The Daily Dose

No Fear

_{And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.  Acts 12:6}

  For years, I have struggled with sleeping soundly.  When it comes time to go to bed each night, I often have difficulty going to sleep.  Part of the reason, I believe is because I spent many years working the overnight shift and my system has never really gotten back on track with sleeping through the night.  One of the other reasons is because I have a hard time shutting down when it is time to go to bed.  Many times when I lay down, I find that my thoughts are still going a million miles an hour.  Often time after an hour or so of tossing and turning, I will begin to repeat scripture in my thoughts or thank God for the rest and sleep that He gives those whom He loves (See Psalms 127:2).  That usually works, but if I wake up in the middle of the night, it often starts all over again.

This is not God’s plan.  He designed me to unplug and rest through the nighttime.  He created my body to sleep peacefully in the dark and I know that it is His will and plan for that to happen. So why do I wrestle with it even still today?

In Today’s reading, the apostle Peter is about to be executed.  It seems like if anyone had a excuse for not being able to sleep, it would be Peter on that night.  Yet, the passage says that even though Peter was chained up between two soldiers and locked in a prison with guards at all the doors, he was able to sleep without any fear or concern.  He was not trying to figure out a plan to escape or be released.  He was not scheming how to bargain his way out of the predicament.  He had perfect peace at that time because he set his mind on the One he knew was in control of the situation and had the power to rescue him.  Peter was not up all night worrying about what was going to happen the next morning.  He rested and trusted that God would bring him out or that he would be with his Father in heaven the next day.  Either way, he was not afraid.

What a great example this is for me and all of us who sometime feel stress about the coming events of life.  It comforts me to know that whatever I am up against, I do not have to worry or fear about the outcome.  I can rest assured that when I commit all things to my Father, He will see me through to victory and if for some reason things do not go as planned, I know my Father is working all these things together for good.  I keep my mind stayed on Him and have perfect peace.  I will leave you with this final thought that the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth:  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Today I want to encourage you to trust your Father in heaven.  Commit every thought and concern to Him and believe that He will carry you through every care and worry.  There are so many promises He has given in His word that you can remind yourself about when you are afraid.  Make yourself a list from His word and when you find yourself in doubt and unbelief, read over and meditate on the promises He has given you.  Then believe those promises above every other idea that comes to mind and never wrestle with getting a good night sleep again.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Acts 12:6-19

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 

8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 

9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 

15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 

17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 

19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Invite Him in

Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Here is the key to spiritual gifts.  They are to be used for edification and building others up.  They are not to draw attention to yourself, and they are not to make you famous or popular.  They are for reaching the world.

When Jesus was about to leave this world, He told His disciples to go into all the world and reach all people.  Essentially, He was saying:  I paid the price for all people for all time and now I want you to go out there in the world and rescue them all.  He didn’t stop there either.  He also said:  Before you do that, wait in Jerusalem until you receive the promise of the Father to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and His power.  He will be here in just a few days.  He went on to say: Then you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you to be my witnesses all over the entire world.  The Holy Spirit will be with you until the end of the age. (Not until the end of their lives. See Acts 1)

Here is the reason for the instruction about the Holy Spirits gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14.  How different would our world be if Christian people led others to the solutions to the problems we all face.  Yes, we invite people to church and hope they will experience God there, but isn’t there something we can do besides bring them to a service?

The answer is yes!  We can be a voice of encouragement.  Start looking around you and notice when there are hurting people around.  Let them know there is a hope, and it is salvation in Jesus.  Then let them know there is power to overcome through the Holy Spirit.  Power to stand in adversity, power over oppression, power against infliction and power to overcome every obstacle.

Start by praying for others.  Pray for opportunities, pray for boldness to love others and pray for wisdom to reach them.  Also, pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be evident in your life to draw people into the Kingdom of heaven and to our loving heavenly Father. 

Lastly, walk with people.  After you bring them into a personal relationship with God through salvation in the blood of Jesus, bring them into community.  Connect them with others that can show them how to walk closely to their Savior in faith and don’t let them slip back into a world that wants to devour them the first chance it gets.

Today I want to encourage you to let all things be done for edification.  If you have never walked in the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, do it today.  You can do this the same way you received your salvation, by faith.  Just invite the Holy Spirit to take the lead in your life and ask Him to instruct and comfort you in every area.  Let Him know you are available for Him to move through to reach the world around you and ask for Him to give you the boldness to be His vessel.  The Holy Spirit will not possess you like a demon does, He will only act as you surrendered and yield to Him. Be watching and listening when the Holy Spirit points you in someone’s direction and then walk out every direction and step He gives.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?

