FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Fierce Pursuit”

Start your time together by reading the story of Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26-38.  

How do you decide what you’re going to do?  What helps you with your direction or your next steps?  Do you make a list of pros and cons or are you more likely to flip a coin?  Do you seek advice from others or just go with the crowd?  Do you tend to pick the easiest?  Cheapest?  Most fun?  Do the words “Magic 8 Ball” ever come into play?

There are so many things we think about when trying to decide what to do, and sometimes those factors can lead to a very muddled, confusing place of uncertainty.  Here’s something that I hope will guide you, us as we continue on from here.  As Christians, as families who have chosen to follow Jesus, the entire rest of our lives should be spent doing the will of God.  That’s our new GPS, our new source for direction.  What God wants us to do is what we want to do, too.  (Say that five times fast.)

Take a look at Philip.  He was one of the first followers of Christ, one of the first “members” of this new Church that was growing.  His goal was to spread the Gospel and help people and communities of believers grow in their new relationships with Jesus.  But it was a big, big world.  How could he know where he could best be used?

Look at vs. 26: Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[a] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went…”

Wait a minute!  Hold on! you say.  If I had the angel of the Lord giving me directions, I’d know what to do, too! you insist.  That’s true.  I bet you would.  But truth be told, I’m betting he is giving you directions.  You may think of them as “ideas” or “spiritual nudges.”  Sometimes we call them “missional impulses.”  Basically it’s the Holy Spirit directing you to do something specific that will, in some way, help advance the Kingdom.  

Don’t believe me?  Have you ever had one of these thoughts randomly rush through your head?

• It sounds like my friend is having a hard time right now.  I should write them a note.
• I feel bad that that kid always sits alone at lunch.  Maybe I should go sit at their table.
• Looks like we have a new family on the block.  We should invite them over for dinner.
• That guy is always helping others.  I wonder if anyone ever does something nice for him?
• Tax return time!  I bet it would really bless somebody’s life if I shared some of this with someone in need.

Ring any bells?  You may not have realized it, but each time that happened, it was the voice of God giving you direction.  Often, we rationalize it away.  We think ourselves out of actually acting on what God is saying.

If I do that, they’ll think I’m silly.  Or other people will think I’m silly.  Besides, they’ll probably say no.  And I really can’t afford to anyway.  I’m just so busy right now.  I’ll do it next week!

The reality is that we get direction from God all the time and we convince ourselves not to follow him.  Imagine what that mental conversation might have sounded like if Philip had questioned those leadings.

Things are going so well in Samaria.  People are getting healed and saved—now is not the time to be heading to the desert!

It could be very dangerous heading to that road, standing there waiting for who knows what.  I’m much more use to God if I keep doing what I’m doing.

I feel like I should talk to that guy, but I don’t know him.  He may not even be able to understand me.  Plus it’ll freak him out if I talk with him.

I don’t want to insult the guy or overstep my bounds.

I’m sure glad Philip listened to that voice.  And I bet the Ethiopian is, too!  And all of his family and descendants.  That’s the great lesson from Philip’s story here.  He followed God’s leading and someone came to believe in Jesus!  How awesome!!

It may seem weird to think it, but the same thing is true for you.  This little nudges, those impulses to reach out to the people around you with kindness, gentleness, love, etc.  That’s God pointing you to someone who needs a special touch from a Jesus-lover.  God knows that that lunch or that gesture of goodwill will open up an opportunity for grace and love to shine through.  Let’s not miss those moments!

Are you feeling any nudges that might be the Holy Spirit trying to lead you?  What can you do?  When can you do it?  Did you ignore or explain away something instead of acting on it?  Can you act on it now?  Share with each other something you can do to respond to God’s direction and connect with someone out there.  Then end your time praying for each other and asking God to use your family for his will. 

