Today’s Reading: Acts 2:42-3:11; Psalm 112
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer… – Acts 1:14
Consider with me what the believers were doing before they were filled with the Spirit. They had a big decision to make, and so they gathered together and prayed for direction from God. It was at this moment, when they were united in fellowship and joined together in corporate prayer, that everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit (2:4). And once they were filled with the Spirit, they again found that place of unity.
LETTING GO OF EVERYTHING THIS WORLD HAS TO OFFER
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to the fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47
The believers found unity not only in time spent together and in prayer, but also in their generosity toward others. The result of this unity was that the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Others saw the joy and satisfaction they had found, and they wanted to be a part of this movement of God!
Do we experience that kind of unity today? Does our praise attract others to our fellowship? We give of our time to the church and we circle up to join hands in prayer, but why aren’t we experiencing an Acts chapter two response? Perhaps it is because we operate with this concern of how generous we can be without leaving ourselves in need. We find a sense of security in our possessions and income, and it is hard to let go of that stability. We find ourselves serving God from a mindset of scarcity.
Acts 3 tells us that Peter and John were approached for money by a lame man who was being carried to the Temple Gate to beg. As the man eagerly looked up at them, Peter responded that he did not have any silver or gold to give to him. Of course he didn’t have any money, he had already sold all his possessions and given everything he had to the group of believers. So he was left with nothing to give, right? Wrong. When Peter and John let go of everything this world has to offer, they were able to share everything that God has to offer.
SHARING WITH OTHERS EVERYTHING GOD HAS TO OFFER
“I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple ahead of them.
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. – Acts 3:6-11
When we let go of everything in this world and stop trying to protect ourselves, God steps in and we begin to see HIM at work. Self-preservation will get us just that — self-preservation. But letting go of this world and hanging tight to God, praying for wisdom and direction and then following His lead — THIS will give us a life where we are daily astounded by God’s power.
DAILY GIVING GOD ALL I HAVE
That’s the kind of life I want — a life where I am daily astounded by God’s power, a life where I daily give God all that I have. Lord, open my eyes so that I can see the evidence of your work all around me. Lord, do your work through me so that you will be glorified today. Lord, help me to trust in you for protection and provision, instead of trusting in any earthly wealth I can obtain. This morning, I choose to let go of my ideas of what I need and embrace all that you have for me. Empty me of all that is ME and fill me with your Spirit. Amen.
In April of 2021, God shifted our focus and asked us to move to Kansas City. I found myself praying for understanding as I said my goodbyes and started packing our belongings. The one word I received from the Lord during that season of submission was to “stay light on my feet”. Today we live in a two-bedroom apartment one-third of the size of our previous home, and we share a closet half the size we had before. We have a one stall garage instead of two, and we share a desk. We have not set down roots in Kansas but, let me tell you, we are rooted in relationships and ministry.
None of this has earned us salvation. We praise God for the beauty of this season and we willingly allow Him to lead our every step, but our salvation comes from our repentance. It is not earned; it is a gift from God made possible through the blood of Jesus. Our decision to be generous with God is in response to His generosity towards us, and we give Him praise for every day He allows us to serve Him here on earth.
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles – all who have been called by the Lord our God.” – Acts 2:38-39