8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.

11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.

12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.

22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.

25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

The God kind of love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

1 Corinthians 12-14 are three chapters all about the Holy Spirit and His gifts.  Chapter 13 is known as the great love chapter, but it is really about operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit with the love of God.  The Apostle Paul said, even if you can speak in the languages of people and of angels but you do it without love, you just sound like a bunch of noise.  He goes on to say that even if you have the gifts of prophecy, knowledge, faith, but not love, you have nothing.  Those gifts are worth nothing in eternity without the love of God attached to them.

Love is the key to operating by the power of the Holy Spirit.  This goes along with what was mentioned in chapter 12 that you can desire the best gift, but truly operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit only matters if it is done with love.  It makes sense too.  Since God is love, surly everything He does is motivated by love.  Not a human temporal love, it is by God’s eternal perfect love.  If God’s love is our motivation in all things, toward all people, then we can know that the Holy Spirit of God/Love will flow through us.

So, just to take one small look at what the love of God looks like, we can look at  1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  As you read through the list below, I have added an equal part to each quality to help you understand the character of God more.

Love suffers long  =  God suffers long

Love is kind  =  God is kind

Love does not envy  =  God does not envy

Love does not parade itself  = God does not parade Himself

Love is not puffed up  =  God is not puffed up

Love does not behave rudely =  God does not behave rudely

Love seeks not its own glory = God seeks not His own glory

Love is not provoked to anger = God is not provoked to anger

Love thinks no evil = God things no evil

Love rejoices not in iniquity = God rejoices not in iniquity

Love rejoices in the truth = God rejoices in the truth

Love bears all things = God bears all things

Love believes all things = God believes all things

Love hopes all things = God hopes all things

Love endures all things = God endures all things

Love never fails = God never fails

Wow!  That truly is perfect love and demonstrates our perfect Father.

Today I want to encourage you to study this list of things that will improve your love walk.  Don’t hold back giving love to only those deserving.  The truth is none are deserving, we only hold a higher standard of love for those closest to us.  Drop your guard and decide that you are going to love all people with the God kind of love.  The only thing you have to lose is pride, and that’s a good thing.  Of course, you will not get it perfectly, but that’s ok.  Just get back out there and do it again.  It takes practice and as you practice loving all people, your daily practice will make impactful progress.  So go ahead and get rid of your pride, humble yourself to give the gift of love to all people like God does.  It will not only make a difference in the lives of those around you, but it will also change your life too!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Constant Prayer

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.  Acts 12:5

Have you ever been involved in an all-night prayer meeting?  How about a prayer meeting that went on for days?  I can honestly say I have not, though we do have twenty-one days of prayer twice a year and other opportunities to gather for pray each week, at church.  But nothing where we come together in constant prayer for a specific situation until it is resolved no matter how long it takes.  However, the fact remains that prayer is how we open the door for God to come in and intervene in our circumstances.  I would go as far to say that most of us have not been in a prayer meeting that went on for days because we never had a loved one that was scheduled to be executed the next day.  A life-or-death perspective can change our prayer stance completely. 

I am so thankful that I have never been in a situation that was so crucial that a person’s life depended on the amount of time I spend in prayer. I know I would pray, but I don’t know for how long I could stay there.  In today’s reading, the Apostle James had been publicly killed and after that, Peter was arrested to be executed the next day.  He was so heavily guarded that that situation looked hopeless.  But the people of God gathered together and earnestly and intently prayed and the impossible became possible with God.  Prayer changes things and constant prayer will bring a miracle.

I have seen the power of prayer at work in many instances throughout my entire life.  Ideally, we walk out each day in constant prayer with Him so that we are able to make decisions that keep us in line with His planned path.  Checking in at every opportunity to keep the course of provision and protection and ensuring that we are not making decision based on how we feel or to please people.  Continually submitting our will to His and being in the right place at the right time to impact the world around us.  Praying with individuals that He brings our way to open the door into their circumstances so that they too can experience an encounter with the loving Father of heaven.

This is what we are called to.  We open the door between heaven and earth as we lift up our world to Him.  We make the impossible possible when we acknowledge Him in all our ways.  The world around us can know what it is like to experience His presence when we take them to that open door of calling on the LORD and watching Him turn the evil things of the world into good by committing everything to Him.

