Wonders and Awe

February 3

(Acts 2:43 NIV) "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles."

(Luke 7:16 NIV) "They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people.""

(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."

When we become devoted to God’s word, to the church, and to prayer, miracles happen. There may be healings, signs, and wonders, but often the miracle is a changed life. Drunks sober up. Fools become wise. Haters are moved to love. When God moves in a visible way, people will be in awe. Jesus saved you so that someone could be awed by His grace. It starts with us, as we stand in awe of God’s love and mercy in our lives. It spreads to those around us as people begin to see the changes in us, and they are affected by the visible work of Jesus. The response won’t always be positive -- the Gospel is a threat to some. But when God’s people live out their faith in positive ways -- when we put the word of God into practice, love our neighbors, pray with power, and live in Christian community, many will be filled with awe. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Early Prayer

February 2

(Acts 2:42 NIV) "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

(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."

(Luke 18:1 NIV) "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

(Philippians 4:6 NIV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV) "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

The early church was not just about worship, teaching, miracles, and community -- it was also about prayer. They were devoted to prayer, and prayed constantly. They believed that prayer could change things. They saw it work in the lives of people. They prayed for the dead to be raised, and life returned to corpses. They prayed that their witness would draw others to Christ, and people came to the Lord in droves. They would even be seen praying as their bodies perished in the flames and as they were torn apart by wild beasts. They prayed together, and it changed the world. Prayer still changes things, and is vital to the church. We would be wise not to forsake it. The church has enemies who work against it on a daily basis. Will you be one who prays for the church daily? Will you take the time this week to join with other believers in prayer? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Breaking Bread

February 1

(Acts 2:42 NIV) "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread…"

(Acts 2:46 NIV) "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,"

(Romans 12:4-5 NIV) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, {5} so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

(Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV) "There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism; {6} one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

There is a difference of opinion among Bible scholars as to whether the phrase “breaking of bread” speaks of the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, or of the practice of eating together in one another’s homes as family would do. Either way, the early church lived in a state of constant communion. Whether they broke bread in the church or in their homes becomes secondary to the fact that they bonded as family around their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They were in a holy communion with one another, and being together in community around a common table became central to the life of the early church. In our fragmented age, where individual agendas take priority over the common good, we could use a dose of this communal thinking. Having a common Lord should move us toward a common life. Christ founded the church to be His body: one Lord, one faith, one body. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

The Fellowship

January 31

(Acts 2:42 NIV) "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship…"

(1 John 1:3, 6-7 NIV) "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ… {6} If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. {7} But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

(2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV) "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Scripture says the early church was devoted to “the fellowship”. This term was used for those who made up the local church. Instead of being self-centered, they became community centered. It is amazing what we can get past when we have someone else’s benefit at heart. Soldiers often have strong differences with fellow soldiers, but they remember who the real enemy is, and they stick together. They have each other’s back. Differences are minimized when there is a common mission. The early church was much the same. Getting our way is less important when our wills are bent toward the good of the community. Unfortunately, rather than watching our back, the church is often known as a place where someone stabs us in the back. This should not be. It is not God’s will for the church. The early church was devoted to the fellowship. That calling has not changed. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day