When Zechariah came out of the temple unable to speak, the people knew he'd seen a vision. He remained in Jerusalem to complete his time of service as a priest, then returned home.
What would it be like to be in silence? He couldn't tell others of his vision. They didn't have American Sign Language back then. Parchment was too precious to use it to write down his story. His silence must have forced Zechariah into concerted thought.
In a world of television, radio, computers, planes, phones, autos and the buzz of countless machines and electronics, silence is a rare commodity. How can we learn from Zehcariah's lesson?
More in the new year!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Luke 1:10-20
Zechariah's big moment comes. He's been chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer the incense. Outside, everyone is praying. What a spiritual experience! To enter this place alone, to feel in community with God. Then he sees an angel. Today, in more skeptical times, some people in his shoes might ask, "just what is in that incense?" But Zechariah is a man of faith; he knows it is an angel, but that doesn't stop him from being terrified. After all, ordinary human goodness can't stand up to sheer holiness. Did he wonder about his sins? Did he think his human failings had now caught up with him? Or was he too scared to think about anything?
The angel told him not to be afraid (probably didn't make Zechariah unafraid, but the angel tried). What Zechariah hears is not bad news, not a judgement on his faults or failings. Instead, the longing prayer of his heart would be answered. He and Elizabeth would have a son and he ws to name that son, John. John was to live a holy life and would fulfill a holy purpose to turn many people back to God.
But Zechariah must have doubted. He was in good company. When Abraham and Sarah heard they were to have a child at an advanced aged, Sarah laughed until the tent shook and Abraham fell on his face with laughter--or joy, or a little of both. And God told them to name their son Isaac, which means mirth. Gabriel may have been a little less patient, or perhaps there were other reasons, but because Zechariah had doubted, he was told that he would be mute until the day the promise was fulfilled.
Have you ever heard good news when you may have expected bad?
How did you respond?
Do you think silence might have been helpful to Zechariah as he considered all the things the angel had told him?
The angel told him not to be afraid (probably didn't make Zechariah unafraid, but the angel tried). What Zechariah hears is not bad news, not a judgement on his faults or failings. Instead, the longing prayer of his heart would be answered. He and Elizabeth would have a son and he ws to name that son, John. John was to live a holy life and would fulfill a holy purpose to turn many people back to God.
But Zechariah must have doubted. He was in good company. When Abraham and Sarah heard they were to have a child at an advanced aged, Sarah laughed until the tent shook and Abraham fell on his face with laughter--or joy, or a little of both. And God told them to name their son Isaac, which means mirth. Gabriel may have been a little less patient, or perhaps there were other reasons, but because Zechariah had doubted, he was told that he would be mute until the day the promise was fulfilled.
Have you ever heard good news when you may have expected bad?
How did you respond?
Do you think silence might have been helpful to Zechariah as he considered all the things the angel had told him?
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Luke 1:5-9
This is the story of Zechariah. He was a good man. He and his wife, Elizabeth had tried hard to live according the the commandments of God. Their one sorrow was the factthat they had no children. Elizabath may have been barren. It was usually the wife who was considered infertile, although they had no way of knowing who was unable to mother/father a child. At the time this story begins, both husband and wife were older and had probably given up hope of a family.
Zechariah was a priest. The priests served a month of the year. Individual priests were chosen by lot (similar to the idea of throwing dice or cutting cards) to be the ones who would offer the incense in the sanctuary. Unlike today when most people refer to the entire worship area as the sanctuary, the sanctuary in the temple was a secluded space where few people entered.
It must have been fulfilling for Zechariah to be chosen to enter the sanctuary. God was generally considered to have something to do with the lot falling upon a man, so it was a sign that Zechariah had found approval. Yet not having a child was often considered a mark of disfavor by God. So he may also have been confused. He knew his wife to be a good woman. Here he was favored by lot to offer incense to the Lord, yet why didn't they have a child?
Such questions are like the hardest questions people ask about faith and God. Why do people suffer? Especially, why do good people suffer? Why do innocents like children suffer?
What do you think Zechariah was feeling as he entered the sanctuary?
How do you ask those questions of God?
Zechariah was a priest. The priests served a month of the year. Individual priests were chosen by lot (similar to the idea of throwing dice or cutting cards) to be the ones who would offer the incense in the sanctuary. Unlike today when most people refer to the entire worship area as the sanctuary, the sanctuary in the temple was a secluded space where few people entered.
It must have been fulfilling for Zechariah to be chosen to enter the sanctuary. God was generally considered to have something to do with the lot falling upon a man, so it was a sign that Zechariah had found approval. Yet not having a child was often considered a mark of disfavor by God. So he may also have been confused. He knew his wife to be a good woman. Here he was favored by lot to offer incense to the Lord, yet why didn't they have a child?
Such questions are like the hardest questions people ask about faith and God. Why do people suffer? Especially, why do good people suffer? Why do innocents like children suffer?