Today I want to encourage you to pray.  Set some time aside each day to get alone with Him.  Press into Him with issues and concerns you are facing in your life and for those you love.  Purpose to hear inside your heart the direction and assignment He has for you each day.  Then begin to pray with others.  Meet together with other believers to pray about community and global concerns.  Pray with people one on one when they tell you the things they are going through personally.  Walk others into the presence of God by leading them to commit their cares to Him.  Lastly, walk out your day in a continual conversation with Him to keep you on the purpose you have been given life.  Make the most of each day that you live in this world by bringing together the realm of heaven and earth through prayer. God’s will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 12:1-5

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 

2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 

3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 

4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 

Help

Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.  Acts 11:29

This is a great example of how the church should respond when unexpected circumstances happen.  In the reading today, a great famine throughout the world was happening.  The disciples in Antioch obviously had resources to share, so they sent provisions to other Christians in a neighboring area. 

This reminds me of how many churches and organizations responded when the covid pandemic hit in 2020.  Even though most of the country was shut down, many churches set up food banks, distributed groceries, had prayer hotlines and responders and even meal deliveries for elderly or sick people.  Large organizations like Wal-mart, Costco and Sysco sent out truck loads of food and paper products to help feed those who were laid off from their jobs and home with their families teaching school and hanging on for the “two week” quarantine.  Many churches are still involved in disaster relief efforts and dispatch teams to go when needs arise.  It is truly the way God intended people to care for one another when world pandemic and famines happen.

Thankfully, the church overall recognizes these times as opportunity to care for one another.  Ideally, you and I are preparing now for what may happen tomorrow.  Either by donating regularly to disaster relief organizations or if your home church has funds or programs designated for these kinds of emergencies, you can participate by contributing there.

On a personal level, you can start a neighborhood or community cooperative to be prepared for unexpected events.  If there is already something like this in the town you live in, look for opportunities to volunteer or make regular donations.

Today I want to encourage you to be prepared.  Begin by praying and tuning in to what God’s Spirit is speaking to you on the inside of your heart.  Ask Him to show you things that are coming up (See John 14:26).  Pray for discernment to know what you will need for times of distress and how you can help right now.  Be aware of places you can send help and begin to make a monthly or quarterly contribution.  Get involved in your church to put a plan together if you do not already have something in place.  Lastly, get in touch with national organizations such as the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon or Convoy of Hope to get training or to make donation.  Let’s all get ready to be distributors and helpers for the trying times we live in.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 11:27-30

27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 

28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 

29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 

30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Purpose of heart

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.  Acts 11:23

If I could choose any message to share with you today, it would be this:  I would want to encourage you all to purpose in your heart to continue with the LORD!  It is my hearts desire for myself and all of God’s people.  It is the reason that I write the Daily Dose and that I choose to write encouraging content as often as possible.  I know what it is like to live far from God and I can tell you with all sincerity that being close to Him is the best way to walk out this life.  I don’t just mean going to church once a week or twice a month. I am talking about daily pressing in to follow His direction for your path each day. 

This is the message that Barnabas encouraged the Christians at Antioch with in today’s reading.  He was so blessed to see God’s grace in operation at that place and when he saw it, he encourages them to keep it up and never let go of following the Lord closely.  It was vital for the church back then because of the strain and persecution they all were facing each day. 

It is also equally important for the church today.  In the days we live in, our world is a combustible place.  Anger, rage, jealousies and attacks are continual news headlines.  As God’s people, we need to step away from the things of this world system that are holding us to it.  Things such as debt, habits, binges, unhealthy living and addictions (legal or not).  The way to remove or purge out the unclean thing is to fill up instead with God’s word, love and Spirit.  Replace those sticky vices with personal time with God, worship and praise, and feeding on His word and goodness.

1 John 3:3 tells us that everyone who has this hope in Him (of His return) purifies himself, just as He is pure.  As believers, we have the hope of His return inside of us.  We should be looking for the day when we will meet Him in the clouds.  Not because we want to escape this sinful world (although that is understandable) but because according to this scripture, it is the way we can live a purified life.  Always being prepared for the day that we will be with Him.

Today I want to encourage you that with purpose of heart you continue with the LORD, day by day until His return.  Make a daily appointment to spend quiet time with Him each day.  Put it on your schedule and considerate the most important appointment of the day that you cannot miss because it is.  Seek first God’s kingdom agenda and His righteousness because you are a citizen of heaven and take back any area of your life that the enemy has seemingly stolen away from you in Jesus name.  In these last days, remember that our Lord is coming back to get us and allow that meditation to purify you as you prepare to live with Him forever.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 11:19-26

19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 

20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 

23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 

24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 

26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Don’t fight it

So I concluded that if God is pleased to give them the same gift of the Holy Spirit that he gave us after they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who am I to stand in the way of God?” Acts 11:17

  So I love this passage.  It reminds me of what Gamaliel told the Jewish leaders when they had arrested Peter and John for preaching in the name of Jesus back in Acts chapter five.  He said: “…but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”  It is such an important thing to remember.  Don’t fight against what the Holy Spirit is doing in the church and don’t object to His working in other lives or ministries. Who are we to stand in the way of God?

