Christ’s Family Gets It

January 12

(Acts 1:14 NIV) "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

(Mark 3:20-21 NIV) "Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. {21} When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind.""

(John 7:1-5 NIV) "After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. {2} But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, {3} Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. {4} No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." {5} For even his own brothers did not believe in him."

There are many miracles found in Acts, including Christ’s brothers coming to faith. Mary had pondered her Son’s greatness, but His brothers had been antagonistic. Early in Christ’s ministry they even tracked Him down in order to take Him home with them. They believed He had lost His mind. The delusional and grandiose things He said about Himself seemed ludicrous to them. But as time went by, and they heard of the miracles and the healings, their hearts must have softened a bit. Scripture tells us that the risen Jesus appeared to His mother, Mary, and to His brother, James. It was likely through their testimony that the rest of Christ’s family came to faith. There is a lesson here for us. Do not give up on family members who refuse to believe the Gospel. Continue to be love and light. If the risen Christ lives in us, our family may yet see His glory -- even if it happens after our death. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Disciples Don’t Quit

January 11

(Acts 1:13 NIV)  "When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James."

(Matthew 10:1-4 NIV) "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. {2} These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; {3} Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; {4} Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."

(John 17:5-12 NIV)  "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. {6} "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. {7} Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. {8} For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. {9} I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. {10} All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. {11} I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. {12} While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled."

It is amazing that eleven of Christ’s twelve original disciples remained together after His death. They had been scattered at His arrest, and it would have been easy to remain that way. They could have gone back to what they were doing before they met Jesus. Their leader had been killed, their lives were in danger, and there was enough collective guilt in their group to sink a ship. But three years of being with Jesus, and witnessing His resurrection, had changed them. They didn’t quit because they had become true followers of Christ. This is a great testimony for us today. Disciples don’t quit! The church today has its fair share of “flash in the pan” Christians -- “fair weather” wannabes who hang around with Jesus as long as it’s convenient, easy, and fun. They were around in Christ’s day too, but deserted Him when the teaching got hard. Don’t be found among them. Don’t quit! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Obedience

January 10

(Acts 1:12 NIV) "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city.”

(Acts 1:4 NIV) "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about."

The term “Christian” has taken a beating in recent years. Some new teachers prefer the term “Christ Follower”. But does it really matter what we call those who believe and follow Jesus? The proof of faith is borne out in the content of our living. The early disciples set the tone. They spent enough time with Jesus to receive His teaching, and then, at great risk to their lives, they actually did what Jesus said to do. He told them to “stay in Jerusalem”, and that’s what they did. After His ascension, they returned to Jerusalem. Were they “Christians” or “Christ Followers”? Call them what you will, the hallmark of their faith was obedience to Christ. Will you spend enough time in prayer and in God’s word this year to really hear Him? Will you obey what you hear? As long as God can call us “obedient”, it won’t really matter what the movers and shakers decide to call us. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

He’s Coming Back - Get Busy

January 9

(Acts 1:10-11 NIV) "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. {11} "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.""

(Matthew 24:29-30, 44-46 NIV) ""Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' {30} "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory… {44} So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. {45} "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? {46} It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.""

(1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV) "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. {12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

As Jesus ascended into the clouds, the disciples stood around, looking up to the sky. Two angels came and reminded them that He would be coming back and expecting results. They had better get busy with the kingdom building stuff Jesus had spoken about. Hadn’t He told them it would be good for the servants whose master found them working for Him when he returned? They should stop standing around longing for heaven, and get busy being His disciples here on earth. They were to live every day as if He was coming back today. That’s still a good idea! When we do that, the timeline no longer matters. Get out of the holy huddle. Go out and be His witnesses. Stop critiquing and start loving. Do more praising than complaining. Live like Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and you too can glorify God and live beyond your means. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day