Innocent…

Read: Acts 11-13
Marked: Acts 13:28, “And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.”

John’s gospel tell us that Pilate twice declared Jesus innocent (John 18:38; 19:4) and Matthew 27:24 tells us Pilate washed his hands saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person.”

Anyone who bears false witness against an innocent person is committing a grievous crime condemned by the ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16).

Furthermore, Deuteronomy 19:16-19 declares that such a witness is to have done to him as he thought to have done to the other. A false witness was to be executed.

Our testimony should be right and true especially when a life is at stake. Forsaken by truth the Saviour of the world was condemned to death though He was without sin.

Memorial of Prayer…

Read: Acts 9-10
Marked: Acts 10:4, And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

When I pray am I assured the Lord hears my prayers or is there even a smidge of doubt? Do I cast up my prayers hoping the Lord hears and acts or do I have certainty He does?

This verse reminds me that God consider each prayer, petition, and request of mine with deep foresight and knowledge and considers them precious memorials to the faith of His child.

Revelation 5:8 says the prayers of the saints are like incense burned before the throne of God filling that Holy place with the sweet aroma of the hopes, wants, and needs of God’s redeemed.

When I come into glory will I be shocked to see memorials to prayers I thought God never heard let alone answered or were prayed in unbelief or with little faith?

The Root of Bitterness…

Read: Acts 7-8
Marked: Acts 8:23, “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

Bitterness happens when we believe we are treated unfairly. Resentment grows and our moral behaviour changes. Pride sets in and we think we are owed better.

There’s a lot of bitterness in people that blinds them to the gospel. Bitterness, says Hebrews 12:15, grows like a root causing trouble which defiles us and we fall short of the grace of God.

Bitterness is a heart condition which can only be solved through a heart transplant. David asks, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Lies…

Read: Acts 4-6
Marked: Acts 5:5, Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

For some reason Ananias and his wife lied about what they had received from the sale of some possession and represented that they were giving the full amount for distribution among the needy in the fledgling church (C4:32-36).

Both Ananias and Sapphira, when confronted with their lie to the Holy Spirit (V3), fell down dead and were carried out and buried. Presumably they were struck by God for their lie. This may seem like a terrible consequence for something like a lie. I can’t remember how many lies I’ve told in my life.  

Do we consider lying a lesser sin than say, stealing? Lying seems to come naturally to us for a number of reasons. But lying is forbidden by the ninth commandment and God in Leviticus 19:11 warns us not to steal, deal falsely, nor lie to one another.

Lying is a grievous sin. So much so that in Revelation 21:8 it is revealed that liars shall have their part in the lake of fire. We should be very careful to think lying is anything else but a serious sin as is all sin.

The Lot has Fallen…

Read: Acts 1-3
Marked: Acts 1:26, And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

I like to call Matthias the unknown apostle. He comes out of nowhere and is never heard from again. He is like a representative of all who come after hearing the message. I could substitute my own name in place of his.

While I don’t claim the office of an apostle, like all Christians, I have been sent to all nations (Matthew 28:19). The lot has fallen on each believer to obey, be in fellowship with other believers, be a man of prayer and the word, do God’s will, to do what Jesus did, and go and preach and make disciples.

Glorify God…

Read: John 19-21
Marked: John 21:19, This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Peter had denied the Lord, but Jesus had not denied Him. I might wander from truth, even from the Lord, but if I hold fast to the truth the Lord will bring me back.

Jesus restored Peter to ministry. Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My sheep. And recommissioned Him with the call He first made to Peter and the others, “Follow Me.”

As a disciple of Jesus there is no greater place to be than at His side, following Him, and doing the work He has called us to do.

This is Eternal Life…

Read: John 16-18
Marked: John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

In verse 2 Jesus says He alone has authority to give eternal life. If Jesus wasn’t God His claim is a lie. But if true, then He has authority over all, even those who do not believe in Him.

As Jesus has authority over all flesh and gives eternal life then it’s only reasonable that there is no other way one can obtain eternal life. Putting faith in anything or anyone else, other than Jesus for eternal life, is foolish.

Love and Obedience…

Read: John 13-15
Marked: John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Four times in this chapter Jesus relates love for Him with keeping His commandments (V15, 21, 23, 24).

In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus gives us the Great Commandment to love God with our entire being, and to love others as ourselves. In the commandments we find the key to fulfilling the Great Commandment.

As Jesus set the example of serving by washing His disciples feet, we serve by working and acting according to His word. This transcends feelings or emotional connection to Christ.

When we fail to obey, we fail to love without which we cannot manifest the presence of Christ in us. Without obedience can I truly say the Father and the Son are with me and have made their home with me? (V23).

Believe in Him…

Read: John 11-12
Marked: John 11:48, “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

Jesus has just raised someone from the dead (V43). Many had seen it (V45). Some told the Pharisees (46). But what were they concerned about? That Rome would take away their place.

We can be so consumed with self that we miss the forest for the trees. So what if Rome took away their place or even their nation? A dead man was raised to life. Has any power on earth ever done that?

A power greater than anything ever seen on earth was now here and all they feared for was their place and position. A power that can overcome death can overcome any political power on earth.

The Door…

Read: John 9-10
Marked: John 10:1, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”

The front door of a house is closed to strangers and others. It is for the homeowner to decide who may enter.

Jesus is the door of heaven (V7). No one may enter unless the Doorkeeper opens it (V3). Only then may we enter, find salvation, and find pasture (V9).

A door has two functions. It opens up to the warmth and comfort of the home, and it keeps out those who may not enter (V8). To enter a home one needs to be invited in.

Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

At the voice of Jesus we can either allow Him to enter and we can dine with Him or reject Him and leave Him outside. At His invitation we can either enter into a relationship with Him or remain outside of His grace.