Week beginning July 28

Acts 19 & 20

It is the spiritual dynamics that jump out at me in Chapter 19. The battles with people and within people. The Holy Spirit is given to twelve men in Ephesus – some men try to imitate the power of God with Paul and try to control evil spirits, only to be overpowered themeselves because they want the power without the Lordship of Christ in their lives. Others who have named Jesus as Lord acknowledge the negative practices in their lives and bring their witchcraft books to be destroyed. Riots happen because the WAY of Christ disrupts business. This is all a spiritual battle with earthly outworkings. There are costs and challenges when the Good News of Christ impacts on the spirits of the age. I reflect today how the Truckies are going on strike for the purpose of justice and safety and how their actions will disrupt business – I imagine tensions will rise in the business world. Good always stirs evil. The question arising out of this for me is, “Am I prepared for the tensions?” I want to be as focused on Jesus as Paul is and not be intimidated. [Prayer - Jesus you are LORD of my life and I will follow you. Help me keep moving forward to where you are calling me to. Amen]

I want to be able to say, like Paul, “I have told you everything that God wants you to know. Look ater yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like Shephards to God’s flock” (20:27-28)

Week beginning 21st July

Acts 17 &18

Acts 17:27-28 God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn’t far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. “We are his children,” just as some of your poets have said.

Life’s journey, power and identity are what Paul tries to tell the Atheneans Jesus is all about. I think this continues to be a good word for our generation as well. In this age of self-meaning Paul comes and tells us that our story is not found in ourselves but in an unknown God who desires to be known. Not that God needs to be known (God is the star-breather…to quote Louie Giglio) but it is so very good for us to be known by God. We had a great time on Sunday of really experiencing God with us and God wanting us to know Him. Paul reminds us that God is nothing like what we humans can make up or design. God stands beyond our grasp and yet this same God takes hold of us in love. This reminds me that whatever I may imagine God to be that God remains beyond my imagination. This helps me get perspective of my smallness and God’s love because God is close. Without love God would always remain beyond. This is why Paul is so keen to tell the story of Jesus – God has come close! [Prayer - LORD thank you for coming close, giving life, and claiming us as your children. Help me to share this wonderful news with any and all. Amen]

Psalm 29

v 7 The voice of the LORD makes lightening flash and the desert tremble. This Psalm is a good reminder of the awesomeness of God’s Word. A good reminder that when I think that God is being silent, I should be glad because maybe I wouldn’t want to hear his voice. A good reminder that I need to pay attention when God does speak. Again, a good reminder of my smallness and God’s bigness! Reality checking is always a good thing. [Prayer - LORD my life does tremble and change when you speak. Praise your name forever! Amen]

Week beginning 14th July

Acts 15 & 16

These chapters contain some of my favourite stories about Paul. There is drama and adventure. There is conflict between Paul and Barnabas. There is a new mission. There is trouble and earthquakes and integrity and revelation and conversion. It’s all in here. So LORD what are you saying to me in this? It is the gentleness and wisdom of the church leadership to not make things too hard for Gentiles to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is hard enough with the work of God’s Spirit in us to die to ourselves and to trust in God without the extras of people hanging on to old ways. It must have been a real challenge to discern what is old and must be let behind and what is new of God and needs to be encouraged and free to develop. Same today I think. [Prayer - LORD show me the gentleness of your Spirit's leading in accepting your new and letting go my old. LORD bless all those who are meeting you for the first time - may they learn more of your love and grace...as I need to as well. Amen]

