"When the day of Pentecost arrived..." (Acts 2:1)
Consider these two questions. What did the disciples do to cause Pentecost to come? Was Pentecost a day that the disciples primarily learned something, or did something?
First, what did the disciples do to cause Pentecost? I believe the answer to that question is, "Absolutely nothing." Jesus told them before His ascension that the Holy Spirit was coming. It was a sovereign act of God in fulfillment of His promise.
Secondly, I believe the disciples primarily did something. Actually, something was done through them. But it was not primarily a learning moment in a classroom. We have too much of that in the American church and not enough action.
For 10 days the disciples waited in prayer. They were asking God to prepare them to maximize the opportunity He would provide. God gives us incredible opportunities to proclaim His message everyday. Are we ready? Have we found time to be alone with God so that He could prepare us? What will you do with the opportunities God gives you today to proclaim His word?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Direction
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." (Ps. 119:105)
I memorized that scripture verses many years ago in Vacation Bible School one summer, but find it is still important day by day in my life. Often the Bible describes living as a "walk". So as you walk life's path, what is it that guides your life? Where do you find direction? Many today find their direction from their peer group, or even from television. Others look to Pastor Phil or Pastor Oprah. But God says that we should allow His Word to direct us.
Someone has said, We need to study the Bible so that we can master God's Word. But more importantly, we need to take another step. We need to allow God's Word to master us. In other words, God's word is living (Heb. 4:12) and it speaks directly to our life. And through it God calls for us to make decisions related to obeying Him. So when we read God's Word, we allow it to speak to our hearts, and then we surrender to it to obey.
I memorized that scripture verses many years ago in Vacation Bible School one summer, but find it is still important day by day in my life. Often the Bible describes living as a "walk". So as you walk life's path, what is it that guides your life? Where do you find direction? Many today find their direction from their peer group, or even from television. Others look to Pastor Phil or Pastor Oprah. But God says that we should allow His Word to direct us.
Someone has said, We need to study the Bible so that we can master God's Word. But more importantly, we need to take another step. We need to allow God's Word to master us. In other words, God's word is living (Heb. 4:12) and it speaks directly to our life. And through it God calls for us to make decisions related to obeying Him. So when we read God's Word, we allow it to speak to our hearts, and then we surrender to it to obey.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Prove It
"Feed my sheep." (John 21)
Three times in John 21 Jesus asks Simon Peter, "Do you love me?" Each time Simon affirms that he does indeed. And each time Jesus then says, "Feed my sheep." It is almost as if Jesus says, "Ok, if you love me, you don't prove it by how loudly you sing, 'O How I love Jesus,' but by obeying me. Feed my sheep."
It is the process that the apostle Paul instructed young Timothy with in 2 Tim. 2:2, "The things you have heard from me among many witnesses, these same things teach to others, who will in turn be able to teach others also." We are not all preachers or teachers, but we are all to be disciples and we are all instructed to make disciples.
Sheep are often stubborn and smelly. They will butt you when you are not looking. They are so dumb that they constantly wander off where they are in great danger. Jesus says, "It is not out of love for sheep that you are to obey me, but out of love for me." Do you love Jesus today? Then prove it. Feed His sheep.
Three times in John 21 Jesus asks Simon Peter, "Do you love me?" Each time Simon affirms that he does indeed. And each time Jesus then says, "Feed my sheep." It is almost as if Jesus says, "Ok, if you love me, you don't prove it by how loudly you sing, 'O How I love Jesus,' but by obeying me. Feed my sheep."
It is the process that the apostle Paul instructed young Timothy with in 2 Tim. 2:2, "The things you have heard from me among many witnesses, these same things teach to others, who will in turn be able to teach others also." We are not all preachers or teachers, but we are all to be disciples and we are all instructed to make disciples.
Sheep are often stubborn and smelly. They will butt you when you are not looking. They are so dumb that they constantly wander off where they are in great danger. Jesus says, "It is not out of love for sheep that you are to obey me, but out of love for me." Do you love Jesus today? Then prove it. Feed His sheep.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Who or What do you love Most?
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15)
It is after the Resurrection, and fresh in Peter's memory was the night of his denial of his Lord. But now it is time for restoration and renewal. Jesus and Peter walking alone delve into the most significant of all question. "Simon, I need to know, what is most important in your life? Where is your heart? Are you devoted to me with all of your being? Do you love me more than anyone or anything else?"
This first place love for Jesus is so important than in Rev. 3 we discover that Jesus warns the church at Ephesus if they do not return to their first love, He will remove their lampstand, which is a symbolic way of saying they will cease to be a church. So many people today have a place in their life for Jesus, but it is not the place of pre-eminence. He is resident in them, but He is not allowed to rule as Lord.
Sometimes we are so busy serving God and ministering in the name of Jesus that we forget that the most important matter is this, "Do you love me more than these?" And like Simon Peter, when Jesus presses that issue, we are grieve to be so exposed. "Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?'" (Jo. 21:17)
It is after the Resurrection, and fresh in Peter's memory was the night of his denial of his Lord. But now it is time for restoration and renewal. Jesus and Peter walking alone delve into the most significant of all question. "Simon, I need to know, what is most important in your life? Where is your heart? Are you devoted to me with all of your being? Do you love me more than anyone or anything else?"
This first place love for Jesus is so important than in Rev. 3 we discover that Jesus warns the church at Ephesus if they do not return to their first love, He will remove their lampstand, which is a symbolic way of saying they will cease to be a church. So many people today have a place in their life for Jesus, but it is not the place of pre-eminence. He is resident in them, but He is not allowed to rule as Lord.
Sometimes we are so busy serving God and ministering in the name of Jesus that we forget that the most important matter is this, "Do you love me more than these?" And like Simon Peter, when Jesus presses that issue, we are grieve to be so exposed. "Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?'" (Jo. 21:17)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
