Archive for November, 2009
God knew the “code word” to break the lock of Satan’s death grip – it was spelled J.E.S.U.S.
As David said, I repeat to you today: God will show you the path to take in your life, and be confident that you will be filled with God’s joy when in His presence.
When Peter addressed the crowd, he was taking a leadership opportunity. He stood up among non-believers and skeptical people and shared the Gospel. I don’t know why, but wen I read this story in Acts, I get goosebumps and a sense of responsibility.
I think about how much courage it took to address the crowd. I think about how many people were there. Text tells us that “. . . there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.” It could have been in the the thousands.
As you read today’s scripture, think about the responsibility that God has given you as a follower of Jesus. Remember that being a Christian is not a default religion. It’s living a life involved in a relationship with God made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice. It’s being called to live a life set apart from the sin of this world. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul reminds us that, as Christians, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. That means that part of our job description is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet have a relationship with Him who loved them so much! Live your life.
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Acts 2:14-24
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17″ ‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22″Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[b] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Acts 2:38
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Related Text:
Ezekiel 36:16-28
Joel 2:28-32
Romans 10:1-13
In Other Words
The 12 men Jesus chose to be with Him on a regular basis and follow His teachings were called His disciples. The word “disciple” comes from root word which means “to learn”. It was more about following Jesus spiritually and mentally than just following Him physically from town to town.
In general, a disciple was someone who developed a close relationship with a rabbi (teacher) and learned from his teachings. So the question is, are you a disciple of Jesus? Don’t just answer without stopping to think for a bit.
1. How is your relationship with Jesus?
2. What are you doing to maintain your relationship with Jesus?
3. Are you spending time reading God’s word?
4. Are you following His teachings? Are you obedient to your Savior and Lord?
Just remember, being a Christian isn’t a default lifestyle. It takes work and action on your part. If your relationship with Jesus isn’t as close as you would like it, or if it’s just not where you would like it to be, remember that you have the power to change what needs to be changed. Remove distractions if needed. Connect with a church or with other Christians. Pray to God and pour out your heart. Live for Jesus who died for you!
John 12:1-11
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5″Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7″Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. ” It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
Related Text:
Psalm 16:9-11
Matthew 26:6-13
Mark 14:3–9
Luke 7:36-50
John 11
Luke 19:1-10
1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ ”
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Hebrews 9:27-28
27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Related Text:
Ezekiel 34:7-16
Mark 2:14-17
Luke 7:36-47
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Here’s the Deal
Today’s society has established an unwritten and often unspoken standard by which many people measure their self-worth. People spend their life trying to be noticed and respected for what they have and what they do. And if they ever reach a certain level, they feel better about themselves. But this definitely isn’t a biblical standard for achieving importance and respect.
The Bible’s standard for being influential is in complete opposition to those who are working to acquire and achieve status. Jesus told His closest followers that influential people in God’s eyes are those who serve. Think about that for a minute. If you want to be great . . . if you want status in God’s eyes . . . if you want to be influential and make an impact for God’s Kingdom . . . you must learn to serve others.
Trying to live by God’s standards and discover ways you can influence someone today by serving them. And when you do this, learn from it and keep doing it. It greatness!
