changing my mind?

acts 11

despite starting off with what appears to be prejudiced attitudes against gentiles, the disciples seem quick to change their minds based on what God is doing. "who am I to oppose what God is doing?" They recognise that it is their thinking that needs to change to fall in line with God. Why do I sometimes get that the wrong way round and try to deny/change what God says/does to fit in with my attitudes on what I think he should be doing/saying?

favourites

acts 10

To suggest to the Jewish disciples at that time that Jesus also came to save gentiles would have been an absolutely ridiculous suggestion. But after years of association with just the nation of Israel, God now throws it wide open and shows no partiality or favouritism. Peter and his friends were surprised that the Holy Spirit was given to the gentiles. God can pour out His spirit on whoever He wants, whenever He wants, despite what ideas I may have about who is and isn't suitable to recieve it.

transformation

acts 9

Saul had a dramatic conversion and it changed his entire life. It didn't just make him feel good for a but before drifting back into his old life with nothing much changing. He started preaching about Jesus instantly and the rest of his life was devoted to that. An encounter with Jesus should do that - transform someone's life. If I'm just drifting along, I need to encounter Jesus.

trademarks

acts 8

the trademarks of the early church were that they went around telling people about Jesus, praying for people and seeing miracles happen. Why aren't they the trademarks of the church today? Am I telling people about Jesus, praying for people and seeing miracles happen?

reactions

acts 7

Stephen preaches a sermon that, like Peter's in chapter 2, cuts people to the heart. But this group of people don't respond with repentance, they kill Stephen. The message of Jesus and the cross should always provoke some sort of reaction - sometimes a good reaction, sometimes a bad reaction. When the Spirit convicts - things are always stirred up one way or the other.

full of faith

acts 6

Stephen prayed for many miracles, was thought of very highly and even looked like an angel to people who didn't even like him. All because he was "full of faith and the Holy Spirit". Its not dependant on me and what i can do. Its dependant on Jesus and what He can do (and has done).

obey

acts 5

Peter makes the statement - "we ought to obey God rather than men". Are there any areas were I obey man above God?

Gamaliel was right when he said that if this whole thing was man's idea, it would come to nothing but if it was of God they shouldn't try to stop it. It was of God and they couldn't stop it.

they had been with Jesus....

acts 4

The boldness of Peter and John revealed that they "had been with Jesus". Can people tell that I've been with Jesus? The more time I spend with Him, the more that should become obvious. The result of everything the disciples were doing at this point was that people were glorifying God. What do I do that results in people giving glory to God?

confidence

acts 3

Peter and John had confidence when they commanded the man to get up (he wasn't a follower of Jesus, gave no indication that he had faith that Jesus could heal and hadn't even asked to be healed). It wasn't confidence in themselves, their own faith or the power of their own prayers. It was confidence in the name of Jesus. Do I have that confidence?

cut to the heart

acts 2

the holy spirit speaks through Peter (and others) here and people are "cut to the heart" (v37). My words or actions can't change people's lives, the holy spirit needs to be involved to cut to the heart. We need to be faithful to say/do what God wants us to say/do, but its Jesus who does the "hard" work of transforming people.

People were becoming christians ever day just due to the witness of the disciples and all they were doing was living in fellowship, praying and worshipping. That's what the church needs to be doing now.

powerless?

The disciples were pretty much helpless without the power of the Holy Spirit. So am I! However, when Jesus told them to wait, they devoted themselves to prayer. I'd probably get frustrated and pack in after waiting for a few hours at most! I need to devote myself to persistent, consistent and fervent prayer to see God act in certain situations.