28 Days: Day 6
SCRIPTURE
- Acts 2:42-47
OBSERVATION
One of the greatest enemies of a growing Christian is isolation. I believe that this is why the early church stressed that believers devote themselves to the fellowship. People need to be in community. In community we can encourage one another, show love to one another, spur one another on to love and good deeds. We can pray for one another. James tells us that we must confess our sins one to another to that we may be healed. Maintaining open, sharing, and praying relationships with other Christians will help keep believers from bottoming out in their spiritual lives. The fellowship helps to give the spiritual strength that provides victory over sin. And they also provide godly pressure to confess and forsake sins before they become overwhelming to the point of total spiritual defeat. Then we have the understanding of accomplishing the mission of the church as well. The most effective way that is accomplished is as the community of believers, each person bringing their gifts and talents to help make the mission possible.
UNDERSTANDING
One person’s witty definition of TEAM is together everyone achieves more. Apart from being witty it carries great truth. Together we can accomplish so much more for the kingdom of heaven than trying to do our own things. There is power in unity. Too often we run away from unity because we confuse uniformity with unity. God does not call us to all look, act and dress the same but He wants us to come together and agree upon pursuing the Great Commission together. When we allow God to knit our hearts together in the bond of His Spirit we can accomplish great and mighty things for the Kingdom.
LIFE APPLICATION
If DSC is to be a Great Commission Movement we must be unified. That means following the God appointed leaders and embracing their plan for fulfilling the Great Commission. Yes there are many different ways to become a Great Commission Movement but a DSC family that is in unity will rally around the God appointed leader. I guess that requires putting your trust in that leader but then again trust is the currency of unity. Will you join your heart, mind and strength in unity around the plan for the Great Commission here at DSC? Ask God to help you be in unity with the DSC family.
28 Days: Day 5
SCRIPTURE
- Acts 2:42-47
OBSERVATION
“They devoted themselves to prayer…” If we are to be a Great Commission Movement then this is one of the non-negotiables. We have talked about prayer at Desert Streams for many years but still we lack this very important ingredient – an absolute devotion to prayer.
UNDERSTANDING
Disciples of Jesus have some duties to perform. According to the first church, the important duties were – being taught the scriptures, being involved in doing life together with other believers, being Christ-centered in their living and being people of prayer. If we are not devoted to these things then God is not the highest priority of our lives. Ouch that’s harsh – but still true.
- John 14:13-14 (NIV) 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus tells us that if we pray and ask for anything then He will do it. Are we relentlessly pursuing God’s provision in every area of our lives – corporately and individually?The devotion to prayer is key to the power of God demonstrated in the lives of believers.
LIFE APPLICATION
What would it look like if we were all devoted to praying together? I believe the results would be phenomenal. I wonder if there are any of you who are feeling a holy discontent for the way things are and you are longing for the way things ought to be? You know it only takes just a few who are willing to pursue an absolute devotion to prayer, will you be one? Could this be the time where the Called at DSC will rise up and begin to pursue prayer in such a way that it releases a torrent of souls saved? Will you say yes to prayer? Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:20am. You are part of the prayer team that powers a Great Commission Movement.
28 Days: Day 4
SCRIPTURE
- Acts 1:8 and Acts 2
OBSERVATION
You have been handed an assignment and at first you think that this is mission impossible and that you will self-destruct in 10 seconds. That is when you must remind yourself that God never gives us a task without equipping us for it. Like 007 we walk into the room with Q and we are outfitted with all the right equipment for succeeding at our mission – in our case all we have need for is Holy Spirit power. You will receive power to be His witnesses.
UNDERSTANDING
Jesus is risen from the grave and for forty days appeared to people. What an amazing experience it must have been. As His witnesses He wanted them to be confident that He was truly risen, that He would be coming back, that they were on a mission to declare His gospel of Good News, and, He wanted them to know that they would have the power they needed for accomplishing whatever He would ask of them as they were about His business.Look at Peter in our reading today and remind yourself that God wants to do through you just what He did in Peter. Peter became a witness to the nations when He was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Begin right now by asking God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and get ready to accomplish the mission.
LIFE APPLICATION
Lord I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will be evident in your people at DSC as they respond to being your witnesses. Demonstrate your power through them with courage, miracles and great wisdom.