Build your life on the Rock Solid foundation of Jesus

Event: Peter Addresses the Crowd

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 25 For David says this concerning him, I saw the Lord always before me, for his is at my right hand that I may not be shaken. 

O - Observation
Rock Solid. That is how we can live our lives. We can live with the confidence of knowing that the creator of Heaven and Earth is always before us. Fully relying on God will keep us from falling apart when we face troubles. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 v. 25-25, "Everyone then how hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the Rock." That foundation allows s to build amazing things, not only for our family, but for those we interact with.

A - Application
Is my life based upon the Rock Solid foundation of God?

P - Prayer
Jesus, thanks for being my foundation.   Love Will

Photo by The AIRDEEz on Unsplash

Knowing God's word is the basis for sharing your faith

Event: Peter Addresses the Crowd

 

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 16  But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

O - Observation
The importance of knowing God's word. Peter is getting ready to get to the heart of his message to the people around him. He references back to the scriptures. He essentially SOAP's a passage from Joel. Not only had he memorized the verses, but then he applied them to their lives. Remember, Proverbs 30 v. 5a, "Every word of God proves true." So knowing God's word is the basis for sharing your faith. We need to commit to daily reading, meditating, studying and memorizing God's word. This provides the foundation of our lives. God's word provides clarity. Psalm 119 v. 105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Knowing God's word not only brighten your path, but the path of those around you as well.

A - Application
How much time are you spending knowing God's word?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to make being in your word a daily event.    Love Will

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

One Body in Christ

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel 

S - SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:4,5 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually 
members one of another.

O - OBSERVATION: This is not the only passage in scripture that speaks of being one body in Christ, but how are we one body? After all, many churches are a diverse people, with many different backgrounds. However, when we were baptized into Christ Jesus, we became, each one of us, a new man in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:4 states that very point, “We were buried with  Christ by Baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” We are joined together therefore with Christ and as such, we are members of one another through Christ.

A - APPLICATION: During the few months we were shut down for live worship because of Covid, the staff put the names of our members on the seat backs, probably to help our Pastor and the 
Praise Team at least remember we were watching at home. I came in on several occasions and prayed by each chair a personal prayer for each of our families. Each time when I had finished, I was struck by the diverse background of our members, but as a whole we got along very well with each other, in fact we loved one another and missed seeing each other. Why? In the Name of Jesus we are united to Him and each other. The Body of Christ, or church, is designed to be a beautiful place of respite for each of it’s members and dedicated to furthering the Kingdom of God. May it forever be so!

P - PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as I marvel at Your design for the Body of Christ, I’m reminded again of Your immeasurable Grace and Mercy, that You would give us just a very tiny glance of what Heaven will be like as we are forever UNITED with Jesus. May we all embrace that thought! In Jesus Name, Amen

Stand up for Jesus

Event: Peter Addresses the Crowd

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words."

O - Observation
Stand up. Stand up for Jesus. This verse is the beginning of Peter's address to the people right after Pentecost happened. Peter was not afraid to stand and tell the facts. Peter was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, in spite of the people making fun of them. Remember what Jesus said in Mark 8 v. 38, "For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, for him will the Son of Man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the Holy Angels." The key word is ashamed. We should never be ashamed to say the name of Jesus. We don't have to be bold like Peter, but if you’re wired that way, then be Bold. But we do need to share, boldly or quietly the name of Jesus.

A - Application
Am I standing up for Jesus? Am I unashamed to say his name?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to stand up for you.  Love Will

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Dont worry about people's reaction to the Gospel

Event: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 12-13 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." 

O - Observation
Reaction to God's word. A mixed bag. The message of Jesus is amazing. The concept is really perplexing. How can one person (albeit God) save the whole world? What? I don't have to buy anything, prove anything, do good deeds? I only have to believe that what Jesus did is enough for me to get into heaven. Believing in Jesus existence is not enough. Believing he is God and man, and died and rose again for your sins is what our faith is about. Hearing this message will produce a mixed bag, mockery, confusion, amazement, belief. Knowing that the message of Jesus causes  a mixed bag of reactions should NOT stop us from proclaiming the Good News.

