"In Damascus there was disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, 'Ananias!' "Yes, Lord,' he answered!" Acts 9:10
The Lord sent Ananias to minister to the newly converted Saul of Tarsus. Ananias was instrumental in helping Saul take his first steps in the Christian life. We never hear of Ananias again in the Biblical record. He was just an ordinary disciple of Jesus who was sensitive and obedient to the Lord's leading in His life. Although his name is little known to us, Ananias played a significant role in Saul's life and thus in the Christian mission. The Lord knew Ananias name and entrusted him with a significant task. Every disciple who listens for the Lord's leading and obeys plays a significant role in God's kingdom whether his or her name ever becomes famous or not. Are we willing to be ordinary disciples who listens for God's call and respond obediently?
Father, I am an ordinary person who wants to be involved in your extraordinary work. Help me like Ananias to hear when You call and to say "Yes, Lord."
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Led by the Spirit
"The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and and stay near it.' Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked. ...Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus." Acts 8:29-30
By following the Holy Spirit's leadership Philip ended up near a man at just the right time to share Jesus with Him. Could the Holy Spirit be telling me or you to "stay near" someone so that we will be positioned to share Christ with them when the opportune moment comes? I think that this is exactly how the Holy Spirit works. God leads Christians to build relationships with unsaved people around them so that when the opportune moment comes (also called "a divine appointment") we will be in a position to share Christ. The opportune moment may be a crisis or a curious question or any other circumstance that God uses to open a persons heart to hear the gospel. The question is "Will we be in position and ready when the time comes because we have obeyed the Spirit's leadership?"
Father, lead me by your Spirit to stay near those who you want me to help find Christ. As you create the divine appointment help me to ready and willing to serve you in their lives.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
By following the Holy Spirit's leadership Philip ended up near a man at just the right time to share Jesus with Him. Could the Holy Spirit be telling me or you to "stay near" someone so that we will be positioned to share Christ with them when the opportune moment comes? I think that this is exactly how the Holy Spirit works. God leads Christians to build relationships with unsaved people around them so that when the opportune moment comes (also called "a divine appointment") we will be in a position to share Christ. The opportune moment may be a crisis or a curious question or any other circumstance that God uses to open a persons heart to hear the gospel. The question is "Will we be in position and ready when the time comes because we have obeyed the Spirit's leadership?"
Father, lead me by your Spirit to stay near those who you want me to help find Christ. As you create the divine appointment help me to ready and willing to serve you in their lives.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Who is in Control?
"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" Acts 7:51
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7:55
What a contrast! The "religious" people resisted the work of the Holy Spirit because they wanted to maintain control of their lives and religion. Stephen released full control of his life to the Holy Spirit even to the point of martyrdom. The religious leaders lived on in narrow-minded jealousy, bitterness, and anger toward everything that threatened their "self" control. Stephen died in peace with a joyful realization of the presence and blessing of the risen Lord Jesus. Who is in control of your life? I am sure that when skydiving the first step out of an airplane is tough but after that comes the exhilaration. So also the first step of yielding control to the Holy Spirit is tough for us but after that step comes the exhilaration of a Spirit-filled life.
Father, I must confess that I am too much in control of my life and thus have been guilty of resisting Your Spirit. Help me to take the step of full surrender to Your Holy Spirit today so that I might live joyfully and powerfully as Stephen did.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7:55
What a contrast! The "religious" people resisted the work of the Holy Spirit because they wanted to maintain control of their lives and religion. Stephen released full control of his life to the Holy Spirit even to the point of martyrdom. The religious leaders lived on in narrow-minded jealousy, bitterness, and anger toward everything that threatened their "self" control. Stephen died in peace with a joyful realization of the presence and blessing of the risen Lord Jesus. Who is in control of your life? I am sure that when skydiving the first step out of an airplane is tough but after that comes the exhilaration. So also the first step of yielding control to the Holy Spirit is tough for us but after that step comes the exhilaration of a Spirit-filled life.
Father, I must confess that I am too much in control of my life and thus have been guilty of resisting Your Spirit. Help me to take the step of full surrender to Your Holy Spirit today so that I might live joyfully and powerfully as Stephen did.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Ministry of the Word
"So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, 'It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.'" Acts 6:2
Place anything you like after "in order to." It is never right to neglect the ministry of God's Word. Even important tasks must not be allowed to take away from the church's all important ministry of preaching and teaching the Word. The pastor must prepare and preach the Word faithfully. Connection Group leaders must prepare to faithfully lead their groups to discover, discuss, and apply the truths of God's Word. God's Word changes lives for eternity (see Acts 6:7). Other ministries must be done and so other people able and qualified must step forward to serve in the church and in the Connection Groups so that needs are met and the life changing ministry of the Word is not neglected.
