The Prayer Circle

 

While we often consider prayer to be an intensely personal practice, we should remember that when Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He taught a communal prayer (Luke 11).  By using the words "our" and "us" Jesus defined the model prayer as that a community would pray together. Are your prayers inclusive of others' needs? Do you find that praying with others brings you closer together or does it divide you?

God is the faithful one

 Few blame Sarah for laughing when she was reminded of her promise of a son (Genesis 18:12). Although called out for her skepticism, she was not punished and God remained faithful to His promise. We should rejoice that God is faithful, not because we demonstrate loudly, or produce some kind of special event, but because He is God.

Just reading the Bible

 Christians often disagree on how to interpret Bible passages. It's difficult to read scripture without bringing our own preconceived ideas and cultural context to each verse. We might consider the words of Psalm 25, where the Psalmist looks to God for understanding (Ps 25:4). What preconceived definitions or ideas do you bring to your Bible reading? Have commentaries influenced you more than the actual words of the Bible? 

What to do?

 

Christians agonize over what is the right or God-honoring action needed in many circumstances. Sometimes it seems like we know what we should do, but look for ways to justify doing something else. Paul reminds us that the entirety of the old testament law is summed up in simply loving others as we love ourselves (Gal 5:14). How can you love your neighbor today?

Pastor Awesome meets Uncle Sam

Western Christianity enjoys great freedom to practice the love and teachings of Christ. In our zeal to protect those freedoms, we may forget that our first allegiance is to Christ, and that no earthly kingdom is truly His kingdom (John 18:36).  Our actions may begin to reflect our selfish nature and undermine our desire to follow Christ's example of love and patience. How are you demonstrating the love of Christ to others today?

Elijah, back to it...

After a miraculous success, Elijah felt the sting of political repercussions for his actions. Discouraged, desperate, and feeling defeated, Elijah ran away from the work of God. While in hiding, God ministered to Elijah and then called Elijah back to the work (1 Kings 19). While we might want to end our ministry before its time, God calls us back to the work. Elijah was not allowed to quit, until his work was done.

Held back by fear

 Sometimes we see a need and want to help, but fear prevents us from providing assistance. When Elijah's life was threatened, he hid and began to feel that he was the only person who still worshipped God (1 Kings 19). God's ministry to Elijah motivated the prophet to return to his service to God. How can God use you to encourage others who are too fearful to provide help to others?

Barnabas the encourager

 

Barnabas demonstrated true Christian care by continuously encouraging the early church. In Acts 4, he provides funds for his fellow Christians who are suffering financial hardship. Barnabas also endorsed a former political terrorist (Paul) in Acts 9, and advocated for the reinstatement of a failed missionary (John Mark) in Acts 15. In what ways are you encouraging the church?  

The love challenge

Christ summed up the entire Law of God into two commandments, love God and love people (Matt 22). Paul repeats this summation by saying that all of the law can really be summed up as love people (Rom 13). While this sounds basic, it is not easy. When you consider all of the different kinds of people in your life and their different views, can you still open your heart and love them? 
 

Pentecost surprise

When the followers of Christ received the Holy Spirit, Peter described this outpouring as the fulfillment of a prophesy from the book of Joel ( Acts 2:17). The prophesy describes God pouring His Spirit on all flesh. As Christians, we often become suspicious of other believers whose faith practices differ greatly from our own. Are you able to accept any follower of Christ, regardless of their denomination or label?

Mind of Christ vs Mind of Christ

 Many Christians speak of the "mind of Christ" referring to Philippians 2:5. Oddly, it is often used as a way to demonstrate an air of superiority, but the Bible reference describes how humble Christ was and how adopting that mindset would be displayed as humility. Are you able to humble yourself like Christ?

Remember that time?

 When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he reflected that all of his memories of them were happy (Phil 1). What kinds of memories do you have of your brothers and sisters in Christ? What kind of memories do they have of you? Are you living out the joy of Christ in a way that uplifts others or are you keeping busy with your own interests?

Memorial Day 2022

 Many of us have been experiencing a long, hard, sad, season of death. This Memorial Day we might remember how Jesus spoke of a memorial that would consist of a story told about a woman who ministered to him (Mark 14). This story or memory was meant to inspire and elicit action. While we consider the tragic deaths of this year, may we be inspired to act in ways that prevent such tragedies.

Your Rights vs God's Word

 Many Christians live in areas that provide extended personal freedoms, some of which seem to even cater to our faith. While we may enjoy our freedoms, we should always consider how those freedoms might infringe on others' ability to enjoy their freedoms. Like Paul (1 Co 9), we should be willing to forego our rights when it means that others could be hurt.

Paul bonds with Mars Hill worshippers

 When Paul visited the famous temples on Mars Hill (Acts 17), he used the similarities he had with other philosophers and religiously minded worshippers. Rather than pointing out the differences, Paul began with what they had in common, a desire to worship the previously 'unknown' God who was now being revealed through faith in Jesus Christ.

Exposed to the culture

As Christians, we reject the 'world' described as the lust of the flesh, lust of eyes and pride of life (1 Jn 2:16). Sometimes we also reject the criticism and views of others by calling it 'worldly.' Rather than separating from the culture of his day, Paul used it to gain insight and to preach Christ (Acts 17). Have you ever dismissed someone's viewpoint because you believed you were too good to hear it?

Where do they go?

 

Acts 16 tells of a slave Paul heals and a prison guard Paul saved from suicide. While the stories seem to have a conclusion, the two are not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. We're left to wonder what happened to them. Maybe their absence invites to imagine what happens next, or just to consider the people in our lives we've lost track of. Can you think of anyone who's disappeared from your story?

Breakers and builders

 

Christians have been known to disrupt or dismantle political power structures. One example is the healing Paul provided in Philippi (Acts 16), which resulted in the loss of economic gain provided by a young girl. Christians are also known for creating and rebuilding. While you are considering deconstruction, do you also consider what structures you can build to more fully realize the love of God to those around you?

The courage of faith

 Ananias demonstrated great faith and courage by ministering to Saul, the persecutor of the Church (Acts 9). Although Saul was certainly a threat to any follower of Christ, Ananias followed God's command to find Saul and teach him about the way of Christ. Saul was healed of his physical and spiritual blindness and became one of the most important figures of the New Testament.

My Damascus Road Experience

 

Many Christians look for a special sign from God to provide assurance of God's love and salvation. While some Christians, like the apostle Paul, did receive this kind of sign (Acts 9), most do not. We are often asked to simply trust in the work Christ has done (Eph 2) and expect a change of heart (James 2). Do you spend more time trying to be saved, than living as if you are saved?