Acts 12 James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

Even though Saul had converted to Christianity, the Church was still experiencing persecution. Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great who attempted to take Jesus' life as a child, killed James, the brother of John, one of the apostles, and imprisoned Peter. Peter was placed in "death row" until after the Passover to bring him out to the people to judge him and very probably, to sentence him to death. "But earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church." The Church was constantly depending on the Spirit for boldness, courage, guidance, and protection.  Am I depending on the Spirit on a daily basis for boldness, guidance, and protection?

The Church was offering "earnest" prayer for Peter. The word has a sense of stretching to the limit; prayers were offered with sincere and intense conviction to the max, fervently! Is my prayer life practiced in earnest? Or is my prayer life boring, lacking intensity, even faith? It is not how long, but how intense. It is not how loud, but how fervent. It is not the form, but the sincerity of heart that defines the conviction behind the prayer. The Church is called to depend on the Holy Spirit and the best declaration of dependence is prayer, earnest prayer.

Peter's escape from prison was a supernatural event thanks to the prayers of the Church. He was guarded heavily, probably due to the report that the Apostles had escaped prison before (Acts 5). But no guard in the world can stop the angels of the Lord from acting on our behalf. As a believer, I have in the angels great allies who minister to me in times of need. They are servants of the Lord whom God sends on missions to accomplish his will, and many of those missions are on my behalf. Do I believe in the angels? Do I believe that God can intervene in time and space on my behalf through his angels? Persecution will bring death to many Christians on this earth and that does not mean that God loves them any less. But if God has plans with my life, no one can take it until he grants permission.

After a miraculous escape, Peter went to Mary's house where many were gathered and praying. When Peter knocked on the door, Rhoda, a servant girl recognized him, but out of joy ran to the people inside and left Peter outside. The believers could not believe her report, but kept saying it was his angel. This is what most people call today a guardian angel. It was believed that the appearance of the angel was that of the person he guarded. There is no Scriptural basis for this belief, but there is basis to believe in guardian angels or angels as messengers on behalf of God's people. Prayer unleashes the angels of God to act on our behalf. Do I pray believing that God will answer? or like these people, I can't believe when God acts? Why am I surprised when God acts on my behalf answering my prayers?

It was not Peter's time, but it was James' time. Only God knows when our time is up. To protect Peter, and the Church, God took care of the soldiers, and even Herod himself and the word of God increased and multiplied. My time will come and God is the only one who knows when. In the meantime, I resolve to do my best to serve my King upon this earth. I want to live every moment to the glory of my King.

Father, teach me to pray. May my prayer life be earnest. Increase my faith to believe that you send your angels to minister on my behalf when needed. Grant me faith to expect your answers and believe them when they happen. May I depend on you for everything every day. Amen.

Acts 10:1-8 Peter and Cornelius

I have asked multiple times, How does God deal with people who are fearful of him, decent with their neighbor, and generous with the needy? These are people who don't have a clear picture of the Gospel, but are devout to God in the little they understand. Cornelius is one of those cases. Here is a Roman centurion, in charge of many men in the Italian Cohort. His devotion was evident in his leading his family, giving alms, and praying. I have a better understanding of the Gospel than Cornelius, but am I more devoted to God than him? I want to be as devout as Cornelius...

God was aware of Cornelius, his life, and his family and pleased with him. The devotion that people display for God in their understanding of him is not in vain. God takes notice and he makes sure to provide for that person the understanding required. In Cornelius' case, God sent an angel to give him instructions to call on Simon, Peter to come and speak to him. There are countless of testimonies of people who have received visions, dreams, and divine appointments with people to explain to them the kingdom of God.

These God fearing people, despite their lack of understanding, have a great heart for God and are willing to obey him in the little they understand. Cornelius was terrified when he saw the angel, but understood that God wanted something with him. He did not waste time once he understood what he needed to do. He believed and acted in obedience. I am certain that even today there are people like Cornelius. I pray God will give me the opportunity to meet a Cornelius that I can guide in the understanding of the faith.

