Acts – Apprentice 2 Jesus

God doesn’t mind small beginnings

In Acts 19, Paul finds a handful of people following Jesus and much as they know how to follow at that point in time. He then completes the story for them, baptizes them, and then they are filled with the Spirit. Verse 7 is notable: There were about twelve men in all.

Where the Word has taken me

I am working my way through Acts in a new notebook. As I journey through Acts, I am putting down what I have learned in study and in ministry life over 30 years. At least three major turns in my life and ministry have come in Acts 10, 16, and 20. They are vivid inContinue reading “Where the Word has taken me”

Has the Word been pouring through me?

A few weeks ago in church I had a serious challenge drop into my heart from the Spirit. I was just entering the Book of Acts and the Gospel of John as part of my daily reading. I am using the daily reading from the Book of Common Prayer through this season. When I getContinue reading “Has the Word been pouring through me?”

The enemy shows up when things are GOOD

As I keep moving prayerfully through Acts 5, I am struck by how I like to emphasize things in my preaching and teaching. I love Acts 5:12-16. Peter’s shadow falling on people heals them and delivers them from demons! Who wouldn’t like that? Who couldn’t preach on that?

The deceit in our heart

I am writing/praying my way through Acts right now and come to Acts 5 where Ananias and Sapphira lie about the amount they are giving in the offering and God strikes them dead. We have so many questions about why God struck them dead. This thought occurs to me this time around in my reading:Continue reading “The deceit in our heart”

Early warning system

It’s not a time for panic. It’s a time for prayer. Not a prayer about who will “win” the election, but deep prayer that will call the Church back to listening to the Spirit NO MATTER WHAT.

Pharaohs, Pharisees, and Faith

Choose carefully the voices you have in your life. Choose carefully the voice YOU are in the lives of others.

Prayer for the Day

We must not live in fear and anxiety.

Filled with the Spirit and Speaking in Tongues

I speak in tongues, but I know when I’m not full of the Spirit. We have to keep those two things separated. The realization hits me as I read through Acts again, preparing for my fall class. The Church knew the fullness of the Spirit. What I realized is this: I know I’m not filled with theContinue reading “Filled with the Spirit and Speaking in Tongues”

Am I Joining What God is Doing?

The growth and expansion of the Church is never tied to our comfort. The first expansion of the church in Acts came in a time of persecution. Philip found himself in Samaria (Acts 8) as a result of the persecution in Jerusalem. But persecution wasn’t a reason to quit. They kept proclaiming. Philip was oneContinue reading “Am I Joining What God is Doing?”