Friday, November 30, 2012 - 1 Corinthians 1-4

Friday, November 30, 2012
1 Corinthians 1-4

"Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by
the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.
Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since
there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are
you not acting like mere humans?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

These verses could not be more relevant for my life this week. On
Monday, I went out to eat with a friend – I'll call him Mark for the
sake of this story. Both Mark and I have strong outgoing talkative
personalities. We both love God and love teaching His Word. But
because of our strong personalities, we naturally clash in an
environment where we both want to teach because we'd both rather talk
than listen to each other – a flaw on both our parts no doubt. In
addition, we have some differing theological views – this coupled with
pride transpires into heated arguments when we refuse to accept each
others view. On Monday, Mark and I had one of these theological
arguments. By the end of it, we both felt awkward, insecure, and no
longer wanted to be in each other's presence. Mark and I are still
"mere infants in Christ," still drinking "milk," as the Apostle Paul
put it; not yet ready for "solid food" because of the "jealousy and
quarreling" among us.

Thankfully, after nearly three months of jealousy and quarreling (I
know, we're babies), Mark and I were finally able to humble ourselves
and speak plainly with each other about our thoughts and feelings. I
won't get into all the details, but I'll just tell you that honesty,
acknowledging wrongdoings, and love prevailed. It was not easy for
either of us to humble ourselves the way we did; in fact, it was
excruciating in many ways, but freedom was the resulted. We both felt
huge burdens lifted from our hearts and were able to look each other
in the eye and genuinely feel love for each other again.

Divisions in the body of Christ prevent growth. If you feel divided
from a brother or sister in the body, I encourage you to go and be
reconciled with them. "I appeal to you, brothers [and sisters], in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another
so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be
perfectly united in mind and thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10) Please,
don't submit to the will of Satan, but to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Satan wants you to be divided because he knows that pride and
unforgiveness will keep you away from God and prevent you from being
an effective servant of the Heavenly Kingdom. Remember, Satan came to
steal, kill, and destroy. Satan knew that division between me and Mark
would steal our focus from God (as we would be focused on our own
prideful self-righteous all-knowing false greatness), kill our
relationship, and destroy unity in the body.

But Satan lost because Mark and I took the side of the Truth. When we
stand on the Truth of Christ Jesus, we can spot the deceitfulness of
Satan, the father of lies. When united in Truth, Satan can't have his
way in our lives. So I encourage you to follow Truth and His ways
today!!

God Bless,
Anthony

November 29: 2 Thessalonians and Acts 18,19

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER29, 2012

2 Thessalonians and Acts 18,19

Today’s passage covers Paul’s continuing ministry in Thessalonica and other cities in Asia Minor.  We see both the Apostle’s great joy of witnessing the growth and spread of the Gospel, plus the important discipline required to marshal the new believers’ faith into full-grown maturity.

 

I would like to highlight two possible controversies addressed in today’s passages:

 

1.  The Second Coming.  In both letters to the Thessalonians, Paul discusses the Second Coming in each of the seven chapters.  Apparently, the Thessalonians struggled with the dichotomy of living in light of the Lord’s imminent return but not fully withdrawing from the world’s economy.  Their confusion is quite understandable in light of their assumption that the Lord was to return any day.

 

Instead, Paul explains:  “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.  He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”  The Second Coming will have clear signs, which involve primarily the emergence of the Evil One in a leadership role.  Furthermore, as Jesus noted in Matthew 24:14, “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

 

Still, what type of response should we offer?  A right attitude includes both engagement with the world and readiness for the Lord’s imminent return.  The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) gives us a picture:  vigilance, engagement, and stewardship.  We may view our lives as a currency; how will we choose to spend this time?  What priorities will we choose?

 

 

2.  The burning of the scrolls in Ephesus (Acts 19:17–20).  In this vignette, the new believers abandoned their sorcery scrolls as an act of repentance.  Seeing the beauty and glory of God, the Christ-followers destroyed those elements that had drawn them and others away from the Lord.  What might you abandon that has drawn you or others away from worshiping Christ?