It is interesting to read that Cornelius was not only devout himself, but he led his family in this devotion. Moreover, it seems he also chose the people to serve him and the people in his close circle of friends who were devout people as well. Not many people would be willing to share a vision with servants and friends unless they shared in his beliefs. This detail speaks volumes of this man and his faith. Do I run my family like Cornelius? Do I choose my close friends carefully like Cornelius?

I am challenged by Cornelius greatly because he is very devout in his little understanding. I know I have a better understanding of the Gospel than he did at this point, but do I have half of his devotion? Are my prayers and alms ascending as a memorial to God; is God taking notice of what I do with my faith? Am I pleasing God with my life, family, and friends?

Father, help me be a devout Christian with a heart to pray, give, and lead my family to serve you. I also want to be an instrument in your hands to guide a Cornelius in this life to the kingdom. Grant me that opportunity. Amen.

Acts 8:26-40 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

The Holy Spirit not only empowered Christians to be bold and courageous to speak the Word, but he also guided them on where to go and what to do even in the midst of persecution. In the efforts to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, God uses even angels to guide his people. Philip is a perfect example of a follower of Christ who was obedient to such guidance. He was told to take a road that led to a desert place and yet Philip obeyed and went. He did not question why would God lead him to a desert place. If the goal was to preach to as many people as possible, why go to the desert? The city is a better choice! Am I open to God's guidance in whatever form it may come? Am I willing to obey even when I don't understand clearly why? If I am going to be effective in the proclamation of the Gospel in this world I must not only understand the message, but I must be obedient to God's directions on where to take the message as well.

Philip's obedience brings him in contact with an Ethiopian eunuch, a very important and influential Treasurer for queen Candace. A eunuch is a castrated man chosen to work in very influential positions in a kingdom. Castration was a means to ensure that the person would not have any family taking away any personal interests or ulterior motives to serve a king or queen. What an opportunity to bring the Word to someone so influential in his time. This was a divine appointment. If I receive and obey God's guidance, I will have divine appointments to share the good news of the Gospel. Am I sensitive enough to perceive God's guidance day by day? I can't obey what I can't hear.

Philip came along side the eunuch's chariot and befriended him before he was invited to get in the chariot to speak the Word. The Ethiopian eunuch confessed that he needed guidance in order to understand what he was reading, but he didn't have someone to help him. The proclamation of the Gospel takes place when a person with a need to understand is met by a person with a desire to explain. Philip's obedience brought him in contact with someone in need, but he first comes alongside and waits for an invitation. Like Philip, I must seize the opportunity of an encounter by coming alongside and showing a genuine interest to help. Only then will I be invited to share the good news. The old saying applies here: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." (Don Swartz)

When the eunuch invited Philip to enter the chariot, he was in for the ride of his life. The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 and he was wondering who was the prophet talking about. Philip begins with this passage and told him the good news about Jesus leading him to believe and even make a commitment to baptism. Divine appointments require that I be ready to explain the Scriptures leading to the good news of Jesus. If I don't study the Scriptures, how can I lead those who are hungry to understand it? My effectiveness as a witness in the world depends on my ability to convey God's message as it is written in the Scriptures. Do I read the Bible? Do I take time to study it? Do I meditate on it day and night?

Father, make me an obedient messenger of your Word. Help me perceive your guidance in the midst of a noisy world. Empower me to intentionally befriend those who are seeking to understand your Word. Grant me great understanding of your Word and the ability to explain it to others. Amen.

Acts 6:8-15 Stephen is Seized

Stephen was not one of the apostles and yet God used him mightily! This man was full of grace and power. Of course, the grace is God's grace. God poured out his unmerited favor upon him in ways that were evident to the people who knew him. Also, God's power was in operation through his life. This was evident by the signs and wonders that he was doing among the people. It was not his own grace and power, but God's grace in operation working through his life on behalf of those who were in need.

