom.
As we fast forward in the chapter, one of the men chosen, Stephen, would be falsely accused of blasphemy. I won’t spoil the next chapter if you are unfamiliar with his story, but those traits of being full of the Spirit and wisdom is what would sustain his faith through the hard tests, trials and persecution he was about to face.
Application
There is a cost to discipleship. There will be times in our walk with Jesus where we will need to take up our cross in order to follow him. (Matthew 16:24)
I love how the Bible/God’s Word, doesn’t sugar coat anything. The Christian faith is definitely an adventure, which includes bumps along the way. Not only are we made aware of the joys of ministry in this chapter, like in verse 7 where “the Word of God spread and the number of disciples increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
Through Stephen’s story, we are also made aware of the trials of ministry, and how important being filled with Him is during those times.
What area of your life is God calling you to lay down for Him? Pride, offense, time, money, control, comforts of this world, self, etc.?
Pray to be full of the Spirit and wisdom and plug into the Source who gives His Spirit and wisdom fully.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:3-5 NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:2-4 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord, please give us more of Your Spirit and more wisdom through this adventure of faith with You. I want to come out of any trial or test that the enemy throws at me, refined, instead of defeated. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Deuteronomy 8 - 8.6.24
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:6-11 NKJV
”“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,“
Observations:
God was about to fulfill the promise He had given His people and bring them into the promised land. They had been in the desert wandering for 40 years. God fed them manna, their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell. He provided all their needs.
There is a huge contrast between the desert and the promise land. Verse 9 they were going into a land where they would lack nothing.
Moses is giving his last instructions from God to the people. He stood up for them when they rebelled. God was ready to strike them down and start over with Moses. He has so much love and compassion for them. Now he was admonishing them to follow God’s commands and they would be abundantly blessed.
He also knew that once they had it all it would be easy to forget it was all from God, and boast that they had done it all themselves. He was taking his time to repeat all the blessings and do all he could to prevent them from straying.
Application:
Deuteronomy 8:18 “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth and so confirms his covenant…”
God has done so much and I need to continually keep my eyes on Him as my source. It is important to remember the covenant, His commandments, promises, most of all what Jesus did to pay for my sins! Also, this Scripture says “for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” It will not fall to me on a silver platter. I have to do my part.
Robin shared so wonderfully Wednesday that if Jesus healed his enemy’s ear, He is willing and WILL Heal us.
This Scripture is a specific promise for this time. However, God had the same promises for us many other places in His Word. For example, Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” or lack nothing in some versions. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4. I could go on and on. My goal, as I go through challenging times, is not to look in despair, but know God has prepared a promised land for me. Also, no matter how good things get to always praise Him as my source and obey His commands.
Prayer:
Father God thank you for your faithfulness, forgiveness, and love. Your Word is filled with so many incredible promises. I know you have plans for me, to prosper me and not harm me, to give me a hope and a future. Please help me always look to you in good times and those that are challenging. May everything I do bring honor to your name. Especially when times are good. I want to always point people to you. Amen
- Cindy Howard
Acts 4 - 09.05.24
SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:5-10 NLT
“The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest.
They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”
Then Peter, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, said to them,
“Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned TODAY because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed?
Let me clearly—state to all of you—and to all the people of Israel—that he was healed— by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified —but—whom God raised from the dead.”
OBSERVATION:
Peter and John have been arrested and thrown in jail because they healed a lame beggar. A man, who pretty much the whole of Jerusalem knew, as he was laid at the same Temple entrance to beg for his entire life.
The next day Peter and John are brought before the Jewish Council. The VERY SAME Leaders and rulers who Pronounced a death sentence to Jesus for the charge of blasphemy-claiming to be God.
Peter-who just a few weeks ago was SO fearful he denied even knowing Jesus 3-times-“being FILLED with the Holy Spirit” Boldly Declares Jesus to BE the Christ [Promised Messiah] and additionally charges these men of the Sanhedrin with HIS crucifixion.
Now that IS Holy Spirit inspired Boldness to BE Christ’s Witness!
“Peter said to them, “then know this…
It is by the name of Jesus Christ , whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:10)
“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11 NIV)
APPLICATION:
Holy Spirit Boldness —for Jesus
Peter and John had NO idea when they walked towards the Temple that day for afternoon prayer that they would be Giving a Bold Testimony for Christ that would ADD 2,000 men to their number of believers (adding women would mean the Church was growing now closer to 8,000), AND that their subsequent arrest would provide an opportunity to Share the Gospel before the Sanhedrin giving a Bold Testimony for Christ.
“Jesus IS “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:11-12 NIV)
I think one of the most compelling things out of this scripture is that this lame man was laid at this same Temple gate called Beautiful-every day—all his life-and he was over 40 yrs old (vs 22).
Jesus and His disciples would have passed by him many times.
This lame beggar only asked for money.
But Jesus had something SO much better waiting!
The Gate Called Beautiful— in this usage Beautiful comes from the Greek word “hóraios” which isn’t beautiful in terms of its “physical” beauty BUT-
beautiful in timing, the right hour, beautiful fulfillment.
Living Boldly for Jesus-
My takeaway —be Prayed up—at all times-
Ask Jesus—daily—for a Fresh Filling—of His Spirit—
because we never know when God’s Beautiful Gate of Fulfillment will OPEN—
Peter and John were ‘on their way’ to afternoon prayer at the Temple.
As Katie has often shared during Dream Team Meetings, Jesus did MANY of His miracles “along the way” when HE was headed somewhere to DO something else.
“By this we KNOW with confident assurance that we abide in HIM and HE in us, because HE has given to us HIS Holy Spirit.” (1 John 4:13 AMP)
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
HE anointed us, set HIS seal of ownership on us,
and put HIS Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV)
PRAYER:
LORD Jesus,
There is NO God like You. YOU are Loving and Miraculous and Creative in how You Touch People’s Lives-Meeting them right where they are at. Thank You for Calling me out of darkness when I didn’t even know I was living in darkness. Forgive me for all of the wasted years and wasted opportunities. Forgive me for the times I have been distracted. Forgive me for the times I have had my own agenda and not looked to YOU First for Your Way and Your Timing. Help me to hear your voice. Interrupt my plans so I can be used “along the way”.
Thank You that Your Harvest is all around us-every day. Take my blinders off. Give me Your Eyes and Your Heart. FILL me Fresh With Your Spirit for this Day. YOU, Alone know what each day holds. Embolden me by Your Holy Spirit to Step deeper into the water. Here I am Lord, Send Me. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka