Faith of Our Fathers

March 25

(Acts 7:1-16 NIV)  "Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?" {2} To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. {3} 'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.' {4} "So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. {5} He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. {6} God spoke to him in this way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. {7} But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.' {8} Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. {9} "Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him {10} and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. {11} "Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our fathers could not find food. {12} When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. {13} On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. {14} After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. {15} Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. {16} Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money."

Stephen lifts up the early fathers of faith found in Genesis. Abraham believed God and went where he was told to go. Faith and obedience go hand in hand. His son Isaac became a child of the promise after years of waiting. Isaac’s son Jacob, was drawn out of his deceit and into faith, and was given a new name. Jacob’s twelve sons eventually grew into that new name, becoming the twelve tribes of Israel. One of them, Joseph, was despised and rejected by his brothers. Sold into slavery, but blessed by God, he rose to become a great leader, and with grace, provided a salvation for the very brothers who had tried to kill him. Believing God; faith and obedience; becoming a child of the promise; getting a new name; finding grace and salvation in one who was thought dead… all these are pictures of faith in Christ. It’s a faith we are called to emulate today -- the faith of our fathers. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Full of God’s Grace and Power

March 24

(Acts 6:8-15 NIV) "Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. {9} Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, {10} but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. {11} Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God." {12} So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. {13} They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. {14} For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." {15} All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel."

Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to help oversee the distribution of food for those in need. He also had prophetic gifts and began to preach the word of God with authority. He is described as a man who was “full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” -- “a man full of God's grace and power”, who “did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people”. The religious experts “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke”. When Stephen spoke, “his face was like the face of an angel”. Today we would call Stephen a “superstar”. Being a superstar for God will get you noticed, especially by those who oppose the name of Jesus. Stephen faced his persecutors and never flinched. Are you full of God’s grace, wisdom, faith, and power? You will face opposition and persecution. Take it as a compliment and shine! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Shared Ministry = Church Growth

March 23

(Acts 6:5-7 NIV) "This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. {6} They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. {7} So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

(Romans 12:4-8 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. {6} We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. {7} If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; {8} if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

New workers were chosen to lighten the load on the apostles, and the church grew rapidly. Ministry works best when it is shared. No one can effectively do everything. Spirit filled ministry is a team effort. Growth happens when team members concentrate on their areas of calling and gifting. The church must find ways to help people do what they do best. When leaders wear too many hats, their knees will eventually buckle, and the church will lack vitality. But the church needs more than just workers -- she needs workers who are Spirit-filled Jesus lovers, because Christ is the most important commodity we have to share. We must do more than just fill stomachs to obey the great commission. Compassion that is void of Christ may satisfy our humanity, but it will not glorify God. If we give people food, but fail to give them Jesus, we have failed to be the church. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Delegating Ministry

March 22

(Acts 6:2-4 NIV) ““So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. {3} Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them {4} and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.””

(1 Corinthians 12:4-12 NIV) “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  {5} There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. {6}There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. {7} Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. {8} To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, {9} to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, {10} to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. {11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. {12} The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.”  

(Ephesians 4:7-11 NIV) ““But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. {8} This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." {9} (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? {10} He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) {11} It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…””

As the church grew, needs multiplied. To meet those needs, the apostles delegated the hands- on caring ministry to other gifted and mature believers. They would not be sidetracked from preaching the gospel. This may sound like a lack of compassion to us, but their compassion was in their delegation. They recognized a legitimate need, but personally meeting that need was not their primary calling. They had not been called to run a feeding program for the hungry. Their commission was to make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey the Lord. There was no written gospel at that time. The words of Christ were in their hearts and needed to be shared while they were still alive. Their calling was to prayer and to the ministry of God’s word. They demonstrated compassion and wisdom by delegating the ministries that were outside of their calling. We would be wise to do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Church Growth and Factions

March 21

(Acts 6:1 NIV) “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.”

(James 1:27-2:1 NIV) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”  

The rapid growth of the early church brought with it some problems. The church was called to compassion, and began to provide food for widows who had no other source of income. But in the distribution of that food, some widows were being favored over others, based on their nationality. And so we see, that from the very beginning, the church has struggled with favoritism and factions -- factions which place the emphasis on what group you belong to, rather than on what Lord you belong to. Favoritism is not a product of our times, but of our human nature -- and God calls it a sin. The apostles did not ignore this complaint, but took positive and creative action to see that legitimate needs were met. If the church today is to grow biblically, it must not show favoritism for one group over another. In fact, factions are usually a key factor in the slow death of churches. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Day After Day

March 20

(Acts 5:42 NIV) "Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."

(Psalm 61:8 NIV) “Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.”

(Psalm 96:2 NIV) “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.”

The apostles were beaten, threatened with death, and publicly disgraced, but they went right back out the next day and witnessed to the power of the gospel. Day after day, they shared the good news. Day after day, they sang the praises of Jesus. Day after day, they proclaimed His salvation in their church, and from house to house. Day after day, they put the cause of Christ above their personal well being. This is our calling as His disciples. Never stop telling the story that God has come to Earth. The Creator stepped into His creation. His name is Jesus, and He came to redeem our lives and save our souls. Healing and wholeness are found in His name. Forgiveness flows from His grace. His mercy and love are available to all who believe God, and confess that Jesus is Lord. Day after day, the apostles never stopped proclaiming this message. Neither should we! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Found Worthy

March 19

(Acts 5:41 NIV) "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

(James 1:2-4 NIV) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, {3} because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. {4} Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

(1 Peter 4:12-16 NIV) "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. {13} But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. {14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. {15} If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. {16} However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."

If we were flogged for sharing our faith, most of us would probably file a police report and a lawsuit. The apostles didn’t do that. They rejoiced that they had been “counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” They were beaten for preaching the gospel, and praised God for the honor. Being publicly disgraced was acceptable to them, as long as it was disgrace for the Name of Jesus. Many times today, we are disgraced for bad behavior. There is no cause for joy in that. Don’t confuse the trouble you go through because of foolish disobedience, for the persecution of the faithful. But we are blessed if we suffer ridicule and disgrace for our witness to the Name of Jesus. So if you have been verbally flogged and ridiculed of late, stop whining and start praising God. You have been found “worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” You have made the Lord’s Honor Roll. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Fighting Against God

March 18

(Acts 5:34-39 NIV) ““But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. {35} Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. {36} Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. {37} After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. {38} Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. {39} But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.””

(Proverbs 21:30 NIV) "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."

As Gamaliel spoke to the Sanhedrin, he said something profound. He urged his colleagues not to kill the apostles, because if the gospel they were preaching was from the Lord, the Sanhedrin would end up “fighting against God”. The apostles could be flogged, disgraced, hounded, persecuted, and even killed… but if their message was from God, it could not be stopped. Those who fight against God never win in the end. Christians, we need to receive this prophetic statement from Gamaliel as an admonition to us. We have been commissioned to deliver the gospel, God’s message of truth, grace, hope, and love. It cannot be stopped. When people try to silence the gospel, they are fighting against God. Do not be intimidated or afraid. We may suffer, but the gospel will be victorious. No one can succeed when they fight against God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Hostility Toward the Name

March 17

(Acts 5:33 NIV) "When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.

(Acts 5:40-42 NIV) “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. {41} The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. {42} Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

Throughout the church’s history, Christians have been persecuted and killed for witnessing about Jesus. Christ threatened the religious system of His day, and the response of religion is often to eliminate the competition. We see it happening in our world today. On this particular day, in an attempt to silence them, the Sanhedrin had the apostles flogged for preaching the truth. It didn’t work. The apostles rejoiced in being found worthy of “suffering disgrace for the Name”, and they kept preaching. Will you? The goal of many today is to silence Christians, and eliminate the name of Jesus from the public arena. You can talk profane trash in public, but do not talk about Jesus or you will be flogged. It may be a verbal or emotional flogging, but it may even become physical. If you persist in speaking “the Name”, there will be an attempt to disgrace you. Will you wilt, or will you rejoice in being found worthy? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Passion for the Gospel

March 16

(Acts 5:30-31 NIV) “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. {31} God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. {32} We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

(Romans 1:8-17 NIV) "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. {9} God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you {10} in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. {11} I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- {12} that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. {13} I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. {14} I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. {15} That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. {16} I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.""

When Christ rules in our life, zeal to tell our story begins to grow, along with a passion for the gospel message itself. The apostles not only shared their story with the Sanhedrin, they also shared the gospel. With passion they declared, “This Jesus you crucified really came to die for your sins and ours. But God raised him up and offers forgiveness and mercy to those who will repent and acknowledge Him as Lord.” In a couple of sentences they shared the gospel along with their personal witness. Could you share the gospel with someone in a couple of sentences? Are you passionate about the gospel? Our lifestyle and personal testimony are only designed to light the way to Jesus. They are like an appetizer. They cannot save people. Without a passion for sharing the gospel, our stories can sound like simple self-glorification. Ask God to give you a passion for the gospel. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Dangerous Obedience

March 15

(Acts 5:29 NIV) ““Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!””

