The Everyday Prayer

RE Verse reading–Acts 3:1-10 (day four)  “Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful”  (vs 2)  The contrast must have been stark.  I wonder whether anyone noticed.  A lame man–destitute and helpless, sat beneath a gate called “Beautiful”–crown jewel in Herod’s temple renovation project, made of Corinthian brass, artistic, breath-taking.  One a symbol of all that man can do.  The other a symbol of all we cannot do (apart from God).   It is humbling to admit.  With all the progress in science and technology, there are many left behind, many for whom society simply has no answer.  Winos and homeless people still sleep in the doorways of  sparkling skycrapers of our big cities.  Broken families live in quiet desperation.   Peter and John were brave enough to notice this man and his needs.  Believers who pray (where John and Peter were going) begin to see God possiblities.  If my people will humble themselves. . .

RE Verse reading–Acts 3:1-10 (day three)  “Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg”  (vs 2)  Thank God for kind people.  The lame man could not have survived without them.  No telling how many times his friends/family had carried him to the temple.  They were doing it again the day that he saw Peter and John.  It is a paradox–a truth held in balance.  All of us need to be carried at times.  No one is self-sufficient.  Even so, the deepest (most appropriate) longing of the man’s heart is to stand on his own, to not have to be carried.  The church has a responsibility to teach both truths.  We are to accept help that we need.  At the same time, we are to desire to be the helpers, not the helped.  “Bear one another’s burdens. . .each one should carry his own load” (Galatians 6:2, 5)

RE Verse reading–Acts 3:1-10 (day two)  “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon.  Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg”  (vs 1-2)  The cross/resurrection/ascension/Spirit (post-Pentecost) changed many things for the disciples.  One of the things that it didn’t change was their confidence in group prayer/public prayer.  Jesus Himself had exampled a life of regular attendance and participation in the Temple and synagogue.  The days of prayer before Pentecost must have convinced them even more.  God wills for his children is to meet together for prayer.  See Matthew 18:20.  Enroute to a prayer meeting, Peter and John encounter a man in need and “know” what to do.  Why is it that people who pray (both privately and publically) seem to understand the power of God and its proper use?  If my people. . .

RE Verse reading–Acts 3:1-10 (day one)  “Peter looked straight at him, as did John. . .Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.’ ” (vs 4, 6)  It is a marvelous paradox.  Being spiritual (i.e. being filled with the Spirit of God) makes us practical people–concerned about health, home, jobs etc.  Having the love of God poured out within our hearts (see Romans5:5) gives us the margin necessary to pour love out on others!  The old criticism is not true.  “He is so heavenly-minded that he is of no earthly good”  The opposite is what God intends.  As we read Acts 3 this week, I hope you will notice the kind of relationships that come with Spirit-filled life.  What it is they (we) believe about people?  What is it we believe about ourselves and our ability to help?  May this story work in us for the glory of God and the (practical) good of others!

RE Verse reading–Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-18 (day seven)  “These men are not drunk. . .this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind.’ ” (vs 15-17)  It is a cliche of this age.  People speak of being “spiritual” with little or no understanding of the Scripture’s picture of this unique life.  One huge difference is the element of conviction.  “When the Spirit comes, He will convict the world of sin”  (John 16:8)  The Spirit-filled person will not live an easy relationship with the world system.  His presence in us will sting the conscience of our friends and family, raising either confusion “What does this mean?”  or criticism “These people are drunk”.  It is unavoidable.  Those filled with the Spirit of God will feel the tension that exists between the Spirit and the flesh.  May we be inspired to suffer the tension well.  God is at work convicting people of sin!

RE Verse reading–Acts 1:12-14, Acts 2:1-18 (day six)  “And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ ” (2:12)  At times, they are the majority.  Neither convinced nor cynical.  Perplexed people.  The greek word is helpful.  Dia (through or thoroughly) a (not) poros (a way).  A person thoroughly confused as to the way forward.  There are many in this category, particularly when the subject is the Spirit.  People (professed Christians included) are often interested but unconvinced, fascinated but fearful–perplexed about being filled as God promised we would be.  Are you among them?  It is an issue that must be resolved.  The Christian life is life in the Spirit.  We are born in the Spirit.  We walk in the Spirit.  Pentecost was day one for a new race of people who are changed by the Spirit of God for a life-time of powerful service.  Are you perplexed or participant in this new life?

RE Verse reading–Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-18 (day five)  “When the day of Pentecost came. . .suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind”  (2:1-2)  In one sense, Pentecost came suddenly.  In another, it was the culmination of a long, painful period.  The disciples had payed a price.  They had lost everything (first by following Christ,then by watching Him die, then by having Him taken from them into heaven).  We can hardly imagine the shock these events sent through their souls and emotions.  And the culmination of this painful period?  New life!  The Lord will later tell Paul this disturbing principle.  “My power is made perfect in weakness”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)  The Bible give us both assurance and assignment as we face difficult moments.  ” With the temptation there will be a way of escape (assurance) so that you may be able to endure it(assignment)”. (1 Corinthians 10:13)  Don’t give up, friend!  After the darkness comes light.  First the cross, then resurrection and Pentecost.

RE Verse reading–Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-18 (day four)  “In the last days. . .I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind”  (2:17)  When John the Baptist spoke of Jesus, he used two verbs.  “He is on who baptizes with the Holy Spirit”  (John 1:23)  “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”  (John 1:29)  Two verbs describe His ministry.  He removes sin and bestows life.  Ezekiel saw the same vision.  “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. . .I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes”  (Ezekiel 36:25, 27)  As we study Pentecost this week, let us review the lessons of the last inaugural event of our Lord’s ministry.  On the cross, we see our sins being removed.  At Pentecost, we see His life poured out into ours.  How tragic for some Christians to receive and value only part of God’s gracious work.  He has two gifts for His children.

RE Verse reading–Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-18 (day three)  “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers”  (1:14)  I wonder what these days were like for the disciples.  Exciting?  Joyful?  Or were they hard with spiritual struggle?   I remember that Peter and James and John had stuggled with prayer in the garden.  Was it still a difficult discipline for them? “We wrestle not against flesh and blood”  (Ephesians 6:2)  Our text suggests an answer.  “Devoting themselves” translates a word that meant “to be strong toward”.  It implies a measure of resolve, a necessary struggle.  This hour required them to be strong against distractions, brave against fears.  It is the same with us.  Even with the promises of God and the expectation of exciting days ahead, our participation via prayer will still require energy and devotion.  “Watch and pray. . .the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”  (Matthew 26:41)

RE Verse reading–Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-18 (day two)  “He commanded them to . . .wait for what the Father had promised.” (Acts 1:4)  “They returned to Jerusalem. . .(and were) continually devoting themselves to prayer”  (1:12, 14)  I cannot think of anything I hate worse than waiting.  The ultimate insult to my self-absorbtion.  Why are the people in the check-out line so slow?  Why is traffic?  Why does God require me to seek His face in patient prayer when I have so many pressing things to do?  None of us should miss the Lord’s purpose in this common frustration.  Waiting on the Lord is a spiritual exercise.  It teaches our souls that WHAT we want and WHEN we want it is not central to the story.  Larger issues are in play than our convenience or momentary happiness.  Until we learn to wait, God cannot fill us with His Spirit because our pride is too much in charge.  “Those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength”  (Isaiah 40:31)