Acts 15 - 12.19.25

Scripture

Acts 15:1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

Observation

The early church has the same problems some of our current churches do. You are saved with conditions. The estimated amount of laws that Moses gave out, beside the Ten Commandments, were around 613 laws. The men in that early church were told to be circumcised and follow the laws of Moses or they were not saved. That is so burdensome and can cause discouragement. Think about today’s believers or people we are talking to about Jesus. If we said you are saved if you follow a bunch of rules they would be discouraged and maybe check out mentally.

We were saved by grace and not by works Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:8 - For it by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast

Application     

The burden of following lots of rules can be heavy for us. If it is heavy for us, think about a new believer?  As leaders, we should not put a heavy yoke on a new believer. Jesus did not put that kind of yoke on us. We need to mentor others with mercy and grace just as Jesus does for us. Jesus also broke these commandments and rules down to two commandments.

Mark 12:29-31 As we look at the Greatest Commandments Jesus answers, “the most important one is this: hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love you neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

If we follow these commandments, the others will take care of themselves because our love for Jesus.

The book of Titus is just three chapters and is a great guide on how, as men and women of the Lord, we are to mentor others.  

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy on us. In Matthew 11:28-30 you said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  As a leader, let me lead by your example, Jesus. Let your Holy Spirit guide me. Let me be humble and gentle with my words and may my words glorify you always, Jesus. In Jesus name amen.

- Robert Oberg

Psalm 119 - 12.18.25

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 119:140  - Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

OBSERVATION

Another version: Your word is very pure, therefore your servant loves it: WHEREFORE THE THEREFORE?

Thoroughly tested, the Bible gives us almost unending reasons to love the word of God and the God who gave it to us.

· It is the word of the LORD (Genesis 15:1).

· It is the word of God (Luke 8:11).

· It is the word of the kingdom (Matthew 13:19).

· It is the word of salvation (Acts 13:26).

· It is the word of grace (Acts 14:3).

· It is the word of the gospel (Acts 15:7).

· It is the word of faith (Romans 10:8).

· It is the word of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18).

· It is the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19).

· It is the word of truth (2 Corinthians 6:7).

· It is the word of life (Philippians 2:16).

· It is the word of Christ (Colossians 3:16).

· It is the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).

Verse 142: Holding fast to the true word.  Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.

APPLICATION

It is humbling to think we are His servants. What does it mean to be a servant?  - https://biblehub.com/topical/s/servant.htm

In the Christian life, servanthood is a response to God's grace, characterized by humility, obedience, and love. It is a means of participating in God's redemptive work in the world, as believers serve one another and the broader community in the name of Christ.

To me it means a response to God’s grace of humility, obedience and love when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior…the third part of the TRINITY: Father, SON and HOLY SPIRIT (that He left with us ALWAYS) and that we are to be His witness with humility and love to bring others to know HIM — the ultimate goal.  Besides family and friends, being His witness can be in the workplace, or randomly when we see them or someone struggle and then ask to pray for them.  AND it is our DSC MISSION: Love God. Love People. Make Disciples. 

PRAYER

OH Lord Jesus, I come before you on bended knees with humility and love for all you’ve done for me in my lifetime!  AND for who you ARE Jesus, and all you’ve done for “us” to have eternal life with You when you suffered more than words can bear.

At this precious season of the fulfillment of the prophesy of your birth, let us be reminded of all your precious mommy and earthly daddy did for you, as GOD fulfilled the promise of a savior through them.

Luke 2:11-14  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Lord, show me how to reach out to others to pray for them and pray with them. Let this season of Christmas have more meaning than just decorating and buying gifts. I honor you my Jesus, and thank you for this season of your birth. Give me your words to be a witness to others of your glory.  Amen.

- Charleen Zakarian

Psalm 119 - 12.17.25

Scripture

Psalm 119:124-125

Deal with your servant according to your love
    and teach me your decrees.

 I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.

Observation

These verses caught my attention, because I want to be a servant of the Lord and I want discernment to understand his statutes and direction.

Servant: someone totally devoted, owned, or commissioned to serve a master, characterized by humility, obedience, and sacrifice, often involving doing whatever the master commands to further their will, even laying down personal rights and desires.

Application

James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you".

God promises to give us wisdom and discernment. But we have to truly seek.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

How can we diligently seek his wisdom, discernment, and direction? He reveals himself to us in prayer and in the word. Here are some good habits to follow in our Bible reading:

1.     Before reading, ask him to reveal himself to you in the scripture.

2.     Read with intention – to learn more about him, instead of checking off a daily chore.

3.     When he reveals something to you – write it down!

4.     Memorize it!

Prayer

You promise to reveal yourself to me generously and that is what I truly want. I don’t want to waste time skimming your word, I want to dive in and see what you want to reveal to me. Help me to walk out what you have spoken to me.

- Debbie Dunn