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Michelle Gaddi 10/30/23 Michelle Gaddi 10/30/23

Acts 20 - 10.30.23

Scripture

Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬ ‭ERV

“I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I finish my work. I want to finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”

Observation

As Paul says his goodbyes to his friends and church family, he prepares to venture off back to Jerusalem. Now Paul is aware of the trials, jail time, and suffering that lies ahead of him. But, he is more concerned and focused on finishing the task at hand. He wants to finish the mission that Jesus gave him and that mission was to tell others the Good News about God’s grace.

Application

Have a heart for the lost.

A couple of months ago, I watched a video on YouTube about a young man who went on a missions trip to a remote island so he could share the Good News about Jesus with the tribe that inhabited that island. Local governments warned people not to go near that island because the indigenous tribe that occupied it were quite frankly, savage. They had no interest in knowing the outside world and would attack anyone who would dare step foot on their island. But this young man felt the need to share the gospel with these people. So despite the warnings, he went anyway. Now I wish I could tell you that this young man stepped foot on the island and was able to make connections with these tribesmen and they all accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior that day. But, unfortunately the story didn’t end that way. The truth was this young man was killed by this tribe. The truth is that this young man’s death left his parents’ heart broken and bitter about Christianity. But, the truth also is that this young man was willing to risk his life to share with people he didn’t know, about the love of God.

The journal entries of this young man’s final days were later found. Although they showed he was scared, it also showed his desire to share with these people about God’s love for them. He was willing to accept whatever fate was to come of it and as he began realizing his death was imminent, he wrote his loved ones to not retrieve his body and to not get angry at God because of his death. At the end of the day, he knew where his eternal destination laid (with Jesus in Heaven). He just wanted to be sure others had the same opportunity to get there as well.

I find myself challenged today by the likes of this young man and the Apostle Paul. They had such a HUGE heart for the lost. They were willing to go to places where they knew they weren’t wanted. They were willing to endure the pain and suffering. They were even willing to lay down their lives in order for others to hear the gospel message and have the opportunity to be saved. Now that’s commitment! That is love-(the same love Jesus demonstrated for us) and that is now our mission.

“I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”-1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬ ‭

Prayer

Father God, I pray today for a heart to see the lost the way You do. I pray for a compassionate heart, a heart filled with love for them. I pray for a heart that yearns for people that don’t know You yet, to come to know You. Give me the boldness and courage to share with these people about Your love for them. May You soften these people’s hearts and draw them to You Lord. May Your free gift of salvation be a gift that keeps on giving. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Hosea 3 - 10.27.2023

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Hosea 3:1

The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

This morning as I read Hosea 3:1 I almost inwardly groaned. That is such a tough pill to swallow. And then as I read the second half of the first verse I felt like the Lord lifted that burden from me.I was forced to look for what sacred raisin cakes were and after some very cursory internet research the majority of what I read appeared to point to them being an aphrodisiac.

So to paraphrase, the Lord was telling Hosea to go show love to Homer again (this wasn’t the first time!), who was loved by another man, and who was an adulterer. And to love her as the Lord loves the Israelites (which I have always felt was a weird proxy for humanity but I could be wrong) though they worship idols and love aphrodisiacs.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

For my application this morning, I feel compelled to repent. Forgive me Lord for sinning against you. I’m not sure I turned towards other gods but I haven’t walked towards you as often as I ought to have.

I am reminded this morning of my Dad’s advice to me whenever I would get so upset with my brother when we were younger. He would look at me with consternation and with this strained, pleading, yet totally authoritative Dad voice tell me, “Open your heart son.”

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

Help me to open my heart this morning, Lord. Towards, my family, my friends, yikes even my co-workers. Help me to become a man of love like you. A love that is deep and wide, a love that covers the most heinous of wrongs. A love that gave us everything including the life of Your one and only Son, so that we may have the opportunity to be with You. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee

Acts 18 - 10.26.23

Scripture

Acts‬ ‭18‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV

“When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Observation

Every Sabbath in Corinth, Paul would try to teach to the Jewish people in the synagogue that Jesus was the Messiah. However, a lot of the people opposed his teachings. They would even insult him. You think that would discourage Paul?..ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Paul pretty much shook it off, and went on to the next town to continue to preach the gospel message.

Application

We may not have the power to change people’s hearts, (only God can). All we can do is be obedient to continue to preach the Good News about Jesus.

Paul knew this sentiment. If anyone knew that it is God who has the power to soften and change people’s hearts, it would definitely be Paul. Paul both literally and figuratively has seen the light. He has seen the truth! And now Paul is making that decision to be fully obedient to Jesus, no matter what the costs. He knew that his life following Jesus would face opposition. But Paul didn’t shy away from the mission Jesus had given him. Paul was willing to take on this challenge and share the Good News about Jesus everywhere he went!

So as I go out today and find opportunities to share with others about Jesus, I shouldn’t let the fear of rejection or the fear of looking dumb get in my way. At the end of the day, Jesus has entrusted me, He has entrusted we as believers, with a very important mission. And that mission is:

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”-‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20