Week beginning Monday April 13th 2009

Acts 13 & 14

I was away for a few days this week – I’m a bit behind.

I guess all I want to say about Acts 13 & 14 was that life is no different today – some people are open to what God would say and do and others are not. I am a bit of an eternal optimist, so negative reactions to the Gospel always way heavy on me. These chapters invite me to be a realist while still hoping and having faith that people will respond. Having said that this year has been amazing in terms of seeing people respond to God’s Spirit guiding and speaking into people’s hearts and minds. Go GOD!!!! Simlar I guess to when Paul and Barnabas saw people respond as well. [Prayer - LORD where you will guide I will follow - in your strength alone. AMEN]

Week beginning Monday 6th April 2009

Acts 11 & 12

It’s all about what God does!

Peter discovers that following the way of Jesus leads him to places he was never expecting to be – in a gentile’s home or in prison. What a gift it was for Peter and Barnabas to see what God was doing! All Barnabas did was to encourage the people to remain faithful.

Firstly it is all about what God does and secondly all we need to do is to be and encourage faithfulness.

We can never know exactly what will happen in our lives (as a verse in Proverbs 14 says ‘we can do what is right and still end up dead’) I thought of this when reading that James (Jesus’ own brother) is beheaded and Peter is freed from jail.

I loved the fact that while teh church was praying for Peter, when he turns up they are all in shock!!! So much for needing to believe in our own prayers – all that we need is that small mustard seed – it is all about what God does and we just need to keep encouraging and be faithful.

I am certainly seeing this reality in our churches life at the moment – it is all about what God does…we just need to be faithful with our small mustard seeds. [PRAYER - LORD all glory goes to you because you are the one who completely amazes us. Help me to see what you are doing and to respond in faithfulness and encouragement. AMEN]