Author: Scott Lane

Scott Lane is the Executive Pastor of Ministry at FBCSA.

Faithful

Re:Verse reading–Acts 4:5-31 (day five)

When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”   It was a new circumstance and experience- the first persecution of Jesus’ followers. Peter and John found themselves questioned and comfronted by a who’s who of leaders and elders.   Were they scared?  Were they anxious?  Were they intimidated?  It would seem natural. But there was  a supernatural response. They were calm and courageous.  They were faithful.  Jesus’ words must have been in their hearts and minds. “and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”‭‭ Mark‬ ‭13.

When we face difficult situations and circumstances we must remember and trust the words and promises of the Lord.   We must be faithful.

Together

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day five) “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.” (KJV) 

In Acts 3 we find many evidences of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. First, there is miraculous healing. Second, there is inspired preaching. Third, (maybe overlooked) is the repaired relationship between Peter and John. Just a few weeks earlier, John remained faithful to Jesus as a follower and friend (at the crucifixion- called by named to take care of Mary) while Peter denied and abandoned Jesus. After the resurrection, there was forgiveness and the restoration of a friendship and relationship between these two men. It was clear to all who knew them that somehow they were again working, witnessing, and worshipping together. Different personalities. Different approaches. Together on mission!! Sounds like a church, doesn’t it?

Do we see evidences of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our witnessing, in our ministry, and in our relationships?


Can I Get a Witness?

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day five)

The power of the Holy Spirit promised in Acts had a very specific application to the believer- to be a witness for Jesus. “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…” . There is both great comfort and clear direction in Jesus’ words. When the power of the Holy Spirit has influence in us and through us, we become witnesses, not merely advocates. We have the capacity to speak and share with the firsthand experience of someone who has tasted and knows who Jesus really is, and what he has done. So, begin to think how you can share the answers to these questions: “What did Jesus do in me when I became a believer?” “How did I change?” “What is Jesus doing in me now, because I know Him as Lord and Savior?” “How am I being changed?”  We can tell the world from our personal experiences the reality of the Living Christ. The promise is this power and witness will take the message of Christ to the ends of the earth.

 

Obedience

Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day five)

V. 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient

All of Jesus’ choices, decisions, and priorities were grounded in obedience. Jesus would say His greatest desire is, “to do the will of Him who sent me”. (John 4, John 6) “For I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” (John 8:29)

Paul directly connects obedience with humility in this passage. Why?  “Obedience is the best humility, laying yourself at the feet of Jesus, and making your will active only when you know what it is God’s will for you to do. This is to be truly humble.” – Charles Spurgeon

Jesus’ obedience and humility were grounded in His love and devotion to the scriptures as well as His time and faithfulness in prayer. He showed us how to obey God as a man. He not only discovered His purpose, but He lived on mission with joy and courage. Have you found God’s purpose and mission?  Are you living it out with joy and courage?

First, Then

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (day five)

A new chapter is coming to our home next week. We take our daughter to college. A flood of memories and emotions fill my heart and mind. She is ready!! She/We are nervous/excited (a healthy ratio). I’ve thought about advice I will give her.  Seems like a good moment for it.  As a minister’s kid, she has received more than her fair share already. I want her to see how the believers in Macedonia approached life and decisions. I want her to see the results. 2 Corinthians 8:5, “they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

MB, give yourself to the Lord FIRST (daily/regularly), you will hear Him, know Him, and love Him. You will discover His will and THEN the path of decisions and choices becomes clearer. First Surrender, Then Service. You will do miraculous and amazing things for God’s Glory and the good of others!! Go Get’em!

New Perspective

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (day five)

Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;

When he surrendered his life to Christ, Paul’s heart changed dramatically. He felt new and clean. He began to think in a “new and clean” way. Paul’s words for his old heart and thoughts, they “passed away”. One of the application points was his view of people- Christians and non-Christians. He began to see unbelievers in the light of the Gospel as “lost”- people who needed to find and have Christ. His heart was burdened for them. He also began to see Christians as important and viable for the Christian faith.  He loved and treasured them (completely different than before).

Does our view and perspective of people indicate the ruling presence of Christ in our hearts?

Each of Us, All of Us

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 12:4-13, 27-31 (day five)

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

It is the brilliance and distinctiveness of God’s plan to use the church for His Glory and Purpose of building His Kingdom. God calls and gifts “each” of us and then works in “all” of us to build unity and effectiveness. One of God’s goals for the christian life is for each gifted believer to demonstrate that they have the Spirit of God within them. According to Paul, this is clearly evidenced in the Body of Christ.

In this passage has all the ingredients: sovereignty (11,18,24), diversity (4,5,6) and unity (11,12,13). It is a clear picture of a beautiful, vibrant New Testament Church.

Different Kind of King

Re:Verse Passage – Matthew 25:31-46 (day five) 

We read about this promise throughout scripture. God would send a Messiah and King to save the world. The problem was, that what God had in mind for a King and what many people expected were completely different. The King God sent would be humble, meek, and vulnerable. God’s plan was prophesied over and over in the Old Testament. Yet, many missed it. The religious leaders were looking for royalty, arrogance, and a leader who would overthrow political and social structures and systems.

What Jesus describes in Matthew 25 is something completely different. Knowing and loving Jesus changes the human heart. Believers do understand the majesty, kindness, and power of Christ. They also begin to see the needs of others and serve them. Does our relationship with Christ cause us to see Him and others in ways that bring honor and glory to Him (The King)?

Joy Source

Re:Verse Passage – John 15:9-17 (day five)

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full”. In Isaiah Jesus is described as a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”.  In these last moments with the disciples, Jesus wants to talk about joy.  His joy.  Our joy.  Where does it come from?  It comes from the Word of God (I have spoken to you).  We find joy as we study, learn, and apply the Word of God.  It comes from a close walk with Christ. Christ’s joy is placed within us as we abide with Him (My joy may be in you).  His joy/our joy remains in the midst of trials, grief, hardships, and pain.  Joy marked the life of Christ and should be a distinguishing characteristic in the heart and life of a believer.

He Knew

Re: Verse reading–John 13:1-17 (day five)

The introduction to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is mind boggling. Whatever happens next will be important, memorable, and calculated. (knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God,)

Jesus was fully aware of His Authority, His Divinity, and His Future Glory.  So Jesus gives us a remarkable picture of God- a loving servant. Jesus had not forgotten He was God and decided to humble himself.  NO, it was because He knew He was God and determined to act as God.