A - Application
Am I worried about the "mixed bag"  of people's opinions?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to proclaim your word - regardless!!   Love Will

Learn the Linguistics!!!

Event: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 6 And at the sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each of them heard them speaking in his own language.

O - Observation
Linguistics. Speaking in someone else's language. It doesn't necessarily mean we have to learn another language of a different country to witness to others. I think of working with the youth. Sure, they speak English, but they do have their own language. Paul's comment in Corinthians gives us a great example to follow.  1 Corinthians 9 v. 20a, 21a, 22, "To the Jew, I became a Jew... To those outside of the law, I became as one outside the law, not being without law towards God, but under the law of Christ... To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Speaking a person's "language" is a key step in sharing the Great news of Jesus.

A - Application
How's my linguistics? Am I learning the “languages” around me?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to become all things to all men so that I may save some.  Love Will

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Take advantage of the Opportunites that are right in front of you!

Event: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devote men from every nation under heaven.

O - Observation
Opportunity. Just think, as God was enacting Pentecost, sending the Holy Spirit to the disciples, right there, where they were at, was  "men from every nation." How convenient was it to have this when Jesus said in Matthew 28 v. 19a, "Go therefore and make disciples of ALL NATIONS." God assembled the nations there for them. As I think about where I live, it's a melting pot of many nations. I don't have to travel to China to interact and meet with Chinese people. I think about my Mom and Dad and Immanuel Lutheran Ollevette, with the English as a Second Language program. How they have grown a Chinese Christian church in MO. The cool thing is, they all have family back home. They all can bring back to their land, their faith. Awesome!!!

A - Application
Am I looking at the opportunity right before my eyes?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for teeing up the opportunities for me. Love Will

Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash

Follow God's Lead

Event: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

 

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

O - Observation
Turning it over. "As the Spirit gave them utterance." We need to follow God's lead. We need to release our own personal and selfish ambitions and desires, and go with (or where) the Holy Spirit takes us. Notice, each one spoke in other tongues, "As the Spirit gave them utterance. " So God, through the Holy Spirit orchestrates, the Body of Christ, its believers.  What are the instruments that the Holy Spirit uses? Galatians 5 v. 22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such there is no law." Pray for a full bowl of these fruits and then see where God takes you.

A - Application
Am I turning it over to God? Am I following his lead?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Lead me to do great things for you.  Love Will

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

Turn the Furance on!!

Event: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

 

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 3  And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them.

O - Observation
Fire. Passion. Lost Souls. It's interesting that God choose fire for when the Holy Spirit was poured out to the disciples. After all, the previous time that we "saw" the Holy Spirit was in the form of a Dove. Its only appropriate that God choose flames. Think about it. Fire changes things. Controlled fire is used to melt away imperfections to something greater, as with gold and silver. Fire actually brings forth new life in the forest. So should our fire for Christ. It should change us, and those around us. Think about the two men traveling back to Emmaus after Jesus death, after Jesus spent time talking to them. Luke 24 v. 32, "They said to each other, did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road and opened the scriptures?"

A - Application
Is your furnace on? Is there a fire in your heart?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Send your Holy Spirit into my life to ignite me with passion for the lost. Love Will

Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash

Treasured Possession

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a
people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

O - OBSERVATION: Wow! That is one beautiful verse in a book of the Bible people may not often read. God has chosen us, holy not by our own merit or design, but by God’s plan and design. Not of our own doing, but because Jesus shed His Holy Precious Blood for us. Because we believe in Him and trust in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are His treasured possession by grace through faith alone! When you read and study the entire Bible you find the “more” our Pastor always tells us about.

A - APPLICATION: Because God has invested so much in us, what does He want in return? I think of two things, one, He wants our whole heart, First Commandment “Thou shall have no other God before me.” God wants to be number one in our lives, after all He is the reason for our existence, and He gives us every good and perfect gift. Number two, 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This verse sounds much like the one from Deuteronomy, but it has a mission for us attached to it; “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out darkness into His marvelous light.” We are to proclaim the name of Jesus!

