Acts Devotional Week 3

April 29, 2012

Acts 3:1-10

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon.  And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

There was a lame man begging at a gate.  Most would ignore him.  Some would give him a little bit of money or maybe a bite to eat.  He did this everyday.  It was routine.  It was life as he knew it…until he encountered Peter and John.  When he asked them for help, they stopped and paid attention.  They got the lame man’s attention.  Something was about to happen.  In the middle of this man’s routine God was at work.  In the middle of our routine God is at work…often in unexpected ways.

What happened next was not expected.  Peter doesn't give the lame man money or food.  Instead he gives him health and new life.  “In the name of Jesus, stand up and walk” and that is exactly what happened.  The lame man didn't need gold or silver.  He didn't need to spend his life crippled and begging at a gate.  Our God heals.  Every one of us needs the healing touch of God.  Most of our hurts aren't seen physically, but we can be crippled relationally, emotionally, and spiritually.  God’s desire is to heal his people.  To heal us.

When the lame man encountered the disciples of Jesus he found healing.  The same should be true when people encounter us, the church.  God works in our lives.  He heals.  As a church we must recognize and celebrate God’s healing touch.  When people saw this formerly lame man they were amazed and worshiped God.  We are the lame man.  As believers, let us show others God’s healing work as we worship him in all aspects of our lives.  

Acts Devotional Week 2

April 22, 2012

Acts 2:1-4

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

The believers were united.  They were together.  The Holy Spirit was with them.  I don’t think any of these believers expected mysterious fire and wind to show up for worship that day.  I doubt they knew what to do once they began to speak in other languages.  This event didn’t figure into the plans of the day.  They simply gathered to worship and God showed up.  We never know what will happen when we gather to worship.  When God shows up the unexpected happens.  When God shows up people are given gift and abilities they did not have previously.  When God shows up the church becomes dynamic, active, and alive. 

So why languages?  If God giving out abilities and gifts why would he choose this particular one?  First consider the mission of these believers.  They were to go to all the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  One of the major obstacles to doing this was the language barrier.  With this gift the believers were able to speak clearly to the hearts and minds of all people.  Second, think about Babel.  When people sought to make a name for themselves (apart from God) they decided to build a tower.  God’s response was to confuse their language.  So people split apart according to their language.  Sin brought division to humanity.  The gift of languages erased that division in Christ.  This day demonstrated the results of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection as new life, new unity, and salvation overcame the consequences of sin.

So the Holy Spirit brought unity to the believers.  He brought the ability to speak to the hearts and minds of all people creating unity while demonstrating God’s power over sin.  He brought people to these believers.  They drew a crowd.  They began to preach.  From this gift of unity the Word spread and the church was born.  What can the Holy Spirit do today?

Acts Devotional Week 1

April 15, 2012

Acts 4:32 – 5:2

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.  The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.  There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.  For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles. But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

All were united in heart and mind.  Their desire was to do as Christ directed them to do.  They were open to the work of the Holy Spirit.  They had witnessed the power of God at work in and through them.  They were committed, loyal, and dedicated followers of Christ.  They were the earliest church of Jesus Christ.  From this place, they shared everything.  Their shared desire to do the work of the Lord extended into every part of their lives.  They supported one another in every way they could.  They made sure problems, needs, and differing ideas/opinions did not divide them.  God used these believers to meet needs as they came so that everyone was taken care of.  This sort of unity is to be a hallmark of any church.  It requires the intentional erasing of divisions and divisive attitudes.  It requires a universal effort to do what God directs.  It is a shared work that empowers a community to do what Christ would do.

Two examples are given.  One is positive as Barnabas sold some land to provide money for God’s work.  He did this willingly, honestly, and without need for praise.  Ananias on the other had said he would do the same, but decided to try to deceive this early church.  He said he would give all, but kept some.  His goal did not match Barnabas’s and the early church’s goal.  His deception points to selfish aims that would become divisive if allowed to continue.  In our lives, do we share a common goal or do we see the church as a tool for our personal aims?  Which does God desire?  

Devotional for Easter Sunday

April 8, 2012

Isaiah 55:1-6

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free!  Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.   You will enjoy the finest food.  “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.  See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations.  You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”  Seek the LORD while you can find him.  Call on him now while he is near.