This brings up the question of: How do you know when God is working in something or if it is just made up by a person for personal gain?  The first thing to do would be to ask.  Ask your Father in heaven to show you if this business is God ordained or not.  In Peter’s case, he knew that he was following the direction of God’s Spirit, but when he returned to Jerusalem, he was met with questions and accusations from his closest friends, the apostles.  After he told them all the events that took place leading up to him going to Cornelius’ house, they were convinced that it was truly something that God was working and opening salvation up to the whole world.

Maybe you are in a position that you are not able to ask the person or people, but when you ask God, He will show you if it is His work and give you peace about the work He is doing there.  Instead of being concerned with what other people or ministries are doing, keep your focus on the mission and assignment you have been called to.  If you determine to complete all that is in God’s heart for you, then you will have all you can handle to be praying out and working on.  Who knows, maybe God is working on a plan for you to work together with other ministries to get His purpose accomplished.

Today I want to encourage you to ask for a refreshing in the things that you have been called to walk out in your life.  Get a new perspective on the vision God has for your life.  Then, check in with Him each day to see who He may be connecting you with to accomplish that work.  Ask Him to make it plain and clear any next steps that He may be directing you to.  Most of all, don’t fall into the trap of jumping to conclusions about what God may be doing someplace else.  Keep your heart fixed on His plan for you and that will keep you in His perfect peace.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 11:1-18

1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 

2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 

3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: 

5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 

6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 

7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 

8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 

9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 

10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 

11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 

12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 

13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 

14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 

16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 

17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

The best gifts

But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31

What are the best gifts.  Of course, this is talking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but how do we know which gifts to desire.  Beyond that, is it even our place to decide which gift to use?  Well, this is one of those sentences with the understood subject of you, so if (You) is in the phrase, it looks like it is up to me personally.  But (you) earnestly desire the best gifts.  In reality, it is up to (you) personally to desire the gift, not choose the gift.  Below are three examples of choosing the best gift:

First, in Acts 3:6 & 7 Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Peter and John saw the lame man at the gate Beautiful and knew that the best gift for that time was not silver or gold, but strength in the man’s feet and ankle bones.

Again, in Acts 9:40 – Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.   Here, Peter desired the best gift of raising Tabitha from the dead.  A total and complete healing.

Lastly in Acts 16:18 it says: And this she did for many days.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” Paul desired the best gift in this situation and cast that evil spirit out of the girl and set her free.

There is no record of the Holy Spirit telling them what to do or which gift to use.  They desired the best gift by themselves. It was the gift needed for their immediate circumstances.  Of course, they were well prepared because they were earnestly desiring the best gifts at all times.  From these passages and many others, we can discern that the best gift is the gift that is needed at the time.  The lame man needed healing, not money, so Peter desired that gift to heal the lame man at the gate.  Paul needed discerning and casting out demons, so he desired that gift from the Holy Spirit.

There is one instance when someone tried to buy the gifts and that did not go so well. (see Acts 8:14 – 25) These gifts of the Spirit can only come from earnestly desiring them from the Holy Spirit and cannot be purchased from any person.

Let’s talk about earnestly for a minute.  The definition of earnestly is pursuing with serious intensity.  I have to be honest with you and say, I don’t believe that I have ever pursued the gifts of the Holy Spirit with serious intensity, although I am learning to.  Of course the apostles were taught by Jesus personally, but even Jesus said:  “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  (John 14:12) So now we know that the works of the Holy Spirit are not limited to the apostles that walked with Jesus in the world.  He said whoever believes in Him will do these works.  He even went so far to say that those who believe in Me WILL do these works also.  It almost sounds like a requirement.

So here is what I am encouraging you to do today:  Earnestly desire the best gifts!  It is not unscriptural. it is not ungodly, and it is not wrong.  In fact, it’s a command.  You earnestly desire the best gifts and then you will see a more excellent way.  That sounds like a promise and you will see that excellent way when you intensely desire His best gifts.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Work today

“If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?”   1 Corinthians 12:17

Today I want to talk about differences.  Criticism can stem from the frustration of people doing things differently than others.  Because you are different than I am, you see things differently than I can see them.  Therefore, you have another perspective and get things accomplished in your own way.  Neither of us may be wrong, we are just different.  Let me give you an example of what I mean. 