P - PRAYER: Oh Father, You are so good to us, You made us Your own, You sent Jesus for us, help us Lord to respond with faithful love and a desire to serve You and share Your Word.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Photo by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash

God is NOT exclusionary!

Event: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

S - Scripture
Acts 2 v. 2  And suddenly a sound come from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

O - Observation
All. Everything. The sound, the Holy Spirit filled ALL the house. God is not a partial God. He is complete. He is NOT exclusionary. After all, he wants everyone to be saved. John 3 v. 16, "For God so loved the WORLD that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." So God sent his Holy Spirit into our lives to help us impact the world. The Devil's goal is to destroy the ALL. God uses all of his believers, big or small, powerful or not so powerful for his purpose. 1 Corinthians 12 v.11, "All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit who apportions to each one individually as he wills." Just think, the same Holy Spirit that was with the disciples is with us.

A - Application
Do I realize that the Holy Spirit has touched me?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit into my life. Love Will.

Unity - That's the Key!!!

Event: Matthais Chosen to Replace Judas

S - Scripture
Acts 1 v. 14 All these (list of disciples from the previous verse) with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

O - Observation
One accord. Agreement. Unity. Webster defines unity as "being one." Its super hard to be unified if you don't physically meet together. One develops unity by a common goal along with working side by side to achieve it. A common goal gives direction, but unity gives the goal focus and power. Hebrews 10 v. 24-25, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good words, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Unity is together. Unity is physical.

A - Application
Am I working on Unity by meeting together with other Christians?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me, my family and friends be of one accord for you. Love Will

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Live your life based upon God's Facts

Event: Jesus Taken up to Heaven

S - Scripture
Acts 1 v. 11 and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into Heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. 

O - Observation
Just the facts. As the disciples were watching (in amazement I'm sure) Jesus going into Heaven, two men in white robes, stood by them and said today's verse. They stated the Facts. Jesus will be coming back. Jesus will be coming in all his glory. Jesus will come back to Judge the world. Each one of us. Hebrews 9 v. 27, "And just as it has appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment. " God hates sin, imperfections. He can't have that in his kingdom. All of us have fallen short of God's standards. There is only one way to get in,  through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Just the Facts.
 
A - Application
Am I living my life with Just the Facts?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for dying and rising for me.  Love Will

You have a KEY role to play!

Event: Jesus Taken up to Heaven

S - Scripture
Acts 1 v. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witness in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.

O - Observation
You. You shall receive power. You shall be my witness. You, its personal. Jesus, God wants you to play a KEY part in his kingdom. Because of our KEY role he has give us help. 2 Timothy 1 v. 7-8,. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of POWER and LOVE and SELF CONTROL. Do not be ashamed then of testifying about our Lord." With that in mind, Jesus gives us a road map on where to start. Start at home, (Jerusalem), start with your family. Extend the circle to your work and friends. (Judea and Samaria.) Go to the Ends of the Earth.

A - Application
Do I realize that I play a KEY role in God's plan?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the Earth.  Love Will

Photo by Fred Kloet on Unsplash

Trust God's Plan

Event: Jesus Taken up to Heaven

 

S - Scripture
Acts 1 v. 7 He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or season which the Father has fixed by his own authority.'

O - Observation
Trust. Can you trust me? Can you trust God? This was Jesus response to the disciples question of when they will see a physical ruling of Israel. This after watching Jesus die and rise again, watching him flip the religious world upside down, watching him draw crowds. They still didn't get it. So they asked the question. This is a great picture of today's world. People want to get it. People want hard, I can touch facts. They want to understand it completely. But, because we can't' see Jesus , we have to have faith. Webster defines faith as, "Belief or Trust." Jesus told us in John 20 v. 29b, "Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe. " The good news is this, there is plenty of evidence of Jesus existence.

A - Application
OK - Bottom line. Do I trust in Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Strengthen my faith in you.  Love Will

Photo by Ronda Dorsey on Unsplash