Holy Hypocrites

Acts 14:5-18. How can you redirect people’s attention to God? Our natural instinct is to bask in the world’s praise, but what chance do you have today to decrease so that Christ might increase?

Acts 14:1-7. Today’s society is obsessed with credit. But for every compliment you get, every success you reach, didn’t God provide everything you used to get there?

Psalm 16. He will not abandon us, in his presence is fullness of joy. Whatever you are facing this weekend, know that your Heavenly Father who loves you more than you can comprehend is with you.

Acts 13:42-49. Jesus said he would make his followers “fishers of men.” So, why are you banging your head against a wall, when there are fish jumping out of the water for gospel truth?

Acts 13:15-25. Spend a little time in the Old Testament and you’ll see how the gospel story, the story of Jesus our Messiah dying and rising again for the sins of the world, behind a lot earlier than Gabriel visiting the virgin Mary.

Acts 12:11-17. When God answers your prayers, do you notice? The disciples were so focused on praying for Peter’s rescue, they dismissed Rhoda when she reported that he was at the gate! How have you seen God answers your prayers recently and who will you tell?

Acts 12:1-11. Two very different outcomes, both “good” by God’s definition. One big challenge we face as disciples is desiring God’s will above our desires. But as we understand who he is and how he loves his children, and as our faith grows, we start to see his “yes” and “no” differently.

Psalm 9. Remembering just who our God is and what he is capable of should be constant practice for disciples because we face constant challenges that distract us and inspire fear in us. But when we look back to God, we didn’t comfort and courage because he is with us. And he is sovereign.

Acts 11:19-26. Jesus told us to make disciples of ALL nations. That’s a daunting task, but he promised in Matthew 28 to be with us always. The spread of the gospel in Acts is only possible with God’s unwavering faithful presence and help.

Acts 10:30-48. Would you rather BE right or GET IT right, even if that means admitting you were wrong? While it’s less flashy than standing on a street corner shouting scripture, humility is another way we can show people our savior.

Acts 10:9-16. Who have you given up on? Maybe God is putting an “undesirable” person in your life on purpose, to reach them through you... if you’re willing to be used.

Acts 9:36-43. What happens after God answers your prayer? Who do you tell about it? We see throughout Acts, new disciples come to know Christ because of answered prayers. What’s one story you can tell others about God taking care of you?

Psalm 8. Sabbath in the Psalms this Friday, we remember just how majestic the creator is. He made everything, and made you, with all your strengths and weaknesses and he loves you more than you can imagine.

Acts 9:10-19. Who have you given up on? Ananias had heard enough about Saul to want to avoid him at all costs. But where you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, it seems God can.

Acts 8:26-40. Where has God put you? Who has God put around you? Do you trust that he placed you in that setting, with that audience on mission for a purpose? Let’s pray for greater trust in God’s plan today.

Acts 7:53-8:4. The church is scattered by persecution and yet everywhere they go, they are preaching the word. Today, is there one moment in one conversation where we have a chance to share one scripture with someone?

Acts 6:8-7:53. Long chunk today but what a defense from Stephen before the authorities. What would you or I say? Are we ready to give a defense?

Sabbath in Psalm 6 today. No matter what your circumstance, your all-powerful Father in heaven hears you. Let that be a comfort in whatever situation you find yourself this weekend.

Acts 5:17-32. Time to refocus on our mission. Two reminders here from the early church, first that God will give an audience to those bearing witness to him. It might be small or big but he will give an audience. Second, he is taking care of his witnesses.

Acts 5:1-11. It sort of makes sense that, as witnesses to the literal embodiment of truth... we should probably tell the truth...? Hmmm.

Acts 4:32-37. How’s your generosity? When was the last time you gave to someone from your time, talent or treasures with no incentive for personal gain?

Happy Monday! Acts 4:23-31. Imagine being threatened to stop talking about Jesus, and rather than praying for protection, or a different mission or a different mission field, imagine praying instead for boldness to keep on talking about Jesus?

Sabbath in the Psalms. Pausing from our looking at our imperfections to read Psalm 3 and rest in God’s sustaining power. Happy Friday!

Acts 3:1-10. The early church is exploding, the young believers are living on mission, and they come across an opportunity to be witnesses to Jesus, not as part of a planned evangelism event, but as an interruption in their plan. What if we lived with enough openness and flexibility to deviate from our plan for a gospel opportunity?

Acts 2:42-47. Imagine a church suddenly infused with 3,000 new believers. How would your church handle it? More importantly, what would the church look like if we lived joyfully devoted to Christ’s teaching, fellowship and breaking bread together and prayer?