Daily Digest

16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

What an ordinary start to a significant partnership. Paul comes to Lystra, Timothy lives in Lystra, the people of Lystra and Iconium speak well of Timothy, Paul hears about it, I imagine Paul spends some time with Timothy and then Paul asks Timothy to join him on his journeys. From this account there is no dramatic vision, just a normal relational process – people networking – that leads Paul to begin a friendship with one whom he would go on to call his spiritual son. 

Am I leaning into relationships with expectancy? Am I leaning into the everyday of life with expectancy? Am I trusting that you God will use many of the ordinary things of life for significant purposes? 

Please help me to begin the day in faith, and to maintain an attitude of expectancy throughout the day and week ahead. Amen. 

Written by Ps. Bethany Waugh 

30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. [34] [a] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Stepping outside what I see with my natural sight to connect with and encourage other believers isn’t something that comes naturally to me. 

My incredible wife has an amazing ability to think of people who we haven’t seen in ages. She remembers dates like anniversaries and birthdays of friends who live overseas and makes a point to write to them or call or message. 

But I have always been the sort of person where if something isn’t right in front of me, I’m probably not going to think of it. 

But in this season of social distancing and isolation, I’m trying to be more like the, Paul, Silas, Barnabas and Saul; stepping out of my comfort zone to bring connection, fellowship and encouragement by trying to call or message at least 10 people who I wouldn’t normally connect with per day. 

Lord, In this season where the church isn’t able to physically gather, I wonder if we are able to maintain the unity of the church community if everyone rises to the challenge of making connections outside their normal group of friends, or beyond those they see on Facebook? Lord help your church rise to the challenges that are ahead! 

Written by Ps. Justin Ware

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16 “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’— 18 things known from long ago. 19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

What strikes me in this passage is how much God is the central actor in James’ understanding of what was going on. 

God first intervened, and God promised to return and rebuild David’s fallen tent, and the commentary goes on from there. I am fooling myself if I think I’m the central actor in all of this. I must heed the wisdom and Spirit-led discernment of one of the founding fathers of the church. God is doing His mighty, rebuilding, intervening work in human history, and he invites me and us to be a part of it. 

What an immense privilege. And what a helpful way to reduce, even remove, some of the tension that builds in me because I am not getting my way with the Lord. If I instead start my day here, with this wise understanding, I will walk with clearer purpose, with a clearer sense of my role in it all, and see for myself the might hand of God intervening in our corner of the world. 

Lord, bring it on. Continue to work out your salvation in our midst in this time in human history. You intervene because you love us, care for us, and we can’t do this life without your power at work in it! Thank you lord! 

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh

15 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 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. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. 5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

They weren’t saying they had to obey the whole law: just taking the sign of membership of God’s people, as the scriptures instruct. When they get to Jerusalem, even some of the believers tell them the same thing. Moses did it, why not the gentiles?

But in this seemingly small thing lies a really important issue. Paul explains his reasoning in the first half of Romans. The law was not given in expectation that we could fulfil it and earn salvation: it was given to show us that we fall short and can’t earn salvation. We are totally dependent on Jesus fulfilling the law by dying in our place. We can’t earn it, but God gives it freely. If we place ourselves under even a small part of the law again, we undo what Jesus did. If our salvation still depends on us fulfilling even a small part of the law, his death achieves nothing.

It was a big issue in the 1st century. It was a big issue in the 16^th century reformation. It’s still a big issue today: many Australians, including people in Churches, believe that whether they go to Heaven depends on whether they have been good enough. There are many Australians who desperately need to hear the good news that Jesus was good enough for all of us.

I don’t like arguments, and it’s important not to be divisive. But sometimes there are questions that are so important we need to speak up. Father, please give me humility to know when to be quiet, your wisdom and courage to know when and how to speak, and your love for those who need to hear.

