Day 36: It Takes Courage

Acts 27, 28; Romans 1

Faith takes courage.  I know this to be true.  It is also the hardest thing to muster up in the face of hard times.  When things go awry – I admit, cowering in my fear and uncertainty seems easiest.  However, this is exactly what we need to stray from – learn how to channel the fear of unknown and to beat that fear through perseverance.

²²But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Acts 27:22

When you think that all is lost, do you turn to panic and fear or to the comfort of His promise?

²⁵So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Acts 27:25

The next doubt that I follow in thought is “How do I know that this is what God wanted to happen?”  As I read Paul’s final statement to the Romans, I was ashamed that this is how I approached my faith as well.

²⁵They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
²⁶” ‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
²⁷For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’^[a]

²⁸“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”^[b] Acts 28:25-28

Dear Lord, Soften my heart so that I may see with my eyes, listen with ears and understand with my heart.  I realize so many of weaknesses and I humbly submit them to you for guidance.  I struggle in overcoming these man made doubts in exchange of your glory.  I seek your name and your promise.  Thank you for all that you provide. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 35: Follow God v. Follow Law

Acts 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

As we are tested with following the Law (traditions observed) and following God (His instructions on our character), we must be reminded that so were the disciples on their journey of spreading the Good News.   These past few chapters, talk about the ministry efforts of Paul (Saul).  He battled over the Law that the Sanhedrin observed and what it means to follow Christ.

³Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” Acts 23:3

¹⁴However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ¹⁵and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. Acts 24:14-16

⁸Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” Acts 25:8

¹¹If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. Acts 25:11

²⁰First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. Acts 26:20

Paul preached about repentance and it was then that I realized that I should do exactly as Acts 26:20 states:  “…that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

Dear Lord, I ask for your forgiveness.  I come to you humbly and repent.  I ask that as I develop in my faith and as I learn more of your Word, that I will take it with conviction and in stride to let that show through my deeds.  As Pastor Ahn shared in his sermon yesterday, I ask that I am able to give off a “Christian” scent – one that proudly lets everyone know that I am forgiven through His blood, which is best portrayed through my actions/deeds/words. I ask for strength as I walk through this world, resisting life’s temptations but also that when I am tempted, I can boldly proclaim my salvation.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 34: A True Disciple’s Actions

Acts 19, 20, 21

Paul (Saul) was an extraordinary man.  He preached the gospel, regardless of his own opinion or of the harms that could fall on him.  While reading Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian leaders, I was captivated with his dedication to the Scripture and the Way.

¹⁹I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. ²⁰You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

²²“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

²⁵“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. ²⁶Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. ²⁷For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. ²⁸Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.^[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,^[b] which he bought with his own blood. ²⁹I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. ³¹So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

³²“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. ³⁴You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. ³⁵In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “ Acts 20: 19-35

Instead of resorting to my own abilities, I know to turn to prayer, I know to turn to God in repentance and yet I struggle.  How is it that I am able to understand what is asked of me, yet continue to live my actions against all that is preached to me?

Dear Lord, I ask for peace and clarity.  These days, I have been tortured with anxiety and stress – with no outlook on when it will all end.  Within the anxiety and stress, I find myself turning to my own means and my own abilities.  Knowing all of my weaknesses, it is no surprise that I feel the way that I do.  Lord, I ask that as I seek to find and abide by your instructions, that I am truly awakened with Your spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 33: Everything is God’s Will

Acts 16, 17, 18

Have you ever wondered why certain things happen to you?  Whenever I’m in a rut, I used to wonder if I deserved it.  Now, I try to accept each and every thing (even if I may not understand it) as part of God’s plan for me and those around me.

Lately, I’ve been struggling with my faith.  I feel that the “honeymoon” feeling that I had in the beginning of this project has dwindled and I am now being tested.  I notice myself falling and growing weaker – spiritually and physically.  It makes me sad to realize that I am still so weak in my faith that the tests of faith are actually breaking me.  It’s such a blow, that I can’t even pray about it.

Through this, after reading Acts 16 – 18, I realize that the Paul (Saul) didn’t have it easy either. Through the unknown lands and people in disbelief, they proclaimed their faith in Christ.

⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. Acts 16:5

¹⁰After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:10

Through heavy persecution (including stints in prison), they still maintained their faith in God.

²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:25-28

This should explain to all of us who proclaim that God is unknown to them.  After reading this, I’m reminded that it’s not God that needs us, it’s us that needs Him.  We try to fit Christ into our earthly lives and fail.

Dear Lord: As you know my heart, I am burdened by my inadequacies.  My hardened heart reads the words and what should be a sense of comfort, I am left defeated because I don’t feel it.  Let me trust in your promises.  Let me trust in Your will.  I ask that you soften my heart and open it, so that I may openly and freely obey Your words. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 32: God and the Gentiles

Acts 13, 14, 15

⁸God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9

How powerful is that? Anyone who was confused in Barbaras & Paul’s preaching and baptizing Gentiles were immediately put to rest with this explanation.  What once was their blinders, has been opened!

