Week beginning 23rd June

Acts 9 & 10

Wow what drama is happening here. Surely after the death of Stephen the movement would have shut down, but in the very next chapters some amazing things happen – Saul is converted and begins to share the good news of Jesus so passionately, that he receives death threats and has to go into hiding – Peter raises a woman from the dead – and – the fullness of God’s plan is revealed as Peter confronts his own prejuidices and the Holy Spirit comes to non-jews. This reminds me of the unstoppable force of God’s Spirit to bring about hope, healing and freedom – and that oppression / fear / death and prejuidice can not stop God’s purposes from being realised. My prayer is that I will listen and act just as Annaias and Peter did. [Prayer - LORD speak to me and show me your puroses and give me the courage to join in your plans]

Week beginning June 16

Acts 7 & 8

What a speech Stephen gives! He really lets the religious people know that he knows the story of God. He shares the truth. Truth can get you into trouble but it will set you free. I guess Stephen is an example of how that freedom came through his death. We know the story of faith because Stephen and many others like him spoke the truth no matter what the cost. These early days of the movement of following Jesus are inspiring and challenging. Going around sharing hope, healing and freedom took the community by surprise with all kinds of results. I should not expect anything different today. Knowing the story of God from the past through to today is important – hearing and sharing this same story is even more important. [Prayer - LORD give me opportunities to share your story with others and may you bring hope, healing and freedom through your church today as you have in the past - Amen.]

Week beginning June 9

Acts 5 & 6

What powerful descriptive stories – people dying for lying about the way and people dying for speaking the truth about the way of Jesus. What’s this saying to me? The way of Jesus is big stuff and it is so important. People have paid with their lives for sharing about Jesus, and according to Acts 5 peopel have paid with their lives for not sharing. It is so easy to cruise through life avoiding or not touching the big stuff of life – like God and forever and now and the needs of people (especially in comfy Australia) I am remembering the cost paid by others for my comfort – Jesus – the early followers – people who have bore the cost of hope, healing and freedom – people in my nations history who gave their all for hope, healing and freedom. These are good readings to bring perspective to life, the church and what it’s all about – It is big stuff!!! I don’t want to be trivial in my living I want my life to be about big stuff – for my family – for my friends – for my church – for my community. There is too much big stuff in eternity to be trivial. Jesus was into big stuff – I’m following Him.

Week beginning June 2

Acts 3

The verse that jumped out at me today was verse 20 …that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. He will send you Jesus, his chosen Messiah… I often experience that feeling of lack of strength or lack of whatever is needed to serve people and to do what God is leading me to until Jesus comes. I know that God has made me who I am and God has given me (just like everyone else) gifts to be shared within community, but even with these I need Jesus to come and bring His fresh strength. This is not to void me of responsibility to strengthen my own body, mind and spirit but serving God requires God’s strength – so much more than my own. Today our reading reminds me to come in prayer for Jesus to come and to trust His promise to bring fresh strength. [Prayer - Lord come and bring your fresh strength today]

Acts 4

Yesterday in spirit community I shared how Jesus is the expression/story/picture of the Divine embracing humanity; of humanity embracing humanity; of Christ embracing suffering; and of Christ embracing joy. The early disciples knew this of Jesus and knew that it was only a relationship of faith and trust in Jesus that would bring hope, new life, healing – salvation. In Acts 4 verse 12b Peter says…His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone… Beyond all institutions and movements and religions Jesus is the only one who can save anyone. This is, as Peter said, is the stone that makes us all stumble but is the most important stone of all. My response today is simply a YES and AMEN to Jesus. [Prayer - LORD Jesus you are the only one who can save - help me to humbly and powerfuly share this with others]