High Risk Preaching

March 10

(Acts 5:17-21 NIV) "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. {18} They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. {19} But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. {20} "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." {21} At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people."

(Matthew 10:16-20 NIV) "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. {17} "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. {18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. {19} But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, {20} for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

The apostles preached and many came to faith in Christ, but not everyone was happy. The Sadducees were jealous, and had the disciples arrested and jailed. But that did not stop these pioneer Christians. An angel freed them and told them to keep preaching. The disciples had a choice: would they leave town and protect their lives, or would they return to preach and face great danger? They chose to obey the angel and continued to witness and teach in Christ’s name. This was high risk preaching. Today we worry that people might criticize us or leave the church if we preach the hard stuff. Many a sermon has been “softened” up so as not to offend anyone. Tickling ears is much safer than cutting to the heart. But while we worry about our popularity and jobs, we see the apostles, like sheep among wolves, risking their lives to share the gospel. We would do well to follow their example. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Shadows of Our Faith

March 9

(Acts 5:12-16 NIV) “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. {13} No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. {14} Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. {15} As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. {16} Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.”

(Psalms 36:7 NIV) "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."

(Isaiah 32:2-4 NIV) "Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. {3} Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. {4} The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear."

Many of us grew up hoping we could change the world somehow. We dreamed that our lives would make a difference. God, in his grace, has given us a way to do that. When we dare to walk by faith, people around us will be affected. When the Holy Spirit fills us, our presence in this world will be felt. Just being in Peter’s shadow could change someone’s life. Think on that for a bit -- living a life so reflective of Jesus that just being in our shadow could bring the healing of God. What kind of shade are you producing? Do others find healing in your shadow? The early Christians had a significant impact on their communities. People were healed, lives were changed, and their numbers grew daily. Is your church producing shade where people can find shelter from the heat and hostility of this world? If not, churches can be changed just like the world is changed -- one life at a time. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Living in Awe of God

March 8

(Acts 5:4-11 NIV) ““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 to men but to God." {5} When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. {6} Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. {7} About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. {8} Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." {9} Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." {10} At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. {11} Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.””

(Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV) ““Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, {29} for our "God is a consuming fire.””

(Habakkuk 3:2 NIV) "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."

Ananias and his wife Sapphira lied to God. It is never wise to lie to God. We can deceive people, but we cannot deceive the Lord. What is wise is to live in awe of God’s knowledge, power, judgment, and mercy. Do you live in awe of God? Does your giving reflect that awe? Does your service glorify His name? Ananias thought he could lie to God and get away with it. It cost him his life. When we lie to God, we also lose. Our spirits weaken. We become man-pleasers rather than God-pleasers. We withhold more and more from God as time goes by. We may even begin to tell God, “I just don’t have it to give right now. I’m giving as much as I can.” But God will know better. We cannot thrive spiritually when we lie to God, and Christ’s Bride, the Church, suffers when Christians hold back more than they really need for themselves. Live in awe of God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Holding Back

March 7

(Acts 4:3 NIV) “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?”

(Mark 12:30 NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

(Proverbs 11:24 NIV) “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”

God was not pleased with what Ananias offered. God’s problem was not with the amount, but with the man. Peter spoke for God, saying: “Satan has filled your heart. You have lied to God and held back money from Him.” Ananias appeared generous, but greed had claimed his heart. He didn’t trust God to care for his needs, and he held back from God. Many in the church today hold back from God. They hold back on ministry, and others must work harder to get the job done. They hold back on giving, and others must give more to meet the church’s needs. They hold back their obedience, and others must go to accomplish the mission. When we stand in front of God, one of His questions might be, “Why did you hold back? I gave you 100%. I gave my all for you. Why did you hold back on me?” How would you answer that question? By the way, there is no good answer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day