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Category Archives: Peter and John

Peter & John — Acts 15:1-35

28 Dec

Acts 15:1-33,35 NIV
[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.” [2] This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. [3] The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. [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.” [6] The apostles and elders met to consider this question. [7] After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. [8] God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. [9] He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. [10] Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? [11] No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” [12] The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. [13] When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. [14] Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. [15] The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: [16] “ ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, [17] that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’— [18] things known from long ago. [19] “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. [20] Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. [21] For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” [22] Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. [23] With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. [24] We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. [25] So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— [26] men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [27] Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. [28] It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: [29] You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. [30] So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. [31] The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. [32] Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. [33] After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [35] But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Dear God, I’m kind of surprised that this is where we see the last of Peter and John in Acts. Peter gets to be the authority that settles this dispute about circumcision and then the book becomes about Paul’s travels.

Before starting to attend Catholic Church with my wife nearly eight years ago, I never realized that They consider Peter to be the first Pope. That makes sense, I suppose. I would imagine that his life and the evolution of his beliefs and what you taught him ended up surprising him. I’m sure he didn’t expect to be the head of a church and entire movement, and I’m certain he didn’t expect that one day he would be advocating for the acceptance of Gentiles into The Way.

I guess we all evolve over time as the Holy Spirit works on us. I’ve certainly evolved. I wonder, though, how much my evolution has been tainted by the teaching of men (and I’m not just referring to males), whether they be influencers from the church or from the world. Do I have the wisdom of Peter, Paul, Judas, and Silas? Am I hearing the Holy Spirit when I make decisions based on whom I should accept and whom I should reproach?

Father, my confession is that, until I get a good, clear word from you otherwise, I will default to love and encouraging people to pursue and embrace you. We are not even close to understanding your ways. I admit that. You are too great for me to comprehend. But you have proven your love to me so I will start there and then see if I can hear your voice and let your Holy Spirit guide me from there.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 28, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Acts 12:11-19

27 Dec

Acts 12:11-19
11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”
12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.

Dear God, I love the image of people sitting in a room praying together for Peter’s release, a woman comes in and tells them that Peter is at the door, and they tell her she’s crazy and then turn around and try to start praying again. I guess when verse 15 says they decided, “It must be his angel,” that tells us that they thought he might already be dead. They’ve just lost James and then Peter was arrested. I’m sure they had been rocked to their core.

I guess what can really be said for them is that they were praying and although they were limited in their knowledge of your power they were praying as big as they knew how. And I suppose you were able to take that prayer and then insert your own power to make it as big as you needed it to be. It’s a little like what I talked to you about a couple of days ago regarding the difference between how we would have planned salvation through the Messiah and how you planned it. Our human paradigms and minds are limited. You are unlimited.

The Bible is full of examples like this. David knew he would one day be king, but I’m sure he never imagined how complicated his path to the throne would be. And I’m sure that he wondered if he had missed it when he was forced to live in exile with Israel’s enemies. But your plan was bigger.

There are, of course, tons of other examples. Jonah and Nineveh. Daniel probably never imagined he would survive the lion’s den. Moses probably didn’t expect to have to go through the Red Sea.

I’ve seen it happen in my life too. I’ve seen you answer prayers that I had no idea I was praying. I’ve seen you move when I had lost hope that anything could be done. I’ve seen you orchestrate things together for your glory and my good.

Father, I suppose my job is to just keep praying, even in my limited ignorance. I heard about a tragedy that happened here on Sunday when a four-year-old was accidentally run over by his uncle at a family Christmas celebration. I cannot imagine the trauma for everyone involved. I just can’t imagine it. I can’t imagine how you can redeem that situation and heal the hearts involved, but I come to you now to pray for them. I pray for the parents. I pray for the uncle. I pray for the aunt who unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the child. I pray for the EMTs who arrived on the scene. Please be with all of these people. I literally don’t know how to pray for them. I just know that they need you as their comforter right now. Please help them.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 27, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Acts 12:5-11

26 Dec

Acts 12:5-11 NIV
[5] So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. [6] The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. [7] Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. [8] Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. [9] Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. [10] They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. [11] Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

Dear God, we all need affirmations in the midst of a struggle. Mary and Joseph needed them with Jesus’ birth and you gave them to them with the shepherds, the prophecies at his temple dedication, and the wise men. Jesus needed it with his road to crucifixion in Jerusalem so you have him the transfiguration. Now Peter needed it with the death of Jameson’s his own imprisonment and you gave him this rescue by an angel. Sometimes we just need to see you tangibly move to feel that affirmation.

I remember back at the end of 2005, my wife and I had been through a lot over the previous three years and you did some wondrous things for us that year. At one point I asked if she would write them down and record them so we wouldn’t forget.

This year, you have done several things to show us that you are hearing and answering our prayers after years of struggle and we have tried to acknowledge your signs of affirmation. I think I said this to you recently, but it has reminded me of the Keith Green song “The Prodigal.” In the song, after the son returns, the prodigal’s father says, “I prayed and prayed, never heard a sound. My son was lost, oh thank you, God, he’s found.”