 

Many observers have seen this passage as an encouragement to disconnect from the world – or, more specifically, worldly knowledge.  For example, during the First Great Awakening, James Davenport established the Shepherd’s Tent, a seminary to rival Yale, which, he believed, had turned away from the Gospel.  As part of this effort, Davenport and his disciples burned many worldly books in response to this passage.

 

Repentance is a clear sign of faith and an important prompt for growth.  Yet, in light of the Second Coming, we are to employ our talents, including worldly knowledge and our intellects in the pursuit of the glory of God.  Burning books will not draw people to Christ; changed lives and longsuffering love will.

 

Indeed, throughout history, we find many examples of Christ-directed scholarship.  Prior to the 1800s, nearly every university in the Western world came into existence because of Christ-followers’ passion for discovering and expanding knowledge and for the training of clergy.  Harvard’s Latin motto reads “truth”; Yale’s, “light and truth”; and Princeton’s, “under God’s will she flourishes.”  Even the Main Building at the  University of Texas at Austin has this magnificent inscription:  “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32; http://bit.ly/Uu3qch)

 

God knows all things and has created all knowledge:  “For by [the Lord Jesus Christ,] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)  While some critics may argue that scholarship and study will pull us away from God, reasoning that faith and science stand opposed to one another, I heartily disagree.  If we peer into the universe and its depths, we will ultimately discover a mere pixel of God’s amazing handiwork:

 

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

    where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

    their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1–4)

 

 

Created in His image, our intellects reflect His in some minute way.  Jesus has called us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)  By trusting in Him and knowing Him through the Lord Jesus Christ, God may turn our minds “on fire” with the passionate pursuit of truth.  In turn, you will bring glory to the Author of this truth, worshipping Him and desiring to know Him more deeply.

 

As you read and study, whether the Bible, car manuals, chemistry, economics, history, or psychology, pray that God would reveal His truth to you and give you a fuller picture of His majesty and glory.

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I Thessalonians

I Thessalonians

 

            I've grown up in the church and have been apart of great bodies of believers.  Mission trips have taken me to other sides of the city and other parts of the world.  I have many good memories of the churches I have been apart of, but I also have some not-so-great memories.  But when I think of the special times, I remember the love of my brothers and sisters and I think of their faith.  These are the two big things Paul also saw in this church.  These people were in his prayers and he thanked God for them.  Knowing what we know now about Paul and the early church, these must have been very special people.  I can see in today's readings that these people fell in love with Jesus and His teachings.  They accepted and lived God's message (delivered by these great missionaries) and the modeled it to others by their faith and love. 

           

            These two words have become so common in our daily lives and in our society.  We are told to love one another.  We are told to have faith in God, but I am convicted and challenged to live this as the Thessalonians did.  The faith in God this church had "become known everywhere," and they because a "model to all the believers."  They did this because they "welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."  Now here is my hard part. The joy part.  I don't always "welcome" God's word with joy.  I accept it, but not always with the delight I know I should have.  There are parts and times, even in today's reading that doesn't come easy to me.  I have notes to the side of these chapters saying "Christian Living," or a little sun ð meaning "Nikkie mission."  But this love and faith part is not that easy all the time.

 

            I guess Paul knew that this wasn't easy, so he kept the church in his prayers.  In chapter 3 11-13 we see the answer to how we can show this great love, and it is only through the Lord.  It is something I can't be or do on my own.  An over flowing love (that others will see and experience) comes from the heart, and only God can strengthen our hearts.  With that, we must continue to guard our hearts (and I'm saying this directly to myself.)  Guard our hearts from the temptation we face.  We do that by making "faith and love our breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  I think it's all apart of God's great wisdom and sovereignty that we read about death and Christ's return in the same book.  We have the hope in Christ's salvation that believers will meet together in the sky and that this world is only temporary.  Death has always been a part of my life and I have been to more rosaries, wakes, and funerals than many of my friends.  I have always reread chapter 4 and 5 knowing that God has a plan, and that there is hope.  

