Click here to go to Acts 9
People usually focus on Saul's conversion in this passage, but I realized tonight that Peter raises someone from the dead in this chapter!?!?! Who knew?
I'm not sure I realized that.
What are your thoughts on this chapter? (Sorry ladies, I'm incredibly tired tonight)
Blessings all
Monday, May 7, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
May 6, Day 127 - Psalm 51
Click here to go to Psalm 51
David confronted with his sin, calls out to God for mercy. He knew what he had done was wrong, he had committed adultery and in essence murder. Yet he understood his God and prayed:
People tend to focus on verses 10-12, yet each verse shows David's understanding of not only his sin, but of his God. In verses 1 and 2 he prays that God will:
Verses 7 - 11 he acknowledges he needs God alone to cleanse him and purify him. And ask to have his relationship with God restored.
Verses 12 - 15 seem to be David's commitment to God. He is acknowledging his part in this relationship.
In the final section 16 - 19 David acknowledges what God really desires from all of us, which is a broken heart that truly loves our God, not a bunch of meaningless sacrifices.
Here is a road map for each of us when we have sinned. And the sin doesn't have to be as drastic as adultery or murder, let's face it Jesus taught to lust after another is the same as adultery and to hate someone is equal to murder. (OUCH)
When we're confronted with our sins we need to go to God and ask for His mercy and to be cleansed. 1John 1:9 reminds us that He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness all we need to do is confess.
The reality is so true we need God to cleanse us and even though He never leaves us when we've sinned it feels like it so that restoration of our relationship is important. As I read David's words in verses 16-19 I realize that it's okay to tell God this is what I'm going to do. And it's not the "God if you get me out of this jam, I'll be a missionary in Africa" type prayer, but a sincere commitment to worship Him and serve Him.
For me the last section is so important, having been in a holiness tradition all my Christian life, it is very easy to fall into a "works makes me good enough" mentality. Just like the Pharisee's of Jesus' day who did lots of good things but their hearts were far from God. God wants my heart, the 'works' are a natural result of a heart that loves God and wants to serve Him.
Sorry this one got so long. This passage really jumped out at me tonight.
I hope you have a very blessed Sunday.
David confronted with his sin, calls out to God for mercy. He knew what he had done was wrong, he had committed adultery and in essence murder. Yet he understood his God and prayed:
People tend to focus on verses 10-12, yet each verse shows David's understanding of not only his sin, but of his God. In verses 1 and 2 he prays that God will:
- have mercy
- blot out his sins
- Wash him
- Purify him
Verses 7 - 11 he acknowledges he needs God alone to cleanse him and purify him. And ask to have his relationship with God restored.
Verses 12 - 15 seem to be David's commitment to God. He is acknowledging his part in this relationship.
In the final section 16 - 19 David acknowledges what God really desires from all of us, which is a broken heart that truly loves our God, not a bunch of meaningless sacrifices.
Here is a road map for each of us when we have sinned. And the sin doesn't have to be as drastic as adultery or murder, let's face it Jesus taught to lust after another is the same as adultery and to hate someone is equal to murder. (OUCH)
When we're confronted with our sins we need to go to God and ask for His mercy and to be cleansed. 1John 1:9 reminds us that He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness all we need to do is confess.
The reality is so true we need God to cleanse us and even though He never leaves us when we've sinned it feels like it so that restoration of our relationship is important. As I read David's words in verses 16-19 I realize that it's okay to tell God this is what I'm going to do. And it's not the "God if you get me out of this jam, I'll be a missionary in Africa" type prayer, but a sincere commitment to worship Him and serve Him.
For me the last section is so important, having been in a holiness tradition all my Christian life, it is very easy to fall into a "works makes me good enough" mentality. Just like the Pharisee's of Jesus' day who did lots of good things but their hearts were far from God. God wants my heart, the 'works' are a natural result of a heart that loves God and wants to serve Him.
Sorry this one got so long. This passage really jumped out at me tonight.
I hope you have a very blessed Sunday.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
May 5, Day 126 - Psalm 46
Click here to go to Psalm 46
This is such a great Psalm of hope and encouragement.
I think the thing that speaks to me the most right now is:
Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.
I've been working hard at trying to "be still" and getting to know God and trusting Him on a higher level.
This is such a great Psalm of hope and encouragement.
I think the thing that speaks to me the most right now is:
Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.
I've been working hard at trying to "be still" and getting to know God and trusting Him on a higher level.
Friday, May 4, 2012
May 4, Day 125 - Acts 8
Click here to go to Acts 8
Jesus told them they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world, but little did the followers of Christ realize that it would be persecution that would force them out of Jerusalem.
It's interesting to think of how Saul went from watching Stephen being stoned to dragging men and women out of their homes and throwing them into prison. Yet, we know the end of his story and what a glorious story it is!
I love the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. How God used him and took care of him.