Written by David Cornell

8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

I’m a sucker for Marvel movies. After watching one (think Iron Man, or The Avengers) I always spend a while feeling like I’M a superhero – that I should be out saving the world from the epic forces of evil. That is the power an inspiring hero has, and right now I feel this way about Paul.

In this passage, Paul is a true hero of the faith. We find him preaching in a foreign town, having wisdom to see a crippled man’s faith, demonstrating healing power in causing the man to walk, showing great humility in the face of overwhelming public love and praise, then after all that – enduring an unjust stoning by his enemies – nearly to the point of death!

What does it look like to be a sold-out follower of Jesus? I think Paul gives us some powerful examples here. To always have the gospel on your lips, to live a life of faith, to act humbly, and to trust God no matter the opposition. I pray for myself and for you reading this, that Paul’s powerful example would cause us to question how we’re living, and that we would find the courage and strength to live as Paul lived.

Jesus, thank You that You’re worth all we have to give and more. Thank You for not just telling us how to live, but showing us how – through your own life and the life of your apostles. Help us not to live a hidden Christian life, but like Paul, to be brave and courageous in living sold-out lives for You. Amen.

Written by Ps. Matt Samperi

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you[a] a light for the Gentiles, that you[b] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 13 begins with Saul and Barnabas being set aside by the Holy Spirit for the work that He had called them too. And here at the end of the chapter we see the blueprint for Paul’s ministry and the pattern for all who have followed in sharing Jesus to others.

Some will gladly hear and believe, others will oppose and reject not only the message of salvation but reject the messenger (us) as well.

Martyrdom & rejection have been the hallmarks of Christians sharing their faith for millennium.  Where equally others, (including myself) have said ‘no thanks’ to this rejection and have kept the salvation that we have received quietly to ourselves.

What has struck me most is the last verse (52) – that despite the persecution and being run out of town .. the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. With the hardship, the sweetness of the presence of God was there, both for Paul and Barnabas and the new believers.

This gives me courage, this gives me purpose. Remembering that the Holy Spirit is with me when sharing my faith.  I’m not out there alone!  This is His work not mine. I also know the feelings of joy within me that come when leading someone to receive Jesus, let alone hearing their testimony of the spiritual exchange that has just taken place. May I not forget this.

Father I’m sorry for all the times I’ve focused on me, the negatives of personal rejection when sharing my faith or speaking about Jesus to others. Holy Spirit I ask that you would remind me of the joy that will come as you lead and fill me to speak life and the freedom of Jesus to others. May your joy come.  Amen.

Written by Suzie Hodgson

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” 16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. “After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ 23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ 26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. 32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’ 34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ 35 So it is also stated elsewhere: “‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’ 36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41 “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

This story takes place in a strategic military and administrative Roman colony, that was a major trading route to the coast of Syria and Ephesus. This pagan city, with a temple to Ascaenus, was also a strategic location to preach the gospel on Paul’s first missionary journey. Here Paul and Barnabas start preaching to the God-fearing Gentiles and many are saved.  Paul begins, by giving these people a complete history lesson of God’s redemption plan from Abraham to Jesus. Many came to believe and “the word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region”. (Acts 13 v 49)

What struck me about this passage is that these people were Gentiles (not Jews, not cultured in the stories of their history and the retelling of these through their celebrations) – yet Paul teaches this journey of God and His people to them.  He unfold the story of God on earth through His people and then through Jesus – they understand and have an encounter with Christ and they are saved.

It struck me – so often I wonder how to share Christ to certain people?  What is the best approach?  My testimony? History?  Yet, here Paul is able to reach these pagan people just sharing HIStory. The journey of God and His people – completely revealed in Jesus.

How well do I know the word of God and the stories in the Bible to share it so concisely?