Do you have a need?  Are you searching for that which will satisfy your need?  Come to God.  He will show you what is good.  He will give you what you need.  A fundamental aspect of God’s work in, through, and among his people is faithfulness.  God does not hide himself from us.  He is available to all who come.  He does not leave us.  He will not abandon us.  Into our darkest moments God brings love.  The sacrifice of Jesus demonstrates God’s love despite all the rejection, destruction, and pain the world brought to bear.  God is there for us.  Come and see.

Listen and you will find life.  Listen with ears wide open.  Listen without bias.  Listen with the intent to learn.  Come and listen…God will show you what life is really all about.  The author of life desires to teach us how to live well.  Why would we not listen?  Consider David…a humble shepherd who listened to God.  In David, God worked to build his people into a living example of his power and unfailing love.  That same power and love is offered to us.  Those who come and listen are never weak.  They are connected to the source of all life.  Nothing is greater than God.

Seek the Lord.  Call on him.  Go to him.  Listen to him.  God has a work for all of us to do.  Those you do not know will see God at work in you.  Rise up.  Stand up.  God desires to do a glorious work in your life.  He desires to do a glorious work in this church.  Through faithfulness and love the power of God works.  Let us run to God.  Let us be people who listen.  Let us see that the Lord is good and he is at work.  Amen.

Focus 40: Day 40

The Chair

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out…” —Acts 8:26–27a

There is an amazing story in Acts 8:26–27. Phillip was having great success as an evangelist among the Samaritans. Suddenly, God calls him to go to the desert. There is no explanation, just the command to go. As you fast and pray for people far from Christ, be open to the idea that the Holy Spirit may take you down a path and lead you to people you never intended to meet.

I have a chair in my office that reminds me that God’s plans are not always what I have decided to do. Several years ago at Thanksgiving, my wife and I went to Brenda’s parents for the thanksgiving meal. It had been a very stressful time at church and I was glad just to eat a lot and watch football and probably fall asleep. Esther, Brenda’s mom, told me about her neighbor, Julie, who was very sick. Julie was a Lutheran, but she had not been to church for a long time and they could not get a pastor to come out and give her Communion. Esther wondered if I would go over and take Communion to Julie. I was less than excited. I needed a day away from constant demands! Surely Esther of all people should know that. I reluctantly went to Julie. She was a tiny woman sitting in this little lounge chair. I talked to her about Jesus’ love and had prayer with her and served Communion. The next day Julie told Esther that during that prayer she asked Jesus into her heart. Two week later Julie died. Every time I look at that chair I realize how close I came to missing God’s plan.

As you pray today, remind the Holy Spirit that you are available to the Julies in your world. The Bible calls these special moments kairos moments, opportune times that if we are available God can use us to change our world. Transforming Hearts…Transforming Lives!

Dear Father, as I pray for people I know far from you, help me to be open to those opportune moments you place in my life. In the loving name of Jesus, amen.

Ø  Dr. Steve Birch, Pastor, White Chapel Church of God, South Daytona, Florida

Focus 40: Day 39

Prayers of the Righteous:

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. —James 5:16

Since I was a child, I have seen persons within the church anointed for healing as instructed in James 5:13–16. When I accepted my call to ministry, I followed what had been modeled for me by my pastor and the leaders of our church. Even as a teenager, when asked to pray for someone, I would quote this passage, anoint the person with oil, and pray for God’s will to be done. In the intervening forty-five years, I have prayed thousands of times for individuals seeking healing of body, soul, or mind. I have not kept a statistical account of how many were healed in the moment, some later, and some never. Yet all received the best I had to offer in that moment as I requested a mighty outpouring of God’s grace and power.

Often, people outside the church, and sometimes inside, make disparaging remarks about praying and fasting because they have not seen evidence of results. At the core of any type of prayer is the fact that you are addressing the Creator of the world, the holder of all destinies, and our ultimate adjudicator—asking for his will on this particular subject or issue. At times, our own understanding of the situation may be clouded by our own desires and biases. The text from James places in proper perspective the attitude of the one praying: “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”.