Father, there have been times that I’ve felt like I was praying into silence, but I knew I wasn’t. And I’ve seen you answer prayers, both professionally and personally, in ways I never imagined you would or even could. Thank you. Thank you for even caring. Thank you for hearing me. Thank you for saying yes to some things and no to Thera, according to your wisdom. Thank you for your love. Thank you for encouraging and affirming my wife and me am giving us a sense of your favor and blessing.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 26, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Acts 12:1-5

25 Dec

Acts 12:1-5 [NLT]
About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) 4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

Dear God, this had to have been a terrifying time for the original 11 disciples who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. As far as I can tell, James was the first one of them to be martyred, and he was one of the “big three.” It’s sad that the new church had to experience so much fear, but I think you used that to refine them, make them stronger, and spread them out into the world.

My wife and I have had up and down years since 2010. Well, 2009 really. Okay, there were years of unemployment scattered in before that. Then there was the miscarriage in the 90s. Yes, we’ve had some hard times. But we were talking yesterday morning about how many positive things happened to us in 2018. I had some hard things to deal with at work, but in the end things worked out very well and we enter 2019 in a stronger position than we did in 2018. Things with our family are as good as they have been in almost 10 years. But even as we sat and talked together this morning, we were able to see some of the lessons we learned during some really hard years and even some things that happened to us this year.

I was at a family Christmas event last night with mostly people I don’t know or only tangentially know because they are very distant relatives. One of the families experienced a terrible tragedy this year with the loss of an adult son in his 20s (maybe 30s). I was talking with the wife and I had forgotten about their loss and we talked about how things were going with my wife and me. I was able to tell her that we have had a remarkably good year and she said, “I’m so glad this year could be good for someone. I’m just ready to get to 2019.” I immediately felt terrible for being so thoughtless and insensitive to what she has been through this year. I don’t know that there is any redemption in this process for her as she and her husband move forward into 2019, but I pray that you will use this tragedy and redeem it to make it something that counts.

Father, I don’t know what today holds, much less tomorrow. But I know that challenges will come. Please use each one to grow me and to bring you glory through me. Help me to not be distracted by my own “wisdom,” but to hear your still, small voice and follow your leading. Peter, John, and the rest of the apostles had some decisions to make after James’ death. They now knew that their earthly lives were not untouchable. Help me to face my path with the same faith that Peter, John, and the others had.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 25, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John, Uncategorized

 

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Peter & John — Acts 11:1-18

23 Dec

Acts 11:1-18 NIV
[1] The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. [2] So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him [3] and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” [4] Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: [5] “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. [6] I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. [7] Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ [8] “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ [9] “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ [10] This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. [11] “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. [12] The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. [13] He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. [14] He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ [15] “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. [16] Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ [17] So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” [18] When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Dear God, I am intrigued by the racism in the early church in this story. They just couldn’t imagine that they weren’t superior in your eyes—simply because of their fortune to have been born Jewish. I suppose that outside of Jesus, this might be the first time that racial barriers are broken down and we are left to look at each other as equals under your eyes.

Why do we do that? What is it about us that feels the need to elevate ourselves at the expense of others? I suppose it is insecurity and the true knowledge of how flawed we each are. As I sit here and think about it, our nation is in the throws of a struggle over how to deal with people who live in Latin America and want to immigrate here. The irony is, most people want to focus on protecting the border and keeping them out. In my mind, that’s like treating cancer with morphine. You’ll feel Breyer for a while, but the cancer will grow. In this case, Latin American immigrants have been wanting to come here for jobs since before I was born. Isn’t it time we went to the source of the problem and figured out how to root out corruption and develop the nations to our south to make them stronger? Isn’t a strong Latin America in our national interest? As Christians, isn’t a strong Latin America in the interest of our fellow humans?

Father, I know I still have vestiges of racism with me. Help me to see it, repent, and then use the knowledge to do something about it. Use me in your plan however you wish.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 23, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Acts 10

21 Dec

Acts 10 NIV
[1] At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. [3] One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” [4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” [7] When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. [8] He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. [9] About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. [10] He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. [11] He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. [12] It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. [13] Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” [14] “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” [15] The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” [16] This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. [17] While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. [18] They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. [19] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. [20] So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” [21] Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” [22] The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” [23] Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. [24] The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. [26] But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” [27] While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. [28] He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” [30] Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me [31] and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. [32] Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ [33] So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” [34] Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. [36] You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [37] You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. [39] “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, [40] but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. [41] He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” [44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” [48] So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Dear God, in this one story you are accomplishing so many things, but from a big picture perspective I think what you’re doing is what Peter says in verses 34 and 35: Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” This is the paradigm shift that, as memory serves, he will have to defend later.

I was also struck by the scene of the Centurion bowing to him (which is a remarkable act in and of itself). Peter’s response is to decrease and point him to you. Yes, that’s what it’s all about and that’s an area where I continue to strive to improve. I must decrease and you must increase.

