God’s Good News – October 20, 2008

God’s Good News

Acts 12:24

Jim Stephens

10-20-08

 

Scripture:

 

Meanwhile, God’s Good News was spreading rapidly, and there were many new believers. (Acts 12:24 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

James was executed for his faith.  Peter was arrested, imprisoned, and would have been publicly tried, convicted and executed, had an angel not sprung him from the jail.  Christ-followers prayed.  Herod was struck down by an angel and died a horrible death.  But the real point is that God’s Good News was spreading rapidly in peace and in persecution and there were many new believers.

 

Application:

 

How easy it is to get caught up in the details of a part of the story and lose sight of the main thing.  How easy it is to think that the point of the story is how things are going for me.  Or to be distressed by a problem or lulled by a blessing.  Or distracted by a newsflash.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, help me keep focused on your purpose and not think that the story is all about this or that.  Or me.  Amen.

 

Important People – October 11, 2008

Important People

Luke 24:28-31

Jim Stephens

10-11-08

 

Scripture:

 

28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!  (Luke 24:28-31 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

It was resurrection day!  Jesus was alive and the Gospel is true and salvation has come!  It seems like we should at least have a network television news crew to document and report the greatest event in human history!

 

And Jesus was walking along a country road with two of his followers, Cleopas and one other, not even part of the Big Twelve.  Seven miles at three miles per hour – it was at least a two hour walk – and Jesus just walked and talked and listened and then went home to dinner with them.  On Resurrection Day!

 

Didn’t the risen Christ have more important things to do than hang out with a couple of discouraged low-ranking disciples?  Apparently not!

 

Application:

 

I want to get the Kingdom of God perspective on who I should be with and what I should be doing with my time.  I’ve had two experiences in the past few months in seemingly insignificant situations and out-of-the-way places where I very clearly sensed that God was telling me, “There’s no place on earth you should be and nothing you should be doing but being right here right now with these people.  Mostly listening to them.”

 

Two big things for me to capture:  1) God doesn’t measure “important” like people do.  2) Be fully present in the place I am and with the people I’m with.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I hear you and I ask you to help me think right about “important.”  I believe that the people you want me to be with are the most important people and the place you want me to be is the most important place.  For me.  Now.  Amen.

Perspective – September 26, 2008

Perspective

Luke 9:51

Jim Stephens

09-26-08

 

Scripture:

 

As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem because the time was nearing for his return to heaven.  Sounds pretty joyful and exciting, put that way.  Here’s what I am thinking about perspective…

·        From heaven’s point of view, Jesus would go to Jerusalem, fulfill his mission, and then ascend to heaven.

·        From the disciples’ point of view it would be a roller-coaster ride – the crowds welcoming him as the Messiah, the Last Supper, the arrest in the garden, the mock trial, the crucifixion, the burial, the resurrection, the 40 days, and then his departure, leaving them to carry on.

·        From Jesus’ point of view, it was the conflict between the purpose for which he came to earth and the pain, the unspeakable agony, of the narrow passage he must make from this world to the next in order to complete the work of salvation.  And besides that, I believe he had truly come to love his guys and would miss them.

 

Application:

 

It’s not always easy to keep things in perspective.  It’s not always easy to see things from another person’s perspective.  I don’t want to misjudge others because I am not seeing things from their perspective.  I want to help others get and maintain big picture, long range, heaven’s viewpoint perspective.

 

Prayer:

 

Father please forgive me for looking at things from the perspective of my personal interest and my own comfort and convenience.  Forgive me for being satisfied too often with a low angle, short range view of things.  I open my heart – please open my eyes to a heaven perspective.  Amen.