Acts 10

“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right."

This is a pretty major shift in thinking about how God looks at people.  If I'm not mistaken, up to this point, it has all been the "chosen" Jewish community.  This is the first time we see God relaying a message that all people living for him are accepted into his kingdom.  That's pretty cool.  I can image it was a shocking message back then, and a very comforting message now.  I really like how Christianity transcends countries, politics, regions, climates, and socio-economic breakdowns. All are welcome.  It all comes down to the fact that us being saved, doesn't have as much to do with us, as it does what Christ has done.  Does that make sense.  All we have to do is believe.  It doesn't matter our circumstance or standig.

The club is "all-inclusive"


have a good weekend.
I hope you win!

Acts 9

25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.


I was struggling today so I did a search on sermons for this Chapter and found one on the Ropehandlers.  Its those people that do all the little behind the scenes jobs around the church that help enable the pastor or others who might be viewed as the leader or the main attraction.  Just like the rope handlers in this verse that lowered Saul in a basket to protect him from his assailants.  Without their assistance he would may not be able to have as great of Kingdom impact.  It struck me personally because I enjoy doing the behind the scenes tasks at church but at times it doesn't feel so impactful...but I guess it has its place. 

heres a link to the sermon, a quick read.
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/ropehandlers-stephen-funderburk-sermon-on-growth-in-christ-83542.asp?Page=1

knut

Acts 8

21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 


Just like Simon, it doesn't matter if we tithe to the church with our money or give of our time to others if our hearts are not right with God.  These are actions that are good for us but earn us nothing.  Not by works but by faith we received His Grace.

Knut

Acts 7

51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 


Well I selected this verse very scientifically, I have the worst stiff neck of my life had it all night last night so this caught my eye.  The entire chapter is a good historical read and other than the stiff neck nothing initially caught my eye in this verse.

But as I kept reading it, the word resist jumped out at me.  It didn't say you don't hear, see or even ignore the Holy Spirit.  It is more intentional, resist defined as--To strive to fend off or offset the actions, effects, or force of.  A sad commentary that they had the Word given to them yet they resist following its instruction and that of the Holy Spirit...how often do I resist the Holy Spirit?  My antennas will be up for this and I hope to challenge myself not to resist.

knut

Acts 6

10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.


I need to remind myself that if I am truly full of the Holy Spirit I won't have to worry about having the right words to say when in conversations with others about God's Grace.  I sometimes am hesitant to engage in discussion and debate for fear I won't have the answers and will do more harm than good, but the wisdom doesn't come from my own brain so no need to worry.

knut

Acts 5

BOOM!
This guy Gamaliel seems to be the only one that is logical, and has a grasp on the potential for what's going on around them
Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Bottom line is.....if its from God, you aren't going to stand in the way of it.

I find myself reading this chapter and thinking 2 things;
1.  I wish God was as visibly active today in our world as he was back then.  Maybe he is, and I'm not looking thru the right glasses.......but, MAN!!!!  to be witness to the things written in here,  WOW!
2.  Its quite a transformation from a guy who denied Jesus 3 times in 1 night....to this Peter boldly standing in front of the Sandhidrin, and giving them the "what-for".  That kind of human change can only come from one source of power.  It can't be Peter alone making the decisions.

peace

Acts 4

19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 

I'm enjoying reading Acts and just reflecting on how it must have been for them as they started their work of spreading the Good Word following Jesus ascension to heaven.  The obviously had a fire burning in their heart that could not be put out by anyone including the most powerful in their community.

Should we listen to today's society or do as God has instructed us through His word?  Simple question and I know the answer, and yet don't always follow through.  What am I afraid of?

knut

Acts 3

 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.


By their faith in Jesus a healing occurred, not the lame man's faith. Whenever I need someone to pray that has a lot of faith I tell Gina.  She and a group of people from our church are true prayer warriors.  They have a faith that I see power in yet I don't seem to have that level of faith myself.  They have prayed over many people and situations with amazing results.  I want to get to that level of faith, today I don't think I'm there.  I get confounded with His will versus my prayer requests then get feelings that my prayers really don't make a difference.  Ever feel that way?  I prayed my Dad would be healed.  He wasn't, people told me yes he was it was just in heaven.  Well I believe he was healed in heaven, but the fact is that isn't what I prayed for so it sure did n't feel good at the time.  

not sure where I'm going just rambling I guess, i want to have that kind of faith that can really make a difference others can see.

knut

Acts 2

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.


Pretty amazing chapter, the birth of our church 2,000 years ago.  How convicted the people must have felt after listening to Peter's sermon.  They asked what to do and he said repent and be baptized.  The simple message we should be prepared to share if ever asked by someone looking to received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

below is a quick read outline that helped parts of this chapter come to life to me that I had blow right past.  especially Peter's addressing of the crowd.
http://executableoutlines.com/cia/cia_01.htm

knut

Acts 1

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Do I feel powerful?  Not really, but he has told us we have power if the Holy Spirit has come upon us.  What a waste if we are not using this power to be witnesses here at our end of the earth.  I am trying to take more opportunities at work to be very open about my faith.  Not pushing, just being unafraid to make it clear who I believe in and I think I have already seen Him action through this crack in the door I have given Him.  It doesn't take much on my part for Him to show his power.

knut

Reading History

Book:	Completed
Written by Moses
1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy	Oct-11
OT Narratives
6. Joshua	Oct-11
7. Judges	Dec-11
8. Ruth	Dec-11
9. 1 Samuel	Feb-12
10. 2 Samuel	Mar-12
11. 1 Kings
12. 2 Kings
13. 1 Chronicles
14. 2 Chronicles
15. Ezra
16. Nehemiah
17. Esther
Wisdom Literature
18. Job
19. Psalms	Ch 1-32, Jan 2013
20. Proverbs	Mar-13
21. Ecclesiastes	Apr-13
22. Song of Songs	Apr-13
Major Prophets
23. Isaiah	Isaiah 1-35 Jun-13
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel
Minor Prophets
28. Hosea
29. Joel
30. Amos
31. Obadiah
32. Jonah
33. Micah
34. Nahum
35. Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah
37. Haggai
38. Zechariah
39. Malachi
NT Narratives
40. Matthew
41. Mark
42. Luke	Jan-13
43. John
44. Acts
Epistles by Paul
45. Romans	May-12
46. 1 Corinthians	May-12
47. 2 Corinthians	Jul-12
48. Galatians	Jul-12
49. Ephesians	Jul-12
50. Philippians	Aug-12
51. Colossians	Aug-12
52. 1 Thessalonians	Sep-12
53. 2 Thessalonians	Sep-12
54. 1 Timothy	Sep-12
55. 2 Timothy	Sep-12
56. Titus	Sep-12
57. Philemon	Sep-12
General Epistles
58. Hebrews	Oct-12
59. James	Apr-12
60. 1 Peter	Nov-12
61. 2 Peter	Nov-12
62. 1 John	Nov-12
63. 2 John	Nov-12
64. 3 John	Nov-12
65. Jude	Nov-12
Apocalyptic Epistle by John
66. Revelation

catching up

I'm back in the USA now.  Trying to catch up to you.  I'm at chapter 27.   I will try to go quickly enough to catch up to you this week, then maybe as you suggest we can mark our spot and find some time in the New Testament for a while.

Thanks for keeping us moving!  I did pretty well at least following until last week when I got nothing done.
I'm back in the game!

knut