GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE

From today's devotional 

Acts 3.1-26

The power of Pentecost heals the paralysis of the world. The wind of Pentecost carries the Church to people in need. The fire of the Spirit kindles warmth for others. The excitement and enthusiasm created by the Spirit motivates believers to be instruments for the healing of the world.

On their way through the Beautiful Gate of the temple to a prayer meeting, Peter and John met a cripple. The man was carried there by his friends to beg; Peter and John were led there by the Spirit to touch human need. Peter said to the man, “I don’t have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have…” (v 6). The hand was Peter’s, the power was Christ’s, and soon that cripple was walking, leaping, healed, and free (vv 7, 8).

What did Peter have to offer to a man experiencing the brokenness of the world? You know, you can only give what you have. You can only share what you possess! Peter told the crowd what he did not have: material possessions (v.6), their own power (v 12), or religious piety (v 12). Then, what did Peter and John have? Certainly they had compassion (v 4). They stopped when they saw the man in need and did not pass him by on their way to worship. They had holy boldness as they commanded the crippled man, saying, “Look up at us!” (v 4)

Peter was convinced that the exalted Christ was completely competent (“omni-competent”) to heal this man. The apostle knew that God’s people, through the years, were the beneficiaries of God’s miraculous, intervening power. Peter also had a conviction about Christ. He believed that nothing was impossible for Jesus to accomplish; that Christ was not a faded memory but a living power, the author and pioneer of life. It was this conviction that gave Peter courage—courage to offer Christ alone to the cripple, and courage to confront the crowd with the truth (vv 14-19).

Fear paralyzes so many people around us. They are trapped and chained by their own insecurities. Like Peter and John, you have what they need, who they need, and who they are truly looking for. His name is Jesus and he is completely able to save.

WOW! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

From today's devotional

Acts 2.1-47

Have you ever thought about this Bible book’s title: “The Acts of the Apostles”? These men and women were weak and imperfect human beings just like we are; some even smelled of fish! Yet, the book of Acts records how Jesus’ earliest followers, through the help of the Holy Spirit, spread the good news about Jesus everywhere—to Jews and Gentiles!

When reading the exploits of the apostles, we sometimes think of them as superheroes. We may even make them super saints, elevating them to a level far beyond anything we could ever attain, enjoy, or experience. But God is no respecter of persons! It was not their cleverness, intellectual prowess, or administrative genius that caused them to be successful in leading people a world away with the good news of Jesus; it was the awesome power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them. Today, that same indwelling Spirit is now ready to express Christ’s love, grace, and power through every yielded believer.

Acts chapter 2 presents the apostolic church pattern for spiritual power in which we honor the work of the Holy Spirit. The life of the Church and the believer depends on the Holy Spirit within them. God says, “Don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit” (Zechariah 4.6b). Such a pattern also points out that we are to know the Scriptures. True faith is built on the unchanging, never-failing Word of God. Know it and believe it! We find that the apostles were willing to experience the love and strength of New Testament fellowship, as they moved from house to house and in the temple. We have no power apart from God and we are to remember Calvary and the price that Jesus paid to grant us access into his family. Finally, the Church finds its power in praying always— in all places, for all people, and with all patience. We must never stop talking to God and obeying God’s Word.

The Church was birthed when the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ, was poured into the lives of 120 believers (vv 1-4). The result was an explosion of the gospel—empowered believers and a vibrant, growing Christian community attracting the lost with a Christ-centered message of hope and a lifestyle of compassion (vv 42-47).

WHY DID JESUS LEAVE?

From today's devotional

When we read of Jesus’ ascension, we often quickly turn to ponder his return. When will he come back? As exciting as that question is, I believe that there is an even more profound question that needs to be answered first. It is one that is absolutely fundamental to the understanding of our faith; it is a question that I don’t think I have ever heard anyone ask. Why did Jesus leave in the first place?

The answer can be found in Jesus’ teachings and conversations during his last days. Before his death, Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel of the kingdom to the ends of the earth, and he taught them about the kingdom of God.

Jesus spoke passionately about the kingdom of God – the revolutionary kingdom in which God’s rule defines how we live and act. Jesus gave us a critical assignment to build this kingdom. He taught his disciples about it, and he empowered them—and us—with the Holy Spirit.

Why did Jesus leave? In his own words, Jesus said, “I tell you that I am doing what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave” (John 16.7a). Jesus left us a mission to accomplish. He said he would return when our assignment was finished. The disciples, on fire for this kingdom-building mission, preached and taught Jesus’ kingdom message, and they took the Roman Empire by storm. Today, twenty centuries later, the job Jesus gave us to do is not yet completed.

1 Timothy 1:15-19 MSG

Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever. Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time— One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes! I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.

Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever. Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time— One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes! I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two of them. I let them wander off to Satan to be taught a lesson or two about not blaspheming. (1 Timothy 1:15-19 MSG)