SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:4-12 “Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said…” (Acts 13:9) I have never experienced the Spirit’s leading like this. As Jesus-followers, we all have the Spirit of Jesus. (Matthew 10:19-20). The Spirit is not a power we control (making people blind, or healing people, at our disposal). The Spirit is a power…
Category: daily meditations
To seek the Lord with intensity
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:25-13:3 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…” (Acts 13:2) I can’t recall ever worshiping and fasting as a church like this. Fasting has not been a part of our church practice (I’ve fasted personally). I like how it’s not about fasting, but about worshiping, and praying, with fasting. To…
The humbled exalted
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:19-24 “But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” (Acts 12:24) Luke (the author of Acts) is giving his commentary on what happened. He is interpreting the news of the day in light of the kingdom of God. The word of God (the message of Jesus, not the bible) is spreading and growing….
Praise THIS Lord!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 135 “Our Lord is greater than all gods.” (Psalm 135:5) There is only one God, but there are many pictures of God. These pictures (‘gods’) are projections from our minds, ways that we see God. God warns people against making pictures (idols), because they always fall short. All of us are guilty of shaping our…
Whatever you do
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3-4 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) In this section, Paul is advising us how to live as Jesus followers. Stay focused on God and Jesus, resist the power of sin, overflow…
The real thing?
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1-2 “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Colossians 2:17) Jesus has set us free from religion, the shadows that make us appear spiritual. Spiritual practices cannot save us from sin, death or hell… only Jesus can. Jesus is the fullness of God given…
Open the door and look!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:12-19 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her.” (Acts 12:15) I take comfort in the fact that I am not the only one. As a Jesus follower, I believe in a God of power, resurrection and miracles. People who don’t share my beliefs would say I was out of my mind. And yet here…
He has His reasons
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:1-11 “He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” (Acts 12:2) “The Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches.” (Acts 12:11) Why did the Lord rescue Peter, but not James? Why does the Lord heal some people, but not others? Miracles and divine interventions happens, but not…
‘He wants to be like Jesus!’
SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:19-30 “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” (Acts 11:26) At that time, the name ‘Christian’ was new, it was a compliment. After centuries of confusion and misunderstanding, the name has lost it’s punch. They were content to be known as disciples (‘student’, ‘apprentice’, ‘follower’) of Jesus. The concern today is that we have…
Even to … THEM???
SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:1-18 “Even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18) Can you think of someone that you would be surprised if they repented? Someone so immoral, so impossibly stubborn or so different? What stands out for me here is the words ‘God has granted repentance’. Literally ‘given’, God has given them…