What do you think Zechariah was feeling as he entered the sanctuary?
How do you ask those questions of God?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
John 7:37‐39; Acts 2:1‐13
Read John 7:37‐39; Acts 2:1‐13 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
John 7:37‐39
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyonewho is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Acts 2:1‐13
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Reflect
In light of the last 50 days and these Pentecost texts, Answer these questions as you are able for yourself, your congregation, your circuit, your district and our Annual Conference:
Who are you (we)?
What do you (we) have?
In my (our) context, what matters to God?
Respond
Identify next steps given your reflections and using the simple framework below.
Pray that God would multiply our fire, faith and fruitfulness so that the faith communities in the California‐Nevada Annual Conference might become a movement of God’s mission in the world.
John 7:37‐39
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyonewho is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Acts 2:1‐13
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Reflect
In light of the last 50 days and these Pentecost texts, Answer these questions as you are able for yourself, your congregation, your circuit, your district and our Annual Conference:
Who are you (we)?
What do you (we) have?
In my (our) context, what matters to God?
Respond
Identify next steps given your reflections and using the simple framework below.
Pray that God would multiply our fire, faith and fruitfulness so that the faith communities in the California‐Nevada Annual Conference might become a movement of God’s mission in the world.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Read Acts 12:20‐25 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. 22The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” 23And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. 25Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Reflect
Ironically, the fate of King Herod and the word of God move in opposite directions. How do you understand power?
In verse 24 we have another reference to growth. Why does growth seem so important?
Is there one who you would consider to be your mission companion (a Paul to your Barnabas or a Barnabus to your Paul, etc)? If not, describe your ideal mission companion…the one who would complement your strengths.
Respond
If you have a ministry companion, call them today and determine what you will do together to advance the mission of God today.
If you do not have a ministry companion, ask God to reveal whom God has in mind.
Pray for your District Superintendent and the churches and faith communities in your district so that they might start and spread more Holy Spirit fires.
Day 48: Friday, June 10 Acts 13:1‐3
Begin with the prayer for guidance and discernment you wrote on Sunday.
Read Acts 13:1‐3 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Reflect
What is the work to which you have been called?
What is the benefit of adding fasting to praying?
Barnabas and Saul are sent off. Do you and your congregation think of yourselves as been sent into the world?
Respond
Set a reminder alarm to go off each hour. When the alarm rings, remind yourself that you have been sent by Christ into the particular situation you find yourself in.
Pray for the members of Annual Conference that they will experience and be responsive to a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a wildfire spread of God’s reign.
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. 22The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” 23And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. 25Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Reflect
Ironically, the fate of King Herod and the word of God move in opposite directions. How do you understand power?
In verse 24 we have another reference to growth. Why does growth seem so important?
Is there one who you would consider to be your mission companion (a Paul to your Barnabas or a Barnabus to your Paul, etc)? If not, describe your ideal mission companion…the one who would complement your strengths.
Respond
If you have a ministry companion, call them today and determine what you will do together to advance the mission of God today.
If you do not have a ministry companion, ask God to reveal whom God has in mind.
Pray for your District Superintendent and the churches and faith communities in your district so that they might start and spread more Holy Spirit fires.
Day 48: Friday, June 10 Acts 13:1‐3
Begin with the prayer for guidance and discernment you wrote on Sunday.
Read Acts 13:1‐3 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Reflect
What is the work to which you have been called?
What is the benefit of adding fasting to praying?
Barnabas and Saul are sent off. Do you and your congregation think of yourselves as been sent into the world?
Respond
Set a reminder alarm to go off each hour. When the alarm rings, remind yourself that you have been sent by Christ into the particular situation you find yourself in.
Pray for the members of Annual Conference that they will experience and be responsive to a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a wildfire spread of God’s reign.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Acts 12:1‐19
Read Acts 12:1‐19 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
5While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. 6The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
10After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. 11Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. 13When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 15They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16Meanwhile Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 17He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the believers.” Then he left and went to another place. 18When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then Peter went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
Reflect
Do you too easily give in to worldly forces, assuming that the mission of Christ through our church is limited because of the times in which live? While we experience these forces often passively, the early church experienced them actively. Does this cause you to reassess our potential as a movement of Christ’s mission?
Notice the role of prayer in this story. What is the state of prayer in your life and church?
This movement in scripture is unstoppable. What has stopped it in our context?
Respond
Gather with a few others and pray fervently to God for our deliverance from stagnation.
5While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. 6The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
10After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. 11Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. 13When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 15They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16Meanwhile Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 17He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the believers.” Then he left and went to another place. 18When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then Peter went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
Reflect
Do you too easily give in to worldly forces, assuming that the mission of Christ through our church is limited because of the times in which live? While we experience these forces often passively, the early church experienced them actively. Does this cause you to reassess our potential as a movement of Christ’s mission?