(Acts 4:19-20 NIV) "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. {20} For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.""

(Exodus 1:15-21 NIV) "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, {16} "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." {17} The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. {18} Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?" {19} The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." {20} So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. {21} And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own."

Acts 5:29 is a dangerous verse. It can make you unpopular, get you arrested, or even get you killed. When we begin to seriously follow Jesus, there will be times when the decrees of our government, or even our church, do not match up with His commands. In those times we have a choice to make -- we can obey man or we can obey God. The Hebrew midwives chose to obey God rather than the king of Egypt. That was dangerous. The apostles declared to the religious authorities that they would obey God rather than man. It was a dangerous obedience. These were the same religious authorities who had killed Jesus. Obeying God rather than man is risky business. It will usually cost us or our family something. We may lose status, friends, money, jobs, or in some instances, even our lives. But in the end, it will be worth the price. Seek God’s approval rather than man’s. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

With Power Comes Responsibility

March 14

(Acts 5:26-28 NIV) ““At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. {27} Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. {28} "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.””

(Matthew 27:15-26 NIV) ““Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. {16} At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. {17} So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" {18} For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. {19} While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." {20} But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. {21} "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. {22} "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" {23} "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" {24} When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" {25} All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" {26} Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.””

With power comes responsibility. The religious authorities in our Scripture verses today didn’t want Christ’s name and teaching to spread. They feared they would lose power. If people began following Jesus, they would likely stop obeying the religious big shots in Jerusalem. But while the religious authorities were guarding their power and coveting more of it, they were also denying any responsibility for the death of Jesus -- even though it was their exertion of power that brought about His crucifixion. Christ’s blood was on their hands, and on Pilate’s. He tried to wash his hands of it, but blood does not come off that easily. An unholy alliance of religion and state had nailed an innocent man to a cross and there was no escaping that truth. Corrupt power always brings death. We would all do well to learn this lesson, because like it or not, with power comes responsibility. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Dollar Short and a Day Late

March 13

(Acts 5:21b-25 NIV) ““When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin--the full assembly of the elders of Israel--and sent to the jail for the apostles. {22} But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, {23} "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." {24} On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. {25} Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.””

(Isaiah 42:16-25 NIV) ““I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. {17} But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame. {18} "Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! {19} Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the LORD? {20} You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing." {21} It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. {22} But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, "Send them back." {23} Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come? {24} Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow his ways; they did not obey his law. {25} So he poured out on them his burning anger, the violence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.””

Religion ruled the lives of those who opposed the apostles -- and when religion rules our lives, we will always be a dollar short and a day late when it comes to the movement of God’s Spirit. Focusing on the rules of religion, rather than on their relationship with the Ruler, caused them to be unaware of what God was doing in their time. They didn’t get it, and were “puzzled” by God’s miraculous delivery of the apostles. Religion blinded them to the workings of God, and deafened them to the gospel. They were more concerned with being in control of the situation, than with being conscious of the Spirit. One of the keys to successful ministry is finding out where God is moving and then going there. We can’t do that when we focus on the wrong stuff. When we follow a religion rather than Jesus, we will always be a dollar short and a day late when it comes to sensing the Spirit’s moving. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Zealous Disciple

March 12

(Acts 5:21 NIV) "At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.”

(Romans 12:11 NIV) "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

(Psalms 69:8-9 NIV) "I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; {9} for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me."

The apostles had been jailed for preaching Christ and warned not to teach again in His name. But when the angel freed them, they went right back out and began preaching again. This is zeal for the Lord. Their zeal for obeying God and telling others about Jesus overpowered their natural fear of being chastised, imprisoned, or even killed. Their calling became more important than their personal safety or their personal agenda. When Christ rules in our lives, our zeal for witness grows, and our concern for personal prestige wanes. Our zeal for sharing his name with others multiplies to the point that we can’t hold it in any more. Is your zeal increasing or waning? Have you committed your life to being a witness for Christ, or are you more committed to being popular? Was it the “In crowd” who saved you? Or was it Jesus? Allow zeal for Christ to consume you. Become a zealous disciple. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Full Message

March 11

(Acts 5:19-20 NIV) ““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.””

(Romans 10:17 NIV) "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

(2 Timothy 4:17 NIV) "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth."