It is critical to understand what it means to be a “righteous person.” As I understand it, a righteous person is one who seeks the will of the Father in all situations and circumstances and has his or her life and lifestyle committed to living out the “perfect will of God” (Rom 12:2). The solution we envision in any given situation may or may not be the will of God. It can be very difficult to separate our personal viewpoint from the will of God. This is where fasting and praying intersect. There are times when we need to get our own wishes out of the way so we can hear from God. An extended time of prayer, an interruption in our normal schedule, or some other change in our normal routine, may provide the opportunity for God to speak into the situation in a fresh way.

A moment from my first pastorate illustrates how God may take our humble efforts and bless them. I had been called to the home of an elderly lady who was near death’s door. The family wanted me to pray for her before she died. She had been a faithful servant of the Lord for many years. As I entered her bedroom with other family members, I saw a very frail person having difficulty breathing and barely conscious. I prayed for God’s will to be done in her life, for support for the family as they walked this journey with her, and that God would be glorified through this experience. We all left the bedroom to let her rest. Later, as I was eating dessert with the family in the kitchen, she appeared in the door and asked if they had any more pie. We were pleasantly shocked and immediately gave thanks to God for her recovery. Some months later, I preached her funeral, but for that night, the prayers of the righteous were heard.

In our praying, let’s keep God in the proper perspective as defined by the Bible and recognize that we are vessels made of clay. Praise God for the opportunity to pray. Transforming Hearts…Transforming Lives!

Lord, empower me to be a righteous person seeking the will of the Father in all situations and circumstances; a person whose life and lifestyle are committed to living out the perfect will of God. Then, empower me to speak powerful and effective prayers that escort people into your presence to be touched, healed and transformed. Amen.

Ø  Dr. Ronald V. Duncan, General Director, Church of God Ministries

Focus 40: Day 38

Building Bridges

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times that amount.” —Luke 19:7–8

Most of us have some negative feelings about evangelism. Rob Bell describes the guy with the bull horn screaming at people passing by that they need Jesus. I find it interesting that people far from Christ were attracted to Jesus. What was his secret? One of my favorite Bible stories is found in Luke 19:1–9, the story of Zacchaeus.

What I find most interesting about the story is that Jesus does not begin with the obvious: Zacchaeus is far from Christ. He is a sinner. Instead, Jesus begins by inviting himself to dinner. Truly a man after my own heart. What was Jesus doing? He was building a bridge so the gospel could be heard. He was demonstrating a true concern for Zacchaeus, the man, not the spiritual scalp.

Sometimes I share with my church the concept of seven touches; there is another one called five touches. Basically the concept is we need to build relationships with people so we can share the good news of Christ. Those bridges can be sports or a lunch. While I was pastor at Lexington, at one time we had four or five people coming to church through bridges built while working out at Gold’s Gym. When you think about the whole gospel message, it is about relationships, a relationship with God and a relationship with others. Relationships are by nature messy. It is easier to preach to someone than it is to get involved in their life. When I came to White Chapel and we began to pray for the families in our community, I warned them that the families in our community had messy lives, and if we were going to pray for them, we would have to get involved in the mess. That has proven true. Various people over the years have made this statement, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” It is our acts of love that give us the open door to share God’s love. So when you pray for someone far from Christ, realize this means you must be willing to get involved in lives that can be messy lives. Transforming Hearts…Transforming Lives!

Dear Father, as I pray for people I know who are far from Christ, I realize their lives are a mess. I am willing to get involved in their mess if it means I can build a bridge to you. My prayer is that you will show me how to build that bridge. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ø  Dr. Steve Birch, Pastor, White Chapel Church of God, South Daytona, Florida

Focus 40: Day 37

God Healed Her Negative, Bitter, Critical Attitudes

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. —Ephesians 4:31–32

If we would model, teach, and empower people to live like these verses instruct us, we could transform the world. God is still in the prayer-answering, life-transforming business! In my morning prayer time, I wrote a list of prayer requests, leaving space to record their answers. One of those requests was for Geri¹, who lived in personal turmoil and frustration. She always had a critical attitude, looking for the worst in almost every situation. She complained to the parents of children she taught in Sunday school, about things she didn’t like in the church. Geri found it difficult to talk constructively about changing her attitudes. She said things that severely hurt our hand-bell choir director, Penny, and Geri didn’t want to deal with her harsh attitudes in a positive way.