Notice the role of prayer in this story. What is the state of prayer in your life and church?
This movement in scripture is unstoppable. What has stopped it in our context?
Respond
Gather with a few others and pray fervently to God for our deliverance from stagnation.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Read Acts 11:19‐30 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. 20But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. 22News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; 24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”
27At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. 29The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; 30this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Reflect
What made the church in Antioch so vital?
What was their connection to the church in Jerusalem?
Identify the various roles each person in this text played. (e.g., Barnabus, Agabus, disciples, Saul)
Looking at your circuit or district, are these wide variety of roles being played?
Respond
Consider how you might help meet a need of another faith community (other than your own) in your circuit. Share that with your pastor or circuit leader.
Pray for the vitality of all the churches and faith communities in your circuit so that fires might be started and rekindled that further the mission of God in the world.
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. 20But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. 22News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; 24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”
27At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. 29The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; 30this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Reflect
What made the church in Antioch so vital?
What was their connection to the church in Jerusalem?
Identify the various roles each person in this text played. (e.g., Barnabus, Agabus, disciples, Saul)
Looking at your circuit or district, are these wide variety of roles being played?
Respond
Consider how you might help meet a need of another faith community (other than your own) in your circuit. Share that with your pastor or circuit leader.
Pray for the vitality of all the churches and faith communities in your circuit so that fires might be started and rekindled that further the mission of God in the world.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Acts 11:1‐18
Read Acts 11:1‐18 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6As I looked at it closely I saw four‐footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made
clean, you must not call profane.’ 10This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” 18When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”
Reflect
Consider how extraordinary the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church was. How did it happen?
Are there parallels in your context?
How might you be a more effectively witness to the new things the Holy Spirit might be doing in your midst?
Throughout this study we have been reading about the gospel spreading like wildfire. Yet all this happened without a strategic plan. It often happened unexpectedly, even when there was intense opposition from without and tension from within. How do you explain this? What can you apply from this reflection to your current context?
Respond
Identify a place or a people you God might be calling you to start a fire.
Pray for our Annual Conference Session that will begin in NINE days. That all who gather there will be filled with the Holy Spirit, “catch fire” and contribute to the movement of God’s mission in the world.
Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6As I looked at it closely I saw four‐footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made
clean, you must not call profane.’ 10This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” 18When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”
Reflect
Consider how extraordinary the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church was. How did it happen?
Are there parallels in your context?
How might you be a more effectively witness to the new things the Holy Spirit might be doing in your midst?
Throughout this study we have been reading about the gospel spreading like wildfire. Yet all this happened without a strategic plan. It often happened unexpectedly, even when there was intense opposition from without and tension from within. How do you explain this? What can you apply from this reflection to your current context?
Respond
Identify a place or a people you God might be calling you to start a fire.
Pray for our Annual Conference Session that will begin in NINE days. That all who gather there will be filled with the Holy Spirit, “catch fire” and contribute to the movement of God’s mission in the world.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
John 17:1‐11
Week 7: Start More Fires
Jesus prays for the unity of those who have received him. It is this unity that gives credibility to the movement that is our message and mission (John). As the fire of the movement spreads (even unexpectedly), the church has to adapt its theology and practice to incorporate the new work of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Peter must explain to the Church in Jerusalem how it was that the gospel was given to the Gentiles. Pressure from without continues while from within missionaries are commissioned (Acts). The way is not easy, but we are reassured of God’s support, strength and grace (1 Peter).
Though we can’t think alike,
may we not love alike?
May we not be of one heart,
though we are not of one opinion?
‘Is thine heart right,
as my heart is with thy heart?’…
‘if it be, give me thine hand.’
John Wesley
Day 43: Sunday, June 5 John 17:1‐11
Pray for guidance and discernment. If you wish, write that prayer here and use it for the next six days.
Read John 17:1‐11 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give
eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. 6”I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
Reflect
What is the “hour” to which Jesus refers? How will He be glorified in this? How will this enable you to know the only true God?
Why is the unity of Jesus’ followers so important? What is the source of that unity? What are its characteristics?
What is the relationship between unity and evangelism?
Respond
Pray for the unity of the church and our credibility in the world so that we might start more Holy Spirit fires without extinguishing each other’s fire.
Jesus prays for the unity of those who have received him. It is this unity that gives credibility to the movement that is our message and mission (John). As the fire of the movement spreads (even unexpectedly), the church has to adapt its theology and practice to incorporate the new work of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Peter must explain to the Church in Jerusalem how it was that the gospel was given to the Gentiles. Pressure from without continues while from within missionaries are commissioned (Acts). The way is not easy, but we are reassured of God’s support, strength and grace (1 Peter).
Though we can’t think alike,
may we not love alike?
May we not be of one heart,
though we are not of one opinion?
‘Is thine heart right,
as my heart is with thy heart?’…
‘if it be, give me thine hand.’