The angel commanded the apostles to tell people “the full message”. The “full message” goes like this. We were created to be with God, but we have all sinned, and our sin separates us from Him. We have all gone astray, but the Lord came looking for us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He loved us so much that He paid for all our sins by dying on a cross. To prove that His payment was sufficient, God raised Jesus from the dead. He lives today, and calls us to become His followers. To be saved, we must believe God, and believe that what Jesus did was sufficient. We must put our faith in God’s grace and provision. When we believe, we are born again and given a new life. We are called to be Christ’s disciples -- to witness to His grace with our changed life. God works through us to call people to Him. This is the “full message” in a nutshell. Have you believed this message? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

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

More Than a Tithe

March 6

(Acts 5:1-2 NIV) “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. {2} With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.”

(Acts 4:36 NIV) “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), {37} sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.”

(Luke 21:1-4 NIV) ““As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. {2} He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. {3} "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. {4} All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””

Spirit filled giving is more than tithing. God blesses the person who tithes, but it is not His intent that we stop there. When God pours out his blessing into our lives he doesn’t stop at 10%. You didn’t get 10% of God’s grace when you came to him for forgiveness -- you got 100% of God’s grace. Barnabas gave 100%. The poor widow in Luke’s gospel gave 100%. But Ananias withheld part of his offering for himself, and as we will see, the consequences were severe. The amount we give is not important. It’s not even really about the percentage. It’s our heart that matters. It’s the sacrifice that matters. God’s intent is that as our walk with the Lord grows stronger, and as we trust Him more and more, we will grow in our willingness to give. As our love for Jesus grows, so will our love of giving. We really will come to believe that we cannot “out give” God, and our actions will prove it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Son of Encouragement

March 5

(Acts 4:36 NIV) “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), {37} sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet."

(2 Corinthians 9:10-13 NIV) "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. {11} You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. {12} This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. {13} Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else."

(Romans 12:1 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."

Today we meet a man named Joseph, who later became known as Barnabas. Eventually, he teamed up with a convert named Paul, and together they took the gospel to much of the Gentile world around the Mediterranean Sea. Barnabas didn’t start out to be an apostle. He started out as just an ordinary guy with a generous heart -- a man who had something he was willing to give. He stepped up and gave what he had, while he was still alive, and in the process, modeled what it means to be a “living sacrifice”. Today, we think people are generous if they give their stuff away after they die. But after we die, we no longer need our stuff. Generosity is not giving away something that we don’t need. Generosity is giving away something we could still use, simply because someone else has a need for it. This is the kind of generosity that will make you a “son of encouragement”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

New Priorities

March 4

(Acts 4:34-35 NIV) “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales {35} and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

(Matthew 19:16-23 NIV)  "Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" {17} "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." {18} "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, {19} honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" {20} "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" {21} Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." {22} When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. {23} Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

(Luke 12:32-34 NIV) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. {33} Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. {34} For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

There were no needy persons among those who joined with the early church. They did this by applying a simple principle -- those who had more than they needed, gave to those who did not have enough. Possessions lost their power to captivate as people became disciples of Jesus and were filled with the Holy Spirit. The early believers were more interested in storing up treasure in heaven, than with accumulating wealth here on earth. The needs of the church, supporting those who preached the word, and supplying the needs of the poor, became paramount in the hearts of those touched by the grace of God. Today, spreading the gospel and ministry to our fellow believers should rank above getting our kids the latest iPhone, or having that new car, or those new clothes, or that new sports gear. It’s a matter of a new life, with new priorities. It’s the Jesus way. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Grace Giving Empowers Preaching

March 3

(Acts 4:33 NIV) “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”

(2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV) "But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

(2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV) "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Grace giving empowers gospel preaching. The early Christians gave generously to one another as they witnessed to their changed lives, and the apostles continued to testify with great power. This combination of faith and deeds changed the world. The generous church grows -- the stingy church shrivels. Generous Christians grow -- stingy Christians shrivel. Christian witness is muted by a stingy heart, while grace giving opens the doors of heaven. This goes way beyond money -- it’s about the joyful and sacrificial giving of one’s life, one’s time, one’s love, one’s talent, and one’s heart. The church needs Christians who are more concerned with what they can offer the church, than with what the church can offer them -- believers who ask, “What can I give?” rather than, “What can I get?”. This is the kind of church the disciples belonged to, and it’s a worthy model for today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

I Surrender All

March 2

(Acts 4:32 NIV) “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

(2 Corinthians 8:1-5 NIV) "And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. {2} Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. {3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, {4} they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. {5} And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will."

