Between the Words & Lines

"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up into heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had shown." Acts 1:1-2

The Bible, God’s word, is incredibly rich, full to overflowing with teaching, wisdom, and illustration. I have often said we must slow down our reading and the study of it in order not to miss so much. So let’s do that for our devotional today. Word by word, and phrase by phrase. We will only scratch the surface of all that can be ascertained, but we will not gloss over the first two verses as is so easy to do and not get something out of it. Every verse in scripture is a resource to know God. If you want to get deeper you must dig and keep learning how to dig, better.

Ordinary Courage

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

I too am an unschooled and ordinary courageous guy. You may say that since I am 'The Pastor' that somehow I am not ordinary. Allow me to straighten out that misconception. For sure I am unschooled to a degree. (Pun intended, since I do not have a formal degree). Truth is, I finished my Bachelor's program with enough units, but over a technicality about a Senior Project I did not receive my actual sheepskin. I actually have pictures of me in cap and gown and 'walking' to get my degree from the President of Relands University.

Broken Pieces Are We

When it's my time to prepare the Friday devotional, I'm never at a loss for what to share because inevitably, God always seems to provide me with at least three or four little gems, and I then have the difficult task of deciding between them. I get a lot of my inspirations from little devotional books that I've purchased myself or from ones given to me by good friends. Such is the case this week, when I had the choice of about three. But, as it turns out, the devotional for my nightly reading last night from a book given to me by Sara Botts for Christmas, "Be Still...And Let Your Nail Polish Dry," provided just the message which I think is applicable to all of us. One of the four authors of the book, Andrea K. Boeshaar, at page 130, used her literary skills to remind us of something that can be so easily forgotten, and that is, God can and does use broken things "for His purposes."

What Am I Doing?

This devotion is shared with permission of the author, Heather Gent. Original post may be viewed at The Write Hope.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. " 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

I listened to a sermon a few weeks ago in which my pastor talked about our church's food ministry, specifically, what it means to be a part of it, and it occurred to me that although my particular church is relatively small, its endeavors to feed the hungry are mighty. From providing help to the congregation and local townspeople each week to a group of young adults who take food to the Santa Ana homeless every Saturday night, Grace Harbor Church of Tustin, CA (www.ghcs.us) doesn't just talk the talk, it walks the walk. However, as I examined my own shortcomings, I realized that while it's appropriate to consider the collective church's ways, especially when looking to get involved, the more pressing issue is not - what is the church doing to help others in need, but what are YOU doing and what am I doing? After all, what is the church if not a body of people (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) made up of flawed and imperfect individuals just like you and me? Or, better stated by John MacArthur in Ashamed of the Gospel: "The church is not the brick and mortar assembly in which the assembly meets; it is God's people in whom He dwells," but never forget that those dwelling places are also the home of our own inner sinful man. And yet remembering this, we're still content to point fingers from the comfort of our living rooms and sneer at all the hypocrisy in the church, but until we're willing to get out there in the middle of it and be the change we wish to see in the church, our mouths speak wiser words when they say nothing at all (Job 13:5). Instead of asking what the church is doing, ask yourself - What am I doing?

More Last Words

"He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you: and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." Acts 1:7

Pretty safe to say that His last words on earth were these as the Ascension happens right after He says them. I have always taught and still believe that His last words were the Great Commission. Though we know these words best from Matthew 28, another derivation of them is shared here in Acts. Jesus instructs His disciples that they will be (sounds like a directive to me) His witnesses everywhere. (to the ends of the earth implies that).

This Thing

"But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." Acts 4:17

It always has been His Name that bugs people. There as the old song says, is....'just something about that name'. What is that name? His name is Jesus. Talk about church, talk about God even, talk about all the wonderful things that are happening because of Him. Just leave Him and His Name out of it. Can't we just have a nice little religion without the Crucifixion and Resurrection? The teachings are great, many of them are part of other religions. Why do we have to bring Him up all the time. Isn't what we believe in and stand for most important in principle without having to make it personal about a man who lived on this earth, who came from God and was His Son and paid the sacrificial price for sin by dying on a cross, and then resurrected in three days to conquer death and defeat the devil? Why can't we keep it simple? Why make it so messy and complicated?

We Urge You, Our Friends

"We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." 1Thessalonians 5:14

I like lists. Lists of things to do, lists of things to remember, lists of data and information, lists of names and lists of trivial information. All kinds of lists. In my study of God's Word lists are always great for me because they are easier to memorize. For example if there are four things on the list, such as in this verse I know I have the verse memorized when I come up with all four things.

One Way

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

When I was lots younger I didn't care much for this verse and how succinct it was and somewhat wrote it off as just indicative of the zealousness of Peter and not an actual principle of my faith. I have long since learned that all of scripture is good for doctrine and reproof. I have been reproved as I matured regarding my early faith and desire to make sure that I wasn't being judgmental or close-minded. Funny how we grow up our views and understand better about what open-mindedness is and about who judges and to take ourselves out of the formula of what Scripture means.

There is a Balm in Gilead

"The people cry out, 'The summer is gone, the harvest is over, but we have not been saved.' My heart has been crushed because my people are crushed; I mourn, I am completely dismayed. Is there no medicine in Gilead? Are there no doctors there? Why, then, have my people not been healed?" Jeremiah 8:20-22

Having grown up in Baptist churches for over 50 years. (yes, I started attending church regularly when at 13) I am very familiar with a lot of hymns. Since it was basically the only music allowed at one time, I learned a lot of them and as a young man the best ones with the best messages and most compelling melodies stayed with me longest. Many of my favorites are "Negro Spirituals", with their roots in the oppression of African-Americans who first came to America in chains. Their hellish voyage aboard slave ships was only the beginning of their sorrows. The break-up of their families, the horror of bondage, the whips and shackles, their loss of dignity... all combined to crush body and spirit. Out of this injustice came some of the most compelling music ever written. Songs that were composed in the fields and barns, the words speaking of the daily pain and future hope. Often slaves were allowed to sing while working, (doesn't that sound humiliating in and of itself?) Words like "Go Down, Moses," "Roll, Jordan, Roll", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", and "There is a Balm in Gilead".... based on Jeremiah 8:22. I know songs I have written out of my dismay have been some of the best. Since their aren't many more dehumanizing experiences than slavery, these "spirituals" convey the depths of woe, survival and faith. Though these hymns cannot be accurately dated nor the authors credited, they have become classics, because of their excellence and depth of meaning. These words and tune were written about 1800 and when a Gospel singer and friend of mine passed away recently I was reminded of how inspiring it was to me to hear him sing this particular song. I want to share the words with you. Be blessed.

He Has Risen

"...He has risen..." Matthew 28:6]

These words are spoken every Easter Season more than at any other time. Of course it is that time of the year, but it is true all year long. He arose over 2,000 years ago and by doing so, changed everything for everybody forever. His resurrection showed the world that He conquered death and sin. What that means for us is that by accepting Jesus as our personal Savior we can have our sins forgiven and live forever with Him.