Several Jews came together to dispute or argue with him, but they could not withstand his wisdom and Spirit. How many deacons you know in the church that are able to stop an argumentative Pharisee on his tracks? Not many! If any at all. Stephen's story gives me an inkling of the caliber of the workers of the Early Church. They were not newbies to the faith. They knew their stuff! And this is the product of increasing the Word of God! The Apostles dedicated themselves to their call to preach and teach and the people benefitted from that by growing in the grace of God to the point of being able to use it to preach and teach themselves.

One of my sins is spiritual gluttony. I want more and more of the Word of God, but for what? Do I make good use of it to minister to others in the body of Christ? or is it just to increase my head knowledge and say: "I know that." Packing in the Word of God and not using it to feed others makes me "fat." And I am not talking about faithful, available, and teachable. I'm talking about fearful, apathetic, and touchy. The accumulation of Scriptural knowledge for the sake of knowing alone has disastrous results. Instead of spurring on growth, it makes me stagnate in my spiritual growth. The kingdom of God is about service. Stephen understood this well and that's why the power of God was evident through his life.

But the world got fed up with Stephen and they framed him to bring him down. It was the only way to silence him - to make him a martyr. As he stood before the council listening to the many false testimonies spoken against him, God gave him more grace with the radiant look of an angel on his face. It seems to be a godly intervention on behalf of Stephen. But despite such a manifestation in his countenance, the council dismissed it after hearing his message and killed him anyway. Signs and wonders are not enough  for the world. Ultimately, if you don't befriend the world, it will take your life. We have been warned by Jesus that the world will hate us. We must be ready for this type of opposition and persecution. Am I ready?

Father, thank you for men like Stephen who give us clear example of what it is to live a life of faith in the midst of a threatening world. Grant me his knowledge, courage, and desire to serve at whatever cost.

Matthew 28:1-10 The Resurrection

The tomb had been sealed and secured with a guard of Roman soldiers. But nothing could contain the Son of God. An earthquake shook the tomb. An angel rolled back the stone. The sealed tomb was opened. The guard became like dead. A message is given to the women who came to see the tomb: "He is not here! He has risen!" How fitting to deliver the message firsthand to those who were seeking Jesus. A call is issued: "Come and see!" And once they realize that the tomb is empty a commission is given: "Go and tell!"

This is the essence of the Gospel. The message of the cross compels me to seek Jesus. His display of love and forgiveness is like no other in the universe. He loved me so much as to give his life for me. He hung on the cross to give me the opportunity into a new life. He unselfishly offered himself in my place to spare me of condemnation. He loved me first so that I could love him back. At the cross my sin was washed away with all my guilt and shame.

But if I want to truly seek Jesus, I have to settle in my heart who he is for me. In order to do that, I need to come to the tomb! It is not enough to come to the cross; I must also visit the tomb and see it empty. The resurrection is the seal of approval from the Father that Jesus is who he said he is. It is the proof that his teachings were not mere words into the wind. At the cross, I am forgiven. At the tomb, I am convinced. The call is there for me: "Come and see!"

I must come to the tomb because it is there that I am commissioned. The call to "Come and See" is followed by the command to "Go and Tell!" Once I am convinced of the reality that has taken place in my heart, I have the duty to proclaim it to the four winds. I cannot keep it inside. I must tell. I become a genuine witness of what took place at the cross after I come to the tomb and am convinced of the reality of the resurrection. A visit to the tomb strips the cross of its mere sentimentality and fills it with true fear and joy. Fear of an awesome God who orchestrated such a plan. Joy of the reality of my freedom from sin and condemnation. Hallelujah!

Father, take me to the tomb and convince me in mind and heart of the reality of the resurrection. Make me a true witness of Christ that I may proclaim the good news to all who need to hear.