Acts 4 - 1.2.23

Scripture

Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”

Observation-What does it say?

Peter and John were called in by the Council. All the rulers, elders, high priests, and teachers of religious law met with them. They questioned Peter and John and asked them, “by what power or by whose name were you using that enabled you to heal that man who has been crippled since birth?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responded in a way that amazed them all. For they knew that these two were just ordinary, uneducated men. How could they speak with such authority? How can they speak with such boldness and eloquence? Then they realized that these men have been with Jesus.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Spending time with Jesus changes you.

You ever hear that saying, “they’re beginning to look alike because they are spending so much time together”? It usually refers to couples. Sometimes I even hear it referenced to pets and their owners 😆. But there is some truth behind it. It basically means when someone spends so much time with another person, they begin to pick up some of their mannerisms. They dress alike. They talk alike. They walk alike. And yes, they eventually can even look alike.

At the end of verse 13, the Council were amazed with the boldness and confidence that Peter and John spoke. I love how the verse states that the Council then realized that Peter and John spent time with Jesus. You see, when you spend time with Jesus, it changes you. Peter and John were Jesus’ disciples. They listened and hung on to every word he spoke. They served alongside Jesus during his time in ministry. They basically did life together. And you know what? It changed them. Spending time with Jesus transformed these two ordinary, uneducated fishermen, into men who spoke with such eloquence and authority. It caused others around them to see the presence of Jesus in their lives.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.”-Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬a

Life Application

Can people see Jesus in me by the way I speak and act?

Carry on the characteristics of Jesus by spending time with Him daily. Read His Word, do what it says, communicate with Him through prayer, and serve alongside Him by carrying on His ministry of helping others. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out. It’s the best way to point others to Jesus and help them experience Him through the way we live our lives and shine His light on them. ❤️

-Moses Gaddi

Acts 3 - 12.30.22

Scripture

Acts 3:9-10

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Observation – What does it say?

God had just healed a crippled beggar through Peter and John. The result? Well, aside from this man’s life being completely changed, people took notice. This man begged daily at the same busy place and everyone knew and recognized him. And when they saw him walking, jumping and praising God their jaws dropped and the crowds came running to see what happened.

This provided an opportunity for Peter to explain and share the gospel with them, resulting in the salvation of many.

Understanding – What does it mean?

God uses miracles as tools to save many.

The same thing happened in the previous chapter. A crowd gathers because of this strange miracle where God enabled his followers to declare His praises in languages they didn’t know. The response of the crowd observing the miracle:

Acts 2:12

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Two passages in a row God performs a miracle, a crowd forms to investigate, Peter explained what was happening and presented the gospel, many put their faith in Jesus and were saved. If this was God’s method of saving many then, recorded in scripture for us, why wouldn’t we pray for him to use the same methods today through us?

Life Application

Pray!

God, please reveal yourself in ways that cause crowds to gather and hearts to be open to the gospel. Fill us with faith to ask you for the impossible, and when you answer may we be bold in sharing Jesus with those who ask about the miracles. We ask for multitudes to come to faith in Jesus, and we ask you to choose to use us to partner with you in reaching them. Amen.

Habakkuk 3:2

Lord, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known;
    in wrath remember mercy.

-Levi Thompson

Psalm 146- 12.29.22

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 146: 3-4 NIV

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”

OBSERVATION:

Psalm 146 begins a series of “The Five Final Psalms-known as the Hallelujah Psalms”. We don’t know who wrote this psalm—but whoever penned it—God was the author. There are “Life-Giving” words here that I have lived by for many years. Today in my Soul Journal I am sharing a few Takeaways.

UNDERSTANDING:

First, Hallelujah—Praise the Lord.

It’s funny but I was a believer for awhile before I knew the meaning of certain words—and then it reaches that awkward stage—where you don’t want to ask. (haha) Hallelujah was one of those words back in the day. “Praise the Lord”. The first half of the word, from the word hillel, means praise, and its used hundreds of times in the Bible. “jah” is a shortened form of the 4-letter Hebrew name for the LORD, YHWH, pronounced Yahweh. God is Worthy of our Praise.

Let Everything in my Soul—stop—surrender—in complete praise and thanksgiving—to my Creator—the lover of my soul—deep calls unto deep. Selah.

Today, the first few verses of this Psalm caught my attention because it said “human beings cannot save”. How true this statement is. There is much unrest in the world today. The news is unsettling to say the least. Where is my trust? Is my reliance placed in a person OR God? God IS in Control. Humans are mere mortals—there is no salvation in them. Salvation comes from God, ALONE—a Free Gift waiting to be Received-

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)

God cares SO deeply and personally for HIS Creation. Selah. May I pause and remember how often God has personally demonstrated His LOVE for me. When I was a new believer and did not know the Bible—I was struggling with the fact that my Father was in and out of my life. At that time God spoke a personal word to me, “Don’t you know I’ll always be your Father”. That day His spoken word blessed me so deeply. I held it in my heart and began praying specifically to my “Daddy” God. Several years later I came across Psalm 146 and read these words—and saw God’s spoken word to me confirmed.

“The Lord protects the strangers; He supports (upholds, cares for) the fatherless...” (Psalm 146:9a NASB)

LIFE APPLICATION:

May I encourage you to read Psalm 146 Today—especially verses 5-9—as they are FILLED with God’s promises. This Psalm shares that God is faithful, HE will open eyes (Spiritually and physically), HE is your provider, HE sets prisoners FREE (Emotionally, spiritually, whatever is holding you-Jesus is able), HE is your advocate and will exact Justice—HE cares for and upholds the Fatherless, and the widows, the brokenhearted, He cares for those who are displaced—HE knows our needs. HE KNOWS—Cares, and Loves you deeply—

Selah…My God reigns!

Thank you, Daddy God, for your Love, for your Sovereign Protection. For knowing every need BEFORE it happens. For your provision. I want to Know You more and more. Like Mary..to sit at your feet. Help me to let go of everything that hinders me so that I may receive everything you have for me. I am yours.

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV)

Tina L Kudelka