 

            Paul ends this book with great words of encouragement of how we should live…how as Christians and as a church that we can be examples of faith and love.  These are the ones I underlined because they are my biggest struggles.  Warn those who are idle…be patient with everyone…Be joyful always, pray continually, give THANKS in ALL circumstances…hold on to the good….avoid every kind of evil.  My flesh gets in the way daily.  I desire to love and have the faith of the Thessalonians and I pray that God works on my heart.  I pray that God works on all our hearts that we may be a church in Stamford that is known for our love for others and our faith.  These go hand in hand, but can only happen by God's mercy and grace and through Jesus's death on the cross.  

November 27

A Holy Hunger for Truth
Written by F. LaGard Smith

"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
Acts 17:11

Remember that conversation between Jesus and Pilate when Jesus said, "I came into the world to testify to the truth; everyone on the side of truth listens to me?" Famously, Pilate responded, "What is truth?" The definite article here is conspicuous by its omission. Pilate didn't ask "What is the truth?" (which assumes the existence of truth itself), but "What is truth?" (as if asking whether there is such a thing as ultimate truth). If Pilate had his doubts about some higher truth, he nevertheless has a keen sense of judicial truth that led him to believe that Jesus was innocent. Unfortunately, he was also aware of another competing truth: that he risked Caesar's disfavor if Jesus - who claimed to be "a king" - were let go. That baser truth won out over a much more profound truth. One can only wonder what might have resulted had Pilate been more convinced about higher truth itself.

In an increasing relativistic world, the dogged pursuit of truth is fast becoming a rare commodity. If there is no ultimate truth, why should we invest our hearts and minds in searching for the truth among competing truth claims? For the Bereans to be divinely applauded for their passionate pursuit of the truth must mean, first and foremost, that they valued truth above all else. The Bereans had a holy hunger for divine truth, which they knew intuitively could be found in the Scriptures alone, not in any mere mortal. And so the words of every man were carefully, prayerfully, and stringently measured against God's divinely revealed truth.

The searching question is: Do I have such a consuming passion for truth that I scrupulously test everything I hear against that standard?

Monday November 26th

I found it a bit ironic that on this Cyber Shopping Monday we read a verse that warns us not to indulge in the sinful nature but rather to serve one another in love.  Oh, I know that giving gifts can be an act of love.  It is a way that we can show people we thought about them and that they mean something to us.  But, I was reminded by my teenage daughter who was visiting from college what should matter more then gifts under the tree.  When I asked her for her Christmas list (for the 8^th or 9^th time) she responded by telling me, "I don't need anything.  Why do we have to give unnecessary gifts anyway?  I would rather have people give me the gift of their time.  That would mean more to me."  Don't get her wrong she still does like gifts but I think she struck to the heart of each of us.  She struck to the heart of this verse in Galatians.  Serve others according to their needs and you have truly giving the greatest gift you can give.  I can serve my daughter in love by giving of my time faithfully (not just at Christmas to check off my to do list).

I have to tell you that serving on a constant basis seems like a daunting task.  Tiresome and weary is how I picture myself after just a few days (ok maybe a week).  How will my needs get met?  What if they don't act grateful for what I have done? When will I be able to take a break?  How long and how many people to I have to serve?  What if I get tired or bored? When will it be my turn to be on the receiving end?  Before I even get started my mind fills with self-indulgent questions that can stop me before I even get started.  These self-centered questions rob me of the joy of meeting someone else's need.  They rob me of the peace that serving can bring to a relationship.  They rob me of the opportunity to learn and practice patience while giving others what they so deeply need.  These questions rob me of the opportunity to practice kindness and goodness to those who truly mean the world to me and even more so to those I may not know but who need to finally experience what it is to be loved just because.  My self-indulgent questions hinder a spirit of faithfulness and they show a heart that doesn't trust the Lord to provide for my own needs.  These questions lack a gentleness of heart as well as self control.  The focus is all wrong. 