SHARE 

What’s your favorite Disney movie song?  I bet I know it!  Not that I can guess what your choice is—too many to choose from.  But I’m certain I know the song.  I mean, let’s be honest.  Disney has a knack for developing catchy toe-tappers that worm their way into your heart and brain.  Sometimes the latter more than the first.  One in particular comes from “The Lion King.”  It details the life philosophy held by Timon, Pumbaa, and eventually Simba in a way that had every preschooler smiling…and every parent ready to stab their eardrums.  (Don’t remember?  Check out the video together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abjAqvdGZgM )

In the song, we learn that if you’re troubled or discouraged by something in your life, the best way to deal with it is, essentially, to not.  Don’t deal with it.  Ignore it.  Brush it away.  It is a “problem-free philosophy.”  It sounds great on the surface, right?  Just don’t worry about it.  But Simba learns, as we all do, that many of life’s problems can’t be brushed aside.  We can try to just ignore them, but that doesn’t make them go away.  They just hover in the corner of our brains waiting to pounce back at us.  Not so Hakuna Matata.

READ

Today we’re wrapping up Habakkuk.  Like Simba, Habakkuk’s been dealing with some stressful circumstances in his present.  He takes his complaint to God who is so faithful!  He responds to Habakkuk by telling the prophet that God is letting the Babylonians defeat the Israelites to teach them a lesson.  Habakkuk’s not content with that idea, either, so he issues another complaint to God.  This time, God gives Habakkuk a snapshot of the future.  He reveals that, while Israel will suffer for their sins now, they will eventually be redeemed.  And Babylon will be crushed for their sins as well.  Read Habakkuk 3 to see his response.

THINK

The first verse lets us know that this isn’t just a prayer—it’s a song.  And it only takes a couple of verses before we realize it’s a song of praise!  After all of these questions and rebuttals, Habakkuk ends with an amazing time of praise for the God of the universe.  While always wonderful, praising God often isn’t unusual.  God deserves our praise, after all!  But in this situation, it’s not what we expect.  You see, God hasn’t changed the situation.  He didn’t alter the plan and set the Babylonians in a different direction.  He didn’t send a king to teach the Israelites while defending them at the same time.  He kept to plan A: defeat and slavery for His chosen people.  

But still Habakkuk praises.  Why?

In that slivered glimpse of the future, Habakkuk recognizes God’s hand at work throughout this whole situation.  He sees the bigger picture, a luxury few of us get.  Habakkuk learns the truth of Romans 8:28—And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.  Isn’t that an awesome verse?  God works for the good.  The good.  In all things.  ALL!  Everything God is doing, he’s doing for the good of his children.  Habakkuk learned that even the defeat of Judah by the meanest neighbors around would be used for their good eventually.

APPLY

We all struggle with different seasons in our life, just like Habakkuk did.  People get sick or lose jobs.  We have trouble in school and at work.  At times, we feel like God is letting the bullies win.  In those times, we have choices about how we handle the difficulties.  We can get mad at God.  We can try and forget the problems and sing “Hakuna Matata.”  Or, we can learn from Habakkuk and trust God.  Remember, God is always good.  He is always loving.  He is always righteous, which means he does the right thing in each and every situation.  Sometimes are struggles happen because we made sinful choices.  Sometimes they happen because of other peoples’ sinful choices.  And sometimes…they just happen.  But in it all, we can hold on to the truth in Romans 8:28 and, like Habakkuk did, trust that God is still at work and bringing good. 

As a family, take a memory verse challenge this week and learn Romans 8:28.  This is a verse that can really help you in tough moments when you have it hidden in your heart.  Help each other memorize this verse.  Maybe you can work together to make a sign of the verse and hang it somewhere everyone will see it, like the fridge or the bathroom mirror.

PRAY

Father God, we know that  your are in control.  And we know that you are loving and good.  But there are times when it’s hard to remember that in the middle of difficult times.  Would you help us keep Habakkuk’s lesson in our hearts and the truth that you are working everything—everything—to our good when we choose to surrender our lives to your Son.  Thank you for that comfort and hope, Lord!  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen

REPLY

Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog?  We'd love to know about it!  Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together.  If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

READ IT! - B|Neighbors - 2 Timothy 2: 1-7, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 8:34-38, Acts 14:19-22, Ephesians 4:11-16, Proverbs 22:13, Luke 10:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:7

Here are this week's scriptures for our B|Neighbors sermon series...

2 Timothy 2:1-7 (NIV)
2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.



Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”



Mark 8:34-38 (NIV)
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”



Acts 14:19-22 (NIV)
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.



Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV)
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.



Proverbs 22:13 (NIV)
13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”



Luke 10:1-3 (NIV)
10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.



