Acts 6 - 1.4.23
Scripture
Acts 6:3-7
3 Brothers and sisters, 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 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Observation-What does it say?
This chapter covers the appointment of deacons and Stephen being falsely accused of blasphemy. (Matthew Henry’s commentary on Christianity.com)
The disciples needed help with ministry. In order for them to focus on prayer and teaching of the Word, they appointed 7 other men to take on some responsibilities that they didn’t have time for. In choosing these men, they didn’t look for the strongest, most gifted, most talented, or most educated men. They chose
based on 2 things: Being full of the Spirit and wisdom.
The Word of God spread as a result of those men being full of the Spirit and wisdom.
As we fast forward in the chapter, one of the men chosen, Stephen, would be falsely accused of blasphemy. I won’t spoil the next chapter if you are unfamiliar with his story, but those traits of being full of the Spirit and wisdom is what would sustain his faith through the hard tests, trials and persecution he was about to face.
Understanding-What does it mean?
There will be times in our walk with Jesus where we will need to take up our cross in order to follow Him.
I love how the Bible/God’s Word, doesn’t sugar coat anything. The Christian faith is definitely an adventure, which includes bumps along the way. Not only are we made aware of the joys of ministry in this chapter, like in verse 7 where “the Word of God spread and the number of disciples increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
Through Stephen’s story, we are also made aware of the trials of ministry, and how important being filled with Him is during those times.
Life Application
Pray to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Plug into the Source who gives the Spirit and wisdom fully and generously.
Our 28 days of prayer and fasting kicks off on Monday, January 9th and meeting with our one on ones started this week.
One of the things we are encouraged to do is pray for our vision and why. Why are we praying and fasting? Answering that question is what will sustain us when the hard times hit.
Prayer and fasting does bring with it many joys and closeness with Jesus, but the enemy hates it! When opposition arises and it starts getting challenging, our why is what will sustain us. In addition, being filled with the Spirit and His wisdom through it is what will sustain us.
Dear Lord, please give us more of Your Spirit and more wisdom through this adventure of faith with You. I want to come out of any trial or test that the enemy throws at me, refined, instead of defeated. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Acts 5 - 1.3.23
Scripture
Acts 5:38-39
“… Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Observation
In Acts 5, the apostles are put in jail for performing signs and wonders. An angel comes in the middle of the night, releases them, and tells them to continue to “tell the people all about this new life” – which they did! They were called before the Sanhedrin, and this time, they were going to be put to death. But one of the Sadducees cautioned in vs. 35, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.” He pointed out other times when revolutionary leaders had a following, and nothing ended up coming of it. He says “Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Instead of killing them, the Sanhedrin had them flogged, ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And as we all know, it didn’t turn out as they expected!
Understanding
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men. If we have been called by God, then men, or circumstances, will not be able to stop us. It is not our fight – it is God’s! I Thessalonians 5:24 - The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Life Application
Has God spoken to you – a promise or a calling? He is faithful and will fulfill it. One calling He has placed on all of us: Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
God, help me to remember that I have been called by You. When I am weak, frustrated with waiting, lacking in faith, or scared to step out, help me to remember that it is Your fight. You are in control of the outcome. It is only my job to obey.
- Debbie Dunn
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