John Wesley
Day 43: Sunday, June 5 John 17:1‐11
Pray for guidance and discernment. If you wish, write that prayer here and use it for the next six days.
Read John 17:1‐11 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give
eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. 6”I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
Reflect
What is the “hour” to which Jesus refers? How will He be glorified in this? How will this enable you to know the only true God?
Why is the unity of Jesus’ followers so important? What is the source of that unity? What are its characteristics?
What is the relationship between unity and evangelism?
Respond
Pray for the unity of the church and our credibility in the world so that we might start more Holy Spirit fires without extinguishing each other’s fire.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Acts 10:34‐48
Read Acts 10:34‐48 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that
everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
Reflect
In your heart do you know and believe that God shows no partiality?
What needs to change in your life and church to make the gospel more accessible to those who would assume that Christ (or your faith community) was not for them?
How has the Holy Spirit surprised you recently?
Respond
Think of how welcoming your faith community is from the point of view of someone who has no church background. Implement one idea to make it more accessible to them.
Pray that your faith community and all faith communities of the California‐Nevada conference will not only welcome the “Cornelius’” of the world but go to where they live in order to do so.
Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that
everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
Reflect
In your heart do you know and believe that God shows no partiality?
What needs to change in your life and church to make the gospel more accessible to those who would assume that Christ (or your faith community) was not for them?
How has the Holy Spirit surprised you recently?
Respond
Think of how welcoming your faith community is from the point of view of someone who has no church background. Implement one idea to make it more accessible to them.
Pray that your faith community and all faith communities of the California‐Nevada conference will not only welcome the “Cornelius’” of the world but go to where they live in order to do so.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
For June 1 & 2
Read Acts 9:32‐42 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!” And immediately he got up. 35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Reflect
This is yet another story of healing as a means to spreading the gospel. What healing – or other sign & wonder ‐‐ is happening in your community of faith that, if people knew about it, would draw more to Christ?
Peter’s reputation was as a healer. Tabitha’s reputation was as one who was devoted to good works and acts of charity. What kind of reputation is God creating in you?
Respond
Spend time with two or three other people from your community of faith and make a plan for getting the word out about what God is up to in your ministry setting.
Pray for a rhythm in your daily life that allows for Godly interruptions. For God’s continued transformation of lives and communities in ways that allows the word of God’s hope, love, and grace to spread wildly.
Read Acts 10:1‐33 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3One afternoon at about three o”clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
9About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12In it were all kinds of four‐footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” 15The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. 17Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. 18They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. 20Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” 21So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God‐fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?” 30Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o”clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
Reflect
Once again we see the gospel crossing another boundary. What obstacles had to be overcome before this boundary was crossed? How did this happen?
What is the significant of this story to the movement of Christ mission in the world?
What parallels can you draw between this story and our situation and opportunity today?
Respond
Act upon a prompting of the Holy Spirit to include someone in your life or faith community that you never saw a way to include before.
Pray that radical hospitality would be a part of your lifestyle and the character of your faith community so the light of Christ might spread more wildly.
Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!” And immediately he got up. 35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Reflect
This is yet another story of healing as a means to spreading the gospel. What healing – or other sign & wonder ‐‐ is happening in your community of faith that, if people knew about it, would draw more to Christ?
Peter’s reputation was as a healer. Tabitha’s reputation was as one who was devoted to good works and acts of charity. What kind of reputation is God creating in you?
Respond
Spend time with two or three other people from your community of faith and make a plan for getting the word out about what God is up to in your ministry setting.
Pray for a rhythm in your daily life that allows for Godly interruptions. For God’s continued transformation of lives and communities in ways that allows the word of God’s hope, love, and grace to spread wildly.
Read Acts 10:1‐33 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3One afternoon at about three o”clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
9About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12In it were all kinds of four‐footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” 15The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. 17Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. 18They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. 20Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” 21So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God‐fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?” 30Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o”clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
Reflect
Once again we see the gospel crossing another boundary. What obstacles had to be overcome before this boundary was crossed? How did this happen?
What is the significant of this story to the movement of Christ mission in the world?
What parallels can you draw between this story and our situation and opportunity today?
Respond
Act upon a prompting of the Holy Spirit to include someone in your life or faith community that you never saw a way to include before.
Pray that radical hospitality would be a part of your lifestyle and the character of your faith community so the light of Christ might spread more wildly.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
John 14:15-21
Pray for guidance and discernment. If you wish, write that prayer here and use it for the next six days.
Post it as a comment if you feel comfortable.
Read John 14:15‐21 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 18”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Reflect
Do you love Christ? Do you keep His commandments? Or do you struggle with a competing motive?
According to this passage, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in your life?
What commandments is Jesus talking about?
Respond
Show Jesus Christ how much you love Him.
Pray for those who feel like they are alone in this world that we might reach them with the love of Christ so that the movement of God’s mission in the world spreads more wildly.