The story of the early church is so encouraging to me.
Jesus told them they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world, but little did the followers of Christ realize that it would be persecution that would force them out of Jerusalem.
It's interesting to think of how Saul went from watching Stephen being stoned to dragging men and women out of their homes and throwing them into prison. Yet, we know the end of his story and what a glorious story it is!
I love the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. How God used him and took care of him.
The story of the early church is so encouraging to me.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
May 3, Day 123 - Acts 7
Click here to go to Acts 7
Stephen is the one before the counsel of religious leaders being falsely accused. He proceeds to give them a history lesson. I love reading through this history pointing out how God called certain people and how the Jewish people turned their back on God over and over, including killing many of the prophets.
The truth didn't set the leaders free, it pushed them to stone Stephen and it is here we are introduced to Saul. And the persecution of the church begins. 2000 years later there are still persecution happening to Christians through much of the world. If you've not heard of an organization called The Voice of the Martyrs you can check them out.
Stephen is the one before the counsel of religious leaders being falsely accused. He proceeds to give them a history lesson. I love reading through this history pointing out how God called certain people and how the Jewish people turned their back on God over and over, including killing many of the prophets.
The truth didn't set the leaders free, it pushed them to stone Stephen and it is here we are introduced to Saul. And the persecution of the church begins. 2000 years later there are still persecution happening to Christians through much of the world. If you've not heard of an organization called The Voice of the Martyrs you can check them out.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
May 2, Day 123 - Acts 6
Click here to go to Acts 6
First sorry that yesterday's post got posted late. I generally to the post in the evenings and schedule it to post at 12:30AM the morning of, last night I did all the steps EXCEPT actually hitting Publish. Thankfully I realized it this morning when I got to the office. Especially good since most of my day I was out of the office.
Today's reading is Acts 6 where we see a little bit of conflict between the Greek Christians and the Hebrew Christians concerning the care of the widows. The apostles quickly decide this is not their job and that faithful men need to be selected for this job. I love what they do in verse 6, after they were selected they were prayed for! WOW! We pray for missionaries and other ministers of the gospel but how often do we pray for those who are serving meals to the less fortunate!?! It is great reminder that all the jobs within the church are important not just the upfront ones.
Stephen's story is an amazing one. Since we probably know what is coming in tomorrow's chapter, I still won't spoil it!
Thank you ladies for sticking with this adventure. I pray that this time is a blessing to you, I know I'm blessed by your comments even though I've not been commenting on them, I do read them.
First sorry that yesterday's post got posted late. I generally to the post in the evenings and schedule it to post at 12:30AM the morning of, last night I did all the steps EXCEPT actually hitting Publish. Thankfully I realized it this morning when I got to the office. Especially good since most of my day I was out of the office.
Today's reading is Acts 6 where we see a little bit of conflict between the Greek Christians and the Hebrew Christians concerning the care of the widows. The apostles quickly decide this is not their job and that faithful men need to be selected for this job. I love what they do in verse 6, after they were selected they were prayed for! WOW! We pray for missionaries and other ministers of the gospel but how often do we pray for those who are serving meals to the less fortunate!?! It is great reminder that all the jobs within the church are important not just the upfront ones.
Stephen's story is an amazing one. Since we probably know what is coming in tomorrow's chapter, I still won't spoil it!
Thank you ladies for sticking with this adventure. I pray that this time is a blessing to you, I know I'm blessed by your comments even though I've not been commenting on them, I do read them.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May 1, Day 122 - Acts 5
Click here to go to Acts 5
Such a powerful chapter, at the beginning of the chapter we read of Ananias and Sapphira, who decided to deceive the apostles. No one made them sell their land and give all the money to the church, some did do that but it wasn't a requirement. So why did they lie? We can only guess at their motives, but it should be a reminder that God does see our motives and we will be judged. We may not be drop dead on the spot as they did, but we know without a doubt it will happen. Such a powerful reminder.
There also some exciting stories in this chapter. I love the story of Peter passing by and when his shadow will fall on someone they would be healed. The excitement that must have created in the Jerusalem. Of course, the religious leaders were angry and the apostles were arrested again. But once again, they stood firm with the conviction that it's better to obey God rather than men.
So very good!
Such a powerful chapter, at the beginning of the chapter we read of Ananias and Sapphira, who decided to deceive the apostles. No one made them sell their land and give all the money to the church, some did do that but it wasn't a requirement. So why did they lie? We can only guess at their motives, but it should be a reminder that God does see our motives and we will be judged. We may not be drop dead on the spot as they did, but we know without a doubt it will happen. Such a powerful reminder.
There also some exciting stories in this chapter. I love the story of Peter passing by and when his shadow will fall on someone they would be healed. The excitement that must have created in the Jerusalem. Of course, the religious leaders were angry and the apostles were arrested again. But once again, they stood firm with the conviction that it's better to obey God rather than men.
So very good!
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