WHEN PEOPLE PRAY

Acts 4:13-31

When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. Acts 4:31

Peter and John were in danger. The religious leaders in Jerusalem opposing the gospel had warned them to cease their missionary efforts (Acts 4:18). When the apostles reported this to the other believers, they immediately held a prayer meeting.

What  happened next is thrilling. The believers first praised God. Then they asked for boldness that they might continue the work. The results were dramatic. The house shook, and the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. They boldly witnessed, enjoyed spiritual unity, and gave unselfishly to those in need (Acts 4:31-37).

I’ve never felt a building shake at a prayer meeting, but I have seen God’s power at work. When I’ve tried to help repair a broken marriage or a divided church, I’ve asked those involved to pray. Sometimes they refused. Others, though, they mumbled carefully worded prayers. Those meetings failed.

But occasionally someone would pray in earnest. Almost immediately the atmosphere would change. Confession and forgiveness soon replaced charges and countercharges.

When we pray sincerely, praising God and seeking His glory, great things happen. Prayer must always come from the heart.—herb vander lugt

Dissension’s fuse is easy to ignite — it fuels our anger, yet it dims the light: help us, we pray, humbly to seek Your Name, and in pride’s place restore the Spirit’s flame. —tlg

Sincere intercession is the key to God’s intervention.

BECOMING WHAT WE ARE

Philippians 3:1-11

The Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

At a British university, a group of students had raised the question, “What do you want to be?” Different answers were given — a champion athlete, an influential politician, a noted scholar. Shyly, yet definitely, one student said something that caused thoughtful silent: “You may laugh at me, but I want to be a saint.”

Imagine — a saint! Whatever his concept of sainthood, many in our secular society would view that ambition as very eccentric. yet if we are Christians, that ought to be the top priority goal of our life. To be a saint is simply to be like Jesus. Paul declared that the overarching purpose of God the Father is to make us like His Son (Romans 8:29). That’s the essence of sainthood.

Of course, every believer is guaranteed perfect conformity to Christ in the world to come. But God does not want us to wait passively until we enter eternity for that supernatural transformation (1 John 3:2). We are to be cooperating now with the Holy Spirit to grow more and more into Christlike sainthood “in this world” (1 John 4:17).

Yes, we are already saints (Philippians 1:1) by faith in Christ. But we face the daily challenge of becoming what we are — authentic saints in every area of our lives. —vcg

More like the Master I would live and grow, more of His love to others I would show; more self-denial, like His in Galilee, more like the Master I long to ever be. —gabriel

To be a saint is to be like Christ.

PERSECUTION

Matthew 10:16-26

You will be hated by all for My name’s sake. Matthew 10:22

Jesus warned those who believed in Him that trouble would come. And it did!

In AD 303, for example, the Roman emperor Diocletian began a reign of terror that his successor Galerius continued until 311. Christians who loved and worshiped the Lord throughout the Roman Empire suffered almost unspeakable atrocities. Those who dared pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ were tortured, maimed, or killed. Horrible persecutions carried out by the State brought death to thousands of Christians.

Not all opposition begins at the high levels of government, however. Even today, if we let others know that we are followers of Jesus, we may face various forms of mistreatment and rejection. But our Lord’s words to His disciples can help us to stand. First, He told them to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). They were to respond with wisdom without malice. And second, He told His disciples that when they would stand before persecutors, the Holy Spirit would help them to know what to say (Matthew 10:19-20).

We surely don’t want to face people who are hostile to our faith, but when we do we can count on help from the One whose name we represent. —jdb

In our daily life and service let us be disciples true; being meek when others hurt us, Lord, in us may they see You! —hgb

Those who live for God can expect trouble in the world.

CHRIST OUR CHAMPION

1 Samuel 17:31-50

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

If ever anyone needed a champion, the Israelites did. As their army camped in the Valley of Elah, they were held at bay and embarrassed daily by the tauntings of the Philistine strongman Goliath.

David, the young shepherd son of Jesse, had brought provisions for his brothers in the army. When he heard Goliath mocking the Israelites, he was furious and asked for permission to go out and fight him. David was confident that the God who had delivered him from the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37) would give him victory over the giant — and He did.

David’s conquest reminds us of Jesus Christ’s victory. We were hopelessy enslaved by sin and needed a champion. Then God sent His Son Jesus to deliver us. He came to earth as a man, faced all our human trials (Hebrews 2:14-15), and went to battle on our behalf. In His death and resurrection, Jesus won complete victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). What’s more, His triumph guarantees us victory in our daily walk with God.

But we can’t expect success in our own strength. We must rely on the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance. Then, as we walk with God in faith, we can more fully appreciate the victory our Champion has brought us. —dce

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell, how the victory He giveth over sin and death and hell. —bliss

No matter what giants we face, we can win by God’s grace.

DID YOU READ MY BOOK?

Psalm 119:137-152

Have you not even read this Scripture? Mark 12:10

Books! Books! Books! Hardcovers and paperbacks. Reference works and joke books. Romantic novels and mysteries. Self-help books and religious publications. They just keep appearing—and we keep buying them.

We also keep writing them. No wonder Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).

But one Book supersedes all others—the Bible. It is the Word of God, written by authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit and kept from error (2 Timothy 3:16). It is God’s truth, telling us what to believe and how to live. This Book should be required reading for everyone!

Jill Briscoe was addressing a convention of religious writers and editors. An author of several books and numerous articles, she was talking about what it means to have people read your words and be influenced by your writing. She called it a privilege and a responsibility.

Then Mrs. Briscoe made this provocative statement: “When we get to heaven,” she said, “we will not say to God, ‘Did You read my book?’ Rather, God will say to us, ‘Did you read My Book?’”

How about it? Have you read His Book today? —dce

Our history is marked by the filling of books with what we have thought, said, and done; but one Book, the Bible, reveals the true way—it tells of the Savior, God’s Son. —jdb

A well-read Bible is a sign of a well-fed soul.

POWER FAILURE

John 14:15-26

You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Acts 1:8

I felt mechanically illerate. I was struggling with a videocassette player for a study group at church and couldn’t make it work. Fortunately, someone saw my plight. I stood there appreciately as he sized up the situation—and then plugged the power cord into the wall outlet.

Why hadn’t I thought of that? I was so preoccupied with patch cords and monitors that I overlooked the obvious. I forgot about the power.

If I looked foolish there, it’s nothing compared to what the angels see as they observe me. They must be astounded by my efforts to make life work without God’s power. I join them in sad wonder. How can I forget that the infinite, personal Spirit of Christ lives within me to guide my life and give me power?

The answer is regretfully clear. There’s a loose cord somewhere. When I am preoccupied with pleasing myself, I miss the power that comes from a healthy relationship with Christ. His Spirit enables me to do the will of God, to show His attitudes, and to fulfill His purpose. But I have to stay plugged in through prayer, reflection on God’s Word, and complete reliance on His power—not my own.

Lord, help us to see the big picture and stay plugged in to the Source of Power—the Holy Spirit.—mrdii

I’m weak and helpless in life’s fray; Lord, may Your power be my stay, And may I always see to be Renewed in strength for victory. —djd

A christian who neglects the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that’s not plugged in.

HEAR GOD’s CALL

Judges 6:11-14

And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? Judges 6:14

When Israel called to God for help, God responded graciously, despite the fact tat the text includes no evidence of repentance and no announcement of divine forgiveness. The angel of the Lord came to Gideon as he was threshing wheat. The Lord’s angel messenger told Gideon the Lord was with him. He commissioned him to save Israel from the Midianites. The reference to going in his own strength probably was in anticipation of the Spirit of the Lord’s coming upon him. (See Judges 6:34)

As I write these lines, I have just celebrated 50 years as an ordained minister. Although my call was less dramatic than Gideon’s, God’s commission was no less real. The assurance that God had sent me has helped me to persevere for half a century.

Serving God well begins with a call and is dependent on Holy Spirit power to equip and to empower.

Lord, keep my ears attuned to Your call and help me to go obediently in Your power.

GOD OF LOVE

“… the kindness and love of God our Savior …” Titus 3:4

How sweet it is to witness the Savior intimately connecting with His own beloved people! There can be nothing more delightful than being led into this fertile field of delight by the Holy Spirit. Let your mind, just for a moment, consider the history of the Redeemer’s love, and a multitude of winsome acts of God’s affection will come to mind. All of these acts of God’s love weave our hearts closer with Christ, and the intertwining of our thoughts and emotions with the mind of Jesus.

When we meditate on this amazing love, and see our glorious God granting His church all His ancient wealth, we should want to leap for joy. Who can endure such love? Even the partial sense of God’s love which the Holy Spirit is sometimes pleased to show us is more than we can contain. How incredible must it be to fully experience it! Someday we will be able to discern all the Savior’s gifts, and have wisdom to understand them, as well as time to meditate on them. We will commune with Jesus in an even closer way than we do now. But who can imagine the sweetness of such fellowship? It is one of the wonderful things that God has prepared for everyone who loves Him.

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) When we actually see heavenly things themselves, with our own eyes, the stream of fellowship in which we will bathe will be so incredibly deep! This will simply overwhelm us with love. Until then, our loudest sonnets will be reserved for our loving benefactor, Jesus Christ our Lord, whose love to us surpasses all other loves.

How could you show God’s love to someone else today?

LET GOD’S LIGHT THROUGH

Jesus said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) Jesus also said that “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

Imagine a lamp. God is like the light bulb, the source of light, and we are like the lampshade. While it may seem strange to compare God to a light bulb, we’re told in scripture that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5). And while I admit it may be difficult to imagine yourself as a lampshade, stay with me.

“You know him [the Holy Spirit],” Jesus tells us, “for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17) God dwells within you. While no one who looks directly at God’s face and His absolute holiness and power could possibly survive (Exodus 33:20), His glory can manifest itself in many ways, including through His children, you and I. Therefore, as much as you are able to allow God’s light to shine through you, His glory will be revealed to the world.

This is why John the Baptist said, regarding Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) John recognized that for Jesus’ interests to shine, John’s own self-interest must decrease. We are like the lampshade to God’s light; the thinner the lampshade is, the more the light will shine through. So let yourself become thinner, weaker, and more transparent, so that God’s light will shine more brightly into the world, and so the world will not be able to ignore it!

The apostle Peter has some excellent practical advice on how to let God’s light shine through your life:

“Be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.

Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.

All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7b-11, NLT)

How can you see God’s light shining through your life right now? How could you allow it to shine even more?

JARS OF CLAY

He handcrafted the clay baby cup with her name on it. It was beautifully glazed and I hardly wanted to let her use it. But he said, “Please use it, that’s why I made it.” And so we did. She loved her own cup with her own name on it!

Today the cup sits in her cupboard in her own kitchen. It is still beautifully glazed with her name on it. But the lines on it show where it was carefully glued back together. A clay pot is oh so sturdy yet oh so fragile!!

God calls us clay pots. And true to the name most of us sport cracks, carefully glued back together. We are oh so sturdy, yet oh so fragile. Why would God entrust clay pots with the light of His love? We try to fulfill His purposes but we get cracked and broken.

Yet His strategy is clear… He knows our weaknesses yet He chose clay pots anyway. He tells us why…

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Don’t be ashamed of the cracks in your life… don’t be afraid to show how God has mended you. This is the testimony to the watching world. Our God fixes broken pieces!

If you are broken today because of circumstances in your life, or because of choices you wish you had made differently, don’t stay in pieces on the floor. If you know you have disappointed God in your walk or in your talk tell Him you are sorry.

God will forgive you, pick you up and mend you. Changed lives, lives lived in the power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrate that it is His power at work in us. This is our hope…this is the hope we hold out to a needy world.

Do you need to change your thinking and accept the cracks in your life as the very places Jesus can shine through?  Invite Him into those places today.