¹¹No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:11

What are your thoughts to knowing that God knows your heart and that through His grace and his grace alone is what saved you? Are you proud of what’s in your heart?

Dear Lord, I can honestly admit that my heart is not beautiful.  I’m easily distracted from my relationship with the material possessions of this world.  As I remain in prayer and diligently nourish my soul and heart with your promises and your great news, my heart is still attacked.  Protect me from the ways of this world – so that I may rejoice and fully comprehend your great magnitude.  Thank you for your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 31: God Does Not Show Favoritism

Acts 10, 11, 12

Having never read Acts before, I found the most interest in chapter 10, while reading about God not showing favoritism.  Having made many attempts before in trying to read the Bible and attended enough sermons & Bible studies to read about God’s chosen.  I always wondered how it went from being salvation for few to all.

³⁴Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. Acts 10:34-35

⁴²He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:42-43

⁹“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ Acts 11:9

¹²The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. Acts 11:12

¹⁷So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” ¹⁸When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life. Acts 11:17-18

To have been within this company when this was revealed, must have just been such a blessing.  To have been taught that salvation was saved for the pure & clean your entire life and then to be revealed that “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Dear Lord, thank you for who you are.  You show no favoritism to one group of people – as long as they fear you. To cover all of our transgressions and blanket us in salvation, is the greatest gift that I will be presented with. Thank you for having chosen me – I hope to be an instrument (still yet to figure it out) for your ministry.  Thank you for letting me trust in your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 30: The Cost of Faith

Acts 7, 8, 9

What exactly is the price I need to pay?  The price is priceless – its believing and trusting, even if you may not understand.  how can you put a price on that?  As Acts covers the beginning of the apostles and spreading to the surrounding areas, God’s great news – you encounter reading about those who enthusiastically accepted as well as those who persecuted.  Read these chapters for an idea of the acceptance as well as the opposition.

Dear Lord, while I wonder if I’d be able to withstand the persecution that Stephen endured, what I do know is that I believe in you.  Maybe I have questions because my mind seeks to understand what is not needed to understand.  Help me to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that I may be able to continue down this path of being chosen. Thank you for this magnificent gift that you have bestowed on us and for the sacrifice that you made. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 29: Boldness

Acts 4, 5, 6

As believers, persecution is expected.  How do you get past something like this?  I’ve always felt that I was never versed enough to speak on behalf of my faith, which I am now finally accepting by immersing myself into the Word.  As I read Acts, chapter 5, I was impressed by the boldness displayed by Peter and the other apostles when they were being  persecuted.

²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! ³⁰The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. ³²We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:29-32

I was even more surprised with the boldness of the Pharisee Gamaliel.

³⁸Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

Dear Lord, I ask that as I develop a closer relationship to you, that I am able to boldly declare your ministry.  How true is what Gamaliel said about fighting against your will.  Please allow these words to resonate deeply within my heart in order to make me a bolder believer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 28: The Instruction To Repent

John 20, 21; Acts 1, 2, 3

This past week was a bit difficult when it came to nourishing myself spiritually.  I felt this sense of laziness which I couldn’t explain.  Catching up has been difficult to do because it feels like I’m needing to hurriedly finish my reading.  I pray that I don’t let “life” distract me from what I should want to do everyday.  I’ve asked the assistance of my great small group to keep me in their prayers when it comes to my diligence and enthusiasm.

As I was reading yesterday’s (Sunday’s) chapters, I was left with a very powerful concept.  Near the end of Acts, chapter 2, Luke (the author) recounts when Peter addressed the crowd with what the people had done.

³⁶“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

³⁷When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸Peter 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. ³⁹The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:36-39

Repent.  Come before Him, kneel and ask for forgiveness of my sins.

I recognize my sins and the extent of my sins daily and pray to cast them aside. I struggle with leading a worldly life.  I struggle with having worldly thoughts, desires, and achievements.  At the same time, I notice that the grip isn’t as tight anymore.  I find myself slowly embracing and understanding what the Scripture’s instructions are.  I know I need to repent.

¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19

Repent and then turn to God. This is what I will strive to do.

Dear Lord, as I continue to read your Word, I am reminded of my weaknesses but also of the magnitude of your love.  I ask that I can find comfort in your Words, that I do not approach with cautiousness but in full embrace.  I ask that you grant me a repenting heart, to break down these walls of pride (or whatever is left of it) and truly turn my eyes towards you.  I know what to do and yet, I struggle with what I actually do.  Forgive me Lord, for my inequities.  In your name, I pray. Amen.