This Sunday someone, somewhere, will sing the old hymn, “I Surrender All”. But almost everyone who sings it has an exception clause or two -- an unwritten list of things we won’t surrender. Very likely, that list includes some of our possessions. Soon after Pentecost, the infant church became the most generous institution on the face of the Earth. The early Christians surrendered up their possessions and shared all that they had with one another. Only fully surrendered hearts can bow like this to God’s heart. Their hearts had become one -- they now had the heart of Jesus. They not only sold out to Jesus, they sold out for one another. They gave up the right to use the word, “mine”. Vanity, envy, and striving for status had no place in their lives. This kind of giving requires divine intervention. Only a heart overflowing with the Holy Spirit can be this generous. May our hearts be filled! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

God Answers Prayer

March 1

(Acts 4:31 NIV) “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

(Matthew 7:7-8 NIV) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. {8} For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

(1 John 5:14-15 NIV) "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. {15} And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him."

The prayers that shook the building where the disciples had gathered were prayers for courage and boldness to witness in the face of danger. That kind of prayer can still shake the church. When we begin to pray according to God’s will as the disciples did, asking the Lord to do great things through us for His glory, He will enable us to speak the word of God boldly, and the church will grow. We may suffer, but God’s Kingdom will expand. When we allow God’s Spirit to fill us, and when we live with the faith and joy of the early church, we will see awesome answers to prayer. And when God answers prayer, what He has done in our lives will not remain a secret. How the Lord blessed us and changed us will become a part of our normal, daily conversation. The church will grow when genuine faith brings genuine change, and when those genuinely changed share a genuine witness. Speak up! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Effective Ministry is Dependent

February 28

(Acts 4:23-30 NIV) ““On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. {24} When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. {25} You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? {26} The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' {27} Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. {28} They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. {29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. {30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.””

Effective ministry is powered by a strong dependence upon God and His church. Peter and John gathered the church together, and went before the Lord in prayer. They were team players, not rugged individualists. They praised God for what He had done, and remembered His greatness. They asked for faith and strength to continue doing ministry. We don’t hear them asking for protection, or that God would spare them from the penalties of speaking the truth. They asked for the courage to fulfill their calling, regardless of what happened. They asked God to make them effective ministers, and to make them more visible, even though their lives had been threatened. They asked for boldness in preaching. This is the kind of prayer that can change a city, or even the world. And if we desire an effective ministry, this is the kind of prayer disciples should be praying today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Effective Ministry Requires Commitment

February 27

(Acts 4:19-20 NIV) ““But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. {20} For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.””

(Acts 14:1-7 NIV) "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. {2} But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. {3} So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. {4} The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. {5} There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. {6} But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, {7} where they continued to preach the good news."

(Luke 19:37-40 NIV) ""When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: {38} "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" {39} Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" {40} "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.""

At some point, our commitment to Jesus and His message will be tested. If our commitment to sharing the Gospel has never been tested, it is likely we are not faithfully communicating the heart of Jesus. When we are tested, we have a choice to make -- we can fold like a card table or we can stand strong. Peter and John stood strong. They told the authorities, “We cannot help ourselves.” They could not stop talking about what they had seen and heard with Jesus. When we come to the point where we “cannot help ourselves”, God will give us courage for every situation and we will be empowered to tell people about what we’ve seen and heard. Effective ministry requires commitment. It will also take the Holy Spirit’s power to stand against the public pressure to silence our witness. But if we stand strong, we can have an effective ministry, and souls can be saved. Stand strong! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Effective Ministry Generates Resistance

February 26

(Acts 4:17-18 NIV)  “But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." {18} Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

(Acts 4:21a NIV) “After further threats they let them go.”

Effective ministry will generate some resistance. When you insist on publicly giving glory to Jesus Christ, praising and proclaiming His name outside of the church walls, you will meet with resistance. The resistance can come in being shunned. People may avoid you at work. Old friends stop coming around. You don’t receive all the party invitations you used to receive. Or the resistance may take on a more hostile nature. You may be confronted and told in no uncertain terms to shut up about this Jesus stuff. You may even be threatened with bodily harm. This is what happened to Peter and John. But they remained faithful and continued to speak the truth in love. Every believer with an effective ministry will face resistance. Remain faithful! The resistance we face pales in comparison to being beaten beyond recognition and nailed to a cross. Remain faithful and some will be saved. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Effective Ministry = Visible Fruit

February 25

(Acts 4:14-16 NIV) ““But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. {15} So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. {16} "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.””