Week beginning July 7

Acts 13 & 14

This story of Paul and Barnabas (with young John Mark) heading off on their first missionary journey. It was interesting to see that this adventure began with failure. That is, the failure of Paul & Barnabas to have their message accepted by the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia. I guess I would argue that it wasn’t so much Paul and Barnabas’ failure as it was the failure of the people to receive their message. Either way, it caused Paul and Barnabas to head off on a “Good News” jouney to other places to focus not on the Jews but on the Gentiles (non-jews). Over these two chapters time and again it was obvious that this journey was God’s journey. Paul and Barnabas were sharing the Good News of Jesus with all, which is God’s Good News. And God was the one who was making the work known. It was God who was showing and proving the worth of this Good News and it was God who was proving the Good News. I must confess that too often I think and act as if sharing the Good News of Jesus is my work when the truth is it is God’s work. In a couple of Sundays I’m sharing about ‘Building God’s Kingdom – Building Lives’ and I’ve been drawn to a scripture in Chronicles where David is handing over to Solomon the task of Building God’s Temple (a sign of God’s Kingdom) and in it is a key verse. David tells Solomon to (i) worship God (ii) obey with heart and mind (iii) follow David’s example. God’s been impressing on me how much the Good News is God’s work and that our invitation is to follow through worship (whole of life), obedience (heart and mind) and example (action). It seems to me that this is what Paul and Banabas were doing and that God was the fulfiller of the Good News for those who would respond. I took note of Paul and Barnabas’ practice of prayer and fasting throughout these chapters and believe these are key spiritual practices particularly around major decisions about people and plans – something for me to follow through with. [Prayer - LORD the Good News is your message, your work, and yours to prove. May your Spirit lead me in the journeys that I am taking and help me in my worship, obedience and actions for the sake of others - Amen]

Psalm 27

What a great Psalm – full of trust and hope. It really is one that shows that praise and worship raises courage and faith. I’ve included it below just to see it again – [Contemporary English Version]

Psalm 27

(By David.)

A Prayer of Praise

 1You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears. 

2Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble. Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall.

3Armies may surround me, but I won’t be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.

4I ask only one thing, LORD: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple.

5In times of trouble, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.

6You will let me defeat all of my enemies. Then I will celebrate, as I enter your tent with animal sacrifices and songs of praise.

7Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. 

8My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, 

9so don’t hide from me. I am your servant, and you have helped me. Don’t turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don’t reject or desert me. 

10Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me. 

11Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies. 

12Don’t let them do to me what they want. People tell lies about me and make terrible threats, 

13but I know I will live to see how kind you are. 

14Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.

Week beginning 30 June

Acts 11 & 12

‘God working in new ways’ is the story of these chapters, with people listening, seeing, responding to and changing their ways because of God’s Spirit being revealed in the lives of those whom it was believed God doesn’t include. Peter takes a leap of faith and action as he cannot deny what God is doing in the lives of Gentiles (Non-Jews). Barnabas takes a leap of faith and invites the Christian-Persecutor Saul (Paul) to come to Antioch and live and teach in their midst.  Following Jesus will always take us to new places of faith and action.

There are costs for following Jesus, as Peter found out so many times, but to the surprise of all God rescues and provides.

Herod was a character in this ACTS story that represents all earthly powers – that both wield their influence but in the end are mortal and their days of persecution end when their lives end. Acts 11 & 12 show me the contrast between lives that follow Christ and ones that stand against Christ. To the followers is the promise of new things and challenge…to the persecutors they will be left with nothing but a legacy of loss.

God will fulill God’s promises and purposes – join with God and receive newness – hope, healing and freedom…rejecting God will not deny God’s plans. [Prayer - LORD, may I see you working in others that I might join in with what you are doing. Amen]

Psalm 26

Even before I read this I was reflecting in God’s ways for us (God’s creatures/creation) and thinking that so many people think that God’s ways for us are perceived as what God needs when really God’s ways for us are what we need. Living God’s way is good for me. This Psalm captures this in prayer as the Psalmist says how they are ‘true to themselves’ and have trusted God. This too is my prayer today…may I be true to myeslf and trust God…Now I stand on solid ground (26:12) [Prayer - LORD rescue me and be kind to me as I seek to be true to myself and trust YOU. Amen]