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ministry

Every Day

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“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” 
Acts 2:46 NIV

When was the last time you studied Acts? The book is significant because it details the lives of the disciples in the tenuous days after Jesus was resurrected. These ordinary men could have easily gone their separate ways and returned to their former lives, which is exactly what the Sanhedrin expected them to do with their leader gone, but instead, filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to work together to carry out the great commission. Here are seven lessons I believe we can learn from these early disciples which are just as applicable to believers today as they were 2000 years ago.

  1. The disciples committed to each other, knowing that their efforts required teamwork and love. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” Acts 2:46 NIV.

 

  1. They had not been trained in special schools and they were not religious leaders. They were simple men who had been chosen by Jesus to do His work. “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 NIV.

 

  1. They shared the word of God boldly, even though they could be persecuted for it. After Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin and commanded by them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, they prayed “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” Acts 4:29 NIV.

 

  1. They selflessly took care of each other’s needs. “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had” Acts 4:32 NIV.

 

  1. They were not afraid of what people thought. After they were brought before the Sanhedrin again to explain why they continued to teach in the name of Jesus, they replied “We must obey God rather than men” Acts 5:29 NIV.

 

  1. They did not let fear of persecution stop them. “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” Acts 5:41-42 NIV.

 

  1. They did not serve for any human gain. When a new believer tried to pay money to receive the Holy Spirit, Peter said “You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God” Acts 8:21 NIV.

 

We tend today to stick to our daily routines, not sharing our burdens with others, afraid we are not good enough, afraid of what other people might think, but God has a plan and as believers we are allowed to be a part of it. 2000 years after these early disciples, we are still here following Jesus. Let’s learn from these men and not stick to our old lives but boldly proclaim what Jesus has done for us to bring in new believers to share in the living water that only comes from Christ. Our job on earth is not to be idle but to live every day for Him.

Walking with you in Christ,

Erin Tabor

 

 

Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/bread-farmer-s-bread-crispy-baked-1281053/

What Am I Doing Here?: Where’s the Delete Button?

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Having been made in the image of God, our hearts have been set by Him on eternity. Rooted in each heart is a God-given desire to impact the world around us. But in the midst of endless distractions, countless opportunities to live out our purpose can go unnoticed each and every day. Stick around this week as we look at how we live our day-to-day lives in a way that points others to the cross.

 

Where’s the Delete Button?

Blessed be the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB

fridayAlthough imaginary and invisible to others, I wore a scarlet letter for years. The letter “I.” Overwhelmed with the shame of being unable to have children, I did my best to hide the pain associated with infertility. Becoming pregnant with my children was very difficult and my scars ran deep. Praise God, I have been blessed with three biological children, but the road to get there was anything but easy.

There was a time when I would have gladly just deleted that entire season had there been a delete button. Truthfully, in many ways I did. It was something that was rarely mentioned. I did my best to push that season aside because it was just too painful. Even when another woman, far braver than I, would mention being in a similar situation I could barely admit my struggles. Thankfully, I don’t write my story, and there are no scars too deep or seasons too difficult for God to redeem.

You have those stories too. Everyone does. We carry our burdens and try to hide our scars from the poor choices we’ve made or simply from the circumstances of living in this world. Seasons of life have been endured that are just too hard to even think about, let alone talk about. But God …

Thankfully, we serve a Heavenly Father that forgives instead of condemns (Romans 8:1) and makes all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17), as He turns the ashes of our broken lives into a beautiful story of redemption and grace (Isaiah 61:3). God uses the brokenness of our lives as powerful testimonies of His faithfulness.

As we walk through seasons of brokenness, despair, and heartache, He is with us, pouring His grace over us. Lifting us out of the pits of despair, He sets our feet on solid ground and steadies us along the way (Psalm 40:2). Near to us when our hearts are broken, He saves us when our spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18). He guards our hearts in the midst of it all with a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Praise Him!

His gift of grace and comfort have been freely given to us, and His gift is meant to be shared. By offering comfort and encouragement to others who may be struggling in the same manner we did, the love of Christ is shared with someone who desperately needs it. I’m so grateful to those who have bravely poured their comfort over me during difficult seasons: pointing me to Christ along the way. Maybe others have done the same for you?

Nothing happens in this life that God can’t turn around and use for His good. How can God use your brokenness for His glory?

Comforted by Christ,

Traci