Those of us who knew about Geri’s situation began praying for her. I wrote on my prayer request list Geri’s need for healing of her negative, bitter, critical attitudes. I prayed that she would experience release from these feelings and would be able to make amends with Penny. My wife Sandie had tried to talk to Geri in a helpful way, but Geri had tuned her out. Two weeks later, Geri called Sandie and our office manager to tell them that she regretted the way she had handled the situation with Penny. She felt that she had committed sin in the way she had acted. She had already called Penny to apologize and ask for her forgiveness.

When Geri brought a plate of homemade Christmas goodies to me two days later, I sensed a spirit of release in her. God had begun his healing work in her spirit. She began growing spiritually and relationally. I prayed that she would allow him to continue and complete the work, for she was one of our most gifted children’s teachers. If she could be released from those negative, complaining, critical attitudes, she could be used by God to teach children about his love, forgiveness, and acceptance.

This is evidence of the power of intercessory prayer to heal inner wounds, strained or broken interpersonal relationships. This opens our inner spirits to the healing balm of God’s love and grace. It reminds me of on my hand. My hand and forearm were red, swollen, hot with fever. When I saw the doctor, I wasn’t prepared for his treatment. He cleaned it with alcohol. With small sharply-pointed scissors, he cut an X-incision in the boil. The pain was excruciating! It got worse! The doctor closed the scissor blades, inserted them into the incision and opened them, spreading the incision wider. I thought I would pass out as the infection gushed out. After pressing around on the boil and draining a lot of infection, the doctor cleaned the incision and covered it with antibiotic ointment and a bandage, and wrote an antibiotic prescription. Within a few days, the pain, swelling, and fever left. It was painful, but by lancing the boil, the doctor set the stage for healing to begin. Likewise, “getting rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” from a person’s heart is painful like draining a boil. Applying kindness, compassion and forgiveness is like the antibiotics that aid in the healing process. In intercessory prayer we escort people to God for healing. It’s about Transforming Hearts…Transforming Lives!

Lord, shape me as a bearer of Your healing balm of love and grace to bitter, hurting, broken, critical folks I meet; a carrier of kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Enable me to open my heart to your great heart of love and compassion as an intercessory prayer warrior. Amen.

Ø  Dr. Sam Bruce; President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi; Online Instructor, Mid-America Christian University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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1. Names have been changed.

Focus 40: Day 36

A Burning Bush in Haiti

So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” —Exodus 3:3–4

Our church was planning to send a work team to Haiti, but for various reasons the trip fell through. One of the most disappointed people was Brandon. Brandon was a seeker who had been attending church with his family for some time but just hadn’t put the whole “becoming a Christian” thing together yet. However, he was deeply affected by the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti. Finally, after two more failed attempts, Brandon was able to join a team (this one with people from Texas and Colorado) that successfully made their way to Haiti.

Since the arrival of construction materials for their project was delayed, Brandon ended up doing “people” things and spending a lot more time in deep conversation with his other team members and the people he was assigned to work with.

Through many different conversations Brandon continued to seek and God continued to reach out to him. From his Haiti journal, “I have been asked many questions about my relationship with God that I have been unable to answer. I am trying to figure out why I can’t really ‘talk’ to God, or if I am, how to understand it.” One night after some serious table talk at dinner, Brandon gave his heart to the Lord. After Brandon returned home, he wrote in his journal, “I was not able to build any walls for the people of Haiti, but I was able to tear down most of my own. It is a daily struggle to fill up my newfound space, but I have learned so much. I have learned what we are doing is not just a series of random events but a plan. Not my plan, and that’s ok with me.”

Brandon is now discovering the spiritual disciplines and their relationship to spiritual transformation. Just like Brandon we have to remember that our primary task is not to calculate how many verses of Scripture we read, how many minutes we spend in prayer, or how many meals we’ve missed. Our task is to use these types of activities to create opportunity for God to work—to get ourselves out of the way so God can do his work.

Just as Moses and Brandon found out, God’s responsibility is to provide the burning bush. Our responsibility is to turn aside and give attention to the bush. We never know what burning bush God will use. For Brandon, it was an earthquake in Haiti. But, as God does his work, transformation will take place. God will change us, from the inside out, as we get out of the way and allow him to work. Transforming Hearts…Transforming Lives!