(Acts 4:21b NIV) “They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.”

(Luke 3:4-6 NIV) ““As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. {5} Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. {6} And all mankind will see God's salvation.””

Effective ministry bears visible fruit that brings glory to God. People are saved. People are baptized. People are healed. People’s lives are visibly changed so that everyone can see what has happened. God doesn’t do these things so we can feel special or get puffed up -- God does it so we will give Him glory and people will look up. God doesn’t change our lives just so we can live better. God changes our lives so we can give Him glory and be His witnesses. When Peter healed the crippled beggar, everybody knew that God had done something really big. The religious leaders couldn’t ignore it because everyone was praising God for what they had seen. If our changed lives don’t cause people to praise God for what has happened, we have probably been hiding our miracle. Why would we want to do that? Effective ministry bears visible fruit that brings glory to God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Unschooled and Ordinary

February 24

(Acts 4:13 NIV) "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

(Acts 2:41-47 NIV)  "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. {42} They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. {43} Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. {44} All the believers were together and had everything in common. {45} Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. {46} 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, {47} praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

The apostles were not highly educated like the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin, but they had an effective ministry. They had no letters following their names, but they had been with Jesus and they had courage. With these godly credentials, they literally changed the world. Education is not the most important factor in effective ministry. Churches that value academic degrees over gifting and calling have forgotten Acts 4:13. Courageous, unschooled, ordinary men, who had been with Jesus, planted churches that grew in number daily. When you couple a close relationship with Christ to a courageous heart, you have a potent combination for effective ministry. Have you been with Jesus? Would anyone look at your life and take note that you have been with Jesus? Are you courageous in sharing your faith? This is how “unschooled, ordinary” Christians change the world. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Other Name

February 23

(Acts 4:5-12 NIV) ““The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. {6} Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. {7} They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" {8} Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! {9} If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, {10} then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. {11} He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' {12} Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.””

(John 14:6 NIV) ““Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.””

Peter and John were called before the rulers to account for the beggar’s healing. The elders wanted to know by what power or what name they had done this miracle. Peter was blunt: “The Jesus you killed is alive. He rose from the dead and there is great power in His name. His name not only provided physical healing for this man, there is no other name by which your souls can be saved from hell.” Peter is echoing the words that Jesus told His disciples, “I am the way. No one comes to the Father, unless they come through me. I am the only way to Heaven.” This is not some narrow-minded bigot speaking -- it is the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter was preaching that Jesus is the Messiah, the Rock of our salvation, the one and only Savior of all mankind. This is still the gospel truth. There is no other way to Heaven. There is no other name that can save us. Believe it! Proclaim it! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day      

A Disturbing Gospel

February 22

(Acts 4:1-4 NIV)  "The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. {2} They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. {3} They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. {4} But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”

(Matthew 2:1-3 NIV)  "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." {3} When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him."

When one proclaims that God has come to Earth as Lord and Savior for all mankind, the “powers that be” will be disturbed. When one preaches that wicked men killed Christ, but God raised Him from the dead, evil will rise up to silence you -- for if Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead, we would be fools not to worship and serve Him. Earthly powers will agree that Jesus was a good person and a great teacher, but they cannot tolerate Him as God incarnate. Those in authority are threatened by those who will bow down only to Christ. Man’s autonomy is challenged when we preach that salvation is found in Christ alone. A gospel that gives people only two choices for eternity is a disturbing gospel, and if we preach it, like Peter and John, we will be marginalized, harassed, and even punished. But if we faithfully live it out, some will be saved, and the church will grow. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Eternal Gospel

February 21

(Acts 3:17-26 NIV) ""Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. {18} But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. {19} Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, {20} and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. {21} He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. {22} For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. {23} Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' {24} "Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. {25} And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' {26} When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.""

(Hebrews 8:10-12 NIV) "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. {11} No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. {12} For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Peter used the healed beggar to share the eternal gospel -- a gospel that never changes because it comes from an unchanging and eternal God. He called them to repent and turn to God from their wicked ways. They had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God -- something we have all done. Turning to God would wipe out their sins. The Lord would remember their sins no more. We all need this! Not only would their sins be forgiven, but times of refreshing would come from the Lord. In a dry and weary land, they would have living water. The risen Christ would come to live in them, and their lives would be transformed. Turning to Jesus would not only save them, it would also empower them to be obedient to God and His word. Jesus would become Lord of their lives and they would become Christ-followers. This is the eternal gospel. Have you believed it? Are you living it? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

There’s Power in the Name

February 20

(Acts 3:15-16 NIV) "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. {16} By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see."

