Acts 5

Jesus had transferred the task of spreading the Gospel to the new Church of believers in Jerusalem. The Apostles were leaders in this act of obedience to Christ’s command. This infuriated the High Priest and his cohorts who had the Apostles cast into the common prison. During the night, an angel of the Lord released them from their restraint. They immediately went back to Solomon’s Porch, an area in the temple where the believers gathered, and resumed preaching and teaching the Gospel.

When we live a life dedicated to God’s purposes, miracles will follow. His grace gives us the extra power to live and obey His commands.

“He that has My commands and keeps them, he’s the one who loves me, and I will love him. He will be loved by My Father, and I will love Him and manifest Myself (with miracle power) to him.

Acts 4

When visiting the Holy Land several years ago, we were told that Jesus was probably more of a stone mason than a carpenter. Nazareth used stone for building rather than wood. Consequently, He was very familiar with stone and stonework. He was referred to as the Stone which was the head of the corner in Peter’s discourse to the rulers and elders of Israel who challenged the authority of the Apostles.

It’s the same today. Leaders and unbelievers are essentially rejecting Christ, the Cornerstone. He is the Rock of offense. He is the element they reject about Christianity. They can take the piety and good works and rules of appropriate conduct etc., but they HATE JESUS.

It’s ALL about Christ … the stone that the builders rejected. Sad, because He’s the ONLY WAY to God and eternal life in heaven.

Acts 2,3

The beautiful story of Peter and John praying for the lame beggar at the gate of the temple tells us how we can be fruitful in God’s Kingdom.

They were asked for money, but they had no money. “Silver and gold have I none. But what I DO HAVE, I give it.” They had the power of God through the name of Jesus. The man was healed and began walking and leaping and praising God.

We can give what we have. The primary element needed is God’s power through the name of Jesus. Beyond that, we can give our talent, our ability, our area of education, our possessions, our energies, our influence. God can use what we have.

John 21; Acts 1

Christ’s followers saw Him ascend into heaven after He told them of the coming power through His Holy Spirit, power to be His witnesses throughout the earth.

To us, His witnesses and disciples, has been given the message, the power, and the commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. We begin with our neighbors, our town, and then the uttermost parts of the earth.

When we have completed our task, He will return again and every eye shall see Him split the Eastern sky.

We still have work to do. Let’s be more focused on getting our job done. He will come when we have been obedient.

John 20

Christ wants to help us believe. That’s why He left us His Word. After His resurrection, He appeared to the disciples on different occasions, helping them believe that He truly was alive. Thomas  doubted. Jesus understandingly approached him and let him put his hands on the nail marks on Christ’s hands. THEN he believed.

The Lord’s patience with Thomas reveals His desire to help us believe and offer evidence that we may acquire greater faith.

Lord, we believe. Help us with our unbelief.

John 18,19

After Jesus and the two thieves had been crucified, their bodies were checked for death. Christ died quickly, not needing to have his legs broken as was the custom. He relinquished His soul to His Heavenly Father.

The death we are challenged to take is death to self. The quicker we relinquish our rights and our self-preserving resistance to God’s will or the preference of others over our self, the quicker God can get on with showing Himself strong on our behalf.

Die quickly. There’s a resurrection coming soon.

John 17

This chapter is the true “Lord’s Prayer.” This was Christ’s prayer agenda for the Christians who would carry on His message and Kingdom work when He was gone.

A recurring theme is His plea for unity among His children. Repeatedly, He prays that we may be one as He and His Heavenly Father are one. The result of that unity would be that “the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” [John 17:23b]

To lend ourselves to this process, we must value unity as Christ did. It must be a priority that compels us to mend the divisions we may incur. No doubt, it was one of Christ’s goals here on earth … to teach us to love one another and strive for unity.

Lest there be any confusion or misinformation, Caleb DOES NOT have the Coronavirus. He actually has an ulcer in his eye and is very uncomfortable.

I want to clarify this point.

Keep praying!

John 15,16

Jesus warned, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer … I have (already) overcome the world!””

The present Coronavirus challenge is just that … a trial that Christ has victory over. Some close friends’ college-age sons are  positive with the virus.  This is no doubt a tough trial for them, but not a challenge that Christ cannot overcome. Medical diagnosis and treatment may fail us, but God will never fail us.

Similarly, my grandson was misdiagnosed by a healthcare system in Europe. Gratefully, he is now receiving appropriate treatment. It’s a trial. Christ Jesus is our Hope and Health.

As we all pray for Hayden, Mason, and Caleb, we pray in faith that the Christ Who has overcome every obstacle in this life will grant them His Health and victory!

John 12-14

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach His followers after He was ascended, It is the Spirit of Truth He said would be within us to guide us.

Hearing or reading the Word every day and staying filled with His Spirit is the key to living a fruitful, Christian life. As we pay attention to the Spirit’s voice within us, we can live productive lives that will honor the Lord rather than serve our own selfish purposes.

Paul said, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”