Anonymous Generosity

"They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." (Acts 2:45)

Was there a time in your life when you were unsure how to pay all those bills? Have you ever been on the receiving end of someone's generosity? Do you know how humbling and how precious it is at the same time? Humbling, because someone cared enough to help. Humbling also because someone noticed your struggle and answered God’s call when you were placed on their heart.

Precious because this gift you were given came from a place of love and concern. Many years ago, I was on the receiving end of the generosity of several people; most of whom remained anonymous. Every time these gifts arrived, it was as though I could feel God taking care of me, providing for me through the Body of Christ. I never asked for the help, but God provided just the same.

By not asking for help, I was robbing people of the opportunity to come alongside me. But that is where humility and pride come in to play. I didn’t want anyone to know of my need, but God knew and He took it from there.

I am convicted to help some folks who are in similar situations to mine. I listened to the message today and recognized God’s prompting, He’s cheering me on to act.

I still don’t have a lot, but I know that I am rich. Rich in so many ways. I am going to step-up and join the ranks of those who modeled generosity for me. Won’t you consider doing the same? It will change their life, and yours as well.

Thank you Jesus, for all the worldly blessing you have provided. Show me how to use them wisely and to help someone with my generosity.  Amen

Acts 2:42-47

The Holy Spirit is How

Joel 2:28-29

“And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.
²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

These words of Joel were fulfilled following Jesus’ death and resurrection. It was then He sent his promised Holy Spirit to fill His people with possibilities.  The Holy Spirit is placed in the hearts of Christians so we may pursue and enjoy a personal relationship with Him. Jesus wants us to have an intimate connection with Him.

What is a personal relationship with Jesus?  It is a constant presence we can have a conversation with at any time about anything. He is a true friend can be real with; open and honest with and don’t have to worry about Him changing His mind about us. He will love us no matter what.

He is always there with the same message.  He doesn’t change as we and the world change. We can depend on Him always. We can call Him friend.  And what a friend!

Peter quoted this passage from Joel in Acts 2:16-21; the outpouring of the Spirit predicted by Joel occurred on Pentecost. Calling on the Lord every day and in all circumstances is what he wants us to do. “I will pour out my spirit on all people.” (Joel 2:28). This Spirit is the connecting link to our creator. The direct line to our God. Our lifeline to eternity. 

This wonderful privilege as foretold centuries ago is available to us today.

Joel 2:28-29

Small Groups on Steriods

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

What would your ideal small group look like? What would its purpose be? How much of yourself would you be willing to give to it? What kind of regular support might you need from your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Personally, I would love to hear testimonies about how God worked in and through my friends’ lives during the past week, even if in seemingly the smallest of ways. God-stories are deeply quenching and spiritually energizing, and it is great to celebrate victories with others, so let’s hear about them! It is also meaningful to be with people who care about me enough to really listen—to set aside other thoughts just long enough to hear me and understand what’s on my mind.

I could list others, but what about you? What would you need to experience in a small group, or what do you savor in your existing small group? Feel free to post your thoughts in the comment box below.

Looking outwardly, what could your fantasy small group do to equip you to thrive as Jesus’ follower in your day-to-day life? How could your peeps help you live a fruitful life here on this side of eternity?

For me, two things immediately come to mind. Again, testimonies fill my “outreach tank” pretty quickly: give me a good story of God working in, through or around you, and I’m looking for the calls to join Him in His work throughout the rest of the week. In addition, working as a team—each person doing what he or she is gifted to do, all toward the same end—is motivating and inspiring to me.

What about you? Would regular fellowship with close-knit believers serve to move you into Spirit-guided action? If so, how? Again, feel free to post your thoughts in the comment box below.

The believers in today’s text devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, hung out together, ate together, shared together, prayed together, and praised God together. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Now that’s a small group on steroids, don’t you think?

[See the daily reading in Acts 2:42-47.]

Ham & eggs

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42, 47

I’ve heard it quipped that the difference between “involved” and “committed” is seen in the ham & eggs breakfast: the chicken is involved ... but the pig is committed!

The early church flew past “involved” as though it were standing still. These people were committed; they were devoted. And what they modeled for us in their devotion was alignment with each other and with their God.

For by adhering to the apostles’ teaching, the earliest believers subjected their thoughts to God's truth. (Paul’s resolve in 2 Corinthians 10:5 comes to mind: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”) Committing themselves to each other in fellowship, they lived and acted together as one, loving their neighbor as themselves. Steadfast in partaking of the bread and the wine, they participated in the body and blood of Christ who had become life for them and in them – “Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).” And persevering in prayer, they spoke openly and freely with the God who loved and redeemed them.

In short, these men and women were devoted to all the right things and aligned in all the right ways. And what came of it? Much! For “everyone was filled with awe” ... there were “many wonders and miraculous signs” ... the believers “[enjoyed] the favor of all the people” ... and “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

And all of this was answered prayer. For on the night in which he was betrayed, and knowing the brutality that lay immediately before him, Jesus yet took time to ask his Father this for all who would believe in him: “that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:22-23).”

We are called to align what we do with who we are. We who place our trust in Christ Jesus have been made one with him and with each other through him. And so we subject our lives to his life, our will to his will. And he will do the rest.

Alignment is a daily thing. And as for the level of commitment, the early church set the standard for us: “devoted” ... or “whole hog,” we might say. (Let’s leave “involved” for the chickens.)