Lord help me to share your word, your life, your history and your truth that those who listen will come to a knowledge and understanding of you. Help me and lead me to share with people where they are at and what they need to hear from you.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta

13 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 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.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Here is the beginning of Saul and Barnabas’ ministry to the Gentiles (people who were not Jews.) I noticed how God had been leading his church to this point, from the vision to Peter (chapter 10), growing his church in a largely Greek city (Antioch), and bringing believers into the church from diverse backgrounds (Barnabas from Crete, Simeon and Lucius from northern Africa, Manaen from the inner Roman ruling class, Saul(Paul) from the Jewish religious elite – what a bunch!)

This church was equipped, ready for action for God. So are we, but are we ready for action?

The context of this event is persecution (chapter 12). How easy to look inward, build up their local congregation, stand strong together in the face of opposition and fear. It’s clear to me that they had been listening to God and leaning into him. Their leaders were focussed on God and his will, not their own security and needs.

When things are going wrong in my life I need to resist the urge to bunker down and rely on myself. My help is in the Lord, and coming together with his church encourages me to pursue him.

I pray for our leaders that their focus will continue to be God’s work beyond us, to be tuned into the Holy Spirit’s direction. I pray that each of us will be ready to respond as Barnabas and Paul did, not hesitantly, but knowing that the work he wants us to do is His purpose for us. We know Paul and Barnabas go on to do incredible things for God, clearly work they were made for. I don’t want to miss out on my purpose.

Dear Father God, thank you that you answer our prayers, whether they are cries of desperation or quiet whispers. I pray for our leaders that you build up their courage and seeking after you.

Amen

Written by Claire Moore

12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. 18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

As one body, the church is earnestly praying for Peter’s release. Yet when Peter turns up their response is complete surprise and disbelief. God actually answered our prayer!? In this same passage though another brother in the faith, James, is executed. Peter’s guards, powerless before Gods purposes, are also executed.

Recently I started a practice of two columns in my prayer journal. In one column I make note of my ‘thank yous/praise points’ and in the other note of my ‘prayer points’. And at the end of the month I look back over the columns. I have been amazed at the prayers God has answered. This has sparked new praise in me as I thank God not only for the answer to prayer but also that He let me be part of his work through praying! 

But this has also given me a chance to wrestle with God over the prayers He hasn’t answered the way I expected. And it’s brought me again and again to the place of Jesus before the cross. Jesus prays ‘may this cup be taken from me’, but God the Father does not answer by sparing His Son the cross. Instead, knowing the cross was the only way to have us, Jesus then prays ‘yet not my will but yours be done’ and dies for our sakes (Luke 22-23). 

Dear God thank you that you hear the prayers of your people. Thank you that you allow us to be part of your incredible work in this way. Thank you that we can trust the answer, no matter what it is. 

Written by Rhiannon Mellor

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

As I am writing this, Australia is in the middle of a pandemic that has changed our normal way of life. One of these changes is that people are no longer meeting in groups to worship or go to church. While new and tricky, this is a step that is helping to keep our congregations and our nation safe. I wonder if this is how the early believers felt when faced with having to change the way they lived due to the rise of persecution. A pandemic is certainly not the same as persecution, however our current situation has led to us being ‘scattered’, unable to physically come together for a period of time. 

As we navigate this, I am reminded of two key things from this passage:

1. The Church is not, and never has been, a building.

Just as the believers of the early church were scattered and needed to minster in different places to different people, we too can minister to others even if we currently cannot gather in the same room. We may not be able to come together physically under one roof, but we are still the Church! Finding new ways of meeting, via online services and through the use of technology, still allows for God’s word to go out and be shared to new and vast groups of people, and His Word does not return void! (Isaiah 55.11)

2. God is still God, and He is all powerful.

In this passage, we see that the Lord’s power and grace was with His people and this caused them to be able to minister to others in such a way that many people believed in Him. Barnabas is also described as a man full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Even in the midst of what is an uncertain and unpredictable time, we can rest in the fact that God is all powerful, and that by His grace He will give us the faith we need to continue to fulfil all that He has called us to. This doesn’t mean that we should be foolish, but it does mean that through faith in God, we can find peace and rest. It also means that we can depend on God to do what only He can do, as we surrender to Him.

