Today is a very exciting day because we get to start one of the most exciting and powerful books of the Bible, Acts! This is such a powerful book because it is foundational to all believers. This is our heritage, it is the place where it all started for our faith. There is also a lot of controversy in this book. There are some things that believers, and non-believers alike, find difficult to accept. But, if you can get past all that, you can find this book to be a guide for what God intended us to be and do as a result of Christ’s sacrifice for our sin. There is instruction, judgement, grace, and forgiveness in this book. Let us all strive to learn and apply the things this book means to teach us.
2013 Day 41 – Acts 1-3, Proverbs 9
10 Sunday Feb 2013
Posted in Daily Reading
Ooooo! I love a good controversy. Instead of getting past the stuff that’s difficult to accept, let’s talk about it! Bring up the stuff that is hard to swallow. See what we all come up with!
On another note, which I suppose could be controversial for some, another example of Jesus and his followers elevating the status of women, “The women and Mary the mother of Jesus would meet with them, and so would his brothers.” Men and women were always separated in worship. But the followers of the Way met together. Prayed together. They were equals.
And I love this passage. Non-believers noticed the difference in behavior and were attracted to the followers because of it. Not pushed away like so many are today by the hypocritical lifestyles we often lead. l This is a hard pill to swallow and it makes you wonder how we should handle this today. Perhaps a point of discussion? Go!
“44 All the Lord’s followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. 45 They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. 46 Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, 47 while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.”
Yes! I love those last few verses you posted. It is definitely a hard pill to swallow when we talk about sharing “everything” we have. Especially money! Everyone is waiting for the “church” to give… Well, where does anyone think the church gets their money. Not that the physical church has much of a leg to stand on; instead of a new building, how about putting up a large tent with some heaters and use the money to providing for the needy. Just a thought.