Post it as a comment if you feel comfortable.
Read John 14:15‐21 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 18”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Reflect
Do you love Christ? Do you keep His commandments? Or do you struggle with a competing motive?
According to this passage, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in your life?
What commandments is Jesus talking about?
Respond
Show Jesus Christ how much you love Him.
Pray for those who feel like they are alone in this world that we might reach them with the love of Christ so that the movement of God’s mission in the world spreads more wildly.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Acts 8:26‐40
Read Acts 8:26‐40 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ 31He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
33In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’
34The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Reflect
How is the Gospel crossing another boundary?
Is there some boundary right in front of you or your church that you have not thought to cross?
What would it take to cross it?
What boundaries might need a coordinated effort among churches in the California‐Nevada Conference to more effectively cross?
Respond
Cross a boundary today. Connect with someone you would not normally connect with.
Pray for forgiveness for the times you have judged people and created a distance between you and them. For the power of the Holy Spirit to use the churches and faith communities of the California‐Nevada Annual Conference to fan the flames so that the Good News crosses all boundaries.
Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ 31He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
33In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’
34The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Reflect
How is the Gospel crossing another boundary?
Is there some boundary right in front of you or your church that you have not thought to cross?
What would it take to cross it?
What boundaries might need a coordinated effort among churches in the California‐Nevada Conference to more effectively cross?
Respond
Cross a boundary today. Connect with someone you would not normally connect with.
Pray for forgiveness for the times you have judged people and created a distance between you and them. For the power of the Holy Spirit to use the churches and faith communities of the California‐Nevada Annual Conference to fan the flames so that the Good News crosses all boundaries.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Read Acts 8:4‐25 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8So there was great joy in that city.
9Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ 11And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place. 14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ 24Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.’ 25Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
Reflect
What boundaries is the gospel crossing in this text?
What boundaries has the gospel crossed in your life? What prejudices have you overcome in the gospel? What prejudices are still to be overcome?
How pure are your motives when it comes to advancing the gospel and communicating the gift of the Holy Spirit? Do you need to repent of anything?
Respond
Repent of anything you need to in order that you might be an instrument of Good News.
Pray for pure motives and a clean heart so that everything you do and say fans the flame of the God’s mission in the world.
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8So there was great joy in that city.
9Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ 11And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place. 14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ 24Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.’ 25Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
Reflect
What boundaries is the gospel crossing in this text?
What boundaries has the gospel crossed in your life? What prejudices have you overcome in the gospel? What prejudices are still to be overcome?
How pure are your motives when it comes to advancing the gospel and communicating the gift of the Holy Spirit? Do you need to repent of anything?
Respond
Repent of anything you need to in order that you might be an instrument of Good News.
Pray for pure motives and a clean heart so that everything you do and say fans the flame of the God’s mission in the world.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Acts 8:1‐3
Read Acts 8:1‐3 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
And Saul approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
Reflect
When has God taken something negative in your life and used it for good?
What will be the effect of the scattering of the early followers of Jesus?
What prison do you find yourself in today?
Respond
Identify how your prison experience might prepare you to be a better witness for Christ.
Pray for those who carry the torch of Christ and who find themselves in some sort of prison as a result. Pray that they may find ways to keep their flame lit even in the dark times and for their persecutors be forgiven and transformed.
And Saul approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
Reflect
When has God taken something negative in your life and used it for good?
What will be the effect of the scattering of the early followers of Jesus?
What prison do you find yourself in today?
Respond
Identify how your prison experience might prepare you to be a better witness for Christ.
Pray for those who carry the torch of Christ and who find themselves in some sort of prison as a result. Pray that they may find ways to keep their flame lit even in the dark times and for their persecutors be forgiven and transformed.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Acts 7:1-53
Read Acts 7:1‐53 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Then the high priest asked him, ‘Are these things so?’ 2And Stephen replied: ‘Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3and said to him, “Leave your country and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.” 4Then he left the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God had him move from there to this country in which you are now living. 5He did not give him any of it as a heritage, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as his possession and to his descendants after him, even though he had no child. 6And God spoke in these terms, that his descendants
would be resident aliens in a country belonging to others, who would enslave them and maltreat them for four hundred years. 7“But I will judge the nation that they serve,” said God, “and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.” 8Then he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9‘The patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him, 10and rescued him from all his afflictions, and enabled him to win favor and to show wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11Now there came a famine throughout Egypt and Canaan, and great suffering, and our ancestors could find no food. 12But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there on their first visit. 13On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. 14Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives to come to him, seventy‐five in all; 15so Jacob went down to Egypt. He himself died there as well as our ancestors, 16and their bodies were brought back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.17‘But as the time drew near for the fulfillment of the promise that God had made to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased and multiplied 18until another king who had not known Joseph ruled over Egypt. 19He dealt craftily with our race and forced our ancestors to abandon their infants so that they would die. 20At this time Moses was born, and he was beautiful before God. For three months he was brought up in his
father’s house; 21and when he was abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22So Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds. 23‘When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his relatives, the Israelites. 24When he saw one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25He supposed that his kinsfolk would understand that God through him was rescuing them, but they did not understand. 26The next day he came to some of them as they were quarrelling and tried to reconcile them, saying, “Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong each other?” 27But the man who was wronging his neighbor pushed Moses aside, saying, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?” 29When he heard this, Moses fled and became a resident alien in the land of Midian. There he became the father of two sons.