God, what uncertain times we find ourselves in! Yet how great it is to know that none of this takes you by surprise. You have always been, and continue to be, all powerful. We thank you that the Church was always your idea, and that we are not limited by the four walls of a building. Rather, we are your people, here to do your will and spread your goodness, love and mercy to those around us. Help us to be a people who surrender to you, who find peace in you. Amen.

Written by Ps. Madelaine Tarasenko

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

God shows no favouritism. He loves each and every one of us. He wants us to grab His outreached hand and to walk with Him. He showed this approach in the time after Jesus was crucified. He blessed all types of people with the skills needed to share the love He provides. He gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. He didn’t keep His gifts for some but not others. He does this today as well. He created us to do what Jesus did – to bring love and blessing to those around us, to love like God loves us. These people got to see what it was like to walk with God daily through watching what Jesus did. We have the pictures painted here in the Bible to see the same.

Help us Lord to learn to love all those around us just as You love us. Help us to ask for Your help. Help us to notice what people around us need. Help us to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. Help us to be excited by knowing You, just as Peter was, to link in with Your dreams for this world. Help us Lord to live life better so that more people know and feel Your love. Amen

Written by Therese Manning

10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

Here is a classic example of a person fulfilling the purposes that God has for them in their life.

Cornelius has just been asked by God to begin the process that will see Gentiles on equal footing with Jews, a radical shift in thinking for the time. This was a huge assignment and God needed the right person for the job. Why did He choose Cornelius?

Cornelius feared God, and loved others, giving generously to the poor. He was in the habit of praying and was a leader and example of faith within his family. A man of influence perhaps.

Cornelius had the resources that were needed for the job. He was able to despatch men who could travel and collect Peter as required.

Cornelius, as a military man, had been trained and understood the need to follow directions even when you didn’t quite understand or agree. Cornelius didn’t argue that he was the wrong person, didn’t have time or needed to think about it.

Cornelius had the influence within his family to bring them together upon Peter’s return so that they may all sit under the blessing of God and hear the gospel preached, and ultimately receive the Holy Spirit.

Cornelius could never have imagined what he was about to be a part of just as we are never quite sure what God is going to do when he whispers instructions into our hearts each morning as we turn to him. But we can be confident that God has chosen the person with the right heart, resources, training and influence to be able to complete the task …. if we just trust Him and respond with obedience.

Father we ask that you will speak loudly and clearly to us each day, prompting us into action to spread the good news of your love to those we interact with. Help us to be obedient, even when we don’t understand the purpose.    Amen

Written by Jocelyn Petschack

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

This is an interesting passage of what it was like for the early church and its struggles to get started. I haven’t ever lived with the likelihood of losing my life for serving Jesus like Paul did. And it is pretty creative thinking to use a basket to escape with. But this was their reality, people were seriously out to kill them for their faith. But the last verse in this passage makes an interesting statement – the church grew stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord.

The church could have been consumed with the fear of man. They could have removed the threat of death by choosing to do what the Jews wanted them to do, but the result of that would have been a weak or non-existent church.

Instead, the church grew stronger as it lived in the fear of the Lord. There is a direct connection between the strength of the church and the church living in the fear of the Lord.

This is not about being afraid of the Lord, instead it is following God 100 percent. Trusting him fully, obeying him completely.

And the same is true in my life. I become stronger when I live in the fear of the Lord and not in fear of people. When I am more concerned about pleasing people or not offending people, then I am usually all over the place, unstable, and weary with worry. But when I settle the issue that Jesus is Lord of my life and I follow him wholeheartedly, then he makes me strong.

Father, forgive me for when I have thought more about what people want me to do, than what you want me to do. You are Lord of my life and today, I choose to serve you.

Written by Andrew Martin