What I need to remember is that I am not called to serve in my own strength.  I have a resource that is greater then Google and more abundant then the warehouses of Amazon.com.  I have the Holy Spirit in me and with that comes an endless supply of his fruits that will meet my deepest needs as I serve to meet the needs of others.  I have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control living within me through the Holy Spirit.  Through my service he will supply to others the resources they need as well as what I need.  Through serving, the fruits of the spirit within me will blossom more and more, fill me more and more.  To think only of my own needs simply robs me and many others of such abundant riches.

So, during this Christmas Season as we continue to shop for the gifts on those Christmas lists don't forget to give the gift that truly does keep on giving, and that Christ is calling us to give even long after December 25^th is over: The gift of service.

Don't let "self" rob you of the greatest treasure you could experience this Christmas and beyond.  It won't always be easy but if we remember to pray and ask God to help us shed anything that would hinder the fruit of the spirit from pouring out of our lives and into the lives of others then I think we have a good chance at making a good start in giving other's, like my daughter, the things they truly desire this year.

On a side note: Just curious how anybody did with last weeks challenge?

Do you recognize Jesus?  Were you able to see Jesus in disguise?  Did you see him in ways you haven't before and serve him in ways that were new, and possibly challenging? 

 

If not don't worry.  Try again this week.  Now you can arm yourself with the fruit of the spirit and serve God by serving others in so many new and glorious ways. 

November 25th

Sunday November 25^th

First Missionary Journey and Jerusalem Conference

Have you ever had really good news? I don't mean that awesome cup of coffee you had or that you found five dollars in the pocket of your jacket. I mean news so big that you wanted to tell everyone from your mother to the person sitting next to you on the train to a random stranger walking by you on the sidewalk. News so amazing that you need to share it, you are compelled to share it. This is the feeling missionaries get when they spread the Word of the Lord. Today's reading chronicles Paul and Barnabas' mission through Asia Minor as they share their news with the world.

Now, your news may be amazing to you, but it is certain that people will have mixed reactions when told. Some people will tell you your news is amazing, and love that you shared. Others will reject your news, brushing it off as trivial nonsense or have a cold indifference to it. And some people will scold you for sharing your news with everyone, saying some things should be kept private. It is no secret that the Jews of this time despised the Gentiles, so when they saw that Paul and Barnabas were sharing their news, the Word, with the Gentiles, most were outraged. They felt that the Gentiles were unworthy of hearing the Word, because they were unclean in their eyes. But Peter and Barnabas knew how important spreading the Word was. It didn't matter who was listening, just that there were listeners. What did matter was the Word itself. The focus of any mission should be the Word, not the audience, because whoever accepts God into their hearts has a spot reserved for them in His own heart. Think of the news today: everyone has access. Whether you're a billionaire watching the news on your 72 inch television or a homeless person reading a second hand paper, the news is out there for the taking, unprejudiced in the way it spreads. God's Word is the same. He wants His people to know Him, all of His people.

Something to think about this week is how you can share God's good News. It could be anything- showing someone a favorite hymn, telling a story, or even tweeting a passage from the Bible. It's so easy to share news in this generation, why not share God's news?

Hope you all have a great week!

Gina :)

November 24: Acts 9:32–12:25

‎(Posted on behalf of Jon Lanuza)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2012
Acts 9:32–12:25

Today's reading struck me for two different reasons. First - every time I read about Peter and how God uses him, I cannot help but think of the man who denied Jesus thrice - and remember, with relief, how God forgives the sinful and uses the repentant. This man was stubborn, was filled with pride and bravado, but at the moment of testing, he failed and fell away. I can almost imagine other disciples questioning his commitment to the Lord, questioning why they should listen to him, questioning why God chose to use him.

It isn't for me to question why God chose to use Peter. Instead, I take encouragement from Peter's repentance and the forgiveness he received, and I take the strength I need to serve the Lord however He might ask, in the face of the naysayers who question - rightly! - my worthiness to serve Him, because of my sinfulness. The truth is, like Peter, I am unworthy to serve in our Father's kingdom...it is only by His grace, because He permits it, that we are able to do so.