I see many people at my job that become frustrated with management because management must look at the big picture while the employee is focused on their own position and the ways to make it easier to get their job done.  So, when the boss doesn’t see things from the employee point of view the employee begins to complain and criticize the way things are handled and think they could do their boss’ job better.

In the same way, it is easy to become frustrated with people doing things differently than you would like them done.  This is often seen in close relationships and even marriages.  Your closest friends can be the most frustrating at times because they just do things differently than you would do them.

I believe we can learn some about this from today’s scripture.  God made us all to have a different perspective and there are some very good reasons why. 

1. If we didn’t have diverse points of view, we would all see things the same way which would cause us to do things all the same resulting in a very boring world.

2. He designed us with differences, so we have to work together and learn from one another to accomplish things. 

3. He gave us a variety of gifts and abilities to complement each other and in the case of most marriages, we balance each other out. 

Where one person is weak, the other is strong in that area and vice versa.  Also, bringing two perspectives or ideas together can translate into a third possibility and better solution they may have never been considered without a difference of opinions.  That’s what becomes the most frustrating.  If you are anything like me, you would rather just get the job done your way, but that is not the way God wants us to be.  He wants us to meet, commune, and brainstorm with each other often.  He made us different so we could all contribute in a different way to get the job done the best way possible.  The results are far superior because of all the unique contributions.

Today, I want to encourage you to see things in a different light than you have in the past.  Notice how those around you are doing things differently than you do, then ask yourself, is it really a bad thing?  Maybe there is a reason they are doing it that way.  Is there any potential for something beyond me if our two ideas come together?  Can there be a third and better option if the two ideas meet?  Recognize that God has you connected with the people around you to strengthen you and to make a better version of all those involved.  Then begin to thank God for all the diverseness in the world and that life is more interesting with other perspectives in it.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,

24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,

25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Next step

“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”  Acts 10:47

I have always heard that baptism was the first step of obedience after entering into a personal relationship with the Father through the blood sacrifice of Jesus.  Baptism was the first thing the new Christians did as soon as they believed and received salvation in the New Testament.  Even Jesus before He started His ministry here in the world, was baptized by John the Baptist.

Baptism in the New Testament church was an act of a person’s own will when they were old enough to decide that they wanted to follow Jesus.  It was not something that was ever done in the scripture to a baby before the child ever knew what they were doing.  Baptism is an outward expression of your internal faith, and it tells the people around you that you have made the decision in your life to be a person of faith and that you are living your life according to the word of God through a relationship with the everlasting Father of heaven.

My personal experience with baptism was as a young child of seven years old, my Father baptized me after my mother led me to the Lord at the young age of five.  When I became an adult and lived many years of my life following the selfishness of my own desires, I struggled with knowing if I was actually saved when I was baptized at seven years old.  At that age, it was not a conscience decision I made to walk in the way of the Lord Jesus.  It was something I was told to do because it was time.  Through the years I debated if I was actually being intentionally obedient or even born again at the time of my baptism, the Lord reminded me of the time I sat at the table with my mother as she explained salvation to me, and I invited Him into my life.  Yet, I still questioned if it was for real.  Then one day, we took a trip to the holy land, and I had the opportunity to be baptized in the river Jordan.  I was so excited that I could be immersed in the very water that Jesus once was.  When that day came, I remembered after I was raised up out of the water sensing His Spirit on the inside of my heart saying: “You can stop having that debate any longer.”  I now had confirmation that I had truly taken the next step and was ready to enter into His call for my life.

In today’s reading, after Peter had preached to Cornelius and those with him, they were all saved, filled with the holy Spirit and then Peter immediately took them to water and commanded each of to them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  There was no waiting period and there was no special class they all had to take.  It was the next step then and it is the next step now.

Today I want to encourage you that if you have never been water baptized since you received Jesus into your life and heart, plan on doing it today.  Get with your pastor or group leader and get on the schedule to take this next step of obedience.  Show the world around you that you are serious about following the plan and path God has for your life and take the first step now of water baptism.  If you were baptized as an infant or young age, there is nothing wrong with that, it just wasn’t something you decided on your own.  You did get wet, but that is not what baptism is about.  Take the plunge for real and make that decision as an adult that you are going to take the first step of obedience to Him through this public demonstration of your commitment of faith in Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 10:44-48

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 

45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 

46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 

47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.