Showing posts with label Acts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acts. Show all posts
1/23/2008
Acts 23 - Different cities, same Jesus
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” - Acts 23:11 (ESV)
Italian and Israeli culture are about as different now as they were in the 1st Century. Yet, both back then and now, the message of Jesus remains the same. What struck me about this passage is that both Rome and Jerusalem (not to mention the rest of the world) needed to hear about Christ. They still need to hear it.
Do we have the same determination as Paul? Before we start looking to testify about Jesus in Rome (or anywhere else), we should be active in proclaiming Him in our own area.
It is cold today in Algona though. I not complaining or making excuses, I'm just sayin' that there just isn't much of a crowd outside. But our Lord can make things happen even in the coldest of climates. Right Steve?
1/06/2008
Acts 6 - The right work at the right time
We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
- Acts 6:4 (ESV)
D.A. Carson says this about this passage:
Two years ago my wife shared this verse with me along with the corresponding devotional thought from D.A. Carson's For the Love of God vol. 2. I have a copy of this page on my desk to help focus and prioritize what I do. Since I am currently going through this book myself, I was struck again the determination of the Twelve.
Here it is, many days after reading this thought, and I am finally getting around to completing this post. The "hundred distracting things" have been receiving more attention than they should. May the Lord help us all to keep the important the central part of what we do.
- Acts 6:4 (ESV)
D.A. Carson says this about this passage:
We may not have the Twelve today, but pastors/elders/overseers have inherited this ministry of the word and prayer. That includes not only teaching others, but doing the serious study and preparation and intercession that stand behind good teaching and preaching. There will always be a hundred things to distract you. Do not be distracted from what is central.
Two years ago my wife shared this verse with me along with the corresponding devotional thought from D.A. Carson's For the Love of God vol. 2. I have a copy of this page on my desk to help focus and prioritize what I do. Since I am currently going through this book myself, I was struck again the determination of the Twelve.
Here it is, many days after reading this thought, and I am finally getting around to completing this post. The "hundred distracting things" have been receiving more attention than they should. May the Lord help us all to keep the important the central part of what we do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)