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The face of an angel…. (devo reflection)

Acts 6:12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

What struck me about this passage is the fact that it is so reminiscent of what happened to Jesus: jealousy, fear, false accusations, false witnesses. The emotional response within my own body as I read this section was intense—increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, initiation of flight or fight reflexes. Yet Stephen has the face of an angel.

Acts 6:13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

Initially, I thought that description—-the face of an angel—was merely an aesthetic description, but commentary helped me see it was about the peace that can only come from rooting ourselves firmly and completely in Christ, a peace and confidence that is so profound that it shines through us and transforms us.

Acts 6:14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

Lord, I want Your peace that surpasses all understanding. I want to root myself so completely in Your love and compassion that what shines through my countenance is my confidence and trust in You alone. Help me. Amen.

Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Have a blessed day.

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Focusing solely on Jesus…. (devo reflection)

Acts 5:1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

Commentary helped to clear up a lot of confusion around Ananias and Sapphira for me. I didn’t understand that they were in control of how much they gave and that the crucial issue here was not how much they gave but that they claimed to give all the proceeds (so they could be perceived as incredibly generous) while in reality, they only gave a portion of the proceeds.

Acts 5:2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

So many modern themes, so many issues I wrestle with personally, are at work in this ancient text: pride, greed, deception, preoccupation with appearances. The story of Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, soaking up His word, and Martha, scurrying around, cleaning like mad, also comes to mind. So often in life we lose sight of the goal—glorifying God as we do His will—and choose the wrong thing.

Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Lord, I am “worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one” (Luke 10:41-42). Help me to put aside my pride, my desire for accolades and recognition, and to focus solely on You—Your will, Your work, Your love, grace, and compassion. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Acts 5:4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Have a blessed day.

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God’s own creations…. (devo reflection)

Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!

Commentary on Acts 4 mentions that modern, Western Christians don’t often face persecution in today’s time like in biblical times. “Satan instead has attacked us with worldliness, selfish pride, a need for acceptance, and status.” That comment really got me thinking.

Acts 4:9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed….

I think most of us have a mental critic that tries to undermine us, that whispers, “You are not enough.” That voice is the need for earthly pride and acceptance. In reality, we are deeply, completely, fiercely loved children of God….not because of anything we can do or any accolade we receive but simply because we are God’s own creations.

Acts 4:10 …then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Lord, The critic in my head is loud and insistent, telling me I am not enough…not smart enough, not kind enough, not good enough. The world seems to reinforce this idea at every turn. Thank You that I am not of this world. Thank You that the opinions of this world do not define me. Strengthen my heart so that I can reject these lies. Help me to never lose sight of the fact that You are my center, that Yours is the only voice that matters, that all that I am “is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” alone. Draw me closer. Amen.

Acts 4:11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’”

Have a blessed day.

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Times of refreshing…. (devo reflection)

Acts 3:17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.

What calls to me from today’s reading is in verse 19, which talks about times of refreshing coming from the Lord. We are at the tail end of a North Carolina summer. The heat and humidity have been brutal. Times of refreshing sound wonderful.

Acts 3:18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.

Of course, Peter is talking about something completely different from refreshment from an NC summer. He is talking about times of refreshment that can only come when we lay all our burdens at the feet of Jesus, admit our sins (large and small, intentional and unintentional) and allow Jesus to infuse every part of us so that we are still and silent in His presence, so that we feel on a deep level His sovereignty, love, and compassion.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord….

Lord, I want desperately the refreshment and renewal that can only come from You. Help me to lay aside my preconceived notions of my role, Your role, “the plan,” and to be still in Your presence. Help me to hear Your still, small voice. Help me to root myself in You always. Amen.

Acts 3:20 …and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

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A course correction…. (devo reflection)

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

In verse 38, Peter tells the crowd they must repent and be baptized. Commentary discusses the fact that when a person repents that to return God is implied because one cannot repent without turning from sin and toward God.

Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

I like the idea that these two concepts, repenting and return, are interwoven. I also like the idea that the stem re, which means again, indicates that this repenting and returning is a continuing process, something we do again and again, a course correction if you will.

