Today's Reading:
Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20
Acts 4:1-37
Psalm 50:16-23
Click on Text Link to Read Online
Focus Verses: Acts 4:13-14
13 When
they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were
unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that
these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
Insight:
The
religious leaders who seized and jailed Peter and John were astonished.
How could such unschooled and ordinary men perform a miracle, preach
with such clarity and conviction, and be so confident when confronted?
Three
things in the text explain the extraordinary effectiveness of such
ordinary people. Peter and John had been with Jesus. The miracle they
had performed in the name and power of Jesus was undeniable (the healed
man was standing right there with them). The growing community of
believers was faithful in prayer for them.
Response and Action:
I'm
an ordinary person, but my devotion and fellowship with Christ Jesus
can produce extraordinary results in my life. I will seek him first. I
will commit myself to daily time in the scriptures and in prayer. I will
set my heart and mind to follow him. I will cultivate an awareness of
his presence and sensitivity to his Spirit. I will be open about my
faith in Christ. I will give Jesus the honor for every good thing I am
able to do by his power and grace. I will not be afraid of those who do
question or oppose the cause of Christ. I will live in Christian
community, depending on my Christian friends for prayer, encouragement,
and help.
O
God, thank you for your love and mercy for all people. Thank you for
Jesus who came to seek and save all who come to him in faith and
humility. By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, lead, teach,
transform, shape, and strengthen your people for effective service in
your kingdom. May the weakness and ordinariness of our lives be an
astonishing reminder and testimony to all that the good we say and do is
the result of your presence and power within us. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Romans 8:39-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Resources:
Make Your Job a Calling by Bryan J. Dik and Ryan D. Duffy
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Ordinary, Yet Astonishing
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