30‘Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. 31When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight; and as he approached to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32“I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look. 33Then the Lord said to him, “Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34I have surely seen the mistreatment of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Come now, I will send you to Egypt.” 35‘It was this Moses whom they rejected when they said, “Who made you a ruler and a judge?” and whom God now sent as both ruler and liberator through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36He led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. 37This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, “God will raise up a prophet for you from your own people as he raised me up.” 38He is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living oracles to give to us. 39Our ancestors were unwilling to obey him; instead, they pushed him aside, and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 40saying to Aaron, “Make gods for us who will lead the way for us; as for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.” 41At that time they made a calf, offered a sacrifice to the idol, and revelled in the works of their hands. 42But God turned away from them and handed them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “Did you offer to me slain victims and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43No; you took along the tent of Moloch, and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; so I will remove you beyond Babylon.” 44‘Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. 45Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors. And it was there until the time of David, 46who found favour with God and asked that he might find a dwelling‐place for the house of Jacob. 47But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says, 49“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50Did not my hand make all these things?” 51‘You stiff‐necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’
Reflect
Why does Stephen rehearse a history that his hearers already know?
As you read Stephen’s speech, what part of it feels most relevant to you? To your faith community’s context?
What would you need to do in order to become more open to the Holy Spirit?
Respond
Open yourself to receive instruction and intercession by the Holy Spirit today.
Pray for the people of all the churches and faith communities in our Conference that we would not be a “stiff‐necked” people,” but rather to join the movement of the Holy Spirit in a way that fans the flame.
Then the high priest asked him, ‘Are these things so?’ 2And Stephen replied: ‘Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3and said to him, “Leave your country and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.” 4Then he left the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God had him move from there to this country in which you are now living. 5He did not give him any of it as a heritage, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as his possession and to his descendants after him, even though he had no child. 6And God spoke in these terms, that his descendants
would be resident aliens in a country belonging to others, who would enslave them and maltreat them for four hundred years. 7“But I will judge the nation that they serve,” said God, “and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.” 8Then he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9‘The patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him, 10and rescued him from all his afflictions, and enabled him to win favor and to show wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11Now there came a famine throughout Egypt and Canaan, and great suffering, and our ancestors could find no food. 12But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there on their first visit. 13On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. 14Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives to come to him, seventy‐five in all; 15so Jacob went down to Egypt. He himself died there as well as our ancestors, 16and their bodies were brought back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.17‘But as the time drew near for the fulfillment of the promise that God had made to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased and multiplied 18until another king who had not known Joseph ruled over Egypt. 19He dealt craftily with our race and forced our ancestors to abandon their infants so that they would die. 20At this time Moses was born, and he was beautiful before God. For three months he was brought up in his
father’s house; 21and when he was abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22So Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds. 23‘When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his relatives, the Israelites. 24When he saw one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25He supposed that his kinsfolk would understand that God through him was rescuing them, but they did not understand. 26The next day he came to some of them as they were quarrelling and tried to reconcile them, saying, “Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong each other?” 27But the man who was wronging his neighbor pushed Moses aside, saying, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?” 29When he heard this, Moses fled and became a resident alien in the land of Midian. There he became the father of two sons.
30‘Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. 31When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight; and as he approached to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32“I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look. 33Then the Lord said to him, “Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34I have surely seen the mistreatment of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Come now, I will send you to Egypt.” 35‘It was this Moses whom they rejected when they said, “Who made you a ruler and a judge?” and whom God now sent as both ruler and liberator through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36He led them out, having performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. 37This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, “God will raise up a prophet for you from your own people as he raised me up.” 38He is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living oracles to give to us. 39Our ancestors were unwilling to obey him; instead, they pushed him aside, and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 40saying to Aaron, “Make gods for us who will lead the way for us; as for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.” 41At that time they made a calf, offered a sacrifice to the idol, and revelled in the works of their hands. 42But God turned away from them and handed them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “Did you offer to me slain victims and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43No; you took along the tent of Moloch, and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship; so I will remove you beyond Babylon.” 44‘Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. 45Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors. And it was there until the time of David, 46who found favour with God and asked that he might find a dwelling‐place for the house of Jacob. 47But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says, 49“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50Did not my hand make all these things?” 51‘You stiff‐necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’
Reflect
Why does Stephen rehearse a history that his hearers already know?
As you read Stephen’s speech, what part of it feels most relevant to you? To your faith community’s context?
What would you need to do in order to become more open to the Holy Spirit?
Respond
Open yourself to receive instruction and intercession by the Holy Spirit today.
Pray for the people of all the churches and faith communities in our Conference that we would not be a “stiff‐necked” people,” but rather to join the movement of the Holy Spirit in a way that fans the flame.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
John 14:1‐14
Read John 14:1‐14 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling‐places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
8Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ 9Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I
will do it.
Reflect
Is your heart troubled about anything? How can you find reassurance in the words of Jesus?
What will it take for you to be satisfied with your beliefs (v. 8)? How are you continuing to seek reassurance in the promises of Jesus?
How might verses 12 – 14 help you fan the flame of your faith and that of those around you?
Joining a Movement of God’s Mission in the World 71
Respond
Discern God’s will about some area of your life, faith community or work. Ask boldly, in the name of Christ, that it be done in a way that might fan the flame of God’s missional movement in the world.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to fan the flame of faith and belief in someone who’s heart is troubled or in someone who’s mind is still searching for evidence of Jesus in their midst.
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling‐places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
8Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ 9Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I
will do it.
Reflect
Is your heart troubled about anything? How can you find reassurance in the words of Jesus?
What will it take for you to be satisfied with your beliefs (v. 8)? How are you continuing to seek reassurance in the promises of Jesus?
How might verses 12 – 14 help you fan the flame of your faith and that of those around you?
Joining a Movement of God’s Mission in the World 71
Respond
Discern God’s will about some area of your life, faith community or work. Ask boldly, in the name of Christ, that it be done in a way that might fan the flame of God’s missional movement in the world.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to fan the flame of faith and belief in someone who’s heart is troubled or in someone who’s mind is still searching for evidence of Jesus in their midst.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
1 Peter 2:1‐10
Read 1 Peter 2:1‐10 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture: 'See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’
7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner’, 8and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Reflect
What do you need to rid yourself of so that you can grow into your salvation?
What would change if each member of your faith community were viewed as “living stones built into a spiritual house”?
What does it mean that you are a holy (or royal) priesthood?
Respond
As a holy priesthood, spend several moments today interceding for the world.
Pray that God would shine brightly in the world through God’s holy priesthood and that more living stones would be added to spiritual houses.
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture: 'See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’
7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner’, 8and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Reflect
What do you need to rid yourself of so that you can grow into your salvation?
What would change if each member of your faith community were viewed as “living stones built into a spiritual house”?
What does it mean that you are a holy (or royal) priesthood?
Respond
As a holy priesthood, spend several moments today interceding for the world.
Pray that God would shine brightly in the world through God’s holy priesthood and that more living stones would be added to spiritual houses.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Acts 6:8‐15
Acts 6:8‐15 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ 12They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. 13They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ 15And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Reflect
Stephen is described as being full of grace and power. Would anyone describe you this way?
What great wonders and signs might God want to do through you?
Have you ever been a false witness or instigated others to do this? Has anyone ever brought a false testimony against you?
Respond
Take steps to correct any past actions you’ve taken (e.g., false witness or instigation) or forgive those who have falsely accused you. Do this with grace and power.
Pray for those who are facing tough opposition or persecution because of their faith—that the power and grace of the Spirit might shine brightly.
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ 12They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. 13They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ 15And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Reflect
Stephen is described as being full of grace and power. Would anyone describe you this way?
What great wonders and signs might God want to do through you?
Have you ever been a false witness or instigated others to do this? Has anyone ever brought a false testimony against you?
Respond
Take steps to correct any past actions you’ve taken (e.g., false witness or instigation) or forgive those who have falsely accused you. Do this with grace and power.
Pray for those who are facing tough opposition or persecution because of their faith—that the power and grace of the Spirit might shine brightly.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Acts 5:17‐42- Wednes May 18 - Acts 6:1‐7 for Thursday May 19
Read Acts 5:17‐42 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, 18arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, 20‘Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.’ 21When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching. When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison; so they returned and reported, 23‘We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’ 24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. 25Then someone arrived and announced, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ 26Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ 29But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ 33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 35Then he said to them, ‘Fellow‐Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’
They were convinced by him, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. 42And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.
Reflect
When is the last time you experienced opposition for making learners and followers of Jesus?
What tension are you experiencing between obeying God versus human authority?
What plans in your life or in the life of your congregation are your own? What plans are of God?
Respond
Change one of your plans (personal or congregational) for God’s plans.
Pray for the boldness to shine brightly as a witness for Christ through your words and deeds. Give thanks no matter what reaction your testimony sparks.
For Thursday - May 19
Read Acts 6:1‐7 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. 3Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ 5What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Reflect
How do you account for the word of God continuing to spread? How is this first century context like and unlike our own?
How well is your church organized so that the Word of God, practical tasks and ministry are all lived out and lead appropriately?
By what criteria do you select and support leaders in your church?
Respond
If you are not actively serving in your faith community, get connected in an area that matches your spiritual gifts and passions.
If you are actively serving in your faith community, ask for feedback so that you are certain that you are serving in the right place given your giftedness and passions.
Pray to be so full of faith and the Holy Spirit that you can’t help but shine brightly. In that Spirit, pray that you would gracefully provide spiritual leadership to your congregation and the world.
Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, 18arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, 20‘Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.’ 21When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching. When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison; so they returned and reported, 23‘We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’ 24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. 25Then someone arrived and announced, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ 26Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ 29But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ 33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 35Then he said to them, ‘Fellow‐Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’
They were convinced by him, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. 42And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.
Reflect
When is the last time you experienced opposition for making learners and followers of Jesus?
What tension are you experiencing between obeying God versus human authority?
What plans in your life or in the life of your congregation are your own? What plans are of God?
Respond
Change one of your plans (personal or congregational) for God’s plans.
Pray for the boldness to shine brightly as a witness for Christ through your words and deeds. Give thanks no matter what reaction your testimony sparks.
For Thursday - May 19
Read Acts 6:1‐7 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. 3Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ 5What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Reflect
How do you account for the word of God continuing to spread? How is this first century context like and unlike our own?
How well is your church organized so that the Word of God, practical tasks and ministry are all lived out and lead appropriately?
By what criteria do you select and support leaders in your church?
Respond
If you are not actively serving in your faith community, get connected in an area that matches your spiritual gifts and passions.
If you are actively serving in your faith community, ask for feedback so that you are certain that you are serving in the right place given your giftedness and passions.
Pray to be so full of faith and the Holy Spirit that you can’t help but shine brightly. In that Spirit, pray that you would gracefully provide spiritual leadership to your congregation and the world.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Acts 5:12-16
Read Acts 5:12‐16 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, 15so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. 16A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
Reflect
What is the last sign and wonder you have witnessed? In your life? In your faith community? In our Annual Conference?
Why were believers being added more than ever?
How might you and your congregation better position yourself to be instruments of God’s healing?
Respond
Engage in an act of healing with Holy Spirit power and alleviate someone’s suffering today.
Pray that God might bring someone into your life today that needs some kind of healing or relief from suffering. Pray for the courage and insight to respond so that the healing power of the Holy Spirit shines more brightly.
Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, 15so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. 16A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
Reflect
What is the last sign and wonder you have witnessed? In your life? In your faith community? In our Annual Conference?
Why were believers being added more than ever?
How might you and your congregation better position yourself to be instruments of God’s healing?
Respond
Engage in an act of healing with Holy Spirit power and alleviate someone’s suffering today.
Pray that God might bring someone into your life today that needs some kind of healing or relief from suffering. Pray for the courage and insight to respond so that the healing power of the Holy Spirit shines more brightly.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Acts 5:1‐11
Read Acts 5:1‐11 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3‘Ananias,’ Peter asked, ‘why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!’ 5Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear
seized all who heard of it. 6The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.
7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter said to
her, ‘Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.’ And she said, ‘Yes,
that was the price.’ 9Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the
Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry
you out.’ 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her
dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear seized the whole church
and all who heard of these things.
Reflect
Why is this story included at this point in the story of the early church?
What’s the big deal?
How transparent and truthful are you when it comes to your participation in the church?
Respond
Identify an area of your life that needs to be more transparent and truthful so that God is clearly more central. Do one thing today that can move you in that direction.
Pray for the Spirit to guide your every action so that you might shine forth God’s truths more brightly.
But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3‘Ananias,’ Peter asked, ‘why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!’ 5Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear
seized all who heard of it. 6The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.
7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter said to
her, ‘Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.’ And she said, ‘Yes,
that was the price.’ 9Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the
Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry
you out.’ 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her
dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear seized the whole church
and all who heard of these things.
Reflect
Why is this story included at this point in the story of the early church?
What’s the big deal?
How transparent and truthful are you when it comes to your participation in the church?
Respond
Identify an area of your life that needs to be more transparent and truthful so that God is clearly more central. Do one thing today that can move you in that direction.
Pray for the Spirit to guide your every action so that you might shine forth God’s truths more brightly.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
I Peter 1:13-25
Read 1 Peter 1:13‐25 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
13Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ 17If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 22Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’ That word is the good news that was announced to you.
Reflect
What does it mean to be holy?
What is the relationship between being purified and love?
How genuine and deep is your love for others in your church?
Respond
Make one adjustment in your thinking and behavior that allows you to be more disciplined and hopeful as described in verse 13.
13Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ 17If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 22Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’ That word is the good news that was announced to you.
Reflect
What does it mean to be holy?
What is the relationship between being purified and love?
How genuine and deep is your love for others in your church?
Respond
Make one adjustment in your thinking and behavior that allows you to be more disciplined and hopeful as described in verse 13.
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