Acts 7 - 9.10.24
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 7:48 - 50
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: 49 “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? 50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
OBSERVATION
This scripture isn’t necessary saying that building God’s house (church or temple) is a bad thing. The idea behind this scripture is a matter of pride. Are we above God that we’ll plan where he’ll live? God doesn’t live in a church building but resides in Heaven. God doesn’t need a physical building but we can use it as a place to honor God, fill it with our praises, invite his presence but not be a place to boast or use for prideful reasons. Is God’s position in the proper place in our life or are we occupying a place where God needs to be? Is He being honored for who he is or do we pridefully think we have any power or position to do anything in the name of God?
APPLICATION
Human “religious effort” can easily become anyone’s focus. It’s so easy to slide right into doing something “for God” but it’s not God’s business. Stephen was highlighting the fact that God is higher and above all these things. We can’t build a temple (church) and think that God will live there. Who are we to even think that we have any control over God’s plans? His actual home is on the throne in heaven. Earth is just where he rests His feet as a footstool. The idea is that earth and the things in it are subject to God. Nothing on earth is bigger than God. He’s the one who created everything on earth so why would he need us to build anything for him? He’s far above and bigger than anything our minds can behold.
Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. Psalm 89:8
Our human views about Godly things are where we all can fall. Any time we put ourselves in the driver’s seat of Godly matters, we have fallen down into a prideful pit. As followers of Christ, to avoid these pitfalls, it’s important to remember God’s place and our place. We can choose to be humble, and uphold God’s place on the Throne or become prideful and think our plans are above His.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always check my motives and actions in everything I do. Keep me from falling into the trap of “religious” actions. You are a mighty God, above all others, who sits on the throne in heaven. I’m sorry for ever thinking that I could do something on a human level when you’re the one who holds the heavens together, the sun, moon and stars in the sky. I am nothing without you. Your plans are perfect. Let me never forget my position as your servant, humble before your throne, and only wanting your ways. I’m thankful for your church where we can invite your Holy Spirit and worship you. Help me to always remember your proper position in the big picture of life as the Almighty God. In Jesus name…Amen!
- Mary Oberg
Acts 6 - 9.9.24
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
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 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.
Application
There is a cost to discipleship. There will be times in our walk with Jesus where we will need to take up our cross in order to follow him. (Matthew 16:24)
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.
What area of your life is God calling you to lay down for Him? Pride, offense, time, money, control, comforts of this world, self, etc.?
Pray to be full of the Spirit and wisdom and plug into the Source who gives His Spirit and wisdom fully.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:3-5 NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:2-4 NIV
Prayer
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
Deuteronomy 8 - 8.6.24
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:6-11 NKJV
”“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,“
Observations:
God was about to fulfill the promise He had given His people and bring them into the promised land. They had been in the desert wandering for 40 years. God fed them manna, their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell. He provided all their needs.
There is a huge contrast between the desert and the promise land. Verse 9 they were going into a land where they would lack nothing.
Moses is giving his last instructions from God to the people. He stood up for them when they rebelled. God was ready to strike them down and start over with Moses. He has so much love and compassion for them. Now he was admonishing them to follow God’s commands and they would be abundantly blessed.
He also knew that once they had it all it would be easy to forget it was all from God, and boast that they had done it all themselves. He was taking his time to repeat all the blessings and do all he could to prevent them from straying.
Application:
Deuteronomy 8:18 “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth and so confirms his covenant…”
God has done so much and I need to continually keep my eyes on Him as my source. It is important to remember the covenant, His commandments, promises, most of all what Jesus did to pay for my sins! Also, this Scripture says “for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” It will not fall to me on a silver platter. I have to do my part.
Robin shared so wonderfully Wednesday that if Jesus healed his enemy’s ear, He is willing and WILL Heal us.
This Scripture is a specific promise for this time. However, God had the same promises for us many other places in His Word. For example, Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” or lack nothing in some versions. “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4. I could go on and on. My goal, as I go through challenging times, is not to look in despair, but know God has prepared a promised land for me. Also, no matter how good things get to always praise Him as my source and obey His commands.
Prayer:
Father God thank you for your faithfulness, forgiveness, and love. Your Word is filled with so many incredible promises. I know you have plans for me, to prosper me and not harm me, to give me a hope and a future. Please help me always look to you in good times and those that are challenging. May everything I do bring honor to your name. Especially when times are good. I want to always point people to you. Amen
- Cindy Howard