(Luke 24:45-48 NIV) "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. {46} He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} You are witnesses of these things."

Christians serve a risen Savior, and because of the resurrection, there is power in the name of Jesus. As witnesses of the resurrection, the early apostles preached of His lordship, His salvation, and His healing. They proclaimed that there was power in the name of Jesus, and that by faith in His name, people could be healed, delivered, and saved. They preached the gospel of salvation. We are called to the same ministry. We must tell people that sin has crippled them and will kill them. We must tell them that God raised Jesus from the dead, and that we are His witnesses because the risen Christ has changed our lives. We must tell them that there is power in the name of Jesus and call them to repent and put their faith in His name. He is the One who can heal our crippled hearts, deliver us from our demons, and forgive our sins. Jesus saves! There is power in the name of Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

The Forbidden “You” Message

February 19

(Acts 3:13-17 NIV) “You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. {14} You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. {15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead… {17} "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.”

(Matthew 23:27-28 NIV) "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. {28} In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

(Isaiah 30:10-11 NIV) ““They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. {11} Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!””

Peter preached to the crowd gathered around the healed beggar, and he did something that modern preachers are told never to do -- he preached a “you” message. He pointed his prophetic finger at them and said, “You sinned and you need to change your ways.” Pastors are told not to preach that way today. People want “positive” messages. But Peter threw caution to the wind, and said: “You handed Jesus over to be killed. You disowned him. You asked for a murderer to be spared instead of Christ. You killed the author of life. You acted ignorantly.” WOW! That would empty a church sanctuary today. But what if it’s the truth? What if God wants you to know your sins and wants you to change? In a way, every message from the Holy Spirit is personal. You can’t receive personal salvation and then refuse to receive personal messages. God is speaking to you. Repent! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Pointing People Upward

February 18

(Acts 3:12-13 NIV) ““When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? {13} The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.””

(Acts 14:11-15 NIV) ““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.””

(1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV) "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Human beings are plagued by the tendency to worship other humans instead of God. “Celebrity worship” is rampant, whether it be for politicians, athletes, actors, musicians, or preachers. Some will always worship the miracle worker instead of the Miracle Maker. Peter nipped this attitude in the bud. He let people know that it was the living Christ who had healed this man. Peter and John understood that who gets the credit is a big deal. It’s the difference between being a disciple and becoming an idol. They pointed people to Christ. They wanted God to get the glory. They wanted the name of Jesus to be praised. This was their mission and purpose in life. The same goes for us. We all have opportunities to glorify the Lord. God is still glorifying Jesus Christ through those who choose to give Him glory. Everything believers do should be done to the glory of God. Point people upward! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Hanging On or Hanging Out

February 17

(Acts 3:11 NIV) "While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.”

(Luke 10:38-42 NIV) "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. {39} She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. {40} But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" {41} "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, {42} but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.""

(Luke 19:47-48 NIV) "Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. {48} Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words."

The healed beggar hung on to Peter and John. He had been walking, and jumping, and praising God, so it wasn’t for stability that he hung on to them. Perhaps it was gratitude for the men who had looked him in the eye and reached down to help him up. He wanted everyone to meet these men who had shown him Jesus and given him a second chance. We can learn from him. He was into hanging on, rather than just hanging out. Jesus needs disciples who will hang on to him, not just hang out with him. He needs people who will hang on His words, not just hang out at church. Many people hung out with Jesus, but it was the disciples who hung on to Him. Jesus is looking for Christians who will hang onto him -- believers who won’t forget where they received healing and the words of life -- disciples who will introduce Him to their friends and neighbors. Are you hanging on, or just hanging out? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Running To the Church

February 16

(Acts 3:11 NIV) "While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.”

(Mark 3:7-10 NIV) "Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. {8} When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. {9} Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. {10} For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him."