2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

PREPARE FOR IT! - B|Neighbors - Acts 11:1-24, , Acts 9:26-30, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Before the next sermon in our B|Neighbors series tomorrow, let's take a look at Paul and Barnabas...

Acts 11:1-24 ( NIV)
Peter Explains His Actions

11 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.


Acts 9:26-30 (NIV)

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.


Romans 5:8 (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

READ IT! - B|Neighbors - Acts 11:1-24, , Acts 9:26-30, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17

This week in our B|Neighbors series, let's take a look at Paul and Barnabas...

Acts 11:1-24 ( NIV)
Peter Explains His Actions

11 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.


Acts 9:26-30 (NIV)

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.


Romans 5:8 (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

PREPARE FOR IT! - B|Neighbors - Acts 9

As we prepare for the start of the B|Neighbors sermon series tomorrow, let's focus on the main character of the series and the big event that started Paul’s ministry of neighboring...

Acts 9 (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

READ IT! - B|Neighbors - Acts 9

To start out the B|Neighbors sermon series this week, let's focus on the main character of the series and the big event that started Paul’s ministry of neighboring...

Acts 9 (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotion -- "Alien Cultures"

Supplies: Bible; slips of paper with these words: sin, Son of God, crucifixion, salvation, the Gospel story

TRY

Let’s play “Alien Charades!”  Your family has just finished dinner when a blindingly bright light appears in your backyard.  You all run out to see two aliens emerging from a spaceship.   They walk up to you holding a picture of Jesus.  While it’s obvious they want to know who this man is, it’s equally obvious they don’t “speak the language.”  Either individually or in teams, have your family take turns acting out the words on the slips of paper.  Remember, these are aliens.  They only have a basic understanding of Earth life from their observations.  How are you going to communicate with them about Jesus?  If you have very young children, ask them to explain what those words mean, or variations of the words.  This is a great opportunity to see how much your child knows about these ideas.

READ

Read Acts 17:16, 19-31.

THINK 

While the scenario from above may seem absurd, Paul found himself in a situation kind of like this. He walked into an “alien” culture not at all like the world he’d grown up in.  These people had never heard of anything like a “one true God.”  To them, “one” and “god” were oxymorons—exact opposites.  But Paul knew they still needed to know about Jesus so they could eventually know Jesus.  It was that passion he had to help these strange Athenians that sparked the creativity he needed to explain Jesus in a meaningful way.

We are surrounded by “alien” cultures.  Everyone has their own background, their own set of values, their own thoughts and ideas on how the world works, and their own opinions about spirituality.  The woman in the office next to yours went to church as a child because her parents wanted some free time.  She thinks Jesus and church are a convenient service, not something that will change her life.  The elderly man across the street went to church until his wife died suddenly in a car accident.  Now he thinks God is mean and punishes people randomly.  Then there’s the guy that sits next to you in math class who has never even heard of Jesus.  His family is from a different country; they’ve never even stepped foot in a church.   With so many different points of view, it can be hard to share the real Jesus in ways that make sense to everybody around us.  But the other option is not to share Him at all…and that’s really not an option.

APPLY

Take some time and talk as a family about the different points of view you come across.  How do your neighbors talk about Jesus?  What about your coworkers?  Your friends at school?  Who do they think He is?  What confuses them about Him?  Now brainstorm ways you can explain or share Jesus that would address these needs.  If one of those individuals showed up in your backyard with a picture of Jesus and a lot of questions, what would you say?  Share your approach with the rest of your family.  Imagine the difference you might be able to make by translating Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness into the “alien” languages around you! 

PRAY

Jesus, we thank You for Your gift of grace and we praise You knowing that this gift is for everyone.  Jesus, would You help us share about You and Your love with the people around us.  Give us the right approach, the right words to speak in ways our friends and neighbors will understand.  Use us, Jesus, to draw people closer to You.  In Your holy name we pray, Amen.

REPLY

Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog?  We'd love to know about it!  Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together.  If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

READ IT! - Monday Reading - Acts 17

Yesterday, the sermon included the following scripture.  

Let's review it together today.

Acts 17

New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul Preaches in Thessalonica

17 Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”
8 The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.

Paul and Silas in Berea

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind.15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.

Paul Preaches in Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.

