Changed?

"The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends...  Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people... “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." - Acts 10:24, 27, 47

The holidays have passed, and with them are gone the gatherings of family and friends. There will be other times through the year when you will invite people to your home to celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations and even sporting events. At the end of the night everyone will leave, well fed and filled with fond memories. But, have they been changed?

Cornelius was a man with great social prestige. I'm sure that he had many occasions to entertain family and friends.  Yet, this gathering was different than any other before. People didn't gather to eat, drink and be merry. They came together in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord had commanded Peter to tell them. (Verse 33) At the end of the night no one wanted to leave, because... they had been changed.

This is the question: Is your home open for others to gather to hear the good news of Jesus? Do you make plans through the year to invited family and friends to hear a missionary, see a Gospel movie or have a Bible Study? Cornelius wasn't even converted yet, and he filled his house to evangelize. When was the last time someone left your home having been changed?

Are you a Barnabas?

"When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus." - Acts 9:26-27

I well remember the first year or two after Bible College. I was seeking the Lord's direction for ministry and looking for any opportunity to preach. My pastor was a kind and gracious man who took me to ministerial fellowships and introduced me to fellow pastors. As a result, I was invited to preach at different churches and one eventually called me as their pastor. My pastor, George Bogan, (who later became my father-in-law) was a true "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36) to me. Everyone needs a Barnabas.

Paul shook his world for Jesus. He had the courage and tenacity that very few men have. He traveled throughout his world three times with the gospel message and debated with the wisest men of the day. He wrote volumes of deep doctrinal truth that even Peter found hard to understand. (2 Peter 3:15-16) Yet, Paul needed an encourager to come along side and introduce him to the disciples in Jerusalem. Paul needed a Barnabas.

Be wise my friend, and don't try to go it alone. We all need someone who will be an encourager on the road of life. At the same time, there is someone that the Lord has brought into your life that needs you to be their encourager. Will you answer that call? Just remember... Everyone needs a Barnabas.

Poetry in motion...

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights." - Psalm 18:32-33

Nothing quite compares to the grace of a white-tailed deer cutting across the meadow on a cool autumn day. She can leap over every encumbrance and make her way up the hillside with very little effort. She has been born with a most unique strength and agility. With his most creative skill, God shows us... poetry in motion.

David was a man of the field and stream. He was also a man of war and depended on his God for strength and agility in battle. God armed David with strength and made his feet like the feet of a deer. Because of God's enablement, David stood on the heights in victory over all his enemies. God made David's way so perfect it was... poetry in motion.

Were I to run across a meadow today, it would be motion, but it sure wouldn't be poetry. It's the same with every challenge of life. If we try to do it alone, we can easily predict fumbling and stumbling. But when we depend on God and seek his enablement, he will give us the feet of a deer and make our way perfect. Then we will experience... poetry in motion.

Changing for gain...

"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria... Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." - Acts 8:1, 4 

Over a period of forty years, our family has moved to new church ministries twice. Both times the change has been quite a shock to our lifestyle. Yet, each change brought spiritual challenge and significant growth. This summer my wife and I will make another move into retirement, with a new challenge of growth. When the Lord is in the change, it can be of great value. Change for change sake can be a real pain, but... change for God's sake will bring great gain.

The intriguing truth of this passage is found in this fact; Acts 1:8 begins to unfold in Acts 8:1. Persecution brought change in lifestyle and led to many believers moving to new and unfamiliar regions. Yet, wherever they went, they preached the Word and people came to Christ. While the change was frightening and very unsettling, it was for God's sake and... it brought great gain.
Great persecution may not be breaking out in your life, but events may be occurring that are bringing unexpected change. Since God is always in control, you can be sure that this change has divine purpose. Will you pray for the Lord's wisdom to get the most spiritual value out this change? Remember, when God is in the change, there will be great gain! 

Forgiveness...

"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:59-60

I remember choosing my senior ring in high school. I could have a plain stone or one with a Cross that appeared to be within the stone. As the school colors called for a red stone, the added cross made quite an impression. The little Cross was to be evidence of one's faith in Christ. The real evidence of faith though, would be found in a life forgiven and changed by the Cross. If your faith is alive... your forgiveness will thrive!

Stephen had every reason to be angry at the unbelief and rejection of the Sanhedrin. He might have cried out for God's condemnation and wrath to fall upon them. But Stephen's life  had been changed by the forgiveness of the Cross.  Spirit enabled forgiveness welled up from within his heart as evidence of his faith. His faith was alive, so his forgiveness thrived!

What is the evidence of your faith in Christ? How do people know that your life has been changed by the forgiveness of the Cross? A little Cross in a ring will never serve as true evidence of faith. The real and lasting evidence of a Cross changed life is... a living faith shown by a thriving forgiveness.

YOU are an MVP...

"So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”... So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. - Acts 6:2-4, 7

The football season is over and the MVPs (Most Valuable Player) have been recognized and honored. What about those players who were not so valuable? Would any game be won without them? Where would the quarterback be without an offensive line to protect him? Who would run with the ball if there were no wide receivers or running backs? And how would the ball get through the uprights without a kicker? The simple truth is... every player is an MVP.

The disciples were not better than others, nor were they too good to wait on tables. They had been assigned a certain task for the growth of the church. They needed others, who were spiritual and wise to carry out other tasks. It wasn't a matter of who was more valuable; it was a matter of each team member doing his or her part to grow the church. The simple truth was... every player was an MVP.

What task has God assigned for you to do in building his church? Do you feel less important than the next person as you labor for the Lord? Do you think the pastor, elders, deacons or teachers are more valuable than you? Maybe you are one of those mentioned but someone has more responsibility than you. Keep this in mind; God has strategically assigned each one of us to achieve his purpose. That makes YOU quite important in the growth of His church, so remember... every player is an MVP.

Think before you speak...

"Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin." - Psalm 17:3

Teleprompters have often been real life savers. Some public figures are masters at using these tools for their speeches. There are those who are well spoken when given pre-written words, but when they're on their own, watch out! The difference is the time and thought behind the spoken word. My Dad used to say time and again... Think before you speak.

David was a man of words. He wrote a wide array of Psalms and expressed his faith in many ways. He also spoke to many people as a military leader, king, husband, father and man of God. It was imperative that he speak well and carefully. How did he accomplish this monumental task? He simply "resolved that my mouth will not sin" David was most careful to... Think before he spoke.

Today you will talk to many people. I doubt that you will be using a Teleprompter when you speak. So, do you have a plan of action to speak in a God honoring manner? Have you resolved that your mouth will not sin? Take a word of advice from David and my Dad... Think before you speak.