Listening to the Word

Job 9-10; Acts 13-14   “…Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said. Paul and Barnabus appointed elders for them in each church and with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” Acts 14:21-23 As Paul and Barnabus contended for healthy DNA in the new churches they had planted, preparing these disciples for persecution was an essential discipleship-topic. They modeled fasting and prayer as the way decisions were to be discerned and trust in God expressed. It was their lives as much as their words which provided the discipleship-message. How are we strengthening and establishing new believers in their faith and in discipleship? Are we living a costly discipleship, or have we forgotten the core curriculum of the early church? “Lord Jesus, thank you for your goodness and love in the mids...

Job 6-8; Acts 12   “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains…” Acts 12:5, 6 Peter was imprisoned, bound by chains, guarded, facing a death sentence yet sleeping peacefully. How was this possible? Peace is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather on the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy through the Holy Spirit indwelling us. The reality of this kingdom is greater than the kingdoms of this world. Herod could not hold Peter imprisoned if God chose to release him. The church was praying to God because they, too, were living in the reality of Christ’s ultimate authority in the kingdom of God, far above all rule and authority, title, and dominion on earth. Peter’s life rested in the hands of God and so can ours. “Lord Jesus, fill me with the reality of your peac...

Job 5; Psalms 108; Acts 10-11   “Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’ The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’…’I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who hear him and do what is right.’” Acts 10:13-15, 34, 35 The table of the Lord is open to all people who respond to his offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. God does not show favoritism but has made room at his table for all nations. All religions restrict diets which restrict who can join the table. Not only does the gospel invite everyone to the table, but the followers of Christ also have no barriers toward those with whom they can eat. Are our tables open? Do we invite only those to our table who are like us, or is our table as open as the Lord’s Table? Do we still call anything “impure” that God has made clean? How ...

Job 3-4; Acts 8-9   “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there…When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.” Acts 8:3-5, 25 The persecution of the church following the stoning of Stephen scattered the disciples throughout the region, including Samaritan villages they would have formerly avoided. The pain, confusion, and cost of persecution were redeemed by the Lord for the advance of the kingdom of God beyond the Jewish culture. When our focus is on Jesus and his kingdom, rather than our own safety, comfort, or health, we, too, can live on mission regardless of our circumstances. The Samaritan woman at the well and her believing friends in Sychar probably offered shelter ...

Job 1-2; Acts 6-7   “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, 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 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2-4 The Twelve apostles recognized that they had been neglecting the table of the Lord while they focused on the table-serving ministry of widows and those in need. The immediate needs of those around us capture our attention and we, too, can ignore the Lord’s invitation to live for more than bread alone, but rather on “every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3).   Have we prioritized the Word of God and prayer in our daily habits? This is the real food available at the Lord’s Table; food which strengthens our inner being so we can serve, love, and witness to those ar...

Malachi 3-4; Psalms 148; Acts 5 “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver…” Malachi 3:2, 3 Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. The tongues of fire that rested on the 120 disciples in the Upper Room at Pentecost represented the sanctifying, purifying work of the Holy Spirit. Ananias and Sapphira’s hearts were quickly exposed by this intense refining fire. In the presence of the Lord, we are convicted of sin and given the opportunity to repent. The “launderer’s soap” is purifying a bride for her Bridegroom as we await the return of Christ. Like John the Baptist, we, too, are announcing the coming of the Lord. We, too, are making ourselves ready as a bride without blemish, spot, or wrinkle. We enter the cleansing, convicting presence of the Lord now, so we can stand at h...