Father, lead me like you led both the Centurion and Peter. Help me to be able to look beyond what I think I know and be willing to wisely and shrewdly examine and openly explore the many many things you have for me but I can’t see.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 21, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Acts 9:32-43

20 Dec

Acts 9:32-43 NIV
[32] As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. [33] There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. [34] “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. [35] All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. [36] In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. [37] About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. [38] Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” [39] Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. [40] Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. [41] He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. [42] This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. [43] Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Dear God, as I think about what is going on in my life right now, especially professionally, this passage strikes me from the perspective of Peter figuring out why kind of ministries and activities to be about. What I see here is a man who is completely being led by the Holy Spirit to do this thing or that.

It feels like a theme of my prayers lately have been around the Holy Spirit. Maybe that’s because I’m in Acts right now. But it is a good reminder to be seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, counsel, love, and comfort. I also need to remember to pray the Holy Spirit over others as well.

Father, make me mindful of your call. Every good gift this year at work, every provision seems to have come from you. Really, I can think of huge amounts of financial resources that seem to have come because you (not me) stirred someone’s heart. It wasn’t anything brilliant I did. When we needed a key staff person, you brought them to us. I told the board of directors that if they want to give me credit for anything it can be that I am a praying person and you have said yes to my prayers. So with your yes comes responsibility. Help me to not miss the opportunities you’re bringing me to glorify you and serve your world.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 20, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 8:14-25

19 Dec

Acts 8:14-25 NIV
[14] When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. [15] When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money [19] and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! [21] You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. [23] For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” [24] Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” [25] After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Dear God, I love the image of Peter and John going out as a team. I wonder how much their enthusiasm for the belief of the Samaritans was informed by their experiences with Jesus and Samaria. The ones that come to the top of my mind are the stories of Jesus and the Samaritan woman and the well (followed by the entire village becoming part of the story), the time John asked Jesus if he wanted John to call down fire on the Samaritans for refusing Jesus to go through there and Jesus rebuked him, and then the parable of “The Good Samaritan.” Without these lessons from Jesus himself, would Peter and John have rejected this new faith from Samaria?

Then there’s the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I don’t pray this nearly enough for people. Whether it’s my children or my coworkers, I need to be more mindful of this. I have my own story of when I felt like I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and it was when my life was truly changed.

Father, I would be remiss in this email if I didn’t stop and thank you for some particularly great things you’ve done for me and those around me this week. Really, thank you. And now I pray that your Holy Spirit will come and flood those I know and love. Spirit, move. Become part of those who have called on the name of Jesus and believed. Fill them with your peace, love, joy, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and self control. Protect them from Satan’s attacks and love them well.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 19, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Acts 6:1-7

18 Dec

Acts 6:1-7 NIV
[1] In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [2] So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. [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.

Dear God, in this little series of scriptures I’m doing about Peter and John, I know this story doesn’t mention them by name, but they were both obviously involved in the decision to put this together.

I think it can be easy for a church to get wrapped up in its outreach and forget to be the body of Christ for each other. In this case, you had factions forming and causing division among the people. We just can’t help it, can we? The apostles were wise to put together a team to deal with this and pay attention to it. Satan attacks our unity first. As I’ve said before, that’s his Plan A and he rarely needs Plan B. He does it with marriages, families, friends, coworkers, churches, and I can look around and see that he’s doing it with our nation too. And of course, the world.

In my own world, I see it within my family and I see it at work. I can see divisions form and it all starts with the idea that someone sees some sort of injustice happening and then they respond to it destructively instead of constructively. Right now, I’m thinking of one particular thing at work that I need to address. It’s something that would be easier to ignore, but as the leader I need to ensure that it doesn’t develop into something that will damage the work we are doing with our patients.

Father, help me to do exactly what you need me to do to address issues of division around me. Make me part of the solution and not part of the problem. Give me empathy and help me to address problems at their core and not at the symptom level. Give me serenity, courage and wisdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 18, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Acts 5:29-42

15 Dec

Acts 5:29-42 NIV
[29] Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! [30] The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. [31] God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. [32] We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” [33] When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. [34] But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. [35] Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. [36] Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. [37] After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. [38] 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. [39] But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” [40] His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [41] The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. [42] Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Dear God, this is next-level faith stuff. The level where my own circumstances are irrelevant when conoared with how you need to use me. What strikes me is the difference in their attitudes than mine. If I were arrested, released by an angel, and then obeyed what the angel had said, I would have been upset, I think, about then getting flogged. But it says they rejoiced because they were considered worthy of suffering disgrace.

I told my wife just this morning about a failing of mine. There are times I allow my own hurt feelings to keep me from seeing the big picture and the needs of someone near me. I am not at the level where these people are.

Father, help me to hit that next level of faith—I admit I’m terrified to think about what you will have to do to me to teach me that. I feel like you’re already teaching me this lesson so maybe I’m on my way. Just help me, please, Father. I want to be the most good for you that I can be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 15, 2018 in Acts, Peter and John

 

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