Acts 2: 14-41

The Spirit Is For You!

Peter Addresses the Crowd

This “sermon” is the first by one of Jesus’ followers recorded in the bible. It should be of particular interest to those seeking to understand God, as it clearly touches on every important aspect of Christianity. Read and dissect each part of this message, and you will clearly see what the Christian faith is all about. Share with those who need to know. Peter presents these key points:

-Jesus did miracles and was unlike any other person who ever lived (verse 22) "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”

-Jesus was a real, historical person. He suffered, died, and was raised from the dead

(verse 23-24) “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

-Jewish prophets made specific prophecies about Jesus before he was born, giving proof that the Bible is God’s Word (verses 16-21-spoken by the prophet Joel, and 25-28-said by David about him).

-Jesus is Lord-Ruler of all, God in human body-the Messiah, the promised Deliver of Israel (verse 36) “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

-Trust in Jesus, not yourself, for salvation (verse 38) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

-God wants to dwell in you through the Holy Spirit (verse 38-39)…"The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

-The rest of the world is headed for disaster apart from God. Don’t get entangled by its corruption (verse 40) With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from the corrupt generation.”

Read/Listen to Acts 2: 14-41 

Acts 2

"They were all together in one place." (Acts 2:1)

This is a powerful verse to me.  Do you get any mental pictures after reading this?  I see lots of things, most of them make me smile and provide fond memories.  First I see my church family standing side-by side singing along with the Praise Team at a Worship Service.  Then I vision a family reunion many years ago and a special moment where my husband, his mother, sister and five brothers were perfectly preserved for all time in one of those photos that just happened.

There are other scenes this scripture captures for me as well, like the morning of my first mission trip while the team was waiting for the last member to arrive and it was getting dangerously close to departure and finally, "They were all together in one place." My mind's eye is looking at other pictures too: the sanctuary on the eve of my husband's memorial service, the yearly family Christmas photo, Thursday nights when my small group regularly met and so many more.

What do you see? More important, what do you feel about this fellowship thing, this one-anothering concept? I have so many images in my mind right now and most of them cause a fond memory to stir.   Why not take a moment to listen to Acts 2 then examine your thoughts about the words you hear.  When the disciples and all followers of that day think back, they probably remembered that they were all together in one place when this miraculous moment took place and the Holy Spirit filled them.

Read Acts 2 here

Listen to Acts 2 here

Build Up Our Communities Acts 2:40-47

Peter warned and pleaded with the people of Israel. “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation!” How many years ago was that? That sounds like the same message we’re hearing today. Are we living in a corrupt and indecent generation again, or still? All these years and we haven’t figured out how to fix it? Weren’t we given another chance to start over when the floods came? Why do we keep gravitating toward evil? If God is so strong and mighty, why does it seem satan is winning? Why are we believers the minority? WHY IS THIS SO HARD?! I have lots more questions than answers!

A majority of this scripture comes under the heading of The Fellowship of the Believers. It appears that if we belong to a safe little church community, we can get together, be baptized, do good things for others, praise God, and in turn enjoy everlasting life in his favor. That’s pretty comfortable, but ignorant don’t you think? Oh yes, I’d prefer to dream about how I am doing all the right things here on earth and will one day hear those humbling words. “Well done good and faithful servant,” but something tells me it’s going to take more than simply being part of a fellowship of believers.

My church offers many small groups, ministries, and serving opportunities around the world that are very organized and well executed. I love that about the church, because my brain is not always systematic—you can verify that with my husband. However, this may not be for everyone. I am not comfortable in large overly organized systems, so simply take direction from the message painted above the foyer as I exit the sanctuary each Sabbath. It reads, “You are now entering the mission fields.” I do believe that all the world is a mission field. Whether organized or not, we are called to minister to, and be an example for others. Perhaps it’s a neighbor, co-worker, or even your child’s “friend” who you would prefer had not entered into your life at all. Stepping outside of our fellowship circle may not be comfortable, but it can make a difference in this world, one heart at a time.

Read the Acts 2:40-47 text here.

Acts 2:1-21

It is Sunday morning and the preacher is talking directly to you saying, "Invite your neighbor to church next week."  How do you feel in Sunday school when the message delivered is, "Don't you have a co-worker who could really benefit by hearing about Jesus?”  That same week your small group leader opens up discussion with this remark, "So, who have you been talking to about salvation?  Who do you know needs to learn about the Good News of Jesus?"

Those are really in-you-face questions, and ones we hear often.  How do they make you feel?  Do you squirm as I do?  Do feelings of inadequacy stop you in your tracks?  Is this fear?  Yes, but mostly it is Satan working over-time.

"Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd..." (Acts 2:14)

How do you think Peter felt?  Do you think He was beyond having feelings of inadequacy?  Do you think that first time He stood up in front of a crowd to proclaim Jesus as Savior he didn't wonder if the serving girl who heard him deny Christ, might not be among those listening?

When the Holy Spirit lives in us, He will empower us to do His bidding.  I always have to remember that I am not responsible for anyone to accept the message of salvation; I am only responsible for delivering it to those the Holy Spirit is preparing.  As we heard our Pastor say last Sunday, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.  That's good to know.


Read the Acts 2:1-21 text for today at Biblegateway.com by clicking here.