The second reason today's reading struck me was how God makes clear salvation is not just for the Jews, but for everyone prepared to receive Him. I don't think Cornelius's baptism made him a Jew (did it?). Cornelius remained a Gentile - but a Gentile who had a relationship, a life-transforming relationship, with Christ. I struggle to believe Cornelius's life was unchanged after his baptism; I think that, as he got to know Christ further, that knowledge continued to transform him and how he lived his life.

Perhaps, then, we might consider saying a prayer today - one of gratitude for God's mercy despite our sinfulness, one of willingness to be used the way Peter was, one of joy to receive His call and get to know Him, and one of submission to the transformation getting to know Him will mean.

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Friday, November 23, 2012 - Saul meets Jesus

Friday, November 23, 2012
Acts 8, 9:1-31 – Saul meets Jesus

"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the
Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters
to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who
belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly
a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and
heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. (Acts 9:1-5)

I believe Saul's (who becomes the Apostle Paul) decision to follow
Christ is the greatest conversion story in the Bible. Here's a man who
completed hated people of "The Way" (a term used for Christians in the
early church). Saul was a Pharisee (one of the Jewish groups that
crucified Jesus Christ) and delighted in persecuting Christians. In
yesterday's reading, Saul approved the stoning of the disciple
Stephen. In today's reading, Saul made a point to "destroy the church.
Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put
them in prison." (Acts 8:3) Eventually, Saul had a run-in with the
resurrected Jesus, as shown in the passage above.

Could you imagine God appearing before you, just after you've
persecuted countless followers of His? It was obvious that Saul
deserved death for his actions and yet, God was merciful. God loved
Saul even though he persecuted the church and ultimately, God Himself,
as we (the church) are Christ's body. This is how forgiving God is –
that we can persecute Him and He still loves us. Wow! How great is our
God?

Not only was God forgiving of Saul, but He wanted to use him as well.
God told the disciple Ananias, about Saul, "This man is my chosen
instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to
the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my
name." (Acts 9:15-16) Saul, as we will read in the weeks ahead,
probably suffered more for the name of Jesus than any other disciple.
Saul's suffering is testament to the power of God's love. A love that
exceeds the sufferings of this life – "I consider that our present
sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be
revealed in us." (Romans 8:18) A love that is greater than everything
we know – "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the
surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I
have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain
Christ." (Philippians 3:8)

God Bless,
Anthony

November 22: Acts 6:8 to 8:1a

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Acts 6:8 to 8:1a

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!  May we all have opportunity to give thanks to our Father for His character and His amazing provision for us.

 

Today’s passage highlights the persecution and murder of the first Christian martyr, Stephen.  At the end of yesterday’s reading, we learned that the apostles had appointed seven men to serve the people (acting like deacons or trustees) of the early church and to keep injurious divisions from arising (as between the Hellenized and Hebraic Jews).  Among this group, Stephen appears to serve as the chief servant, and Luke describes him as a “man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5)

 

In the martyrdom of Stephen, we see the fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecies:

 

1) Mark 13:9–11:  “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.  And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.  Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

 

2) Luke 21:12–19:  “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you.  They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  This will result in your being witnesses to them.  But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.  You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.  All men will hate you because of me.  But not a hair of your head will perish.  By standing firm you will gain life.”

 

3) Acts 1:8:  “But you will receive 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.”

 

 

Please note how Jesus specifically indicates that persecution would come and would signify the world’s rejection of Him.  From our human perspective, we might view persecution as a hindrance to the advance of the Gospel, but Jesus argues just the opposite:  by their standing before councils and proclaiming the truth through the Holy Spirit, the disciples would testify to the Gospel and the reality of the crucified and risen Christ.  The key element lies in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The disciples would not speak of their own accord, but rather the Holy Spirit would empower and direct them for these very moments.  In fact, the persecution around the time of Stephen’s death acted as the catalyst for the ongoing fulfillment of the promise given in Acts 1:8, sparking the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem and into Judea and Samaria and to “the ends of the earth.”

