Acts 4 - 4.16.25

Scripture 

“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)

Observation

God had performed a huge miracle through Peter and John, and healed a man who was lame from his birth. This was a miracle that no one could refute, when they saw the man “walking and jumping and praising God” (Acts 3:8). The Jewish authorities arrested Peter and John and questioned them on how they were able to do this. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly declared that it was faith in the name of Jesus that made this man whole, and that there is no other name given under heaven by which men might be saved, besides the name of Jesus (Acts 4:11,12). The Jewish leaders threatened them and warned them not to speak in Jesus name ever again.

Peter and John replied that they could not help speaking about what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20). By making this bold statement in front of the people who crucified Jesus just a few weeks prior to that time, they were declaring that they did not consider their life more important than obeying Jesus. They were truly taking their cross and following him (Matthew 16:24). We know from reliable church history and tradition that Peter was crucified upside down, and that John died while in solitary exile in the island of Patmos. Both of them considered their faith and their witness more important than their life.

Application

All of us who have accepted the Lord in our lives have tasted and known that He is good (Psalms 34:8). We have “seen” his goodness, we have “heard” our shepherd’s voice. Can we say like Peter and John, that we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard? Or do we choose to be silent about our faith to gain the approval of others?

“Woe unto me if I do not preach the gospel”, said Apostle Paul (1 Cor 9:17). Being a witness is not an option, but a commandment. The last commandment Jesus gave before ascending into heaven after resurrection was that we should be a witness for Him in Jerusalem, Samaria and the ends of the world (Acts 1:8). This is a commandment to witness Jesus in our immediate surroundings/workplace (Jerusalem), our extended environment like our social circles (Samaria) and all opportunities beyond our comfort zone (the ends of the world).

Let us also remember the words of Jesus, “If you are ashamed of me and of my teaching, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).  Let us do our best to present ourselves to God as  a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). 

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for choosing me to be your child. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to taste and see that you are good. Help me Lord, to obey your great commission. Help me to be a faithful witness of what you have done for me. Help me to share the good news of your salvation to all you lead me to. Help me to be faithful and obedient. I know I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me (Phil 4:13). In Jesus name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

2 Chronicles 7 - 4.15.25

SCRIPTURE:  2 Chronicles 7:1-3  "When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.  When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord saying, "He is good; His love endures forever."

OBSERVATION:  Solomon's prayer was answered in a very powerful way! 

The Israelites responded by saying, "He is good, His love endures forever".  I'm pretty sure that would not have been my response!  Even though I know God is good and loving, I probably would have be terrified seeing that, and just started running as fast as I possibly could!    

The priests could not enter the temple because the glory of the Lord filled it!  Can you picture how awesome/scary that must have been to see fire coming down from heaven, and the glory of the Lord above the temple!  

Fire is one of the most powerful symbols used throughout the Bible.  It has been used to represent God's holiness and judgement.  In the Old Testament God used it to reveal Himself to Moses in the burning bush.  God also used it to symbolize His wrath when He rained down fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.  In the New Testament fire is used to represent purification, the Holy Spirit, and judgement.  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire as it rested on the disciples, empowering them to spread the Gospel.  Fire also symbolizes eternal judgement, as in the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his followers.  The imagery of fire reminds us of God's greatness and His desire to make us holy, righteous, and pure. 

APPLICATION:  God cleanses, refines, and purifies our heart's.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:9).  

The fire that God sent which was continuously burning under the altar of burnt offering symbolized God's presence.  When we were born-again, God's abiding presence, and continual purifying power came into our lives. 

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for hearing our prayers, and for the awesome ways You demonstrate Your power through our prayers. I praise You and thank You Jesus for Your purifying power that makes us able to stand before Father God pure and holy because of what You did for us on the cross.  I pray Holy Spirit that You will put a fire in my heart that burns away everything that is not of You.  Just as Your eyes and Your heart were on the temple that Solomon built and dedicated to You, Your eyes and Your ears are attentive to the prayers which I offer up in faith from the temple of my heart that I dedicate to You. 

- Robin Orefice

Psalm 73 - 4.14.25

Scripture

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

‬‬

Observation

This is a psalm of Asaph, but it could very well be a psalm of my youth because it seems Asaph was struggling here with what I was going through when I was 18-23 years old.

In this psalm, Asaph writes about how he almost fell from his faith because he was jealous of all the wicked people around him. Here Asaph was trying to do good, trying to do the right thing, but he found himself struggling in life. Meanwhile, the wicked and arrogant who totally went against God’s ways seemed to be living the “good life”. 

But at the end of the day, Asaph is reminded of what happens to the wicked:

“Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.” -Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ 

Application

Life on earth is as good as it will ever get for the nonbeliever. For the believer, life on earth is as bad as it will ever be. The best is yet to come for those who follow Jesus!

It’s part of my testimony and is what caused me to rededicate my life back to Jesus. I too was in Asaph’s shoes. I tried living a godly life, only to find struggle after struggle. Then, I looked around me and saw people living ungodly lives, living worry free and blessed in riches. I hate to admit it, but it caused me to stumble. I rebelled and tried living that ungodly life. It wasn’t until one day, I was at a house party, and I looked at the people around me. I felt the Holy Spirit say, “This is the best as it is going to get for these people here. This is the highlight of their day. They spend their hard earned money to just waste it on drugs and alcohol and they repeat this cycle day after day.” I knew God wanted more for me. He told me that day, “I have more in store for you if you follow me.” And literally the next day I rededicated my life to Jesus. Within a year, I went from being in a dead end job, to finding a career. I went from being single and lonely, to starting a courtship with my future wife and the rest is history. And guess what?! The best is yet to come!

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”-Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭‬‬

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for never giving up on me, for calling me back to You when I went astray. You have blessed and protected me throughout my life. I am humbled that I get to be called Your child and get to inherit Your Kingdom because of my faith in Jesus. I pray that I can tell others the story You gave me. May it give them hope. May it bring them salvation because of their willingness to put their faith in Jesus’ name. I pray these things in Your Holy Name Jesus, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi