Category: Rescue & Redemption

Re:Verse reading–Acts 12:1-19 (day four)

This passage is about Peter’s deliverance from the chains and locked doors of prison.  The bonds of evil sought to silence his witness, but God’s power easily overpowered the schemes of man.  I have always loved the picture painted by Rhoda, the servant girl.  In her excited recognition of Peter’s voice at the gate, she forgot to open the gate!  She had a simple faith that recognized God’s rescue of Peter.  The church leaders inside praying needed more ‘encouragement’ to their faith.

How many times do we offer prayers on the behalf of others, and are then surprised when God answers the prayer?  Words are easy to say, but faith, even the size of a mustard seed, seems often difficult to exercise.  Is God able to deliver?  Yes!  Does God have a plan for redemption?  Yes!  Will He allow us to participate in His plan?  Yes!  Don’t be surprised when God works in your life…celebrate like Rhoda!

Re:Verse reading–Acts 12:1-19 (day Three)

When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.

The Bible has never shied away from shining a light on the cynicism present in the state’s attempts to cement its hold on power.  When David exploited the loyalty of a soldier and a general to cover his tracks, the Bible was there to bring you the story.  When Solomon used the institution of marriage to widen his geo-political influence, the scriptures laid it out plainly.  When Jesus called out the crafty political maneuverings of Herod Antipas, referring to Herod himself as “that fox”, the Bible’s reporting gave us a window into that tense moment.  Now, when Herod Agrippa curries political favor via persecution, the Bible faithfully takes us there.  This is what earthly powers do, the Bible tells us.  Reserve your deepest loyalties for the Lord.

Re:Verse reading–Acts 12:1-19 (day two) And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. vs.7

This story immediately calls to mind a similar episode with Paul and Silas later in the book of Acts. As they are imprisoned their response is to pray and praise…to sing and glorify. This was their custom, not unlike Daniel whose story we studied a few weeks ago.

…and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. Acts 16:26

This very real experience for Peter, Paul, and Silas is also the metaphor for our bondage to sin. We are held, kept captive by the enemy, and closely guarded. What the enemy cannot do, however, is control our response. Whatever the circumstance, Jesus is near. Call out, let the miracle of a prison break happen in your heart. Go ahead and praise him in your captivity, and see if he doesn’t show up in a miraculous way.

Re:Verse reading–Acts 12:1-19 (day one)

“Peter was kept in prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.”–v 5.

It is a small word in Greek.  We saw the same this past Sunday in the Nicodemus story.  De is a “disjunctive conjunction”.  It separates.  Points out contrast or change in direction.

Peter had been arrested by Herod.  Bad!  Herod had already executed James and was enjoying his “approval rating” bump.  Very bad!  Peter was being held in a maximum security prison. The worst imaginable!  Dangerous, depressing situation.

BUT prayer was being made!   An undefeated church.  A God for whom nothing is impossible.  It ain’t over til it’s over!  So they pressed into the Lord.  Together.  On their knees.  Loud cries.  Real prayer.

“God does NOTHING except in response to believing prayer, and EVERYTHING  with it.”–John Wesley.

Most of us know what happens when we don’t pray.  Wonder what would happen if we did?

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day seven)

Born
Flesh
Perish
Judged
Darkness
Evil deeds

Born again
Born of water
Born of spirit
Spirit
Eternal life
Saved
Light
Practices truth

Two paths have been clearly set forth in John 3.  One is wide, the other is narrow.  The first is about fulfilling the self, the second about obedience to your Creator. Paul has similar categories in Romans in which we either follow sin unto death or we are obedient unto righteousness. In the flesh we cannot please God (Rom 8:8), but God has adopted us into His family as heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom 8:15).  Through the crucifixion we are given the opportunity for new life, and the capability to be perfectly obedient before our Lord.  May we be a people who practice truth when everyone else is perfectly obedient to the imagination of their evil hearts.

But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. John 3:21

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day six)

“Now there was a man,”-John 3:1

Some of the most important moments in human history come down to a conversation. This one in John 3 might be one of the most famous, not because of Nicodemus but because of John 3:16. We don’t know the rest of the story of Nicodemus, whether or not he came to faith in Jesus, but he does represent God’s grace to all of us. Jesus gave time and words to this man at night; he challenged his way of thinking, nudged him to see the Kingdom of God.

This is true for all of us. “Now there was this man named Danny” or “Now there was this woman;” everyone of us could exchange our name for Nicodemus’. By the power of the Spirit Jesus engaged us with gracious words, nudging us to see Him and receive Him by faith.

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day five)  “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus teaches Nicodemus that “new birth” is a sovereign work of God’s  Spirit.  Birth is the perfect illustration.  We didn’t do  anything to be born (physically).  We can’t do anything to be born (spiritually).  The only way for a person to be “born again” is by the work of the Spirit of God.  There are uncertainties about the wind.  Where?  Why? When? But we do know with certainty, there is evidence of its presence.  Just as in the Christian life, there is conviction, faith, and fruit.

You’re a Christian because the Spirit of God blew where he wished, and he wished to blow inside your soul. He swept through your heart and brought you to life; he made you alive to God.- Matt Carter

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day four)

Nicodemus could not understand redemption.  It made no sense to him.  He had seen the miracles that Jesus had done and he had seen the changed lives as a result of Jesus’ work, but he would not accept by faith that Jesus was the messiah.  Jesus explained that until Nicodemus accepted, by faith, that only by God’s grace could he receive redemption, he would be incapable of understanding.

No one knows where the wind originates or where the wind is going.  We can see the effects of the wind and know it is there.  Likewise, we can see the result of a changed life through the power of Christ.  We can know that redemption is real by simply observing its fruit.  Like Nicodemus, we must exercise faith before we can receive redemption.  Redemption is not just a rational decision we make based on facts.  It is understood and received by faith alone.

Redemption is real…look around and observe the results of God’s work and provision!

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day three)

The wind blows wherever it pleases.

What about doctrine?  What about order?  What about truth?  What about sin?  What about right-and-wrong?  Usually, questions like these have already been answered a long time ago in the minds of the ones asking.  In fact, they’re not really questions, but signals—signals that we’re the ones standing strong against the howling winds of ungodliness, that others are wrong, and that the fate of the world hangs on whether people will listen to our unbending answers.  What others perceive as good news, the religious establishment always views as threatening, even if Jesus is the one saying it.  Perhaps especially if Jesus is the one saying it.  We reveal that we’re still holding onto our age-old tower-building dreams.  Then along comes the Lord who essentially says to Nicodemus—and to us: You must be blown away.

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day two) 

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. Vs. 19

The truth in a nutshell: if you have seen the light and hope of Jesus, and refuse to surrender your life to him, then you love sin more than salvation. We can wrap it in a different package, and make it more palatable, but the reality is what it is. This method of delivery might not be the best form of evangelism coming from any other mouth than Jesus. He was not trying to shame Nicodemus into heaven. He was simply offering an insight only Jesus can provide. To truly know him, is to surrender. Anything else…is sin.