In a day when people are leaving the church in droves, it’s good to see some running to the church in the third chapter of Acts. The same happened to Jesus. The common denominator is the miraculous transformation of lives, and that those who witnessed the deliverance and healing talked it up. This caused many to be astonished and come running to the church. They didn’t all stay, but they could never say they had not seen and heard the truth. The same thing can happen today. When people hear about miraculous transformations, they tend to come running. The miracle of a changed life, whether that change is spiritual or physical, can bring glory to God and draw people to the church. When the church does amazing things, people will come running to see what’s up. But we have to talk it up out in the world where it really counts. We have to get the word out. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Who Gets the Credit

February 15

(Acts 3:11-16 NIV) “While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. {12} When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? {13} The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. {14} You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. {15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. {16} By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”

(John 20:30-31 NIV) "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

After Peter and John brought healing to the crippled man, the crowd began to treat them as superheroes with great power. It was a test for them. They had to decide whether to accept the glory for themselves, or give glory to God. They passed the test. They declared that faith in the name of Jesus caused the miraculous healing. Human beings are interesting. We excel at holding grudges. We blame God for the tragedies, disasters, and calamities in our lives. Some are still angry at God for something that happened decades ago. But when blessing comes our way, or something good happens in our life, we are prone to explaining it away as coincidence, or worse yet, to taking credit for it ourselves. We chalk it up to being godly, or smart, or just plain lucky. In this world, God gets most of the blame, but not much of the credit. Be different, Christian. Give God glory in all things. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Praise and Amazement

February 14

(Acts 3:8-10 NIV) "He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. {9} When all the people saw him walking and praising God, {10} they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."

(Matthew 9:33 NIV) "And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.""

(Matthew 15:31 NIV) "The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel."

When we obey God, glory comes down and praise goes up. This ex-cripple was not subtle or sophisticated in his witness. He was ecstatic and out of control. He jumped up and down and danced around, shouting out praises to the Lord. Healed people praise God. Saved people tell of his wonders and mercy. God didn’t heal this man because He felt sorry for him and wanted him to have a better life. He didn’t heal him so Peter and John could rake in money for their ministry. God healed this man to bring glory to His name. God healed him so people would be amazed at the power to be found in the name of the risen Jesus. Dead men can’t heal anyone -- but a risen Lord can. God has come to earth and lives in the changed lives of His people today. He wants us to share our story -- maybe even dance and sing and shout about it. He wants us to give Him glory. How are you doing at that? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Partners with God

February 13

(Acts 3:7 NIV) "Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong."

(Acts 9:17-19 NIV) "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." {18} Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, {19} and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus."

(Psalm 18:16 NIV) “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.”

Peter reached down and took the crippled beggars hand. This is a potent reminder of how God wants to work through us. God could have just spoken a word and the beggar would have been healed. But God had Peter reach down and take his hand. God has chosen us to be His partners. We are His helping hands. We do the reaching and the preaching. Jesus does the healing. Silver and gold could never have purchased new legs for this man, but Jesus filled his life with healing and dancing because Peter reached down and took his hand. God can do great things through those who will partner with Him by doing small things. Don’t just pray for the hungry -- go work in a soup kitchen. Don’t just pray for the lost -- reach out to them in love and share the gospel with them. We are partners with Jesus. If we expect Him to do it all, we are in a dysfunctional relationship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Giving What We Have

February 12

(Acts 3:6 NIV) "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.""

(Luke 21:1-4 NIV) "As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. {2} He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. {3} "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. {4} All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.""

Peter and John had little in the way of earthly riches, but they were willing to give what they had -- and what they had was Jesus. Jesus is better than silver and gold. Silver and gold only last for a while -- Jesus is forever. Money will only buy stuff that breaks and wears out -- Jesus is eternal. The beggar asked for something that would get him by for today -- Peter and John gave him something that would last for eternity. He wanted something to help him survive -- they showed him how to really live. He wanted them to support his way of life -- they gave him a new life. He was looking for a handout -- Peter and John gave him a hand up. Jesus still calls us to give what we have. Do you have Jesus? If you have Jesus, are you giving Him away, or are you hoarding Him? Give what you have. God will take care of the rest. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Looking the Right Direction

February 11

(Acts 3:4-5 NIV) "Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" {5} So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them."

(Matthew 6:22-23 NIV) "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. {23} But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

(Psalms 121:1-2 NIV) "I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? {2} My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

At an early age, infants learn to look into our eyes for information and intimacy. Something spiritual happens when we look people in the eye. So it was with the beggar at the gate. Conditioned by years of shame, he kept his head down and didn’t look up. It was safer for his soul not to make eye contact. His posture portrayed weakness, defeat, and humiliation. But Peter demanded eye contact, because he knew that God wanted to heal more than just this man’s body. Peter and John could have given him a small coin and felt good for helping the poor like many Christians do today. But they wanted to give him more than that. They wanted to give him his life back. They wanted God to heal his soul. So the man looked up and his life was never the same… because when he looked into their eyes, he was looking into the eyes of Christ. The first step to healing is looking up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day