18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.”
19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)
22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

PREPARE FOR IT! - Saturday Reading - Acts 17

Tomorrow's sermon will include the following scripture.  

Let's read it together today to prepare our hearts.

Acts 17

New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul Preaches in Thessalonica

17 Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”
8 The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.

Paul and Silas in Berea

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind.15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.

Paul Preaches in Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.

18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.”
19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)
22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

It's Time To Eat, Regularly - A Message from Pastor Todd

Dear PoC Family,

When you think about it, “irregularity” is a funny word.  Ok, so maybe you shouldn’t think about it for very long.  It is, however, a word that’s been on my mind a lot lately.  No, not for personal reasons, though now you’re wondering.  But, for spiritual reasons . . . Kingdom reasons . . . PoC reasons.  Let me explain . . .

In Acts 2: 44-47, we see the result of “regularity”.  “All the believers kept meeting together, and they shared everything with each other.  From time to time, they sold their property and other possessions and distributed the money to anyone who needed it.  The believers had a single purpose and went to the temple every day.  They were joyful and humble as they ate at each other’s homes and shared their food.  At the same time, they praised God and had the good will of all the people.  Every day the Lord saved people, and they were added to the group.”

One of the problems that we can have with a sermon series like the one we are in presently is that as we go through the list of the 6 Holy currencies (Story, Listen, Eat, Bless, Celebrate, and Recreate) that “Dad” has given us to recirculate His blessings to all of His children (both lost and found) is that it can feel a lot like a “word of the day” calendar.  It highlights a word for that day or even that week, but before you know it you move on to another word, another day, another week.  Our minds move on so quickly.  It’s not a recipe for regularity.  It feels more occasional than regular.  The currencies aren’t meant to be a weekly focus, but are intended to be a collection of tools that are regularly added to our daily rhythms.

I think one of the reasons that so many believers experience such an up-and-down relationship with Jesus and enjoy such infrequent joy and effectiveness in ministry is because of irregular patterns and rhythms in their spiritual walk.  There was a day when the church met together daily (that’s cool) and even in my lifetime, I remember the church meeting multiple times during the week.  I know you would agree that meeting together in each other’s homes and on the temple courts (wherever we “hang out”) would be one of the most powerful secrets to helping believers be more regularly “on point” regarding our mission and purpose, our calling and focus.    

I wonder how long it took before “all the believers” began to feel and live out the “do something” urgency that we read in Acts 2.  I, for one, need time to “get my head around” big changes and “missional living” is a very big change.  I think God has given PoC our combined stories along with this 8-week sermon series along with our 6-week Sunday night “conversation” so that we can all get our heads around missional living.  If we are not careful, this sermon series will come and go along with “the conversation”.  Because of this, we need to add “doing something” to our consideration, conversation and contemplation.  In other words, we need to “do something” WHILE we are getting our head around it.

That’s why I’m writing today.  This week we will be learning that God has given us the Holy Currency of Eating:  Regularly eat meals with others as a way of inviting them into the family of God.  Why?  Because eating meals with others not only shows care and inclusiveness, but the meals themselves embody love in community.  They put flesh on the phrase “You’re welcome here anytime.”  Meals turn outsiders into family.  I want us to get our head around this rhythm.  I want us to do something while we are getting our head around it.  Make plans now to open your home and/or you schedule to others this week.  It’s time to eat.

Finally, there are three ways the New Testament completes the sentence, “The Son of Man came . . .”:

1. The Son of Man (came not) to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many”.
2. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
3. The Son of Man came eating and drinking.

Consider this:  the first two are statements of purpose answering the question, “Why did Jesus come?”  He came to serve, to give life as a ransom, to seek and to save the lost.  But the third statement is a statement of method.  HOW did Jesus come?  He came eating and drinking.  His “excess” of food and “excess” of grace are linked.  Jesus did not go around merely talking about eating and drinking:  He went around eating and drinking.  Jesus ate with others – a lot – regularly!

Can’t wait to see you Sunday.  Your Pastors Are Praying For You,

Pastor Todd

jtoddkeller@pointofchange.org

3098269944

Monday Readings

• Luke 10:38-42  (NIV) 

At the Home of Martha and Mary 

 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

• Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) 

The Fellowship of the Believers 

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.