 

Was persecution merely for the first-century church?  Clearly not!  Paul notes in 2 Timothy 3:12,13 (during his house arrest in Rome):  “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”  Hundreds of thousands of Christians are martyred each year, and many more face the rejection of family, friends, and community.  How can we endure it?  Only by resting in the faithfulness of God Himself and remembering that His presence is more valuable than any earthly comfort.  We must also stand together, undergirding one another with encouragement and pointing to the eternal truths that drive our perseverance.

 

Aside from the revelation of God’s truth (as shown through Stephen’s testimony), God also revealed His presence to Stephen, who exclaimed:  “Look, I see heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)  In his testimony, the revelation, and his forgiving spirit, Stephen pointed clearly to the One Who had conquered death and the grave, bringing Him honor and glory.

 

 

QUESTIONS

 

1.  In what ways could you use the filling of the Spirit this week?

2.  How can you better glorify the Lord in your struggles?

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Growth of the Early Church Acts 3 – 6:7

Growth of the Early Church   Acts 3 – 6:7

 

Peter and John were on their way to the Temple just doing their thing.  Nothing big, no big card board signs saying "Jesus Loves You," no bumper stickers, or no bells and whistles.  Not to say any of that is wrong, but I see an image of Christ and what it means to be a follower of Christ in this passage.  These men lived and knew Jesus, are now leaders of the Early Church and great missionaries.  They met a lame man on the way – a lonely, rejected, poor, man.  He spent his life begging for whatever he could get, carried here and there, and if you ask me, this sounds miserable.  He asked Peter and John for money and he received more than he ever thought. 

 

Peter's first reaction was with words.  He didn't just check his pockets and say, "Sorry man, I don't have any cash on me," and keep walking.  Instead he gave him a name: Jesus Christ.  All it took was a name and the faith behind it.  The next move: an action.  Peter held out his hand.  This simple action is what it took for this lone crippled man to react to.  At one time I needed someone to extend a hand to me.  Someone had to say that name to me.  The man's reaction?  Dancing, leaping, and PRAISING God.  Another soul added to the kingdom.  Angels rejoice. 

 

I'm convicted at the example and life of Peter and John.  In the short time they spent with Jesus, they learned how to imitate him and follow him.  As Christians we are challenged to do the same.  The biggest way they did this was by being BOLD.  They knew His message and they were not afraid to share it.  They told a lone beggar and they told the masses.  This light was able to shine from them and seen by many.  This is so so hard for me to do.  I do not consider myself a bold person at all.  I know that I'm more of a softer light that a lighthouse.  I am fearful of what others will think of me and in my insecurities I value approval.  True story.  I'm challenged by Peter and John to be this image of Christ and to be bold…to extend my hand out, because someone is begging to grab it. 

 

I love this illustration that Charles Spurgeon gave his congregation in the year 1855 on what it means to be an image of Christ.  He said,

"The best advice I can give, seek more of the Spirit of God; for this is the way to become Christ-like. Vain are all your attempts to be like him till you have sought his spirit. Take the cold iron, and attempt to weld it if you can into a certain shape. How fruitless the effort! Lay it on the anvil, seize the blacksmith's hammer with all you might, let blow after blow fall upon it, and you shall have done nothing. Twist it, turn it, use all your implements, but you shall not be able to fashion it as you would. But put it in the fire, let it be softened and made malleable, then lay it on the anvil, and each stroke shall have a mighty effect, so that you may fashion it into any form you may desire. So take your heart, not cold as it is, not stony as it is by nature, but put it into the furnace; there let it be molten, and after that it can be turned like wax to the seal, and fashioned into the image of Jesus Christ.   (http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0021.htm)

 

We must seek the Holy Spirit…the one who dwells in us.  With sin our hearts can be cold…useless in the advancement of God's kingdom.  We must submit to the Refiner's Fire that we may be reshaped to His image.  This means surrender, prayer, the Word, and falling in Love with the name and person of Jesus Christ.  Be bold.  I pray to be bold.