Chosen Witnesses

May 20

(Acts 10:36-41 NIV) “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. {37} You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- {38} how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. {39} "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, {40} but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. {41} He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”

(Acts 1:8 NIV) “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.”

(Acts 2:32 NIV) “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”

Peter thought of himself as a chosen witness. He knew the truth about Jesus, and he was called to share it with others. We who believe today also have a witness, and we have the same calling as Peter to share it. You are a chosen witness. Is that how you see yourself? Part of our witness is the truth about Jesus. Every Christian should know the simple gospel and how to share it. It is unchanging and eternal, but is adaptable to any situation or culture. The other part of our witness is what we have seen, and what Jesus has done in our life. We all have a story of some kind. This part of our story grows and changes. It’s different this year than last year. There is someone who needs to hear your story and witness. As we said yesterday, the gospel is for everyone, and so is the story God has given you. You are His chosen witness! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Favorites

May 19

(Acts 10:33-35 NIV) “So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." {34} Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism {35} but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

(Acts 10:44-48 NIV) “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. {45} The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. {46} For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, {47} "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." {48} So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."

(James 2:1-10 NIV) ““My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. {2} Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. {3} If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” {4} have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? {5} Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? {6} But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? {7} Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? {8} If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. {9} But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. {10} For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.””

Peter received God’s message. God does not show favoritism. The gospel was not just for the Jew, nor was it just for the rich and significant people of the world. The gospel is for everyone. God accepts those who seek Him from every nation and from every walk of life. If Christ does not show favoritism, the Church, the Bride of Christ, should not be found showing favoritism. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. When God looks at people, He sees the soul. He does not see skin color, national origin, or income level. He doesn’t see suits and ties, or sandals and t-shirts. We should not be found doing so in our churches. It should not surprise us when the Spirit and blessing of God falls upon those who don’t look like they belong. The gospel is for everyone. Even you! Jesus died for the sins of the world. Even yours! The gospel is for all who will receive it. God does not show favoritism. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Star Gazing

May 18

(Acts 10:25-26 NIV)  "As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. {26} But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."

(Acts 14:8-18 NIV) ““In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. {9} He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed {10} and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. {11} When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” {12} Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. {13} The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. {14} But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: {15} “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. {16} In the past, he let all nations go their own way. {17} Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” {18} Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.””

(Romans 12:2-3 NIV) “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. {3} For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” 

Cornelius wanted to treat Peter like a celebrity. Peter would have none of it. It would have been easy for him to exploit having walked with Jesus. He had been given power to heal the sick and raise the dead. That can certainly be heady stuff. Instead Peter saw himself as just another one of God’s many servants. He was a model of godly humility. Some Christian leaders today have forgotten this apostolic lesson. They spend more time basking in the spotlight, than walking in God’s light. They are encouraged by the fawning celebrity worship of groupie Christians. We flock to where the biggest crowds are. We covet the fame, hoping that some of it will rub off on us if we can just get near enough. We need to get back to humility again. There is only one Messiah, and we all serve under Him. Let’s be done with the hero worship. Let’s stoop to wash feet, more than we seek to gaze at stars. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Relatives and Friends

May 17

(Acts 10:24 NIV) “The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”

(Mark 5:18-20 NIV) ““As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. {19} Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  {20} So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.””

(John 1:40-42 NIV) ““Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. {41} The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). {42} And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).””

When Cornelius found out that Peter was coming to his house, he didn’t try to keep it from his friends and neighbors. He put out a press release, put up posters, and phoned everyone he knew. Well, not really, but he did call together his close friends and relatives. Today we have believers who barely mention their church in conversation with friends and relatives. They don’t want to offend anyone. They act as though they were ashamed of Jesus and the church. They keep their faith and the good news to themselves. Not Cornelius! He put the word out. If there had been radio in his day, there would probably have been a commercial with “BE THERE!” at the end. We laugh, but if the gospel really is for everyone, why don’t we act like it? If the message of Jesus really is life changing stuff, why wouldn’t we want to expose our friends and neighbors to it in any way we can? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day