The Everyday Prayer

RE Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day seven)  “God. . .showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them. . .(He) showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself”  (vs 8, 14)  Our search is for God.  Our need.  Not comfort, wealth or popularity.  How will we know when we have found Him?  Peter points to the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It was God SHOWING that he had accepted Cornelius and his household.  Do you know anyone who struggles with the assurance that he/she is accepted by God?  The Spirit is the sign/seal of this much-needed approval.  Notice how James looks at the same story.  It was God SHOWING His concern.  Know anyone who struggles with being loved by God?  The Spirit is God’s proof and evidence.  “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”  (Romans 5:5)  The Spirit is the sign of His acceptance and love.

RE Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day six)  “Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.”  (vs 22)  There is a great story in Luke 7.  The Lord meets a Roman Centurian whose faith has been clarified and strengthened by his experience with leadership.  He is self-described as a man “under authority”.  He also wields it as a leader of men.  He both receives orders and gives them.  Two sides of the same God-given ability.  The leaders of the church in Antioch are learning the same lesson.  Having been led by the Spirit, (various ways) they are qualified and willing to lead others.  One after another, first Peter, then Paul and Barnabas, then James, stand and influence the church in a definite direction.  When the people follow their lead, it is in keeping with the plan of God.  “There is no authority except from God”  (Romans 13:1)

RE Verse passage:  Acts 15:1-29 (day five) It’s an old saying that many have come to appreciate.  It’s a truth that has been proven to be full of wisdom.  “Experience is the best teacher”.  When I read the Re:Verse passage this week, I couldn’t help but be drawn to Peter’s words, “God, who knows the heart” (verse 8).  Who better than Peter to utter these words.  Remember the confronting “restoration” conversation with Jesus in John 21?  Peter confesses with humility, passion, and certainty, “Lord, You know all things”.   Peter came to know the reality of God’s power, sovereignty, and omniscience.  It made an indelible mark in his soul that day and taught him a lifelong lesson. God continued to use that experience to encourage him as a leader and servant of the church.  Thank You Lord, for the many lessons You teach through ALL our experiences!!

Guest Blogger: Scott Lane – Associate Pastor, Education, Students & Venture

RE Verse passage:  Acts 15:1-29 (day four)   The final word is what most of us want to have.  We want to be able to make the decision that ultimately stands.  The early church leaders had their own version of a ‘chat’ going on…they did not have technology, but they did have conversation trying to make a decision on the subject of what should be required of the Gentile believers.  Verse 7 says, “After there had been much debate”…Paul and Barnabas weighed in, the Pharisees weighed in, Peter testified, and everyone at the council worked to process all of the information for a decision.  It was James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, who gave us the model to follow.  In verse 15, he takes the statements of all who had testified and took them back to scripture.  Only scripture can illuminate the truth in all of our best discussions.  God’s Word is truth…it should be our standard and plumb line.

Guest Blogger: Larry Soape – Associate Pastor, Education, Adults & Missions

RE Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day three)  The Jerusalem Council certainly produced one of the defining statements of the early Christian movement.  Of necessity, this local church had to work out its own theology.  They couldn’t consult with New Testament theologians.  They couldn’t buy the latest tome on Christian doctrine.  They were living these things out in real time.  In our day, we navigate a flood of authors who help us strengthen our Christian understanding.  This is as it should be.  We face the temptation, though, to outsource our thinking to the latest thought leader.  Let us remember that we have a responsibility—as these early believers did—to wrestle with weighty matters, and to do it together. No one produces better theology than the local church under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and committed to the scriptures.  Where two or more are gathered, the Lord is there, and he will help us think.

Guest Blogger: Bryan Richardson – Associate Pastor, Singles, Small Groups, & Pastoral Ministries

RE Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day two)Election day. Tonight, some will be winners. Some will be losers. Where will we find humility? Hope? In Acts 15, both the winners and losers walked away “unanimously” or with “one mind” (15:25). How? They were convinced by sound reason (15:7-11), testimony (15:12) and Scripture (15:13-21) that there were two priorities worth uniting for. Number 1 – the gospel. “We are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (15:11). Peter reminds them that the gospel has always been about what Jesus did, not what we do. Number 2 – relationships. James’ request would allowing Jews and Gentiles to eat supper together. There were definitely winners and losers in this conflict, but everyone agreed that these two priorities united them. Tonight, whether you find yourself a winner or a loser will you remember the two priorities, the gospel and relationships? Jesus put it this way, “love God and love others” (Mark 12:30-31).

Guest Blogger: Josh Vaughan – Minister to Young Marrieds & Yes, Lord! Community Ministries

RE Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day one)  “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.  So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question” (vs 2)  By nature, I am a “pleaser”.  Normally, I really do want people to “be pleased”–not with me, but with life!  It isn’t always a wise approach.  The truth is that the truth has enemies.  Some outside the church.  Some inside.  Sometimes (frequently) the Lord asks things from us that make us uncomfortable, resistant.  When conflict comes (and it does-in church, in business, in friendships) I am learning to reference the Spirit of God rather than my own needs or emotional preferences.  I doubt I will ever enjoy conflict.  Sad if I did.  I do know, however, there is a way to walk with the Spirit when it does.  If He is available, why would we not seek Him?

RE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day seven)  “And all who were appointed for eternal life believed”  (vs 48)  It is a paradox.  A truth made up of two sides which seem contradictory or irreconcilable.  God appoints.  We decide.   Appoint means “lined up or arranged” and speaks of the inner preparation that precedes the reception of spiritual truth.  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”  (John 6:44)  Is God working in your heart?  Is He preparing you for new truth and deeper faith?  It is His great gift!  Progress will require a decision of faith from you.  The Father has assigned you this role.  In vs 46, Paul says that the rejecters have “judged themselves unworthy of eternal life”.  Bad choice!  The word in this sentence means “to decide” and places the emphasis on the decision of man rather than the appointment of God.  So, which is it?  The work of God or a decision of faith?  Yes.

BE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day six)  “While 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.’ ” (vs 2)  Interesting word.  Not worship exactly.  Leiturgea actually means “an act of service”.  The emphasis in Greek is on the sacrifice, the unselfishness.  We should be impressed that the leaders of the church in Antioch were “serving” the Lord, focusing on the Lord, praying and waiting on the Lord, determined to serve the Lord’s purposes and not their own.  It is a necessary assignment for all leaders (both political and religious)  Too easy to follow our own egos or ambition.  As we consider an election on Tuesday, we should look for leaders who seek this kind of righteousness.  What is His will for this land?  Larger than either party, not determined by a poll, the will of God is what we seek.  True leaders serve the Lord.

RE Verse reading-Acts 13:1-5, 13-14, 42-52 (day five)
Scripture seems to say two different things in verses three and four. One verse says the church sent Barnabas and Saul, while the next verse states it was the Holy Spirit. So, Who did What? Which is true? The answer is BOTH. Now that’s an amazing conclusion with many implications and ramifications. Implications: The Holy Spirit, who is alive in the believer’s heart, speaks to and through each person. When we gather to search the scriptures, worship in song and sermon, pray together, and share in fellowship, the Holy Spirit may be speaking both personally and corporately to affirm God’s Plan for the future and His Will in the life of each member. Ramifications: We gather together with hope and hunger to hear and share what the Holy Spirit is saying. We listen and encourage one another because each has the Holy Spirit living inside them. I can’t wait for Sunday!!

Guest Blogger: Scott Lane – Associate Pastor, Education, Students & Venture