Father, thank you for Your life changing Word and our church's commitment to proclaim it. Help me to do my part to ensure that the ministry of the Word of God is not neglected.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Place anything you like after "in order to." It is never right to neglect the ministry of God's Word. Even important tasks must not be allowed to take away from the church's all important ministry of preaching and teaching the Word. The pastor must prepare and preach the Word faithfully. Connection Group leaders must prepare to faithfully lead their groups to discover, discuss, and apply the truths of God's Word. God's Word changes lives for eternity (see Acts 6:7). Other ministries must be done and so other people able and qualified must step forward to serve in the church and in the Connection Groups so that needs are met and the life changing ministry of the Word is not neglected.
Father, thank you for Your life changing Word and our church's commitment to proclaim it. Help me to do my part to ensure that the ministry of the Word of God is not neglected.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
What's Happened-
So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it....Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And everday, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 5:38-39, 41-42 (ESV)
or what's different? Let's think about the situation at hand for a moment. The apostles are put into prision for speaking the name of Christ in public, they are freed by an angel, they are told to go and speak in the Temple courts. Morning arises, the High Priest finds out what is happening i, he gets enraged and calls all the men to be brought before the council. Yet, despite all the obstacles and hurdles that the apsotles are facing, they stand firm in their mission and calling from God.
The question that comes to my mind is, What has happened to the church in America? Is God not at work anymore, or is it us? I believe the answer is obvious, it is us. To many times I tend to lean upon my own abilities, get things done that I know I can accomplish on my own, but what would happen in my life if I started living radically for Christ. Not dependent upon myself, but totally dependent upon God. Would I be willing to take that step of faith, not sure of what lies ahead but trusting God in every step? These men lived this way and God did amazing things through them. What would FBC Cove look like if we lived lives like these men in Acts 5?
Father, help me to become a man that is totally sold out for you. I confess that to many times in my life I have tried to do things on my own. I am asking that you change me, help me to have the boldness, strength, courage and power that is displayed in the lives of the apostles in chapter 5.
Acts 5:38-39, 41-42 (ESV)
or what's different? Let's think about the situation at hand for a moment. The apostles are put into prision for speaking the name of Christ in public, they are freed by an angel, they are told to go and speak in the Temple courts. Morning arises, the High Priest finds out what is happening i, he gets enraged and calls all the men to be brought before the council. Yet, despite all the obstacles and hurdles that the apsotles are facing, they stand firm in their mission and calling from God.
The question that comes to my mind is, What has happened to the church in America? Is God not at work anymore, or is it us? I believe the answer is obvious, it is us. To many times I tend to lean upon my own abilities, get things done that I know I can accomplish on my own, but what would happen in my life if I started living radically for Christ. Not dependent upon myself, but totally dependent upon God. Would I be willing to take that step of faith, not sure of what lies ahead but trusting God in every step? These men lived this way and God did amazing things through them. What would FBC Cove look like if we lived lives like these men in Acts 5?
Father, help me to become a man that is totally sold out for you. I confess that to many times in my life I have tried to do things on my own. I am asking that you change me, help me to have the boldness, strength, courage and power that is displayed in the lives of the apostles in chapter 5.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Fresh Power
"On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ... After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."
Acts 4:23-24, 31
When their mission was threatened the Apostles' natural reaction was to gather with the church. And the church's natural reaction was to seek God in prayer. And God's response was to fill them with fresh power to continue the mission. Do we realize that our mission is threatened today by our secular culture? Do we pull together as a church to seek God in prayer as if everything depended on Him? Do we expect fresh power from god to continue the mission?
Father, forgive us when we fail to embrace our mission and fail seek You together as we ought for the power and direction we need to share the Gospel in our culture. Remold us after the pattern of the early church.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Acts 4:23-24, 31
When their mission was threatened the Apostles' natural reaction was to gather with the church. And the church's natural reaction was to seek God in prayer. And God's response was to fill them with fresh power to continue the mission. Do we realize that our mission is threatened today by our secular culture? Do we pull together as a church to seek God in prayer as if everything depended on Him? Do we expect fresh power from god to continue the mission?
Father, forgive us when we fail to embrace our mission and fail seek You together as we ought for the power and direction we need to share the Gospel in our culture. Remold us after the pattern of the early church.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Sunday, April 12, 2009
"While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: 'Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?'" Acts 3:11-12
Every significant spiritual work is Jesus' work. Peter readily recognized and gave glory to Jesus for the healing of the lame beggar. When we see spiritual work being done and impacting the life of people we should recognize that it is Jesus who is doing it. Our tendency may be to credit a person or take credit ourselves for the work being done. We are privileged to be God's instrument in the work but like Peter we need to quickly give God the glory and thank Him that He has allowed us to participate.
Father, I thank you for the privlege of participating in your work. Help me to recognize your working and to always give you the glory with a grateful heart.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Every significant spiritual work is Jesus' work. Peter readily recognized and gave glory to Jesus for the healing of the lame beggar. When we see spiritual work being done and impacting the life of people we should recognize that it is Jesus who is doing it. Our tendency may be to credit a person or take credit ourselves for the work being done. We are privileged to be God's instrument in the work but like Peter we need to quickly give God the glory and thank Him that He has allowed us to participate.
Father, I thank you for the privlege of participating in your work. Help me to recognize your working and to always give you the glory with a grateful heart.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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