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, Help me to root myself in You, to abide in You, to return to Your feet again and again and again. Being Your follower isn’t a one and done. It is a daily decision. I choose You, Lord, today and every day. Help me to walk in Your ways and shine Your light. Amen.

Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Have a blessed day.

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The need for information…. (devo reflection)

Acts 1:6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Jesus tells the disciples here that the knowledge of when is not for them to know. This directive is maybe less about not being curious and more about not letting the need for information, the when in the case of the disciples, get in the way of doing what God has called them to do.

Acts 1:7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

I can learn a lot from this directive. I like to know, to understand things. I am always interested in the why of a situation. Sometimes, my need to understand clouds my ability to accept and do. This chapter helps me to see that God’s will can be accomplished even if I don’t understand the why or how. It also tells me that my focus on the why and how could keep me from accomplishing His will.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Lord, I know You have a plan for me. I also know You gave me this curious, inquisitive mind. Help me not to get so focused on my will (especially the need to understand why and how) that I neglect to follow Your will for me. Help me to shine Your light and bring You glory always. Amen.

Acts 1:9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Have a blessed day.

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Uniquely created…. (devo reflection)

John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. Here, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him and three times gave him the directive to feed and care for His sheep. Some posit that it was necessary for Jesus to say this three times for Peter to fully understand that Jesus still has a plan and a use for him in His kingdom, even after his repeated denial.

John 21:16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The thing that gets me here, that makes Peter so relatable to me, is that after Jesus gives him a specific directive (“Follow me”), Peter’s response is not to accept the invitation but to ask about Jesus’s plans for another disciple. Was this because he was nervous about what Jesus was calling him to? Was he jealous? Was he afraid? Was he hesitant to commit and therefore deflecting?

John 21:17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Lord, I fully believe that You have a plan for each of us, something that could be accomplished in other ways but that You uniquely created us to do. Help me to dedicate myself to Your call for me and not to worry about the ways in which You are calling others. Help me to bring You praise and glory always. Amen.

John 21:20-21 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them….When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Have a blessed day.

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A servant’s heart…. (devo reflection)

John 20:13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

Verse 14 tells us that Mary is standing in the presence of the Lord, “but she did not realize that it was Jesus.” And in Matthew 25:40, Jesus says that any time we do something for “one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,” we do it for Christ, implying that we, just like Mary, are often in Christ’s presence and often just as unaware.

John 20:14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

So what does that mean for the way I live my life? How can I be mindful of Christ in other people so that I can be His hands and feet on earth? How can I adopt a servant’s heart and attitude as I prepare for this new school year?

John 20:15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. I still have a proud, stubborn streak; help me to humble myself before You. Help me to see and acknowledge Your presence in all whom I encounter. Help me to have a servant’s heart. Amen.

John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Have a blessed day.

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I have power…. (devo reflection)

John 19:4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

I wonder if, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Pilate ever thought about these moments, his role, what he did and could have done differently. Did he beat himself up for failing to act? Did he learn a lesson from his inaction and do differently in the future? Did Jesus’s death have any effect?

John 19:6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”

How and how often am I guilty of the same things as Pilate, having the ability to act and failing to do so? What causes me to act this way? Fear? Ignorance? Jealousy? Anger?

John 19:8-9 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.

Lord, Help me to act when I have the ability to positively affect a situation. Help me to love and not doubt or fear or hate. Help me to be Your hands and feet in this world, to have Your heart, to love and serve as You do. Amen.

John 19:10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

Have a blessed day.

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Give me strength…. (devo reflection)

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

Jesus knew Simon Peter would deny Him three times. He *knew* it, and yet, He not only still loved Peter, He encouraged Him long before His denial. In Luke 22:32 He says, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

John 18:17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”

I understand Peter’s cowardice when he wanted to be brave. I understand Peter’s denial when he was scared. It is harder for me to understand Jesus’s love and encouragement even in the face of Peter’s actions, but that’s a lesson I need to take to heart.

John 18:25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

Lord, I am like Peter in so many ways—I want to be brave, but I am often afraid. Give me strength. Help me to stand strong in my faith, to stand strong for You always. And help me to love others as You love Simon Peter, as You love me. Amen.

John 18:26-27 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Have a blessed day.