Acts 8 - 9.11.24

Scripture

Acts 8:29-30

 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

Observation

In Acts chapter 8, Christ-followers start scattering from Jerusalem due to persecution. Vs. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. They told everyone they saw about Jesus and they prayed for them and they performed miracles. And they spread the news of Jesus throughout the world. And they should continue to be our example!

As I kept reading, I noticed something else.

Vs. 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he did.

Vs 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” So he did.

Then, vs. 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

Because of Philip’s obedience, he was in the right place at the right time to be used by God.

Application

If I really want to be used by God, I need to learn to listen to his promptings and obey. Instead, so many times I justify why I cannot respond. I don’t think Philip knew why he was supposed to go down the desert road and I’m sure he had no idea why the spirit told him to go hang out by a chariot and wait. But he obeyed.

“Philip’s obedience to God indicates why God was able to use him so powerfully. Instead of raising questions about the sense of going out on a desert road, he went. Instead of discussing the wisdom of a strange, lone person approaching an undoubtedly well-protected caravan, he ran up to it. If we wonder why there seems an absence of direction by God in our day, perhaps we need to look at the quality of our obedience.” Asbury Bible Commentary

Prayer

Thank you for this reminder today. Forgive me for the many times that I allow my lack of faith and my excuses to win out over your voice. You have called me and equipped me. Help me to listen to your promptings. If I want to be used by you, I need to learn to listen and obey.

- Debbie Dunn

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