God, today help me to turn to the burning bush you have put in my way so you can do your work—transforming my heart and then my life. Amen.

Ø  Rev. Gary Moore, Transformation Team / Cultivate Member; Associate Pastor, Cloverdale Church of God, Boise

Focus 40: Day 35

A Voice in the Storm

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. —Psalm 29:7

The Churches of God in Southern Idaho had junior high camp in June at a United Methodist camp in the Sawtooth Mountains. We always recruit a nurse to go with us since the Idaho wilderness plus junior-high energy and decision-making ability often lead to “medical opportunities”. This year we found ourselves without a nurse close to camp time. A mother (an ER nurse) of one of our preschoolers, even though not a church-goer, saw a camp registration form we had posted, remembered she had attended this same camp in her youth, and contacted our youth pastor, Brian Seidel, about the opportunity.

After Brian interviewed her and prayed about the situation, he felt God was telling him that Jenna was the person he wanted for the position. Brian contacted the other camp director, Drew Stenson, about the situation only to be told that Drew had already engaged someone for the assignment. However, after they talked Drew also felt impressed that God wanted Jenna and so he disengaged the other person. As Brian was making the final arrangements with Jenna, she asked if her seventh-grade son, Tucker, could attend the camp. Brian quickly assented.

To say this was a camp unlike any other and that God moved in mighty and miraculous ways would be a classic understatement. Major miracles began on a stormy Wednesday night. In Jenna’s own words, “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of such an awesome week. How do I thank you for helping me find God again? How do I thank you for being with me and guiding me as I opened my heart and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior? Thank you for making me feel safe when I was scared and uncertain. Thank you for helping me find the words I needed to begin my journey again …thank you for not judging…Thank you for offering me every opportunity to find my faith again…I have been ready for years, but found too many excuses. I was too scared, too doubtful, and too weak. But you helped me find my strength again so I would be ready to witness the miraculous events I did…I have a long road ahead of me as I continue my journey. I know I have much to learn. But I also know he waited for me for so long and he will lead me if I just keep working and keep my heart open.”

Jenna’s son Tucker also committed his life to the Lord on that eventful Wednesday evening. Again in Jenna’s own words, “I love seeing the change in him. He prays every night. He sends me scriptures that relate to events going on in his life. He has much to learn as well, but his heart is open. He speaks openly of his relationship with God and seeks his guidance. Thank you.”

Lord, may we always listen for your voice, whether in the flash of lightning or in solitude. And in hearing, may we obey. Amen.

Ø  Rev. Gary Moore, Transformation Team / Cultivate Member; Associate Pastor, Cloverdale Church of God, Boise

Palm Sunday Devotional

April 1, 2012

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Come to me…Jesus invites all people into discipleship.  He invites all people to follow him.  He does not interview these potential disciples.  He does not put qualifiers on their acceptance.  He offers an open invitation.  Come to me…is the call that echoes down through the ages.  It echoes in churches weekly.  It is a call that still rings out personally through our interaction with the Holy Spirit.  Will we accept this invitation?

You might ask; “Why should we?” which is a very good question.  Jesus gives us a reason.  Have you ever felt the weight of the world press down on your shoulders?  Have you ever found yourself struggling to live up to the expectations (voiced and unvoiced) of others?  Do you ever find yourself so caught up in the details of something that you just can’t seem to ever get anything right?  The people Jesus was speaking to know exactly what that is like.  The religious leaders of the day identified 613 laws that built on the 10 commandments.  Each of these laws was expected to be followed by those who would be faithful.  On top of this 613 laws were countless interpretations of those laws.  Think how wearying it must have been to try to keep all this straight in your life as you tried to make a living and care for your family every day. 

Jesus promises rest.  Following him is far different than following all the rules of the religious leaders.  This is still true today.  Religion can feel heavy.  It can feel like a burden that holds us back and wears us out.  Faith is far different.  Jesus did not come to bog us down with more rules and more interpretations of rules.  He came to save.  He came to give us life that is abundant and eternal.  His way...His "yoke"…is not meant to take away from life, but to open us up to what life is really all about.  Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t binding…it’s freeing.  Jesus shows us how to truly live.  Will we accept his invitation?  Will we go to him?  Are we willing to trade our burdens for what Jesus has to offer?