The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. Acts 11:29 (NIV)
In this short passage of Scripture, a severe famine was predicted. Sometimes, I believe, we are able to predict what is going to happen just by knowing how things work and by being aware of the current signs. When there is a crop failure, we know the cost of that product will probably rise because its availability will be limited. We know when we are in the middle of a drought, that our garden plants will struggle to survive and may not be able to produce much or any fruit. Often, we try to prepare for these difficult situations by building up a reserve – filling our pantries or freezers with extra food. Scripturally, we are told to be prepared. May we be able to assist others when they find themselves to be in need due to unforeseen events or circumstances. May we also be personally prepared for those challenging times in life. However, may we be even more prepared for the day when we will see our Lord, face-to-face. May we be blessed to hear the Him call our name. Amen.
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Psalm 133:1, 3 (NIV)
Umm, I am trying not to be cynical here, but…. Looking back over my life… and in the world around me, I rarely have found that people live together in unity – even God’s people. However, even with that being said, there have been times when I have found something close to unity within a given body of believers. Jesus Christ provides the common ground upon which to stand and be unified. May we seek to be more Christlike. May we seek to grow in unity. May we seek after the Lord’s blessing, through unity, for life forevermore! In His holy name, I pray. Amen.
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. Acts 11:23 (NIV)
We learn from Scripture that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch [Acts 11:26 (NIV)]. We also learned that early Christians were persecuted. In spite of their fear, many continued to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that persecution can come in many forms and not always result in physical abuse. May we be mindful of the forms of persecution that Christians may face. May we seek to protect others from harm when we are able to do so. May we trust in the Lord to protect us from harm or be with us when we are being hurt for the cause of Christ. May we claim the boldness of Christ to speak the Truth and may we support and encourage others who do the same. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you. – Corrie ten Boom
Opening Prayer: Father God, it is often said that the gospel message is an easy one; love one another. However, in life we have learned that this simple message is not always the easiest one to follow or put into practice. May we consider the simple message of loving one another and then imagine the many ways, in our everyday life, that we could make that message real for those around us. May we then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, and to the glory of our Heavenly Father, put some of our thoughts into action with simple acts of kindness. These things I pray and more, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Message [used with permission from A Sermon for Every Sunday]: Fifth Sunday of Easter called
“Short Passage, Big Message” by Courtney Allen, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.
“‘Short passage…big message…love one another, love one another, love one another…any questions?’ This is how I once heard a preacher describe these few verses from John’s gospel,” begins Courtney Allen, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. In John 13:31-35, Jesus adds a qualifier to the old and familiar commandment to love one another. Jesus tells the disciples to love as “I have loved you.” It is a “short passage with a big message…an old commandment with a new meaning.” How does this new commandment apply to us today? How do we love as Christ loved us? Interestingly, Allen points out that Jesus gives no other ethical imperative in the gospel of John except to love one another. It’s that easy and it’s that hard. Listen as Allen expounds on how we can spread Christ’s love to others.
Closing Prayer: Father God, help us to see that love always wins. There are so many in need of a win. Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus that shows a struggling world that love always wins. May we love one another just as Jesus did… in very personal and practical ways. In expressing love the way He did, may we feel loved. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:33-35 (NIV)
Often we hear told that an unbeliever will look upon a Christian and ask a question such as, “what is it about you that seems so different… so peaceful, so content?” The verses above remind us that disciples of Jesus Christ will be viewed differently by others and they will behave differently from others. As followers, we are to love one another. This comes from a changed or renewed heart. May our love for others be evident. May we faithfully fulfill the command give to us by Jesus to love one another. In His name, I pray. Amen.
“I replied, ‘… Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’
“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 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?”
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.” Acts 11:8-9, 15-18 (NIV)
God can make people and things clean. We need to guard against assuming something or someone to be impure or unclean… because God can change that state in an instant. We also need to guard against thinking that anyone is more entitled to something from God than we or another person might be. Who are we to think we know more than God? Who are we to think we have a better plan? This portion of Scripture shows us that the Holy Spirit is an equal opportunity giver of gifts if it be the will of God. Praise the Lord that we have equal access, through repentance, to everlasting life.
Faithfully Yours Forever 