Be willing to be delegated - or to delegate

Event: The Choosing of Stephen

 

S - Scripture
Acts 6 v.  2-3 And the twelve summed the body of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint for this duty. 

O - Observation
The body of Christ. I love what these two verses say in regards to the body of Christ. Delegate. 1 Corinthians 12 v. 4-6, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit, and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires the all in everyone." No one can do it all. That is why the disciples delegated. Each of them doing what they were called to do. In the disciples case, teaching and preaching. In case of the seven select - serving others. Both very important.

A - Application
Have I been delegated too? Am I willing to be delegated?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Delegate to me, and help me to delegate to others so that the whole body of Christ can be involved.    Love Will

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Worship in Spirit and in Truth

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: John 4:23, 24 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to
worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth.”

O - OBSERVATION: We are doing a series on Worship at Alive In Christ, Worship is one of the Ministry Pillars on which we will build whatever future God has in store for us. Therefore this passage is the first one I thought of where scripture, specifically Jesus, speaks about the kind of worshiper’s the father is seeking. What does it mean to worship in Spirit and in truth? It is well that we examine this, because after all, verse 24 says those who worship the Father MUST worship in Spirit and in Truth.”

A - APPLICATION: I believe worshiping in “Truth” means to worship totally within the absolute truths of scripture, neither watering down the Inspired Word nor taking liberties with it. Worshiping in Spirit means our worship is totally dependent on the work of the Spirit in making scriptures truths our own. I think it also means that we must be “all in” at worship and not thinking about the rest of day. We should give 100% plus to worshiping a Holy God, Anything 
less is not consistent with the sacrifice He made for us, but thanks be to God for the Grace He extends through Jesus to allow for our imperfections in worship as well as in our daily life.

P - PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as we think about worship, May we always be searching for what Your Word is telling us. May we seek the Spirit’s guidance and May we always remember that 
Jesus died for our shortcomings. In His Name we pray, Amen

Be a part of the Solution

Event: The Choosing of Stephen

S - Scripture
Acts 6 v. 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenist murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

O - Observation
There's always issues to address. As a body of believers grew, the management of administering God's love grows exponentially. In addition to spreading God's word, it’s living his commandment to love to all people.  1 John 3 . 17, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" Jesus message is to the broken. All of our lives are messy. Some more than others. To accept a new member in to the church means to accept all the baggage they bring in.

A - Application
Do you realize just how much work there is at Church? Are you helping?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Give our Churches the wisdom on how to address the issues that come up as we grow your kingdom.    Love Will

Image by Aamir Mohd Khan from Pixabay

Be an "ALWAYS" type of person

Event: The Apostles Persecuted

 

S - Scripture
Acts 5 v. 42  And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

O - Observation
Always. Not one and done. Not just going to church. Everyday. This is a great model for being a Contagious Christian. The disciples lived, eat, breathed, talked about the Great news of Jesus as the Savior of the world. They started at home, at where they lived. They took every opportunity to share. They taught their children, they taught their neighbors, and the folks they worked with. Jude 1 v. 22-23, "And convince some who doubt, save some by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." This church was organic, everyone participating, doing, going. The Holy Spirit moved amongst them.

A - Application
Am I just a Sunday Christian?  Or am I always?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let my commitment to you be 24x7.    Love Will

Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

Seek the right type of Honor

Event: The Apostles Persecuted

 

S - Scripture
Acts 5 v. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

O - Observation
Honored. Its classic God fueled backwards-land. The council beat and publicly said they were crazy, which normally would be something shameful. But, it was viewed as a Honor to suffer for Christ. Following and standing up for Christ will cause this dichotomy. Jesus knew it when he said in Matthew 10 v.22, "And you will be hated by all for my names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." The honor comes from recognizing who the higher power is . Matthew 10 v. 32, "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I (Jesus) will also acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven.

A - Application
Am I willing to be honored in God's eyes?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Keep me focused on the eternal things.    Love Will

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

Use God's Litmus test in your life!

Event: The Apostles Persecuted

 S - Scripture

Acts 5 v. 34a, 38b-39 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, said .. for if  this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might be even found opposing God.

O - Observation
The litmus test. Gamaliel, although he did not like what the disciples were saying, had the wisdom to let the test of the fruits of their actions decide  if it was God inspired vs. man inspired. How do we know what we are doing is God inspired, God Driven? Romans 12 v. 2, "Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transform by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to TEST and prove what God's will is - his God pleasing and perfect will." The key here, renewing your mind by being in God’s word daily, praying and seeking his will.

A - Application
Am I testing the things I do to see if it is God's will?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let the things I do be according to your will.    Love Will

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

We have to make a choice on who to put first!

Event: The Apostles Persecuted

 

S - Scripture
Acts 5 v. 28-29 And the high priest questioned them saying, 'We strictly charged you not to teach in his name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood (Jesus) on us." But Peter and the apostles answered,, "We must obey God rather than men."

O - Observation
The pecking order. Peter puts it rather bluntly. God first. Man second. This is where persecution comes to play. Man will always want to be first. Man is out to please man, I have seen it on several fronts, the absence of absolute truth. It's now relative, what works for me works for me and what works for you for you.  This is the Coexistence philosophy. I see it in the social arena in regards to homosexuality and abortion. The truth is the truth. Beliefs and opinions and feelings does not change the truth.

A - Application
We will have to make a choice. God first or man.

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to always place you first.    Love Will

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash